AGSIW Executive Vice President Stephen A. Seche discussed the U.S. response to the GCC-Qatar crisis with Al Monitor: “If John Kerry were still secretary of state, he’d be working the phone like crazy.” He added, “We don’t know if Rex Tillerson has the same modus operandi. [But this rupture is an] opportunity to invite ourselves in to preserve the coalition that the president announced when he was in Riyadh.”

Speaking with Politico Magazine, Seche added  that Saudi Arabia may have been emboldened by U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s May visit to the region: “It was like, OK, Saudi Arabia, you’re my point guy now.” He added, “I think the visit was kind of a trigger.”