In the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s “gut”-driven diplomacy with Iran, new fissures in Middle Eastern stability are coming to light. Washington’s dealmaking style, as critics argue, struggles to counter a determined adversary fixated on its own survival—even when that means inflicting maximum pain on all sides.

President Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as a big diplomatic breakthrough. Yet, even as the President praised the agreement, he devoted considerable attention to the potential financial benefits tied to his strategy.