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November 4, 2026

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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

Why Jerusalem momentum could generate early elections in Israel

With the start of the Knesset’s summer session and the ongoing investigations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the early election pendulum is gathering momentum.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo attends a NATO foreign ministers meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium April 27, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman - RC18A51D8CE0

Will Abbas meet with Pompeo?

The current assessment among Palestinian officials is that they should not turn down the American offer to meet with Mike Pompeo, the new secretary of state.

A demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during clashes with Israeli troops at a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision on Jerusalem, near the border with Israel in the southern Gaza Strip March 16, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa - RC1D250522B0

US advances confidence-building measures toward Palestinians

The Palestinian leadership in Ramallah refuses to negotiate with US administration envoys, but might be willing to indirectly discuss an interim agreement.

Iraqi Shi'ite Muslims from Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilization) march during a parade marking the annual al-Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day, in Baghdad, Iraq June 23, 2017. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RC160C330360

Iraq’s Shiite militias hope battlefield wins can secure electoral victory

An electoral coalition formed by some pro-Iranian Shiite Popular Mobilization Units is confident it can secure enough seats in parliament to form a majority and claim the premiership.

An Emirates Airlines Boeing 777-300ER plane prepares to take off at Lisbon's airport, Portugal April 24, 2018. REUTERS/Rafael Marchante - RC1391D95F70

Boeing finds other buyers as prospects for Iran sales dwindle

There is a sense of deja vu as Boeing finds other countries, including the United Arab Emirates, to fill its order books amid US government pressure.

TEHRAN, IRAN - JULY 10: Mohsen Rezaei, a former Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander and two-time presidential candidate (in uniform), stands during Friday Prayers during a Qods (Jerusalem) Day rally, an annual pro-Palestinian event, in Tehran, Iran, on July 10, 2015. Rally-goers turned out in cities across Iran, chanting "Death to America" and "Death to Israel," as Iran negotiates the final rounds of a nuclear deal with six world powers in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by Scott Peterson/Getty Images)

Ex-IRGC chief: Iran to leave nuclear weapons treaty if US ditches deal

Former military commander Mohsen Rezaei has said that if the United States reneges on the nuclear deal, Iran could exit the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

A Palestinian demonstrator holds placard during a protest against a promise by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to re-locate U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, in the West Bank near Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim, January 20, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RC1261704EA0

Why US must also open East Jerusalem embassy

Opening a US Embassy in Jerusalem could actually advance peace, if it is accompanied by the opening of a US Embassy to Palestine in East Jerusalem.

Iran lashes out at US-French dealmaking

Iran lashes out at Trump and Macron’s floating of the idea of a “new deal” that will address the future of the Iranian nuclear program and other issues.

Members from Jewish religious parties attend a session of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem December 15, 2010. The session was held to debate a bill that if passed into law, would allow the state to certify the validity of all conversions to Judaism conducted by the Israeli army without the Chief Rabbinate's approval. The bill passed its preliminary reading on Wednesday. The political debate over the legislation underscored divisions on religious issues within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanya

Netanyahu on collision course with US Jews over conversion to Judaism

A special commission is proposing to limit the Israeli Chief Rabbinate’s involvement in conversion to Judaism, establishing a special authority for this issue.

Iranian and Syrian flags flutter on a truck carrying humanitarian aid in Deir al-Zor, Syria September 20, 2017. Picture taken September 20, 2017. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC1C8E382200

Trump emerges from Macron meeting ready to take on Iran in Syria

The French president appears to have convinced his host to confront Iran in Syria.

French President Emmanuel Macron reaches out to U.S. President Donald Trump as he speaks during their joint news conference at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 24, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - HP1EE4O1CL79F

Trump hints he may be open to 'bigger' Iran deal

US President Donald Trump suggested he might be open to French President Emmanuel Macron’s idea for a bigger deal to address concerns about Iran.

J Street celebrates 10 years changing Washington’s outlook on Israel

The liberal Jewish group has seen its influence soar by offering an alternative take on the Iran deal and Middle East peace.