Damien McElroy

Damien McElroy

London Bureau Chief


A billboard of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on display in Palestine Square, Tehran, on Saturday. EPA
Yahya Sinwar's killing should force Hamas to change

New leaders will need to ensure that their vision fits with the changing times, not the other way round

October 20, 2024
The International Investment Summit in London was an avenue for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to attract investors. AP
Can investors take Keir Starmer's UK seriously?

The Prime Minister promises to make Britain an attractive investment destination again, but he faces many hurdles

October 15, 2024
Eric Schmidt, left, former head of Google, talks to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the International Investment Summit at the Guildhall in London. EPA
UK sets up National Wealth Fund to turn investment into growth

Chancellor Rachel Reeves reveals companies pledged £63bn of investment in Britain at summit on Monday

October 14, 2024
Conservative party leadership candidates Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick. AFP
Two left in battle for Conservative Party leadership

Two candidates remain hopeful of replacing Rishi Sunak

October 08, 2024
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has had an underwhelming stint at Downing Street so far. Reuters
Starmer's struggles mirror his Palestine-Israel policy

As he reshuffles his staff, now is the time to sharpen his administration’s strategy for the region

October 08, 2024
Sue Gray, seen during a UN Security Council meeting last month, has resigned as Downing Street Chief of Staff. AFP
Starmer reshuffles after just 100 days in office as Sue Gray resigns as chief of staff

The Conservative Party says Downing Street is in 'chaos' as British Prime Minister makes five changes to his team

October 06, 2024
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept.  27, 2024.  (AP Photo / Richard Drew)
Israel's war - and its reputation: The view from around the world

As war in Gaza and now Lebanon sees Israel paying a hefty diplomatic price, our correspondents look at the impact in the region and beyond

October 04, 2024
Delegates attend the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, England, on Monday. The party returned to opposition in July after 14 years in power. Getty
Derailed Conservatives are trying to get back on track

A train journey to the Tory conference in Birmingham reveals the party of government to be in an uncomfortable place

October 01, 2024
Rami Mortada, right, and Hamish Falconer. Victoria Pertusa / The National
UK's Middle East minister warns region at moment of great peril

Hamish Falconer tells The National event that attacks in Lebanon can result in further escalation

September 23, 2024
A Palestine Solidarity Campaign demonstration prepares to march to the Labour party conference venue in Liverpool on Saturday. Getty
It's time for Starmer's Labour to decide its stance on Palestinian statehood

Once proactive on the issue, the UK should lead from the front again

September 23, 2024
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the 60th Munich Security Conference in February.
Munich Security Conference poll finds distrust in US and its rivals

Nine key non-western nations are on the fence when it comes to how Washington and its allies uphold international rules

September 21, 2024
Zaid Al-Qassab, chief executive officer of M&C Saatchi Plc, before a Bloomberg Television interview in London. Bloomberg
The prime time of new global M&C Saatchi CEO Zaid Al-Qassab

Award-winning British-Iraqi marketer on channelling his compulsion for observing people, the need for conscious creativity, and the challenges of modern technology

September 19, 2024
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is in Rome to meet Italian officials about plans to tackle illegal migration. Getty
The UK needs Starmer the charmer to step up

To defeat populism, the Prime Minister has to replace his 'Mr Fixit' approach with messages of hope and change

September 17, 2024
Prince Turki Al-Faisal speaks at Chatham House. Damien McElroy / The National
Prince Turki Al Faisal calls on UK to recognise Palestinian state now

Saudi Arabia wants to contain and end the spreading conflict from Gaza and the West Bank

September 13, 2024
France's newly appointed Prime Minister, Michel Barnier speaks to the press as he visits the SAMU de Paris headquarters at the Necker hospital in Paris, for his first official visit since taking office. AFP
Why key European capitals will welcome Macron's appointment of Barnier

The new Prime Minister is expected to give France's flailing migrant battles a boost

September 10, 2024