NPR

Episode 778: What the Falcon's Up With Qatar?

Qatar was on top of the world. Seemingly overnight, it became a pariah. On this episode, we drill into a rift years in the making: It's a tale of falcons, kidnapping, and a glowing Saudi Arabian orb.
President Trump attends the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, poses with the Saudi and Egyptian leaders, and touches a glowing orb during his May 2017 visit to Saudi Arabia. / Getty Images

Eighty years ago, Qatar's primary industry was pearl-diving. Today, the tiny Persian Gulf nation is the richest country in the world

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