The Democrats may intend to bring peace to the Persian Gulf. But if Tehran interprets their congressional majority as an ally against American military pressure, the resulting perception could make a durable peace considerably harder to negotiate.

Commentary | November 4, 2026By Francis J. Bell Republican voters waking up to the midterm results have reason to be disappointed. They do not have reason to assume that Donald Trump’s presidency has ended two years early. A congressional majority is powerful. It is not possession of the White House, command of federal agencies or permission to rewrite the Constitution. The immediate result is divided government, not an opposition takeover of the executive branch. Democrats c

THE PRICE OF PEACE. THE COST OF WAR. Oil prices plunge on diplomatic expectations while tankers continue to burn, Black Sea shipping comes under attack, and the world's emergency energy reserves approach a dangerous threshold. The Week at a Glance The most important development in maritime energy markets this week was not a successful reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a restoration of tanker traffic, or a meaningful reduction in attacks against commercial vessels. It was a c