President Trump’s recent whirlwind tour has certainly left the world abuzz, and not just because of the jet lag. With a visit to China that every historian will be raving about—or at least that’s what the administration hopes—Taiwan found itself wedged firmly under the international spotlight. Their president, with a flair for the dramatic, assured the world that they won’t be trading their sovereignty like a pawn in some geopolitical chess game. Tough talk, but everyone’s hoping this doesn’t turn into a game of Risk.

Back at home, the Senate decided to play its own version of political poker. Even with a couple of surprise Republican cards showing up to mess with the usual hand, efforts to curb the president’s war powers with Iran paled by a single vote. The ceasefire in the Strait of Hormuz is shakier than a deck of cards in a stiff breeze, but everyone is holding their breath and hoping it doesn’t tumble over into chaos. Meanwhile, Americans are storing up patience—or hot air, depending on who you ask—while they wince at the gas pump.

Meanwhile, President Trump was tapping into his inner-long-distance runner, insisting the gas price woes are just a bit of “short-term pain.” This was apparently squeezed in between his negotiations to sell soybeans and Boeing aircraft to China. The administration labeled the trip a roaring success, while critics, armed with their usual skepticism, questioned the depth of these agreements. Critics may argue that he walked away with nothing more than confetti-like promises, but only time will tell if these agreements will hold water.

Let’s not forget the President’s comments on Taiwan during this diplomatic dance. The United States’ position, he reassured everyone, hasn’t changed—America’s not about to set off halfway around the world to light up a new conflict. It’s a sentiment as welcome as it is rare, as it echoes the concerns of many Americans who’d rather their tax dollars stay at home rather than go globe-trotting for causes beyond their understanding.

And of course, in a gutsy move that seems ripped straight from a movie, Trump announced the termination of a key ISIS figure in a joint mission between U.S. and Nigerian forces. Abu Bal al-Manuki, dubbed quite dramatically as “the most active terrorist in the world,” was neutralized, sparing no lack of details about the extensive planning that led to the strike. It’s an assertion of power and spectacle that highlights Trump’s direct approach on national security.

In the mosaic of current events, it’s clear this administration thrives on both spectacle and substance. Whether or not it sticks the landing on these key issues remains to be seen, but one thing is sure: there’s never a dull day in Trump’s America.