On the 4th of Nove 2026, Executive Director of Citizens International joined Bernama TV’s The Nation to discuss the results of the 2026 US Midterm Elections and what they mean for the rest of the world, particularly ASEAN and the wider Global South.
Beyond the political chaos and electoral drama unfolding in the US (as is often the case with elections), there is a broader trajectory beneath the apparent madness that we can begin to make sense of.
Where is American politics heading, and what might this mean for the rest of the world? Will Washington’s political turbulence will equally shake the global landscape?
Imran argues that the shift in political oversight in Washington doesn’t necessarily translate into a fundamental change in US foreign or economic policy. We saw this during the Biden Administration, which largely retained several key elements of Trump’s first-term policy trajectory, particularly on China and economic nationalism.
Whether Democrats or Republicans dominate Congress, the United States will continue to pursue its interests in relation to China, the Middle East, trade, technology and global economic governance. There may be differences in methods and rhetoric, but many of the underlying strategic priorities are bipartisan.
Global South therefore should not organise their futures around American political cycles.
This is particularly important for Malaysia and ASEAN. We should engage Washington constructively, but we should not allow our economic and geopolitical priorities to become hostage to changes in American domestic politics.
