Europe

Virtually nobody saw it coming.

• Saudis, U.A.E., Bahrain and Egypt Cut Ties With Qatar (WSJ)
• Saudi-Led Alliance Cuts Ties With Qatar (BBG)
• Saudi, Egypt lead Arab states cutting Qatar ties, Iran blames Trump (Reuters); Qatar asks citizens to leave UAE within 14 days: embassy (Reuters)
• London Fortifies Bridges to Protect Pedestrians From Attack (BBG)
• Bank at Center of U.S. Inquiry Projects Russian ‘Soft Power’ (NYT)
• Democrat Questions Russia Link as Comey Heads to Hill (WSJ)
• Chats by Metals Trader Reveal Spoofing ‘Tricks from the Master’ (BBG)

Washington’s Empire Is Not Unraveling

Paul Craig Roberts

The military/security complex spent seven decades building its empire. The complex assassinated one American president (JFK) who threatened the empire and drove another (Richard Nixon) out of office. The complex does not tolerate the election of politicians in Europe who might not follow Washington’s line on foreign and economic policy.

S&P futures point to a slightly lower open ahead of today's US non-mfg ISM and Service PMI data. European shares fall, while Asian shares are little changed. Several European countries, including Germany, are closed for Whit Monday leading to subdued trading. Crude futures have reversed overnight gains following the latest unexpected Gulf Crisis overnight, in which Gulf nations cut all diplomatic relations with Qatar amid striking allegations of funding terrorism, as reported overnight.

By Chris at www.CapitalistExploits.at

Today I've got something very personal to share with you, but first...