{
  "id": 18253042,
  "title": "Trump's midterm defeat gives the Gulf a chance to escape America's forever wars",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/trumps-midterm-defeat-gives-the-gulf-a-chance-to-escape-americas",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T04:53:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/trumps-midterm-defeat-gives-gulf-chance-escape-america-forever-wars"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The recent midterm elections in the United States saw the Republicans lose both houses of Congress, with several traditionally red states turning blue. Analysts are now looking beyond the cost of living to find a foreign policy verdict in the results. The focus lies on the US's role in the Middle East, particularly its backing of Israel and the war on Iran. These foreign policy decisions proved to be costly for the Republican Party, as voters questioned America's military and financial support for Israel, which ultimately backfired. The Israel lobby, once a prized asset for candidates, has become a stain that candidates now try to wash off. The Gulf states, who have traditionally been seen as net consumers of American power in the region, are now emerging as a powerful lobby. They have presented themselves as net contributors to the US economy, pledging trillions of dollars of investment and helping underwrite American growth. Gulf states, along with Iran, have taken the heaviest economic hit and carried most of the war's burden. However, the Gulf states are beginning to imagine a post-American Middle East. With disillusionment growing towards Trump and the MAGA movement in Gulf capitals, some leaders are starting to envision a more predictable and less erratic America. This shift is crucial for the Gulf, as an America that stays out of the region's conflicts is now preferable to one that keeps getting involved in unwinnable adventures. The Gulf states have already moved towards strategic autonomy and self-reliance, and a lame-duck Trump will speed this process. The lasting answer lies in deeper integration between the Gulf states and Iran, anchored in a non-aggression pact they negotiate among themselves, with the US outside the room. For this to work, the Gulf states need to pool their influence in Washington and spend it on preventing an American return to war. Qatar, with its experience in diplomatic off-ramps from quagmires of Israel's making, will have to play this crucial role. The Gulf states and Iran need to prevent a strike that would satisfy Trump's ego, as another round of military conflict would hit them harder than the last one, destroying wealth and leaving the world economy weaker.",
  "summary": "Trump's midterm defeat gives the Gulf a chance to escape America's forever wars Submitted by Andreas Krieg on Wed, 11/04/2026 - 16:07 Regional leaders must use their influence in Congress to prevent another attack on Iran and negotiate a non-aggression pact with Tehran on their own terms US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office on 16 March 2026. Vance said on 4…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Democrats to probe Trump family, corporate America, Jeffrey Epstein crimes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/democrats-to-probe-trump-family-corporate-america-jeffrey-epstein",
        "published": "2026-11-05T05:32:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}