Totally agree on China and Taiwan. China is just waiting until they are sure they can invade without a lot of international attention (which trump is not helping)

Whats the Iran Isreal bit? Something new I missed? Or just the general tensions and on and again off again spots?

I met a good chunk of Europeans and Aussies while thru hiking on the AT a few years ago.

All of those folks did not have full accommodations booked in advance, that would have been impossible. They seemed to find that pretty normal and were not turned away.