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November 5, 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

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu attend a state awards ceremony for military personnel who served in Syria, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia December 28, 2017. Sputnik/Alexei Druzhinin/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC1FBBAD3FD0

Russia considering course change after new challenges in Syria

As Russia's presidential election approaches, Moscow finds itself recently pressured by several negative developments in Syria that are causing it to re-evaluate its strategy there.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21: Special counsel Robert Mueller (C) leaves after a closed meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee June 21, 2017 at the Capitol in Washington, DC. The committee meets with Mueller to discuss the firing of former FBI Director James Comey. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The dealmaker: Mueller witness helped broker $4.2 billion Iraq-Russia arms deal

Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s latest interest, Lebanese-American businessman George Nader, has a long history of mysterious dealings in the Middle East despite a low profile in Washington.

United Arab Emirates

Israeli settlers hold country hostage to their ideology

Americans and Israelis are hostage to powerful single-interest lobbies like the National Rifle Association and the right-wing settlement movement, which do not represent broad public opinion.

Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) military police members demonstrate with their flags in the Kurdish town of Al-Muabbadah in the northeastern part of Hassakah province on February 24, 2018, denouncing the Turkish military operation against YPG forces in the northwestern Kurdish enclave of Afrin. / AFP PHOTO / Delil souleiman (Photo credit should read DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Erdogan lashes out at US over support for Syrian Kurdish fighters

The president renewed his criticism of Turkey’s NATO partner after a US-backed Syrian Kurdish militia said it would deploy troops to Afrin province to battle the Turkish army.

Palestinians change tack on Trump

Palestinian leaders appear to have made a deliberate decision not to respond to every pro-Israel statement out of the White House.

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) addresses the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference in Washington March 1, 2015. Israeli Prime Benjamin Netanyahu has come under almost unprecedented criticism from the U.S. administration and in Israel for his planned speech to Congress on Tuesday, as international talks with Iran are under way to secure a deal on Teheran's nuclear program. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - GM1EB311TIQ01

Israel anti-boycott bill inches closer to passing Senate after revisions

A revised anti-boycott bill is gaining traction in the Senate as pro-Israel advocates lobby lawmakers to pass the legislation.

Opposition fighters look out over Lake Maydanki, north of the Syrian city of Afrin, after they took control of the nearby village of Ali Bazan on March 4, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Nazeer al-Khatib (Photo credit should read NAZEER AL-KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)

Anti-IS coalition paralyzed as YPG faces Turkey

As Turkey's Operation Olive Branch diverts Syrian Kurdish forces from the coalition fighting the Islamic State, a growing number of analysts believe that Washington’s efforts to simultaneously manage Kurdish, Turkish and Russian expectations in Syria are starting to unravel.

Rouhani’s visit a reality check for Iran-India relations

Trade connectivity overtakes energy as Tehran and New Delhi move to forge closer cooperation.

A specialist inspects a U.S Air Force F-15 Eagle fighter after a certification of the arresting gear in the military air base in Lielvarde, Latvia, May 19, 2016. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins - D1AETEYRKSAA

Qatar claims proposed sanctions on Hamas threaten F-15 sales

Qatar lobbyists say the pressure on Doha could jeopardize a $6.2 billion deal signed under President Donald Trump.

A picture taken on March 2, 2018 shows a Turkish army Black Hawk helicopter (front) and a T129 ATAK attack helicopter flying towards the village of Al-Maabatli in the Afrin region in the northwestern Aleppo province countryside as part of the ongoing offensive. / AFP PHOTO / Bakr ALKASEM (Photo credit should read BAKR ALKASEM/AFP/Getty Images)

Turkey moves to take key town in Afrin operation

Turkish jets attacked the northern Syrian town of Jindires with the ultimate goal of encircling the city of Afrin.

Stakes rise in Syria as Turkey clashes with pro-Assad militias

As Turkey’s forces approach the center of Afrin city in Syria, it is getting harder for Moscow to control events.

Turkey entangled in Syria cease-fire it once supported

Much to the consternation of many allies, Ankara is challenging the UN Security Council’s cease-fire resolution in Syria, saying it does not apply to Turkey's Afrin operation.