This article expresses a fervent hope for 2026 to be a year of accountability for powerful leaders who have caused significant damage. It highlights upcoming electoral challenges for Donald Trump in the US midterms and Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, along with calls for change against other regimes, emphasizing the potential for democratic processes to bring about justice.
The article articulates a strong hope that 2026 will be a 'year of reckoning' for leaders who have inflicted substantial harm on their countries and beyond. It primarily focuses on Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu. For Trump, the November 2026 US midterm elections are presented as a critical 'verdict' on his assumed second presidency. A potential loss of the House of Representatives for Republicans would render him a 'lame duck' and empower a Democratic House to conduct serious scrutiny, investigations, and potentially a third impeachment trial. The author cautions that Trump will actively work to make circumstances 'abnormal' to prevent such an outcome, despite some institutional pushback. Benjamin Netanyahu faces a more direct electoral peril, with Israelis going to the polls between now and October 2026. Accountability for Netanyahu is sought both internationally (for actions in Gaza) and domestically (for the failures of October 7, 2023). He is criticized for avoiding responsibility and proper inquiry, making the ballot box the only means for Israelis to hold him accountable, especially given his ongoing corruption trial. The article also briefly mentions Viktor Orbán in Hungary, the Iranian regime facing renewed protests, and Nigel Farage in Britain, though acknowledging Farage's accountability for Brexit is less likely. Ultimately, it's a plea for these leaders to face consequences for their actions, whether through elections or public pressure.
