Republicans Suffer Major Defeat in US Midterm Elections
Republicans have suffered a major defeat in the US Senate and House of Representatives in the midterm elections. Most Americans had long opposed Donald Trump’s position on the Iran war. For this reason, many expected voters to say “no” to Mr. Trump in the midterm elections. But the defeat was deeper and wider than many had expected.
In Tuesday’s election, the Democratic Party, represented by the “blue” colour, gained a major opportunity to establish its strength by defeating the Republican “red” party in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The American people have withdrawn their trust and support from President Donald Trump and his party.
Trump’s war-driven foreign policy is a major reason behind the defeat. In particular, he is being blamed for the unnecessary war with Iran, the decline of US influence in the Middle East, and the energy and economic crisis seen across the world.
The war has put energy security in the United States and other countries at serious risk. Rising living costs and inflation have caused hardship for a large number of people.
The United States has repeatedly pushed the Middle East into dangerous wars after being influenced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the deliberate propaganda and false narratives spread by the Zionist lobby.
Since the end of the Cold War, Republican leaders from George Bush to Donald Trump have been the main forces behind a war-based economy and aggressive foreign policy.
As this was a midterm election, Mr. Trump himself has not been removed from office. However, losing the Republican majority in the Senate and House means his power will now be greatly reduced.
People Want Peace, Not War
People want peace, not war. They want social and economic security instead of spending on wars.
People in the United States and across the Western world have clearly opposed wars and regime-change policies in the Middle East.
At the beginning of the US-supported war in Gaza, American people took to the streets in protest. Thousands of people also joined anti-war rallies in almost every major European city.
Recently, leaders who support Trump’s war policies have suffered defeats in elections in different countries. In Brazil, left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defeated Trump-backed Jair Bolsonaro. This was followed by Netanyahu’s political setback in Israel and now Mr. Trump’s major electoral defeat in the United States.
Mr. Trump’s wars have brought insecurity, hardship, inequality and inflation to the American people.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a supporter of Trump’s Middle East policy and a friend and strategic partner of Netanyahu, has also faced growing public anger in India.
Protests against the BJP have turned into a wider democratic movement in India. Political observers and analysts also believe that Mr. Modi’s fall is unavoidable.
The political and economic effects of Mr. Trump’s Iran war have been felt across the world. In France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Germany, Denmark and several other European countries, people have taken to the streets to protest against energy shortages, inflation and government policies.
All these developments are reactions to Trump’s imperialist war policy.
Muslim Candidates Make Gains
The American people have rejected the Iran war, discrimination and Islamophobia in the midterm elections.
For the first time, seven Muslims have been elected to the House of Representatives. A Muslim candidate has also been elected to the Senate from Michigan for the first time.
Progressive left-wing leader Abdul El-Sayed, aged 42, defeated heavyweight Republican candidate Mike Rogers to win the important Senate seat in Michigan. During his campaign, he highlighted Islamic culture and values.
Meanwhile, House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is set to become the first Muslim Black Speaker in US history.
A total of 37 Muslim representatives have been elected from different states.
In short, a “ballot uprising” has taken place in the United States and Israel against Netanyahu’s and Trump’s anti-Muslim policies and genocide.
In Israel, the defeat of Mr. Netanyahu’s party reflected the common position of Arab nationalist parties and the anti-war views of ordinary Israelis.
A Message from the Ballot
There is a saying that strong people and strong leaders are born during difficult times.
Against President Donald Trump’s racist and anti-Muslim policies, Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York, Hakeem Jeffries is set to become House Speaker, and left-wing Muslim leader Abdul El-Sayed won a Senate seat.
This is where the beauty and victory of American democracy lie.
When people have the chance to express their wishes through ballots, there is no need for a military coup or mass movement in the streets.
The US election result against Mr. Trump carries an important message for the world. It reflects ordinary people’s opposition to war, inflation, energy shortages, rising living costs, inequality and insecurity.
No one can escape accountability by becoming authoritarian after gaining power.
The people of Bangladesh have also proved this many times. Thousands of students and young people were willing to sacrifice their lives during the July uprising to bring down the Awami League and Indian hegemonic forces.
All political parties and ordinary people in Bangladesh must remain alert so that the democracy established through that uprising is not disrupted or harmed by any hegemonic power.
We hope the result of the US midterm elections will help guide the world towards peace and away from the destruction and crisis caused by war in the Middle East.
