The US midterm elections end in a gridlock. These elections determine which party - Democratic or Republican - controls Congress for the next two years.

The Congress is made up of two houses. The upper house called the Senate and the lower called the House of Representatives.

The Democrats held on to their Senate majority with 49 seats - crucial to Barack Obama's control over legislation. The Republicans did fairly well with a powerful minority of 46.

On the flip side, the Republicans now have control over the House of Representatives with 242 seats. The Democrats won only 193 seats. This is possibly making it difficult for Obama to pass laws.

Just how difficult will Barack Obama's mission be over the next two years? And what will his post-election strategy be?

Inside Story, with presenter Dareen Abughaida, discusses with Toby Chaudhuri, a Democratic Party Strategist, Jason Johnson, a professor of political science at Hiram College, and Stacy Hilliard, the vice- chairman of Republicans Abroad UK.

This episode of Inside Story aired from Wednesday, November 3, 2010.