US elections

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Analysis

As pro-Palestinian candidates gain ground, will AIPAC's influence wane?

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s influence has weakened in the Democratic Party and may also be at risk among Republicans.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Michigan Democratic Senate primary winner Abdul El-Sayed

AIPAC to oppose El-Sayed after major Michigan primary victory

The America Israel Public Affairs Committee said it will work to oppose Abdul El-Sayed’s “radical anti-Israel agenda” as his opponent seeks to paint him as extreme.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 01: Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed speaks after a radio appearance on Dr. Horace Sheffield's GOTV Community Rally on August 01, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. El-Sayed currently holds a 15-point lead against Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) according to a recent poll. (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images)

Abdul el-Sayed becomes first Muslim-American to win Michigan Senate primary

Sayed made supporting Palestinians and criticism of Israel and the Iran war a big part of his campaign, and he has not explicitly endorsed democratic socialism like other progressives in the Democratic Party.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a primary-night watch party for NYC Congressional candidate Claire Valdez at 99 Scott Studio on June 23, 2026 in the East Williamsburg neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City.

Analysis

Why Mamdani concluded he can’t arrest Israel’s PM Netanyahu

The New York City mayor said he lacks the "legal authority" to arrest the Israeli premier based on the ICC warrant, likely due to laws pertaining to the United Nations and the court, but the ordeal could increase pressure on Israel over the case.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Latest News

Who is Melat Kiros, the pro-Palestinian who unseated a longtime Democrat?

Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

Explainer

Pro-Palestine Democrats win in NYC elections: What it means

Congressional candidate Claire Valdez, Congressional candidate Brad Lander, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier raise their hands during a Get Out the Vote (GOTV) rally at King's Theater on June 18, 2026 in New York City.

For Arab and Muslim Americans, Mamdani's victory grants seat at table

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 1: Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani (C) raises his hands during a campaign event with New York City elected officials on November 1, 2025 in the Queens borough of New York City. With only days left in the race for New York City's next mayor, Mamdani remains the front runner against Independent candidate, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

Ghazala Hashmi makes history as first Muslim US woman elected statewide

Ghazal Hashmi walks in the annual Norfolk State University Homecoming Parade, on Oct. 25, 2025.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Meet Rama Duwaji, Mamdani's wife and New York’s first lady of Syrian descent

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's wife, Rama Duwaji, largely stayed out of the spotlight during the campaign but her Syrian heritage has shaped her views and upbringing.

New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, center, celebrates with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), left, and US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), right.

Zohran Mamdani elected as New York’s first Muslim mayor

Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist and state lawmaker, made history Tuesday as New York City’s first Muslim and first South Asian mayor.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

A screengrab depicting Joe Kent participating in a congressional debate on Oct. 14, 2024.

US Senate approves Joe Kent as US counterterrorism chief: What to know

Kent’s nomination raised alarm among Democrats due to his history of promoting right-wing conspiracy theories and recent efforts to pressure a senior intelligence official to revise an assessment that contradicted Trump administration narratives.

Florida's Republican state senator, Randy Fine, speaks with the media on April 1, 2025, in Ormond Beach, Florida.

AIPAC denies pulling Randy Fine endorsement after derogatory comments on Gaza starvation

Randy Fine, a Trump- and AIPAC-endorsed Republican representative, sparked backlash for telling Gazans to "starve away" amid a worsening hunger crisis in the strip.

President Donald Trump is greeted by Air Force Col. Paul R. Pawluk as he arrives to board Air Force One on May 12, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

From Nixon to Trump: A look at US presidential visits to the Gulf

As Trump prepares for his visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, Al-Monitor looks back at the history of US presidential trips to the Gulf.

This pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik shows Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attending a welcoming ceremony ahead of their talks in Riyadh on December 6, 2023. (Photo by Alexey NIKOLSKY / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ALEXEY NIKOLSKY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia would 'welcome the chance' to host Trump-Putin summit

Trump and Putin are expected to hold a phone call soon, and Gulf leaders are angling for a mediation role between the two.

Lebanese army and UNIFIL soldiers deploy to prevent residents of the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal from returning to their town on Jan. 27, 2025.

Could Trump’s aid freeze to Lebanon army threaten fragile Israel ceasefire?

US funding to Lebanon's armed forces remained in limbo despite the State Department backpedaling on its near-total halt to foreign aid abroad.

Tulsi Gabbard testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Jan. 30, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Tulsi Gabbard grilled about Assad, Iran views at confirmation hearing

In her confirmation hearing for director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard was pressed on her relationship with former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and walked back previous statements criticizing Trump's policy choices.

US President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives for meeting on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, Jan. 27, 2020.

Trump invites Netanyahu to White House as envoy visits Saudi Arabia, Israel

President Donald Trump has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit the White House on Feb. 4, making the Israeli premier the first foreign leader to be invited to the White House in Trump’s second term.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio greets employees upon arrival at the State Department in Washington, DC, on January 21, 2025. The US Senate unanimously approved Rubio as Secretary of State on January 20, putting the fellow senator on the front line of President Donald Trump's often confrontational diplomacy. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

With Rubio confirmed, where do Trump's foreign policy picks stand?

After a number of hearings last week for key Trump nominees, his national security team is taking shape.

Donald Trump is sworn in as US president in the Rotunda of the US Capitol, in Washington, on Jan. 20, 2025.

From Syria to Yemen: Middle East reacts to Donald Trump’s inauguration

Donald Trump's inauguration sparked a mix of optimism and cautious reactions across the Middle East, with US allies expressing hope for continued collaboration, while Iran, Palestine and regional proxies voiced concerns about his policies and their impact on regional stability.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Donald Trump is sworn into office as Melania Trump holds the Bible in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Saul Loeb - Pool/Getty Images)

Analysis

With Trump inaugurated, how will the Republican trifecta reshape Middle East?

Trump’s White House will have the support of the House and Senate on post-war Israel and Gaza, Iran deterrence, Saudi normalization and more.

Megan Mineiro

By Megan Mineiro

In Washington, DC, reporting on US Congress