From an American viewpoint, Gaza is a nuisance and perhaps something that can be worked around in the broader campaign against Hamas.

The reconciliation culminated in Al-Sharaa’s visit to the White House last week, the first by a Syrian president, and the announcement that Syria had become the 90th member of the US-led Global Coalition Against Daesh.

The American master of surprises will receive the man who took the Syrians, Middle East and world by surprise.

This was not the moment for defensiveness or rhetoric. We must remember that diplomacy is not submission — it is strategy.

If the U.S wishes to do the right thing, it is humanity, not religion, that needs protection.

If China were to acquire these advanced and cutting-edge technologies ... would the U.S. accept defeat?

While Trump is a powerful force within the Republican Party, his polarising presence is creating substantial challenges for the party in appealing to a broad enough coalition to secure consistent, nationwide victories beyond his core base.