Country Reports

The Post-Midterm Power Struggle

How Donald Trump's room to maneuver has changed following the U.S. midterms

For the final two years of his presidency, Donald Trump will, for the first time, face a Congress in which Democrats control both chambers. They will be able to advance their own legislative priorities, exercise greater oversight of the administration, and influence appointments to key positions. Trump, however, retains his veto power and can continue to govern in many areas under existing laws. The extent to which the election results translate into policy changes will depend on where Congress and the White House need to cooperate to advance their respective agendas.

America Before the Election: The Final Votes Will Decide

Millions of Americans have already voted, while Republicans and Democrats are vying for the remaining votes. With just a few days to go before the midterm elections, the race for a majority is focused on a manageable number of states and congressional districts. The Democrats are entering the final stretch with a more favorable outlook for the House of Representatives; in the Senate, several paths to a majority remain open. Donald Trump is a key figure for both parties. However, what will be decisive is how national sentiment, the candidates' personal profiles, and local mobilization translate into votes on November 3.

U.S. Midterms 2026: From Campaign Messages to the Ballot Box

Before the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, Republicans and Democrats are pursuing different paths to securing a majority. Republicans are campaigning on tax relief measures while warning voters about the consequences of their political opponents' policies. Democrats, meanwhile, are linking rising living costs to their call for stronger oversight and accountability in Washington. At the same time, allegations of corruption and conflicts of interest are becoming more prominent in several closely contested races. Both parties face the same challenge: reaching voters who often engage with politics only casually. As campaigning increasingly takes place through television advertisements, short-form videos, and AI-generated search results, election strategies are evolving as well.

Who Finances the Battle for Congress?

Campaign Finance and Political Priorities in the 2026 U.S. Midterm Elections

Just weeks before the 2026 midterm elections, hundreds of millions of dollars are flowing into the battle for control of Congress. Beyond candidates’ official campaign accounts, parties, super PACs, major donors, and interest groups are playing an increasingly influential role in shaping the political contest. The distribution of these funds provides valuable insight into which races are considered decisive for congressional majorities and which policy priorities attract the strongest financial support. At the same time, it highlights the complexity of the U.S. campaign finance system, where influence depends not only on the amount of money available but also on who controls its deployment. Examining campaign finance therefore adds an important dimension to the analysis of the 2026 congressional elections, complementing polling data and electoral projections.

Where America Really Decides

The Political Geography of the 2026 U.S. Midterms

435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 Senate elections, and numerous additional state and local contests will be on the ballot. Yet control of Congress on November 3 is likely to be decided in only a handful of states and congressional districts. The 2026 midterm elections will be shaped by national issues, but their effects will appear very differently across the American electoral map. While a small group of states will determine the balance of power in the Senate, competition in the House of Representatives will be concentrated in just a few dozen congressional districts. At the same time, the country's political geography continues to evolve: formerly Democratic-leaning industrial regions are voting more Republican, growing suburban areas are in some cases becoming more Democratic, and Donald Trump's much-discussed gains among Hispanic and previously disengaged voters in 2024 have not proven equally durable everywhere. Anyone seeking to understand who will control Congress in the years ahead must therefore look not only at how America votes, but above all at where it votes.

The Final Stretch to the 2026 Midterms

Where America Stands Before Election Day

“Pretend that I’m on the ballot.” With this appeal, Donald Trump is seeking to mobilize his supporters for the midterm elections on November 3, even though he himself is not on the ballot. Voters will elect the entire House of Representatives, a portion of the Senate, as well as numerous state-level offices. Just under seven weeks before Election Day, the campaign is being shaped primarily by economic conditions, the political record of the Trump administration, and the question of future majorities in Washington. Following the summer recess, both parties have intensified their campaign efforts. While Republicans are focusing on voter mobilization and support from President Donald Trump, Democrats are emphasizing the rising cost of living and the consequences of the administration’s policies. The political mood after the summer break offers an indication of the issues currently driving the campaign and the challenges both parties face as the election approaches.

250 Years of the United States - The Eternal American Dream

Background and Context on the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America

President Donald Trump announced that this year’s Independence Day and its accompanying celebrations would be “the most spectacular Trump rally of them all.” It is a statement that carries significance. Not only because of its tonality, but also because it places a traditionally bipartisan holiday - one meant to celebrate the nation as a whole -into a political context. Almost as if it were his personal celebration. Between these two images, the nearly timeless ideal of a united country and a present in which national symbols are increasingly viewed through a political lens, the United States is moving toward its 250th anniversary.

Background and Analysis on the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States

A Summer Fairytale with Stumbling Blocks?

As the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Mexico City, the largest tournament in the competition's history has begun. For the first time, 48 teams will take part, with matches played across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Yet the most remarkable feature of this World Cup may not lie on the pitch at all. While the tournament's political significance in the United States is hard to miss, public enthusiasm has so far remained surprisingly muted. President Donald Trump has been closely involved in the preparations—establishing a national World Cup task force, appearing at key FIFA events, and announcing that he intends to hand the trophy to the winners himself. At the same time, polls suggest that large parts of the American public are approaching the tournament with comparatively little interest. It is precisely this tension that makes the event such a revealing lens on the United States as host.

Reactions and Background to the Trump Administration’s Decision to Reduce Troops in Germany

Gradual Withdrawal or New Strategy?

The United States’ decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany over the next year reflects not only President Donald Trump’s displeasure with America’s European allies, but also the continuation of a policy by the Trump Administration to hold American allies responsible for their own security. This move was substantially criticized by members of both houses of Congress, including many of Trump’s Republican allies, for being short sighted, lack of transparency (especially considering the lack of a released Global Posture Review) and demonstrating weakness. This may also be driven by an attempt to shore up Trump’s political base ahead of the 2026 midterm elections after the president’s approval rating sharply fell after the attack on Iran.

U.S. Parties Choose Candidates for the Midterms

Tension in Texas

The election year is underway. In Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas, primary voters have chosen the parties’ candidates for the November elections. For Democrats, the goal is to field contenders capable of winning back the majority in Congress. Republicans, meanwhile, aim to defend their majorities and continue advancing former President Trump’s policy agenda.