Trump’s Middle East Tour, Peace Talks in Disarray, Trade War Ceasefire

This week, President Trump’s whirlwind tour of the Middle East sees him striking arms deals and declaring an end to nation-building, even as he engages in tense discussions with former jihadist-turned-Syrian leader Ahmed al-Shara. Meanwhile, in Istanbul, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators prepare for the first peace talks in three years — without Putin, Trump, or Zelenskyy at the table. Russia’s battlefield bluster contrasts with its costly, minimal gains, raising questions about its true leverage, and Zelenskyy argues that Putin's absence signals an unwillingness to seek peace. And finally, a temporary truce in the US-China trade war cools tensions, but economists warn that the economic fallout is far from over. Matt Kaminski, Prashant Rao, and Anna Sauerbrey join guest host Carla Anne Robbins on World Review to discuss this week’s diplomacy, deals, and doubts.     Get full access to America Abroad at ivodaalder.substack.com/subscribe