Emir of Kuwait to travel to Washington for talks with Trump

The leader of Kuwait will visit the White House this week to meet with President Trump and discuss trade and security.

The White House said in a statement that Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the emir of Kuwait, will lead a delegation of officials to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

Reuters, citing state news agency KUNA, reported that the emir would travel to Washington on Monday.

{mosads}Reuters reported that the emir has led efforts to resolve a dispute between Gulf Arab nations that has resulted in a blockade of Qatar. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other nations cut ties with Qatar in June 2017 after accusing the small gulf nation of supporting extremist groups.

Trump took credit for the decision to cut ties with Qatar, suggesting his trip to the region shortly before the blockade was announced was the impetus for their decision.

Despite the rift among Gulf Arab nations over Qatar, Reuters reported that the Trump administration is working to establish an alliance with six countries in the region, plus Egypt and Jordan, to push back against Iran’s influence in the region.

The alliance could be discussed at a summit scheduled for mid-October, Reuters reported.