The return of an unpredictable president will stir up global geopolitics for US allies and opponents alike in a world already much changed since he was last in office

Damascus needs to incorporate the YPG into its new national army, but Ankara is keen to disband the US-backed group. Cue the diplomacy.

In his first term, Trump nurtured mutual economic and security interests with Saudi Arabia, but an evolving geopolitical landscape could mean a changed US approach

The president-elect wants the sovereign territory of friendly nations because China has designs on them

While Trump's rhetoric doesn't always match his actions, there are more signs than not that the US will draw down its forces in the region, leaving room for other actors to step in

With a deep bench of regional experts at the helm, the United States can finally compete with China in the neighbourhood

The US president-elect's second term will begin in a vastly different global landscape than his first

If it's not careful, Tehran could soon experience what their Syrian client just did: the sudden implosion of a rotten regime 

Rapprochement with Morocco, wariness of Algeria, disinterest in Tunisia, avoidance of Libya and support for Mauritania look likely as trade leads the 'America first' agenda of the returning president

Tehran is bracing for an even more aggressive US stance—one that leaves it little wiggle room. And this time around, the stakes are higher.