In a week fraught with major international headlines, the 2020 election news also featured a few big developments. 

The more surprising of the two comes from the Tom Steyer campaign. The billionaire New York-native has qualified for the next Democratic debate on Jan. 14—a feat many expected not to happen.

In order to qualify for the debate, candidates must reach a polling threshold of 7% in two polls or 5% in four polls, as well as receive contributions from 225,000 unique donors. 

On Friday, the White House announced that it is imposing additional economic sanctions against Iran. While left-leaning articles highlight that the White House continues to state that last week’s strike on Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was meant to prevent an “imminent threat” against U.S. interests, right-leaning articles report on the Trump administration’s effort to end Iran’s “destructive foreign policy” and terrorist activities. 

There are 4524 news articles covering this topic. 42% (1888) are left leaning, 43% (1965) center, 15% (671) right leaning.

From the left: Pompeo sticks to assertion that U.S. faced threat from Iran, New York Times
From the center: Trump announces more economic sanctions against Iran, NPR
From the right: Trump hits Iran with economic diplomatic sanctions after attack, Fox News

Also in the news: On Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made the announcement that she plans to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate next week, despite the fact that she still has concerns over how Republicans plan to conduct the Senate trial.

On Thursday, the House of Representatives voted to curtail President Trump’s war-making powers by forcing him to come to Congress for authorization before taking further military action against Iran. The vote was almost entirely along party lines. While left-leaning articles focus on the deepening divides over Congress’ role in war, right-leaning articles highlight that the decision to restrain Trump’s war powers is a mistake.

There are 1358 news articles covering this topic. 40% (542) are left leaning, 38% (517) center, 22% (299) right leaning.

From the left: House to vote to restrain Trump’s Iran war powers, New York Times
From the center: GOP Senator calls White House 'cavalier' about the constitution, NPR
From the right: Nothing ‘dumber’ than Congress ‘taking over foreign policy’, Fox News

Also in the news: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, said she expects to release her hold on the two articles of impeachment against President Trump “soon,” but is still holding out for a bit to learn more about how Republicans plan to conduct a Senate trial.

On Wednesday, President Trump addressed the country in response to Iran’s retaliatory airstrike against a pair of U.S. military bases in Iraq. In his address, Trump intimated that the U.S. and Iran could be on the path to de-escalation after two weeks of building tension. While left-leaning articles report that Trump is backing away from further military conflict as “Iran appears to be standing down,” right-leaning articles highlight that Trump blamed former President Barack Obama for giving Iran money for their missiles. 

There are 5066 news articles covering this topic. 47% (2377) are left leaning, 35% (1793) center, 18% (896) right leaning.

From the left: Trump Backs Away From Further Military Conflict With Iran, New York Times
From the center: Oil prices drop following Trump's statement on Iran attacks, The Hill
From the right: Trump: Iran missiles paid for with money released by Obama, Fox News

Also in the news: Democratic senators grow impatient over Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s decision to withhold the articles of impeachment from the Senate. While left-leaning articles highlight majority leader Senator Mitch McConnell’s refusal to budge on impeachment trial terms, right-leaning articles highlight disagreements among Senate Democrats on Pelosi’s delay strategy.

Late Tuesday, the U.S. Defense Department announced that Iran has launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces, targeting at least two military bases in Iraq. The strike came after the United States killed Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani last week. Left-leaning articles highlight that the strike raises fears that Iran and U.S. are closer to war, but there are also some indications that there would not be further retaliation on either side. Right-leaning articles highlight that Iran claims victory with the attack but warns that it’s not enough. 

There are 3054 news articles covering this topic. 50% (1536) are left leaning, 35% (1070) center, 15% (448) right leaning.

From the left: Iran strikes back at US with missile attack at bases in Iraq, Washington Post
From the center: Iran Launches Attacks On Bases Housing U.S. Troops In Iraq, The Hill
From the right: Iran launches 15 missiles into Iraq targeting US, coalition forces, Fox News

Also in the news: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., says he has the votes to establish rules for president Trump’s impeachment trial with no support from Democrats. While left-leaning articles focus on the Democrats’ continued insistence for witnesses, right-leaning articles highlight that Pelosi has to send the articles to the Senate soon.

On Monday, vast crowds filled the streets of Tehran to pay respects to Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force, who was killed last week in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad. Left-leaning articles highlight the implications Soleimani’s killing has on the relationship between the United States and the Middle East, while right-leaning articles justify why Democrats and the liberal media are wrong for decrying Soleimani’s death.

There are 2234 news articles covering this topic. 46% (1036) are left leaning, 36% (803) center, 18% (395) right leaning.

From the left: Dead Iranian general’s successor vows revenge: live updates, New York Times
From the center: Severe revenge:' the aftermath of the Soleimani assassination, NPR
From the right: The terror king – Dems decry death. here's why they're wrong, Fox News

Also in the news: On Monday, former national security adviser John Bolton announced that he would be willing to testify in the Senate’s impeachment trial of President Trump if the Senate subpoenas him. Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., responded that if any Senate Republicans continue to oppose issuing subpoenas to the four witnesses and documents Democrats have requested, they are participating in a cover up.