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November 5, 2026

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A protest sign is seen near the White House the day after Election Day

Feature

Emboldened Democrats gear up to challenge Trump over Iran war, Gulf business ties

Democrats are weighing options to enforce Congress’ authority to declare war.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

An aerial view shows a campaign billboard depicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party and President Donald Trump in Tel Aviv, on Oct. 26, 2026, on the eve of Israel's legislative elections.

Explainer

Democrats’ midterm sweep tests US-Israel ties as Eisenkot vows reset

Political sources describe the Democrats' midterm victory as a political blow to both US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The sun sets on the US Capitol on Election Day evening on Nov. 3, 2026 in Washington.

From Tehran to Tel Aviv, Democrats’ midterm triumph sparks Middle East reactions

Iranian officials responded gleefully to the Democrats’ sweeping victory in the Senate and House, while regional media highlighted Abdul El-Sayed’s election as the first Muslim American senator.

Latest News

'Generational wipeout': Democratic gains to reshape Trump's final years

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Gulf markets gain, oil falls as Democrats win Congress

Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

Abdul El-Sayed wins in Michigan, makes history as first Muslim senator

YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 2: Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed speaks to supporters at Eastern Michigan University on November 2, 2026, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. El-Sayed is running against Republican Senate candidate, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) for the open U.S. Senate seat. (Photo by Salwan Georges/Getty Images)

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

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

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Joyce Karam

Editor-in-Chief

Rosaleen Carroll

News Reporter and Supporting Editor

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Paul J. Saunders

In Washington, DC, reporting on Russia in the Middle East

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivers a speech following the announcement by the U.S. President Donald Trump of the Mideast peace plan, in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta - RC27PE95MPTR

Abbas caught between rock and hard place as Trump unveils Mideast plan

A strong Palestinian response to the Mideast peace plan requires national unity, which is currently lacking among Palestinian factions.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attends a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2020. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC2EME9CRYDD

Intel: Turkey downplays Erdogan’s phone call with Trump

The White House disclosed Jan. 28 details of a call between President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

TOPSHOT - This picture taken on January 27, 2020 in Iran's southwestern city of Bandar-e Mahshahr shows a Caspian Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-83 aircraft which landed on a highway after it overshot the highway during its approach. No casualties were reported according to state television. - The jet was flying from Tehran's Mehrabad Airport with 135 passengers plus the plane's crew. A state TV reporter travelling on the plane told the broadcaster that the aircraft's "back wheel had broken off, as we saw it

Iran’s air safety questioned after multiple flight incidents

Panicked Iranians are nervously debating safety onboard domestic airliners after three airplanes nearly crashed in three consecutive days.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talk outside the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 27, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2GOE93MYSF

Intel: How indictment charges could spoil Netanyahu’s peace deal lovefest with Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted on corruption charges Jan. 28, just before the premier was set to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House for the unveiling of the long-awaited US peace plan.

Why Putin needs to be part of Trump-Netanyahu peace plan

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should learn from past mistakes and offer Russian President Vladimir Putin a role and a place in the Middle East, alongside US President Donald Trump.

U.S. President Donald Trump listens as he welcomes Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 27, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RC2GOE9UL51N

Intel: How Democratic lawmakers are trying to get ahead of Trump’s Mideast peace plan

As President Donald Trump met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White opposition leader Benny Gantz to discuss the imminent release of his Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, pro-Israel Democrats signified reservations about the White House’s long-awaited proposal.

UNITED STATES - MAY 4: Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., speaks with a school group on the House steps at the Capitol after a series of votes on repeal and replace of Obamacare on Thursday, May 4, 2017. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Ex-Foreign Affairs chairwoman Ros-Lehtinen embraces UAE lobby

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is the only ex-lawmaker currently registered as a foreign agent for the United Arab Emirates.

United Arab Emirates

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif speaks with the media on the sidelines of a security conference in New Delhi, India, January 15, 2020. REUTERS/Alasdair Pal - RC29GE9BKE8L

Iran's Zarif under fire for saying he’d negotiate with US

Iranian conservatives have attacked Iran’s foreign minister for stating that Iran is open to talks with the United States.

Israeli security forces seal off a street near Jerusalem's Damascus Gate after a suspected stabbing attack, September 18, 2018. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC14B5380D30

Israel’s security system prepares for growing Palestinian frustration

Israeli security tops fear that instead of bringing peace, the plan of US President Donald Trump would escalate tensions with Palestinians and bring closer Hamas and Fatah.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during a ceremony to inaugurate a memorial commemorating citizens and defenders of Leningrad under siege during World War Two in Jerusalem, January 23, 2020. Sputnik/Alexei Nikolskyi/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC2OLE9HQ3UJ

Trump, Netanyahu reset election with annexation surprise

The unveiling of President Donald Trump’s 'deal of the century' offers Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an unprecedented opportunity to secure right-wing votes by announcing that he will annex West Bank settlements.

Trump’s plan unveiled: Netanyahu's best and worst day ever

The 'deal of the century' presented by President Donald Trump is unlikely to bring about Israeli-Palestinian peace but serves first and foremost to boost the electoral fortunes of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's indicted prime minister.

How an ultra-secularist gained clout in Turkey's Islamist government

Dogu Perincek, said to be a pillar of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent anti-West policies, has had a long history of controversial alliances and ideologies.