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

White House, Washington DC, United States of America

United States

November 7, 2026

Washington D.C. 12:11 am

15°C

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.

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

Latest News

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.

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

Andrew Harnik/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

President Mahmoud Abbas, pictured at a meeting with journalists in the occupied West Bank town of Ramallah on June 23, 2019.

US-Palestinian economic ties resume after 5 years

Palestinians have reluctantly agreed to give the economic track a chance after it became obvious that there was no movement expected on the political track.

Meeks

Intel: Final defense bill gives Congress more oversight of US Syria policy

Lawmakers are grabbing the reins on the Biden administration’s dormant approach to Syria’s conflict.

This picture taken on Dec. 7, 2021, shows an aerial view of US Bradley Fighting Vehicles (BFV) during a joint military exercise.

Pentagon: Four Islamic State fighters killed in nighttime Syria raid

Conflicting accounts of the raid emerged amid renewed scrutiny of the Pentagon's oversight of civilian casualties in Syria.

Tice

Austin Tice's mother says White House a 'hurdle' to his return

Debra Tice, whose son Austin disappeared while reporting on the Syrian war in 2012, called on the White House to do more to ensure his safe return.

An employee at the Saudi Aramco oil facility walks near a damaged silo at the plant in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea city of Jeddah on Nov. 24, 2020.

Senate fails to block missile sale to Saudi Arabia

The Biden administration has said the AIM-120C missiles are to help Saudi Arabia defend itself against hostile drone attacks from Yemen.

Gholamreza Soleimani, a senior officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who commands Basij forces, attends a gathering during Basij Week in Tehran Nov. 24, 2019.

Intel: US announces Iran, Syria sanctions ahead of democracy summit

The US Treasury Department announced new sanctions on Iranian and Syrian targets in the run-up to the administration’s virtual gathering of the world's democracies.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) meets with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at the Willard Hotel in Washington, DC, on Aug. 25, 2021.

Bennett urges Blinken to end Iran talks over 'nuclear blackmail'

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called for an "immediate cessation of negotiations" in Vienna.

air force

Pentagon review may mean closer oversight of CENTCOM requests

The Pentagon's anticipated posture review remains largely classified, but it may help prevent shows of force in the Middle East which some have seen as excessive.

Lloyd Austin

Pentagon chief to assure allies of US commitment in Bahrain, UAE

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will speak at the Manama Dialogue forum on Saturday morning.

United Arab Emirates

Empty voting booths are seen in Flint, Michigan at the Berston Fieldhouse polling place on Nov. 3, 2020.

US charges two Iranians over campaign to influence 2020 election

The US Treasury Department also announced sanctions on the Iranians and an Iran-based company for their role in the alleged influence campaign.

Jamaal Bowman

Socialist group criticizes US congressman for Israel trip

Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York is a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, but Democratic Socialists of America, which supports a boycott of Israel, is not happy about his recent travel to Israel and the West Bank.

An Italian air force F-35 takes off during the "Blue Flag" multinational air defence exercise at the Ovda air force base, north of the Israeli city of Eilat, on Oct. 24, 2021.

Intel: US, UAE talk F-35 as Russia pitches stealth aircraft

A top State Department official warned the Biden administration is "very serious" about imposing sanctions on partners that purchase Russian military hardware.