The key facts

  • The midterm election result came as a surprise: Democrats won in a number of states that traditionally voted Republican
  • In the author's view, voters expressed dissatisfaction with the war with Iran and foreign spending rather than endorsing the Democrats' program
  • Divisions within the Democratic Party are intensifying between moderates and radical reformers

An Unexpected Midterm Outcome

The US midterm elections produced an unusual result: the sitting president's party usually loses them, and this time the Republicans did indeed lose, but with a record margin for the Democrats — moreover, voters cast their ballots for the Democrats even in a number of states that traditionally went to the Republicans. The analysis of the results was published on Kun.uz on November 14, 2026.

Why Voters Voted Against the War

The author of the analysis draws three conclusions from these elections. First, in his view, Americans are dissatisfied not with the war with Iran itself — historically, the American people were willing to give their authorities a mandate for war and to endure its costs if they believed the country's interests were under threat. But today, by this assessment, both the United States itself and the international community recognize that America's military power has reached its limits. Dissatisfaction is also heightened by the fact that Iran, previously considered relatively weak, has in fact prevailed, while the war itself is seen by some Americans as illegal and aggressive. The economic consequences — rising prices and more expensive oil — added to this discontent.

Generational Change and the Split Among Democrats

The second conclusion is that a new generation of politicians is growing in the US, weary of the politics of the 'exceptional state,' interventionism, and an active foreign policy. They want American resources to remain within the country and see the need for 'restraint' — a return home and a reduction of foreign commitments. The third conclusion: the Democrats' victory is, in essence, Trump's defeat. Voters did not vote for a strong Democratic program, but against Trump and his party. At the same time, divisions within the Democratic Party itself are intensifying: moderate centrists want a withdrawal from the Middle East but a continuation of aid to Israel, support for Europe and Ukraine, whereas social-democratic reformers propose near-total isolationism — winding down ties not only with Israel but also with Europe and Ukraine, which, in the author's assessment, would change the United States' global status toward that of a regional power. Regarding China, both centrists and the left are oriented toward economic competition rather than war; the Democrats also propose limiting the development of artificial intelligence in the military-autonomous sphere, which, in the author's assessment, could allow China to catch up with and overtake the US in this area.

Will Trump Stop the War

The main open question is whether Trump will stop the war with Iran after such a result. The author of the analysis answers with caution: in the past, presidents who lost midterm elections — Reagan, George W. Bush, Obama — not only did not stop but more often escalated wars during their remaining term, seeking revenge. According to the publication, Trump is surrounded by many adherents of the view that the Republicans lost not because of the war with Iran, but because they failed to overthrow the Iranian regime, and that with resolve and a bigger war the election would have been won. The author characterizes Trump as an unpredictable man capable of new adventures against Iran, but concludes that the American people are tired of wars and of benefits to Israel — and this fatigue will only grow over the years.