The distinguished panel will discuss the escalation of tensions between Qatar, a tiny, oil-rich state, and the Persian Gulf nations of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt, all of which broke diplomatic relations with Qatar because of its support of the Islamic State, its sponsorship of Al Jazeera and its close ties to Iran. Adding to the difficult situation is the fact that the United States has a huge airbase and more than 10,000 troops in Qatar.