The high-stakes fight between the left-wing and the center-left establishment for the future of the Democratic Party is moving to a much larger stage.

After victories by far-left and socialist candidates in dark blue congressional districts in New York City and Colorado the past two weeks drew national attention, the spotlight now shifts to battleground Michigan.

That’s where moderate Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., who is backed by Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and the establishment; and former Wayne County Health Department Director Abdul El-Sayed, a left-wing candidate endorsed by progressive champions Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.,and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., are colliding in a crucial Senate showdown.

The winner of the Aug. 4, 2026, Democratic primary will face-off in the midterm elections in November against former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, who is on a glide path to the GOP nomination. The winner will succeed retiring Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, a Democrat. 

CRUCIAL SENATE BATTLE ROCKED AFTER MAJOR PLAYER DROPS OUT OF RACE

The seat is a top Republican target and is a must-hold for the Democrats as they aim to win back the Senate majority from the GOP, which currently controls the chamber with a slim, but manageable, 53-47 margin. The leading nonpartisan political handicappers at Cook Political Reporter rate the Senate race in Michigan as a toss-up.

Matt Bennett, one of the leaders at the Third Way, a leading center-left Democratic organization, told Fox News the primary in Michigan «is much more significant» than the intra-party ballot box showdowns the past two weeks in «very, very blue districts» in New York City and Denver.

The showdown in Michigan became a two-way race on Sunday, after progressive state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, once the third major Democrat in the primary, suspended her campaign.

«I may be suspending this campaign, but I am not leaving the fight,» McMorrow pledged in a statement Sunday as she ended her Senate bid.

McMorrow, who has seen her national profile expand in recent years and was running as a progressive in an ideological space between El-Sayed and Stevens, suspended her campaign amid faltering poll numbers and fundraising that weren’t keeping pace with her two main rivals.

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State Sen. Mallory McMorrow campaigns at the Michigan Democratic Nominating Convention in Detroit on April 19, 2026. (Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group)

McMorrow pledged to fully support whichever Democrat wins the primary and will ultimately face-off with Rogers, who is running for the Senate for a second straight cycle after losing in 2024 to now-Sen. Elissa Slotkin by a razor-thin margin.

Following McMorrow’s announcement, Stevens praised her fellow Democrat by calling her an «important voice» for policies that benefit Michigan families. Stevens then argued that she is the strongest Democratic candidate to win the primary and defeat Rogers in November.

«As we enter the final month of the primary election, I’m excited to continue to make my case to Michiganders why I’m the strongest Democrat to defeat Mike Rogers this November, lower costs, protect manufacturing jobs, and stand up to Trump’s abuses of power,» she added.

As she runs for the nomination, Stevens has been backed by millions in super PAC spending, including big bucks from Israel-aligned groups.

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Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., speaks during the House Democrats’ news conference to introduce the Taxpayer Data Protection Act in the Capitol on Thursday, February 6, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

In his statement, El-Sayed praised McMorrow for having the «courage» to challenge what he described as a rigged political system, accusing Democratic Party insiders of spending millions to influence the primary. While he did not name specific groups, the remarks appeared to reference corporate PACs and establishment party leaders such as Schumer.

He then invited McMorrow’s supporters to join his progressive movement to combat big money in politics and defeat the political establishment.

«Throughout this campaign, Senator McMorrow showed what it looks like to fight back against politics that rigs the system against too many of us. While we have policy disagreements, I never questioned whether Senator McMorrow would fight for a better America for my daughters and hers,» he said.

«The same party insiders she had the courage to challenge have been bullying anyone who opposes their chosen candidate. After spending $30 million to drown Senator McMorrow and me out, they’re now spending even more to attack me. It’s everything we are standing up against.»

«I welcome her supporters to our movement to stand up against money in politics, to put money back in pockets, and pass Medicare for All. We cannot allow the establishment to decide our nominee for us.»

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El-Sayed, who, if elected, would make history as the nation’s first Muslim senator, is an epidemiologist who unsuccessfully ran for governor as an insurgent candidate in 2018. He has made support for «Medicare-for-all» a major component of his campaign.

The far-left candidate has also called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and is a vocal critic of Israel amid its war with Hamas — even characterizing Israel’s actions in Gaza as «genocide» against Palestinians.

And El-Sayed, who served as a top surrogate on Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, has vowed not to accept PAC donations.

Abdul El-Sayed, speaks before Sen. Bernie Sanders and takes the stage at Mumford High School on May 3, 2026, in Detroit, Michigan. (Sarah Rice/Getty Images)

Schumer and the party establishment view Stevens as more electable than El-Sayed, who has sparked controversy with his past comments. They worry that El-Sayed as the party’s nominee would jeopardize the Democrat-controlled Senate seat by pushing the party too far to the left in a state that President Donald Trump carried two years ago by just over one percentage point.

A victory by El-Sayed over Stevens in next month’s primary would give the far left a major win on a statewide stage, and further boost their momentum in the battle for the Democratic Party’s future.

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But Bennet warned against placing too much emphasis on the results in Michigan, as he pointed to other factors in the race.

«I don’t think that even if El-Sayed wins, that means the national party is moving dramatically to the left, as the left will insist if that happens,» he told Fox News Digital. «Some of this is idiosyncratic. There’s a huge Arab American population in Michigan. The Israel issue is more resonant there than it is in other places. And candidates matter.»

Fox News’ Hannah Brennan contributed to this story.

El presidente de Líbano, Joseph Aoun, confirmó que viajará a la Casa Blanca antes de que termine julio para reunirse con el presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, con el objetivo de avanzar en el acuerdo marco entre Líbano e Israel. El anuncio llegó después de una conversación telefónica de 17 minutos que ambos mandatarios mantuvieron el domingo y que Aoun calificó como “buena”.

En una entrevista con el diario libanés An-Nahar, Aoun sostuvo que el acuerdo marco “no es ideal”, aunque explicó que la aceptación por parte del Gobierno libanés responde a la situación militar en el sur del país y al actual equilibrio de fuerzas, que favorece a Israel.

«Este es un marco, no un acuerdo con Israel… Nadie debe apostar por la división del Ejército libanés y no dejaré que mi pueblo muera“, afirmó el mandatario. También aseguró que el entendimiento “no impedirá que Líbano siga reclamando sus derechos y recupere los territorios ocupados”.

Aoun explicó que la transición de seguridad se desarrollará por etapas y comenzará con un despliegue piloto en Zawtar, en el distrito de Nabatieh. Según detalló, el plan prevé que el Ejército libanés asuma el control exclusivo de determinadas localidades para facilitar retiros graduales de las fuerzas israelíes.

El presidente indicó que este modelo también busca responder a la preocupación por un posible ataque israelí contra la colina de Ali Al-Taher, ubicada cerca de la zona donde comenzará el despliegue.

Además, señaló que funcionarios libaneses solicitaron al secretario de Estado estadounidense, Marco Rubio, que garantice que la colina permanezca bajo control del Ejército libanés y afirmó que el primer ministro israelí, Benjamin Netanyahu, aceptó esa propuesta.

Aoun también defendió la decisión del Gobierno libanés de enviar a un ministro al funeral del fallecido líder supremo de Irán. «Nuestras relaciones diplomáticas con Irán continúan y no están interrumpidas“, expresó.

La visita a Washington se producirá mientras el sur de Líbano continúa afectado por las consecuencias del conflicto con el grupo terrorista Hezbollah. Más de cuatro meses después del inicio de la tregua con Israel, unas 700.000 personas permanecen desplazadas y sin posibilidad de regresar a sus hogares, según informaron el Consejo Noruego para los Refugiados (NRC) y la agencia humanitaria de la ONU.

Las organizaciones señalaron que el último alto el fuego, alcanzado a mediados de abril y prorrogado en varias oportunidades, no permitió restablecer la seguridad ni recuperar las condiciones necesarias para el retorno de la población.

Los ataques israelíes continuaron después del acuerdo de cese del fuego, con bombardeos, incursiones militares y destrucción de viviendas en distintas zonas del sur del país, incluso al sur del río Litani.

El Ministerio de Sanidad de Líbano informó que 4.298 personas murieron desde el 2 de marzo, entre ellas 135 profesionales sanitarios, mientras que más de 12.000 resultaron heridas.

Las áreas ocupadas por el ejército israelí y declaradas como zonas militares impidieron el regreso de miles de residentes. A ello se suman la presencia de munición sin explotar y los escombros que permanecen en numerosas localidades.

El NRC advirtió que «el regreso sigue sin ser un paso sencillo» para los habitantes del sur, quienes afrontan restricciones de acceso, falta de servicios básicos y viviendas destruidas.

La devastación resultó especialmente severa al sur del río Litani. Una evaluación preliminar estimó en 1.380 millones de dólares los daños directos en edificios, sin incluir otras infraestructuras ni el resto del territorio libanés.

La directora del NRC en Líbano, Maureen Philippon, afirmó que “la destrucción de viviendas, carreteras, sistemas de agua, centros sanitarios, escuelas e infraestructuras civiles provocó desplazamientos prolongados, pérdida de medios de vida, interrupción de la educación y un mayor endeudamiento de las familias“.

De acuerdo con la Oficina de las Naciones Unidas para la Coordinación de Asuntos Humanitarios (OCHA), a finales de junio permanecían desplazadas internamente 704.445 personas en todo el país, mientras que más de 523.000 iniciaron un regreso gradual.

El NRC indicó que numerosas familias utilizaron sus últimos ahorros para afrontar alquileres, comprar ropa tras abandonar sus hogares sin pertenencias y cubrir necesidades básicas en medio de la crisis económica que atraviesa Líbano.

China publicly announced it launched a ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific Ocean Monday — a rare acknowledgment of its sea-based nuclear capabilities that came as U.S. allies deepen security ties in the Indo-Pacific and NATO leaders prepare to meet amid growing concerns over Beijing’s military ambitions.

China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy said the missile, carrying a dummy warhead, was fired from a Type 094 Jin-class ballistic missile submarine during what Beijing described as a routine annual training exercise.

The launch highlights one of the Pentagon’s biggest long-term concerns: China’s ability to field a more survivable nuclear force capable of threatening the U.S. and its allies from the sea. Unlike land-based missile launches, a ballistic missile fired from a submerged nuclear submarine demonstrates one of the most survivable elements of a country’s nuclear arsenal because the vessels are significantly harder to detect and destroy before they can launch a retaliatory strike.

The growing capability also means China could eventually threaten the U.S. homeland from a wider range of patrol areas, reducing the need for its submarines to venture into more vulnerable waters.

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Chinese officials said the launch landed in a designated area of the Pacific Ocean and was conducted in accordance with international law.

«It is a routine arrangement in China’s annual military training program. It is consistent with international law and customary international practice and is not directed at any specific country or target,» Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a news conference Monday.

«The whole process was safe, standard and professional. We hope relevant countries will not read too much into it.»

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The launch came on the eve of NATO’s summit in Ankara, Turkey, where alliance leaders are expected to focus primarily on the war in Ukraine, defense spending and collective security, while also addressing the growing strategic challenge posed by China. In recent years, NATO has expanded its engagement with Indo-Pacific partners including Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, reflecting concerns that security in Europe and the Pacific is increasingly interconnected.

It was the first such test since 2024, according to Chinese state media, occurring at noon local time Monday.

New Zealand, which had just signed a defense pact with Fiji, claimed the missile landed in the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, where testing atomic weapons is prohibited.

China said the missile carried a dummy rather than a nuclear warhead, and New Zealand did not accuse Beijing of violating the Treaty of Rarotonga, which establishes the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone and prohibits nuclear explosive devices within the region. Instead, officials criticized the launch as inconsistent with the spirit of maintaining the Pacific as a nuclear-free region.

China may be conducting low-yield nuclear tests, a State Department official says. (Tingshu Wang/File Photo/Reuters)

Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, said China had informed Australia ahead of the test but added, «Australia has been clear with China that we regard this as destabilizing to the region.»

China’s rapid military buildup added to the concern, according to Wong, who described it as «lacking in the transparency and reassurance as to intent that the region expect.»

In a joint cabinet statement, Japan raised «serious concern over the intensification of China’s military activities and strongly urged China to reconsider its actions.»

The Pentagon has repeatedly warned that China is rapidly modernizing and expanding its nuclear forces, projecting that Beijing will continue increasing the size, sophistication and survivability of its arsenal through the next decade. China’s military has also expanded naval patrols beyond the first island chain while increasing military pressure on Taiwan and asserting territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with representatives of military personnel stationed in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in Urumqi, the regional capital, Sept. 23, 2025. (Photo by Li Gang/Xinhua via Getty Images)

The Pentagon projects China will field more than 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030, up from an estimated stockpile in the low 600s through 2024.

Officials say Beijing is expanding all three legs of its nuclear triad — land-based missiles, strategic bombers and nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines — while improving its ability to survive a first strike and retaliate.

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At the same time, the People’s Liberation Army Navy is the world’s largest by number of battle force ships, while it has fielded advanced hypersonic weapons, expanded long-range missile forces and invested heavily in artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities and space-based systems that U.S. officials say are designed to challenge American military advantages in the Indo-Pacific.

U.S. defense officials have also warned that China continues to refine the capabilities needed for a potential conflict over Taiwan, including joint operations involving naval, air, missile and amphibious forces. 

Annual military exercises around Taiwan have grown larger and more complex, reflecting Beijing’s efforts to increase military pressure while rehearsing operations that could support a blockade or invasion.

The U.S. has maintained a sea-based nuclear deterrent for decades through its fleet of Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, which routinely conduct operational deterrent patrols and periodic test launches of Trident II D5 ballistic missiles. The Navy is now replacing those submarines with the next-generation Columbia class, which is expected to begin entering service later this decade.

Unlike China, however, the U.S. regularly publicizes scheduled Trident missile tests and has long operated a mature fleet of ballistic missile submarines that defense officials consider the most survivable leg of America’s nuclear triad.

The Pentagon and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command could not immediately be reached for comment.