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Trump’s midterm defeat gives the Gulf a chance to escape America’s forever wars
The article argues that the US midterm results amounted to a rebuke of Donald Trump’s Middle East policy as well as a response to domestic concerns. It says voters rejected his war on Iran and unconditional support for Israel, weakening the political influence of pro-Israel lobbying and creating an opening for Gulf states to seek a different regional order.
It points to Republicans losing control of both houses of Congress and to Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed’s Senate victory as examples of voters prioritising American interests and everyday concerns. The article says the war on Iran raised costs and risks for Americans, while Gulf states also bore heavy economic consequences. It argues that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE are now imagining a regional arrangement with a continuing but less dominant US role, alongside wider multilateral partnerships.
In short
- The midterms weakened support for Trump’s Middle East policy.
- The article says Gulf states are exploring a less US-centred regional order.
- The war on Iran carried economic costs for Americans and Gulf states.
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The case for
The results can be read as a warning that voters are weary of costly Middle East wars and policies that expose Americans to higher prices and security risks. A weaker mandate for confrontation with Iran and unconditional support for Israel could give Gulf states room to pursue a more independent regional order and broaden their partnerships, while retaining a US role.
The case against
Midterm results are shaped by many domestic issues, so losses for Republicans do not by themselves show that voters rejected Trump’s Middle East policy or endorse a new Gulf order. Nor does reduced US dominance necessarily bring greater stability: Gulf states have different interests, and a less engaged America could leave more room for regional rivalry or weaken security partnerships.
Americas Elections Government Middle East Politics World