Steve Witkoff
Background
AI-generatedSteve Witkoff is a American businessman and diplomat who serves as U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East under President Donald Trump.
Role
Witkoff serves as U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, a role in which he has been tasked with negotiating ceasefires, hostage releases, and broader diplomatic arrangements across the region on behalf of the Trump administration. He has also been involved in mediation efforts related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Iran.
Background
Witkoff spent decades as a real estate investor and developer in New York before entering government service. He is a longtime personal friend of Donald Trump and was appointed to his envoy role after Trump's return to office, lacking prior formal diplomatic experience but relying on personal ties to Trump and business-world negotiating skills.
Why they are in the news
Witkoff has been prominent in mid-2026 coverage of overlapping crises, including ceasefire negotiations in the Middle East and mediation efforts around the Russia-Ukraine war and Iran. He has traveled to Qatar and other locations as part of U.S.-led efforts to broker agreements, appearing repeatedly in reporting on calls between Trump and world leaders and on regional ceasefire talks.
Background context generated by AI from public knowledge and recent Apprise coverage. Facts may lag current events — see the stories below for the latest.
In the news
▶ 51s1 killed in attack on Crimea as Putin and Zelenskyy hold separate Trump calls
A Ukrainian attack on Russian-occupied Crimea has killed one person, according to Moscow-installed officials
▶ 48sIn Mideast and around the world, everyone's talking 'ceasefire.' But what does it really mean?
Ceasefires in the Middle East are not bringing the peace many people expect
▶ 43sThe Latest: Trump's envoys are in Qatar for Iran war mediation
It’s been 123 days since the U.S. and Israel launched the Iran war, and the world again awaits another round of some sort of talks as President Donald Trump and Iranian officials disagree over what and even how they’ll communicate