Ukraine, Gaza and China: Why Trump’s Middle East tour takes on new importance

News Snapshot:

Donald Trump's tour of the Middle East this week has taken on a new importance after a series of surprising developments on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and on trade between the US and China. After a diplomatic flurry over the weekend, it seemed like steps were being taken towards some form of possible peace in both Gaza and Ukraine. Alongside that, Washington claimed it had made "substantial progress" in trade talks with China, with treasury secretary Scott Bessent going as far as to say a deal had been agreed to cut the US trade deficit. But there was...