Trump puts fate of world’s top conflicts in hands of 2 men

US President Donald Trump put his son-in-law Jared Kushner and long-time friend Steve Witkoff in charge of resolving the war in Ukraine and a stand-off with Iran. On Thursday, they juggled those momentous issues within hours of each other.

Dispatched to Geneva, Switzerland, Kushner and Witkoff met Iranian officials at the Omani ambassador’s residence in a bid to seal a deal over Tehran’s nuclear programme and avoid what could be a massive strike by US and Israeli forces.

Hours later, they shuttled across town to the Intercontinental Hotel to huddle with Ukrainian officials as the Russian invasion enters its fifth year. They then shifted to the Four Seasons to meet envoys from both Russia and Ukraine on separate floors, before heading back to the Omani ambassador’s. They were expected to depart later Thursday to return to the US.

And that does not count their participation less than a week ago in the inaugural meeting of the “Board of Peace” - the body that was created out of the ceasefire they helped reach to halt the fighting between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip.

The pair’s frantic bid to quell conflicts that have the potential to further destabilise Europe and the Middle East were a stark illustration of the tension in Trump’s diplomatic strategy. His deployment of two envoys to secure peace - and US economic interests - highlights his preference for relying on trusted associates for his most urgent priorities rather than the vast apparatus of US government.

But it also carries immense risks. No matter their strengths or acumen, the question is whether Kushner and Witkoff can possibly keep up with it all.