Is Donald Trump a good dealmaker? That is the question our leader attempts to answer. America’s president is certainly ambitious, engaging in a wide range of international crises and talks, in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. So far, though, Mr Trump has been good at catalysing negotiations—and bad at closing them. He stokes crises, but is seldom skilful enough to produce lasting solutions. His limits as a dealmaker have long-term consequences.

Mr Trump is now in the Gulf, where he said he would lift sanctions on Syria. That is the right call. It will help the new government of Ahmed al-Sharaa avoid an economic collapse. But Mr Sharaa must also tackle his country’s other problems, such as deepening sectarian divisions.