Rob Crilly

2 days ago | ca.news.yahoo.com | Rob Crilly

When Donald Trump landed in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for a whirlwind visit to the Middle East, he arrived in his happy place. The stakes could not be higher across the region. Conflict rumbles on in Gaza, the Houthis continue to launch missiles from Yemen, Israel is making noises about attacking Iran, and there are oil, trade and investment talks under way.

2 days ago | telegraph.co.uk | Rob Crilly

And, when much of the rest of his foreign policy received decidedly mixed reviews, his efforts to build relations between Israel and Arab states through the Abraham Accords were a high point. "I think he has positive, fond memories of what his administration was able to do there, at least on the Abraham Accords," he said. The war in Gaza and tensions with Iran will provide an awkward backdrop to the visit.

2 days ago | telegraph.co.uk | Rob Crilly

The Pentagon is halting gender-affirming healthcare for transgender troops as it takes steps to remove them from the US armed forces. "I am directing you to take the necessary steps to immediately implement this guidance," Stephen Ferrara, the acting assistant secretary of defence for health affairs, said in a memo. The Defence Health Agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

3 days ago | yahoo.com | Rob Crilly

Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy has turned to Sir Tony Blair – someone who knows better than anyone how the region can upend political careers and tarnish legacies – for advice. Steve Witkoff, a property developer and friend of Mr Trump’s, has taken the former prime minister on as part of his network of advisers, according to two sources. It comes after the US president expressed frustration at trying to end the war in Gaza.

3 days ago | telegraph.co.uk | Rob Crilly

Donald Trump's Middle East envoy has turned to Tony Blair - someone who knows better than anyone how the region can upend political careers and tarnish legacies - for advice. Steve Witkoff, a property developer and friend of Mr Trump's, has taken the former prime minister on as part of his network of advisers, according to two sources. It comes after the US president expressed frustration at trying to end the war in Gaza. "Mr Blair is an obvious choice," said a Western diplomatic source.