Donald Trump

Why should the US-China meetings matter for the Middle East? Here are five reasons - analysis

Beijing has been treading carefully in the region. It doesn’t want to be involved in conflict. Let’s examine five reasons the US-China meetings matter for the region.

A giant screen at a shopping area shows news footage of national flags of China and the United States during a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China May 14, 2026.
US President Donald Trump speaks to the press as he departs the White House in Washington in May.

Diplomatic courage: How Trump’s embassy decision strengthened Israel’s position – opinion

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addresses a special session of the Conference on Disarmament at the United Nations, aside of US-Iran talks in Geneva, Switzerland, February 17, 2026

Understanding Iran’s strategy across military, diplomacy, and influence - opinion

US President Donald Trump (L) takes part in a welcome ceremony with China's President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026.

Trump mishandling of Taiwan issue will push ties to 'dangerous place,' China's Xi warns


Iran ‘frighteningly close’ to developing nuclear weapons, US energy secretary says - report

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stressed that he considers even 20%-enriched uranium "very concerning," given the size of Iran's stockpile. 

Mockups of domestically-made Iranian missiles are displayed at an exhibition outside the Defence Museum in Tehran on March 31, 2026.

Two Israelis seriously wounded by Hezbollah drone, activists clash in Jerusalem ahead of flag march

UAE denies Netanyahu's secret visit during Iran war • Third round of Israel-Lebanon talks set for Thursday • IDF strikes Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, kills Hamas terrorist in Gaza

Border Police break up scuffles between activists ahead of the annual Jerusalem Day flag march in the capital, May 14, 2026

Trump lauds ‘biggest summit’ as Xi talks tackle trade, Iran

Elon Musk and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang joined Trump’s delegation as US companies seek greater access to China.

US President Donald Trump inspects an honour guard during a welcome ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, May 14, 2026.

Marco Rubio would beat JD Vance by wide margin in 2028 presidential primaries, poll finds

The survey, conducted between May 4-7 with a sample of 2,069 Americans, shows Rubio commanding 45.4% of Republican support.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, second lady Usha Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio attend the arrival ceremony of Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 28, 2026.

Jewish Republican Paul Singer tarred with rainbow Star of David in anti-LGBTQ Kentucky ad

“This ad is totally insane! As if homophobia wasn’t enough, you had to make it antisemitic, too, using a Star of David to label the Jew.”

In a new ad for the reelection of Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, a rainbow star of David is prominently featured behind Republican activist investor Paul Singer, who is Jewish.

World Food Programme slashes Syria aid, affecting 7.2 million as funding crisis deepens

The World Food Programme has halved emergency food aid in Syria due to funding shortages, leaving millions vulnerable despite signs of stabilization.

Workers prepare AIS boxes at a World Food Programme (WFP) facility in Damascus countryside, Syria, July 29, 2025.

Chinese supertanker breaks through US-Iran war blockade in Hormuz

The Chinese supertanker Yuan Hua Hu crosses the Strait of Hormuz after months of delay, carrying nearly 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude, as US-Iran tensions continue to shape the Gulf.

Ships and boats in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, April 22, 2026.

Israel concerned potential Trump-Iran deal may come with unwanted concessions - CNN

“The primary concern is that Trump will grow tired of talks and cut a deal – any deal – with last-minute concessions,” one source told CNN. 

US President Donald Trump speaks during a Military Mother's Day Event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 6, 2026.

Trump arrives in Beijing for first US presidential visit in nearly a decade

Trump’s Beijing visit kicks off with trade talks, as he seeks to strengthen ties and resolve business challenges with China.

US President Donald Trump participates in an arrival ceremony at Beijing Capital International Airport during his visit to the country, in Beijing, China, May 13, 2026.

The strategic logic behind Trump’s Middle East unpredictability - opinion

There is no doubt that Israel is safer today than it was pre-February 27, 2026, when the first proverbial shots were fired over Iran.

US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, May 11, 2026.