Ukraine's growing role in the Middle East war is a dangerous escalation that could drag more countries in, bad news for anyone worried about a wider conflict.

• Zelenskyy met Trump at the White House, and the two are far friendlier than during last year's tense Oval Office blowup.
• Trump has warmed to Ukraine mainly because he wants its drone technology — the US is behind on drones and needs better defenses against Iranian-made attack drones.
• Ukraine struck an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea, effectively joining the side of Israel and the US against Iran and Russia.
• The war is spreading fast: Iran, Israel, the US, the Houthis and Gulf states are already involved, and new sanctions could push China and India onto Russia's side.
• Trump floated letting Ukraine build US Patriot missile interceptors and team up on drone production, but interceptors take years to make.

Outlook: There's roughly a 50/50 chance the fighting winds down versus escalates into something close to a world war, with North Korea now also making moves.