Answer:
The Taft team filled the role of the negative party.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the given newspaper report, the debate was between the Washington team in support of the claim while the opposing team, the Taft team argues against it. And the claim of their debate is about "the recent actions in the Middle East."
Now, in the debate, the team arguing for the claim is the positive role whereas the team arguing against it forms the negative party. Therefore, we can easily assume that the Taft Team, arguing a string counterclaim against the Middle East issue, fills the negative party.
Thus, the correct answer is the Taft team.