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Thomas Harding

Thomas Harding

Security and Policy Editor
Location
London
Thomas Harding is the security and policy editor covering Westminster politics and European affairs. He has reported extensively on the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the British parliament. Before joining The National in 2020, he was a special adviser to the UK defence secretary, working on policy and communications in the Ministry of Defence. He was also defence correspondent for The Daily Telegraph, covering the conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Sierra Leone, the Balkans and Northern Ireland. He has a degree in international history.
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Articles

Iran has attacked at least 16 ships since its war with the US and Israel began two weeks ago. AFP
Play
France pushes for Gulf convoys to protect shipping

Negotiations with Iran 'prerequisite' to safely reopen Strait of Hormuz, Paris says

MENAMarch 13, 2026
Shahed drones can carry a 50kg warhead and have a 2,500km range. AFP
How Iran's Shahed drone threat can be countered

Layered defence of jet fighters, heavy machineguns and jammers need to be used, military experts say

MENAMarch 13, 2026
A Pakistan warship escorts a Pakistani merchant vessel. Plans are under way by neutral countries to extract 1,000 ships out of the Arabian Gulf. Reuters
Play
Stranded vessels in Gulf shipping crisis face weeks of disruption

Shipping firms are now examining how to get their vessels and crews out under neutrality, insider tells The National

MENAMarch 12, 2026
A screenshot from a video showing how AI is being used by the military to attack Iran. Photo: U.S. Central Command
Play
AI at war in Iran: Ruthless targeting machine or risky shortcut?

Experts warn that the technology processing US strike missions in Iran is untested

TechnologyMarch 11, 2026
A police officer stands in front of Finsbury Park Mosque in London. The UK charity regulator will also receive new powers to address extremism. PA
UK adopts new anti-Muslim hostility definition as hate crimes rise

Charity regulator also gets power to address extremism and tackle people who promote religious hatred

UKMarch 10, 2026
UAE Apache attack helicopters over Abu Dhabi. Photo: UAE Presidential Court
Play
Fast and lethal: The drone-destroying helicopters shooting down Iran's arsenal

UAE's success in taking out Shaheds will be enhanced with more helicopters entering the fray

MENAMarch 09, 2026
An F-15 fighter fires air defence flares. The aircraft has played a key role in the US strikes on Iran. AFP
AnalysisIran's 'fire and revenge' attacks falter against Gulf air defences

US-led bombing raids met with a barrage of Tehran's missiles and drones with little lasting effect

GulfMarch 07, 2026
A Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon will now help protect Bahrain. Getty
RAF Typhoons 'to provide air cover for Bahrain'

Four additional jets being deployed to Qatar will also help defend its neighbour against Iran's missile and drone barrage

GulfMarch 06, 2026
A Russian Shahed drone over Ukraine. Militaries are seeking to cut down the cost of shooting down the $30,000 drones. Reuters
Low cost, high stakes: The vital interceptor missiles defending Gulf states against Iran's drones

An array of counter-drone missiles is potentially heading to the Middle East to counter the Shahed threat

GulfMarch 06, 2026
An EA-37B Compass Call, part of the 'exquisite' aircraft assisting the US bombing campaign. Photo: US Air Force
US aims to reopen Strait of Hormuz using 'exquisite' firepower

Fleet of surveillance aircraft will provide intelligence to track down field commanders and rocket launchers

MENAMarch 05, 2026
A Qatar Emiri Air Force Typhoon takes off during exercises. AFP
Qatari Typhoon shoots down Iranian jets using long-range Meteor missiles

Two bombers over the Gulf were first aircraft downed since air strikes began

GulfMarch 04, 2026
A Frigate Defence and Intervention will be a key part of France and Greece's navies, with a number of attack and defence options. Photo: REA
Play
France’s new and radical stealth warship ready for Gulf within months

Navy develops multi-role warship to take out missiles and drones

EuropeMarch 04, 2026
B-52s flying from British airbases are 'about to change the nature of the campaign' against Iran, analysts have said. Getty Images
US Air Force to 'quadruple' its bomber strike power to hit Iran

Nature of air campaign 'about to change' with more B-52s and 'daddy of bombers' going into action, analysts say

MENAMarch 03, 2026
UAE announces successful interception of new wave of Iranian missiles. WAM
Play
VideoThe Iran crisis, threat to Gulf states and UAE's air defences explained

The National's security editor answers your questions on the war

UAEMarch 03, 2026
Typhoon fighter jets are being used to help defend the Gulf and Cyprus from Iranian missile and drone attacks. Getty Images
Britain increases military support for Gulf region

RAF fighters have intercepted drones while warships could be called in for air defence

MENAMarch 02, 2026
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