United States - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

White House, Washington DC, United States of America

United States

November 5, 2026

Washington D.C. 10:06 am

21°C

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.

Latest News

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.

'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

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

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Blinken warns Iran 'time is running short' on nuclear deal return

In a joint press conference with his counterparts from Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Blinken said the United States is prepared to pursue “other options” if Tehran doesn’t resume compliance under the nuclear deal.

An exterior view of the building of US Department of the Treasury is seen on March 27, 2020 in Washington, DC.

Intel: US lifts Iran-related sanctions, says no connection to nuclear deal

The US Treasury Department has delisted Iran-based entities sanctioned by the Trump administration for alleged involvement in Iran’s ballistic missile program.

A Syrian man walks past destruction in the northern city of Aleppo on March 22, 2013.

Syrian opposition chief: US sanctions a deterrent for Turkish proxy fighters

During an interview with Al-Monitor, Syrian National Coalition President Salem al-Meslet discussed recent US sanctions on Ahrar al-Sharqiya, the human rights situation in northern Syria and the US military presence in the war-torn country.

Iron dome

Republican Congressman, pro-Israel group spar over Iron Dome funding

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a critic of foreign aid, was the only Republican to vote against funding for Israel's Iron Dome last week.

KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images

Syrian Kurds, opposition take cases to Washington

Delegations from Kurdish-held northeast Syria and the Turkey-backed Syrian National Coalition will meet separately with US officials this week.

Yemeni supporters of the Shiite Huthi movement take part in a ceremony commemorating the seventh anniversary of the Huthi takeover of the capital Sanaa on Sept. 21, 2021. The conflict in Yemen flared in 2014 when the Huthis seized the capital, prompting Saudi-led intervention to prop up the internationally recognized government the following year.

US House passes measure to end maintenance for Saudi aircraft targeting Yemen

Progressives' bid to get Riyadh to stop bombing Yemen may test Biden's commitment to Gulf allies.

Israel rocket

US House passes funding for Israel’s Iron Dome after fiery debate

One Republican congressman accused the Democratic Party of being under the “bizarre influence of a group of anti-Semites” as a few Democratic lawmakers opposed US support for Israel’s air defense system.

This picture taken on Sept. 20, 2021 shows a view of vehicle destroyed by what is believed to be a drone strike, on the northeastern outskirts of Syria's rebel-held northwestern city of Idlib.

Pentagon says drone strike near Syria's Idlib targeted al-Qaeda official

CENTCOM fired a drone missile at at least one jihadi official near Idlib today in the first such strike in recent months.

President Sisi

The Takeaway: Business As Usual: US-Egypt alliance finds its center

Also: Bennett meets Sisi; Egypt announces vaccine factory; Saudi Arabia mulls Taliban ties; Syrian jihadi group announces "moral police" in Idlib; NGOs slam Palestinian Authority on human rights; a new Al-Monitor podcast; and more … all in about 1,500 words.

Afghan refugees, fleeing the Afghan capital Kabul, exit an US air force plane upon their arrival at Pristina International airport near Pristina on Aug. 29, 2021.

After Afghanistan pullout, US pursues long-distance diplomacy from Qatar

Without a diplomatic presence on the ground in Kabul, the United States will engage with the Taliban from a remote mission in Doha.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Islamic State 'Beatles' member pleads guilty in US hostage-taking case

British-born Alexanda Kotey was part of an Islamic State cell that the US government has linked to the hostage-taking and deaths of Americans James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller.

US Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger speaks to the press after a hearing for former British Islamic State fighters Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh, dubbed the "Beatles," at the US District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, Oct. 9, 2020.

Member of IS 'Beatles' expected to plead guilty in US courtroom

Alexanda Kotey, a member of the brutal Islamic State cell linked to the kidnapping and killing of Westerners, is expected to plead guilty to one or more of the charges against him.