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

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.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

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

Tuesday's vote has shifted the balance of power in Washington, giving Democrats greater leverage to challenge the Trump administration during the president's final two years in office.

United States

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.

Israel

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a press briefing

What new Democratic Congress could mean for Iran war, $1.5T Pentagon budget

Trump’s $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget and nearly $90 billion request for Iran war funding will soon be in the crosshairs as Democrats negotiate their demands with the White House.

By Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

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.

Iran

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Analysis

Iran cheers Democrats’ midterm victory but fears Trump's next move

Iranians walk along a building installed with a giant poster depicting Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei during a rally in front of the former US embassy to mark the anniversary of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, in Tehran on Nov. 4, 2026.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Gulf markets gain, oil falls as Democrats win Congress

Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

United States

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)

United States

Democrats on track to win Senate control, setting up Iran war showdown

A temporary security fence is seen outside the US Capitol in Washington on Nov. 2, 2026.

United States

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France's National Rally launches presidential campaign in Orleans

European far right distances itself from Trump, blaming Iran war for Republicans' defeat

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: Israel holds first general election since October 7 Hamas attack

Netanyahu's position weakens as ultra-Orthodox party withholds support

Reuters

Midterms over, Democrats plunge into wide-open 2028 presidential race

Reuters

Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot at the election night rally in Tel Aviv early on October 28, 2026

Eisenkot tipped to seek Israel government as religious party drops Netanyahu

Agence France-Presse

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Middle East Minute

Democrats score historic Congress win in major blow to Trump Middle East agenda

Adam Lucente

4 November, 8:33 AM ET

3:48

Middle East Minute

Sudan says it downed drone from Ethiopia

Adam Lucente

3 November, 8:34 AM ET

3:46

Middle East Minute

Oman’s sultan makes first China trip

2 November, 8:46 AM ET

4:31

Interviews

Exclusive conversations with AL-MONITOR.

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Interview

Ex-PM says Sudan risks partition amid US ceasefire push

Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok chairs an emergency cabinet session in the capital, Khartoum, on Oct. 18, 2021.

Interview

Trump's Africa adviser denies Libya plan would entrench rival families

US Department of State's senior advisor to the President for Arab and African Affairs Massad Fares Boulos attends a conference for the support of peace and prosperity in the Great Lakes region, in Paris, on October 30, 2025. The international community gathered in Paris on October 30, 2025 to raise awareness about the dire humanitarian situation in the Great Lakes region, aiming to raise hundreds of millions of euros despite a drastic decrease in international aid, particularly from the United States. (Phot

Interview

Waltz: ‘Door open’ to Iran talks, more countries eye Abraham Accords

Interview

US oil firm HKN aims to double output in Syria's formerly Kurdish-run fields

Matthew Zais

HKN vice president for government affairs

A general view shows the Awad oil field in the eastern Qamishli countryside in northeastern Syria, on Feb. 15, 2026.

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

'All we can do is wait': Netanyahu's push for Iran strikes hangs on Trump’s post-midterm call

By Ben Caspit

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Analysis

What Oman's potential JF-17 fighter jet deal means for China and Pakistan

A motorcyclist rides past a Pakistani JF-17 fighter jet model displayed along a road in Karachi on August 13, 2025, on the eve of the country's independence day celebrations. (Photo by Asif HASSAN / AFP) (Photo by ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Analysis

How Syria is balancing public anger, regional stability after Jordan's strikes

People inspect the damage at a site targeted by airstrikes

By Shelly Kittleson

In Middle East, reporting on regional politics

Analysis

Iran cheers Democrats’ midterm victory but fears Trump's next move

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Israel’s Next Chapter: Election Results and the Road Ahead

October 29, 2026

1:00:15

Dispatch from the New Syria: Opportunities and Challenges

October 1, 2026

1:00:54

The Iran War Widens: Yemen, Hormuz and What Comes Next

September 17, 2026

59:03

Inside US-Israel fault lines on Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey

July 29, 2026

59:39

Deciphering the US-Iran deal: What comes next?

June 23, 2026

1:02:22

How the Iran war is reshaping energy markets

May 20, 2026

1:00:30

Iran War at One Month: Outlook and Implications

April 1, 2026

1:04

Are the US and Iran closer to war or a deal?

February 24, 2026

0:59

After years abroad, Iraq’s Christians weigh returning home

February 10, 2026

3:39

The Future of Energy and Power in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

May 23, 2025

1:38

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Past

On Sunday, September 20, AL-MONITOR brought senior officials, diplomats, business leaders and regional experts together in New York for AL-MONITOR LIVE: New York, an on-the-record conversation held on the eve of the UN General Assembly. Ambassador Mike Waltz, U.S. Representative to the United Nations, and Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to HH the President of the United Arab Emirates, joined us to talk about the issues that will shape the region's week at the UN and the months after it.

New York, NY

September 20, 2026 15:00 EDT

Past

AL-MONITOR Global Institute hosts food security forum with Dr. Conrad Rein

On October 16, 2025, the AL-MONITOR Global Institute hosted Dr. Conrad Rein, Secretary of the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security, alongside representatives from multilateral development banks and the private sector for a discussion on food security in the Middle East and Africa.

Washington, DC

October 16, 2025 11:00 EDT

Past

AL-MONITOR Global Institute hosts Digital Cooperation Organization Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya

On Sept. 21, 2025, the AL-MONITOR Global Institute hosted Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization, for a discussion on digital inclusion and economic empowerment in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

New York, NY

September 21, 2025 17:00 EDT

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