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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

      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
      The Thaad missile system will be upgraded with a long-range discrimination radar, alongside its fire control and launch systems, in the UAE after the US deal. Bloomberg
      What's in the major $8bn US arms package bolstering UAE defences?

      Top-range radar and new counter-drone systems to help protect Emirates against Iranian attacks

      MENAMarch 20, 2026
      Assault hovercraft could be used for an amphibious assault to unblock the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: US Navy
      How US marines could be deployed to take the Strait of Hormuz

      With a specialist unit on its way to the Gulf, experts explain how American boots on the ground could be used

      MENAMarch 20, 2026
      A British Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jet bound for Qatar. PA
      Play00:19
      ExclusiveUK's military hardware 'was ready' for Iran war, says Middle East minister

      UK-Gulf ties have deepened with assistance in anti-drone defences, Hamish Falconer tells The National

      MENAMarch 19, 2026
      A Royal Navy Wildcat equipped with Martlet missiles that could soon be exported to Gulf states. AFP
      UK buys missiles for Gulf allies' battle against Shaheds

      Envoys based in UK hold round table with British defence firms to speed up export licences

      UKMarch 18, 2026
      Sting interceptor drones have been developed in Ukraine. Reuters
      Sting, Hydra and Hellfire: The cheap interceptors primed to take out Iran's Shahed drones

      An array of counter-drone weaponry is potentially available in the Middle East to counter the Shahed threat

      GulfMarch 18, 2026
      Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the UK parliament on Tuesday. AFP
      Zelenskyy offers 1,000 drone interceptors a day to Gulf states

      More than 200 Ukrainians experts helping countries to fight Iran’s Shahed attacks

      MENAMarch 17, 2026
      EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas has said no state is 'ready to ​put their people in ⁠harm's way' in the Strait of Hormuz. EPA
      Europe seeks to help US and Israel end Iran war to 'save face'

      Talks under way to avoid global food and fertiliser crises owing to Strait of Hormuz closure

      EuropeMarch 17, 2026
      Shahed drones can carry a 50kg warhead and have a 2,500km range. AFP
      Gulf states turn to machinegun fire to tackle Iranian drones over cities

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

      GulfMarch 17, 2026
      An Italian destroyer escorts a merchant vessel near Somalia. A similar convoy operation could be launched in the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters
      Western allies seek 'viable plan' to reopen Strait of Hormuz

      British leader says discussions under way between Europe, US and Gulf to ensure security for ships in crucial oil trade route

      MENAMarch 16, 2026
      Iran has attacked at least 16 ships since its war with the US and Israel began two weeks ago. AFP
      Play01:44
      France pushes for Gulf convoys to protect shipping

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

      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
      Play00:25
      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
      Play00:30
      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
      More Articles

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