The U.S. is carrying out nightly air strikes and re-instituting naval blockades as President Donald Trump tries to wrest control of the Strait of Hormuz. In a primetime address last week, President Trump spent little time on the Middle East. The president’s focus on election security is increasing pressure on Republican lawmakers ahead of the midterms. Democrats are also contending with intra-party politics as support for Israel and the implosion of the Graham Platner campaign raises questions around the party’s identity. Today, a look at the biggest national stories with commentators from either side of the aisle.