Open The National News AppNews, Opinion, Puzzles & More
OPEN
  • My Profile
  • Saved articles
  • Newsletters
  • Sign out
UserSign in
  • Register
  • Sign in
News
UAE
Gulf
MENA
US
UK
Europe
Asia
Business
Aviation
Economy
Energy
Money
Property
Banking
Markets
Opinion
Comment
Editorial
Obituaries
Cartoon
Feedback
Future
Science
Space
Technology
Climate
Environment
Road to Net Zero
Health
Culture
Art & Design
Books
Film & TV
Music & On-stage
Pop Culture
Lifestyle
Travel
Fashion & Beauty
Food
Motoring
Luxury
Home & Garden
Wellbeing
Things to do
Sport
Football
Cricket
F1
Tennis
Combat Sports
Cycling
Puzzles
Newsletters
TN Magazine
  • International Edition
  • UAE Edition
Podcasts Newsletters Follow us App Video
PuzzlesNewslettersTN MagazineWeekend
News
UAE
Gulf
MENA
US
UK
Europe
Asia
Business
Aviation
Economy
Energy
Money
Property
Banking
Markets
Opinion
Comment
Editorial
Obituaries
Cartoon
Feedback
Future
Science
Space
Technology
Climate
Environment
Road to Net Zero
Health
Culture
Art & Design
Books
Film & TV
Music & On-stage
Pop Culture
Lifestyle
Travel
Fashion & Beauty
Food
Motoring
Luxury
Home & Garden
Wellbeing
Things to do
Sport
Football
Cricket
F1
Tennis
Combat Sports
Cycling
News
UAE
Gulf
MENA
US
UK
Europe
Asia
Business
Aviation
Economy
Energy
Money
Property
Banking
Markets
Opinion
Comment
Editorial
Obituaries
Cartoon
Feedback
Future
Science
Space
Technology
Climate
Environment
Road to Net Zero
Health
Culture
Art & Design
Books
Film & TV
Music & On-stage
Pop Culture
Lifestyle
Travel
Fashion & Beauty
Food
Motoring
Luxury
Home & Garden
Wellbeing
Things to do
Sport
Football
Cricket
F1
Tennis
Combat Sports
Cycling
News
Business
Opinion
Future
Climate
Health
Culture
Lifestyle
Sport
Puzzles
Newsletters
TN Magazine
  • My Profile
  • Saved articles
  • Newsletters
  • Sign out
UserSign in
  • Register
  • Sign in

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.
Follow on XLinkedInMail

Articles

British paratroopers on exercise. Gen Sir Richard Barrons has warned the UK armed forces are in dire need of a vast increase in spending, or they will be left behind. Getty Images
UK defence spending tips 'backwards' despite rising threats

Ex-army chief accuses government of ignoring strategic review calling for instant military cash boost

UKApril 14, 2026
US damaged aircraft illustration shorthand Roy 'Stan' Cooper / The National
Special report‎A $30bn bill: The cost of America's war on Iran

After six weeks of aerial bombardment, the cost in munitions expenditure and damage inflicted by the enemy is unprecedented given the time period

USApril 14, 2026
RFA Lyme Bay in the Mediterranean. The vessel is being adapted to carry and support autonomous mine-hunting systems. Photo: Royal Navy
UK ship carrying mine-sweeping drones to be based in Oman

Vessel expected to operate from Duqm to counter threats in the Strait of Hormuz

UKApril 13, 2026
The Strait of Hormuz, where the US military said it would blockade Iranian ports, a move UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer refuses to support. AFP
Starmer and Macron challenge Trump over US blockade of Strait of Hormuz

Prime Minister insists UK will not get 'dragged into war' with Iran, but will offer minesweepers to help shipping

UKApril 13, 2026
Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City FC, with the regenerated Ancoats and New Islington neighbourhoods in the background. Getty Images
Play06:12
From grime to glory: How Manchester became a regional powerhouse

UK city embraced global investment to transform post-industrial landscape into a modern, thriving economy

UKApril 08, 2026
The Cheongung-II travels at 6,175kph and is capable of engaging ballistic missile targets at altitudes of 20km, destroying them with direct impact. Photo: South Korea Ministry of Defence
Can Cheongung-II missile defence production expand in 2026?

South Korean weapons cost a third of Patriot systems and made successful combat debut intercepting Iranian projectiles

MENAApril 08, 2026
A North Sea oil platform close to the Jackdaw gas field that is now expected to be given the green light. Photo: Equinor
UK set to approve new gasfield in North Sea amid fuel shortage concerns

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband 'minded' to give development green light as Labour responds to impact of war

UKApril 03, 2026
The Harrier autonomous minesweeper is set to be used to find Iranian mines in the Gulf. Photo: UK Ministry of Defence
UK's next-generation minehunter drones will patrol Strait of Hormuz

Minister makes summit pledge to tackle threats in waterway after war

UKApril 02, 2026
A US Navy taskforce of the kind that Gen Richards has suggested is needed with multinational support to open the Strait of Hormuz. AFP
Only might on Nato scale can reopen Strait of Hormuz, says former UK military chief

David Richards worries that Washington's plans for coalition are too tentative

MENAMarch 31, 2026
Assault hovercraft could be used for an operation to unblock the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: US Navy
Pentagon has options for Kharg Island and unlocking the Strait of Hormuz

US soldiers on Iranian territory under consideration, says President Donald Trump

MENAMarch 31, 2026
Keir Starmer to meet energy chiefs as fears of UK fuel shortage grow

Prime Minister hosts round-table at Downing Street as Britain told to prepare for knock-on effects of Iran war disruption

UKMarch 30, 2026
US Marines training for chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear warfare, which they could face in Iran. US Marine Corps
US troops drill on deck for contamination warfare in Iran

US forces heading by sea and air to the region where the spillover risk from Iran has risen, according to IAEA

MENAMarch 27, 2026
RAF Akrotiri is one of two British sovereign bases in Cyprus. Reuters
Future of UK airbases in Cyprus raised by leaders

RAF bases to remain British sovereign territory but president wants negotiations after Iran attack

UKMarch 25, 2026
The Ministry of Defence headquarters in Whitehall where Middle East ambassadors have met ministers for defensive assistance. Getty
UK says defence diplomacy is key in Gulf response to Iran's indiscriminate attacks

Minister tells The National that Britain will consider all requests for defensive assistance

UKMarch 24, 2026
A short-range interceptor, which could be used to defend against a ballistic missile attack, is fired. Photo: Ministry of Defence
Play00:26
Starmer to spend billions to get UK on 'war footing'

UK Prime Minister due to host emergency meeting on Monday to address war's economic fallout

UKMarch 23, 2026
More Articles

The National News Logo
IPSO regulated

News
UAE
Gulf
MENA
US
UK
Europe
Asia
Business
Aviation
Economy
Energy
Money
Property
Banking
Markets
Opinion
Comment
Editorial
Obituaries
Cartoon
Feedback
Future
Science
Space
Technology
Climate
Environment
Road to Net Zero
Health
Culture
Art & Design
Books
Film & TV
Music & On-stage
Pop Culture
Lifestyle
Travel
Fashion & Beauty
Food
Motoring
Luxury
Home & Garden
Wellbeing
Things to do
Sport
Football
Cricket
Olympics
F1
Tennis
Combat Sports
Cycling
Weekend
Living in the UAE
TN Magazine
Puzzles
Podcasts Newsletters Read E-Paper Print Subscriptions Video App
About UsContact UsWork With UsAdvertise With UsTerms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicySitemapArchiveRegistration FAQsRosalynn Carter Fellowship
IPSO regulated
Follow us
Get news alerts from
The National logo
You can manage notifications at any time by clicking the notifications icon.