Trump's shifting positions, food and energy prices blamed for GOP midterm losses: analyst

Political analyst Dr. Furat Al-Bassam attributed the Republican Party's losses in the US midterm elections to several factors, foremost among them former President Donald Trump's fluctuating positions on international issues and the lack of a clear stance on efforts to protect maritime corridors, as well as rising food and energy prices and reduced support for American farmers.

Speaking to Al-Ikhbariya radio, Al-Bassam said the setback for Republicans was largely due to Trump's wavering between continuing and ending wars, and his unstable decisions regarding international crises, which impacted the global economy and contributed to greater uncertainty.

He added that the repercussions of wars, whether in the Middle East or the Russia-Ukraine conflict, have cast a shadow over energy markets, especially amid ongoing attacks and threats targeting oil facilities. He noted that the US administration's response to these developments has been marked by inconsistency and lack of clarity.

Al-Bassam pointed out that threats to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab Al-Mandab represent major global economic challenges, explaining that the risks associated with these maritime passages extend beyond the Gulf states and Saudi Arabia, given their importance for international trade and energy supplies.

He noted that Saudi Arabia has adopted a calm diplomatic approach in dealing with the escalation, seeking to contain the crisis and prevent the conflict from widening, out of its commitment to the security and stability of the region.

The analyst said the election results largely reflected American voters punishing Trump and the Republican Party by voting for Democrats. He explained that higher energy and food costs, along with reduced support for farmers, contributed to some Republicans abstaining from voting.

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Al-Bassam stressed that Trump had multiple opportunities to end the war, whether by implementing a ceasefire, securing maritime corridors, preventing threats to regional countries, or heeding diplomatic efforts and proposals put forward by Saudi Arabia to contain the crisis and de-escalate tensions.