Voices from the Arab press: Trump's midterm defeat and the future of US-Israel ties

The Jerusalem Post's weekly roundup of Arab press commentary analyzes the implications of the 2026 US midterm elections, which gave Democrats control of both chambers. An Asharq Al-Awsat columnist compares Trump's legacy to past presidents and ties his party's defeat to the war against Iran. An Al-Masry Al-Youm piece argues the Democratic victory signals erosion of bipartisan US support for Israel, citing growing criticism of Netanyahu, the war's costs, and the election of Abdul El-Sayed as the first Muslim senator.

The Jerusalem Post presents a weekly selection of opinions from the Arab press, focusing on the implications of the 2026 US midterm elections, which gave Democrats majorities in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Mamdouh Al-Muhaini writes in Asharq Al-Awsat that Trump's legacy is too early to judge, comparing him to Nixon, Carter, and other presidents whose full impact became clear only years later. He ties Trump's party's electoral defeat to the war against Iran, suggesting the conflict may either harden the Iranian regime or prove Trump was the only president willing to confront it. An analysis in Al-Masry Al-Youm argues the Democratic victory signals a new test for US-Israel relations, with the erosion of bipartisan consensus as a key development. The piece cites growing criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu among Democrats, the election of Abdul El-Sayed as the first Muslim US senator, and Vice President JD Vance's statements about reconsidering the relationship. It notes that while Trump retains veto power, Democratic control provides oversight and budget authority that could pressure Israel. The framing relies on Arab media analysis without Israeli or American official response.