World Events Summary: 20th-26th June 2017

A Pretty Good Week for Trump: the Supreme Court reinstated most of the travel ban while agreeing to take up the underlying case. Republicans won a fourth Special Congressional Election in a previously safe seat – high Democratic hopes were dashed and Pelosi’s position was questioned. A report surfaced showing just how much Obama knew about Russian activities in the 2016 election.

US Threatens WTO: the US Trade Representative, Robert Lighthizer, told Congress any change to the current status of China at that body – to so-called “market economy” status – would have cataclysmic consequences for the WTO. He also outlined how changes to the dispute resolution mechanisms would also be required, in order for the US not to receive a disproportionate level of complaints.

Saudi Succession: the King convinced 31/34 members of the allegiance council to go along with his decision to make his 31-year old favoured son, Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince. This sidelines the King’s nephew while war rages in Yemen, a high-stakes crisis with Qatar rumbles on and terrorists tried to conduct a suicide attack on Mecca’s Grand Mosque at the end of Ramadan.

Qatar Demands: having been prodded by the US administration to put demands into writing the Saudi-led GCC made clear that wide-ranging and sovereignty-constraining concessions were sought. These appear designed to end Qatar’s ability to conduct an independent foreign policy. The gains in commerce reached through free trade and a GCC single market were widely seen as imperiled.