The world finds itself at a critical juncture as tensions escalate in Ukraine, claiming the lives of thousands on both sides. Meanwhile, Israel’s potential strike on Iranian nuclear development sites using US-built F-35 bomber aircraft looms, threatens to ignite a chain reaction of destabilization in the entire Middle East and risks a nuclear conflict with Russia.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan traveled to Saudi Arabia and met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan the Crown Prince of the UAE, and India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval earlier this month.

The prime minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, held secret talks with the Taliban’s supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhunzada, during the month of May in order to discuss alleviating the tension between the Afghan government and the international community, a source familiar with the meeting told Reuters on 31 May.