Global Beat is your weekly stop for news from around the world. Join us every Friday morning for important stories you should know about.

This week, several countries in the Gulf region sever diplomatic ties with Qatar; South Korea’s new president suspends the deployment of a U.S. antimissile defense system; Puerto Ricans decide on statehood; and more.
____________________

Americas

On June 11, Puerto Rico will vote in a nonbinding referendum to decide on the U.S. territory’s status. If the push for statehood wins as expected, Puerto Rico will enact the Tennessee plan, putting the island on a path to becoming the 51st state. Still, statehood remains a longshot, as the plan faces legal challenges and opposition both domestically and abroad. Puerto Rico is approximately $123 billion in debt and recently declared bankruptcy.

Also check out:

• Trump floats idea of using solar panels to pay for Mexico border wall – Josh Dawsey and Rachael Bade, Politico

Central & South Asia

Imports from Bangladesh will now be required to undergo additional security screening before the country's products can enter the European Union. Bangladesh is the 13th country to be given a "high risk" designation for EU commerce. Shipments will now have to be screened by bomb-detecting dogs and devices. Over half of Bangladeshi exports ($18.68 billion) go to the European bloc.

Also check out:

• Afghanistan holds peace conference amid violence and protests – Sune Engel Rasmussen, The Guardian

China & East Asia

Newly elected South Korean President Moon Jae-in has suspended the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD). The U.S. antimissile system has been a point of contention for China, which considers the system’s radar as a threat. The move represents a significant break with the United States on policy toward North Korea. A day after the suspension, North Korea fired several cruise missiles off its east coast, its fourth test in four weeks.

Also check out:

• Japan, Vietnam to bolster maritime security cooperation – Mari Yamaguchi, Washington Post

Europe & Russia

NATO welcomed Montenegro as its 29th member this week, its first new member in nearly a decade. Russia is furious over the move, complaining of "anti-Russian hysteria" and warning of potential retaliation. Montenegro will be a complicated ally for NATO, as the small country has long enjoyed close ties to Russia. Ukraine hopes to follow Montenegro as the next member of the security alliance.

Also check out:

• UK election: Theresa May loses parliamentary majority – James Masters and James Griffiths, CNN

Middle East & North Africa

A diplomatic crisis is underway in the Middle East as a number of countries in the region have severed ties with Qatar. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Bahrain are accusing Qatar of supporting terrorism. Turkey has spoken out in support of Qatar, while West African nations Senegal, Mauritania, and Chad joined the four Sunni states in cutting off diplomatic ties. Qatar is home to the largest U.S. airbase in the Middle East.

Also check out:

• Terrorist attacks pour gas on Saudi-Iranian rivalry and Gulf tensions – David D. Kirkpatrick and Anne Barnard, The New York Times

Southeast Asia & Oceania

The 16th annual Shangri-La Dialogue, an important annual defense forum for the Asia-Pacific region, was held in Singapore over the weekend. Preserving a rules-based regional security structure in the Asia-Pacific was a top priority. U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis spoke at the forum. His remarks indicated there will be much more continuity on U.S. policy toward Asia than change under the Trump administration that many expected.

Also check out:

• As Papua New Guinea approaches new elections, human rights concerns persist – Kate Schuetze, The Diplomat

Sub-Saharan Africa

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved Morocco’s application for membership, even though the country is in North Africa. The 15 West African member states enjoy free trade and movement of people. Should Morocco be formally admitted into the organization, ECOWAS will become the 16th largest world economy. In January 2017, Morocco rejoined the African Union after having left the body in 1984 when it recognized the independence of Western Sahara.

Also check out:

• Visa-free travel in Africa remains far off: It is still remarkably hard for Africans to get around their own continent – The Economist

Stay informed. We’ll see you here again next week.