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November 7, 2026

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US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, speaks during a press conference

Explainer

Who will lead Congress? Democrats weigh Schumer alternatives, Jeffries bid

A number of contenders have emerged as challengers to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, including strong critics of the Iran war and US support to Israel.

Tump

Can Trump turn midterm defeat into Iran breakthrough?

Although Iran may have contributed to Republican losses in midterms, the Trump administration still has a historic opportunity in the Middle East.

Latest News

Feature

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

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

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Explainer

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

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.

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

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

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

Palestinians clash with Israeli border police during clashes at a checkpoint between Shuafat refugee camp and Jerusalem October 9, 2015. In the past 10 days, four Israelis have been shot or stabbed to death in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, and at least a dozen have been wounded by Palestinians wielding knives or screwdrivers in stabbings in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities. Several Palestinians have also been killed, and scores wounded in clashes with Israeli security forces during stone-throwing

Desperate Palestinian leadership could choose armed struggle

With the Trump administration clearly on Israel’s side, Palestinian leadership might resort, once again, to armed struggle.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 25: Representative Chris Smith(R-NJ) speaks during a Capitol Hill briefing to discuss "the silent suffering of American children and their left-behind parents who are victims of international parental child abduction" in the Cannon House Office Building on June 25, 2015 in Washington DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/ Getty Images)

Congress takes aim at UN over Israel stance

Lawmakers are preparing a slew of measures aimed at curbing what they see as anti-Israel discrimination at the United Nations.

National security adviser General Michael Flynn delivers a statement daily briefing at the White House in Washington U.S., February 1, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX2Z7RT

Iran brushes off being 'put on notice'

Iranian officials are downplaying threatening and critical remarks by the Trump administration, calling them “hollow threats.”

A man cycles past images of newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump which are displayed on monitors in Tel Aviv, Israel November 9, 2016. REUTERS/Baz Ratner - RTX2SSC2

What will Trump era mean for Gaza?

The Palestinians paid close attention to the inauguration speech of US President Donald Trump, who promised to eliminate radical Islam — something Hamas took personally.

Iranian-made missiles are pictured at Holy Defence Museum in Tehran September 23, 2015. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMAATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. NOT FOR USE BY REUTERS THIRD PARTY DISTRIBUTORS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

White House warns Iran on missile test, but signals intent to enforce nuclear deal

Trump national security aides warned Iran against missile tests and its support for Yemen’s Houthi rebels, but said they were drawing a line between Iran’s regional behavior and the Iran nuclear deal.

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) shakes hands with King Mohammed VI of Morocco in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, November 22, 2013. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ROYALS) - RTX15P2W

What the US stands to lose by alienating Morocco

After Donald Trump's election, abrupt and extreme changes in US policy threaten its relationship with longtime ally Morocco.

Attorney David Friedman (R) walks with U.S. businessman Robert Wood "Woody" Johnson as they arrive at a private fundraiser for then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in the Manhattan borough of New York City, June 21, 2016. Friedman is U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's designated Ambassador to Israel. Picture taken June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar - RTX2XAMV

Trump's pick for Israel envoy to undergo unprecedented Senate grilling

Senate Democrats vow tough hearing on David Friedman as advocates of a two-state solution ramp up their lobbying.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Jordan's King Abdullah at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia January 25, 2017. REUTERS/Alexander Nemenov/Pool - RTSXBNR

Jordan eyes center stage in Russia’s anti-terrorism policy

Jordan's King Abdullah, who visited Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last week and is in Washington this week, could become a key intermediary between Russia and the Trump administration.

UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura (C) shakes hands with Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov (L) as Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaber Ansari stands beside during the announcement of a final statement following Syria peace talks in Astana on January 24, 2017. / AFP / Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images)

Why are Syrian rebels stepping up efforts to isolate Iran?

The Syrian rebels’ rejection of Iran as a guarantor of the cease-fire in Syria is about much more than simple anti-Iranian sentiment among Sunni militants.

Iranian president calls Trump 'novice in politics'

Iran’s defense minister has confirmed the reports of a new Iranian missile test, saying it is not in violation of the nuclear deal.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media after his meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, January 28, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTSXRXX

Turkey squeezed between Russia, US in Syria

US President Donald Trump’s safe zones idea and Russia’s draft constitution get cold reactions from Ankara.

FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) stands next to Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump during their meeting in New York, September 25, 2016. Kobi Gideon/Government Press Office (GPO)/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RTX2YZB7

Former US envoy: Syria may be central to Trump-Netanyahu meeting

US President Donald Trump has hinted at creating safe zones in Syria in a draft executive order and in conversations with the Saudi king, while the former US ambassador to Israel says Syria will likely be a "central topic" in Trump’s upcoming meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.