Thomas Watkins
Thomas Watkins
Washington Bureau Chief
Thomas Watkins is Washington bureau chief at The National. He has more than 20 years' experience as a journalist and has lived across the US, Europe and South Asia. He has reported from 30 countries, primarily for Agence France-Presse.

Articles

A screen grab taken from a Houthi video purportedly shows the drone they used to attack Tel Aviv on July 19, 2024. EPA
Stopping Houthis will take more than military action, Pentagon says

Yemen's Houthi leader, Abdul Malik Al Houthi, warns of further escalation

July 25, 2024, 6:52 PM
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the joint meeting of Congress. AFP
Netanyahu trolls Gaza war critics in reality-bending speech to Congress

Practically no civilians have been killed in Rafah, Israeli Prime Minister tells Congress

July 25, 2024, 3:38 AM
A handover from US-led coalition troops to Iraqi security forces at Camp Taji, Iraq, in 2020. Reuters
US and Iraq close in on troop withdrawal deal

One sticking point is an airbase in Erbil the US says it needs to fight ISIS in Syria

July 23, 2024, 10:06 PM
US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks in Wilmington, Delaware. AFP
Kamala Harris sharpens attack lines against Donald Trump

Democrats' presumptive nominee pulls ahead in shock poll as she focuses on Trump's felony convictions and legal liabilities

July 23, 2024, 5:23 PM
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. AP
Kamala Harris on course to secure presidential nomination

Vice President's selection as the Democratic Party's nominee to challenge Donald Trump appears to be inevitable

July 22, 2024, 6:29 PM
Displays in New York show Sunday's stunning headline. Bloomberg
Biden stepping aside gives Democrats the jolt they need

Donald Trump is suddenly the oldest person in American history to seek the presidency

July 22, 2024, 12:01 AM
Vice President Kamala Harris has received endorsements from big names in the Democratic Party. AP
Harris favoured to win Democratic nomination as Biden quits race

President Joe Biden's No 2 thrust into spotlight after mixed performance as Vice President

July 21, 2024, 9:17 PM
Pro-Palestine protesters outside the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, where US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was speaking. Thomas Watkins / The National
Israel-Hamas ceasefire within 10-yard line, Blinken says

US Secretary of State is in Colorado for the final day of the Aspen Security Forum

July 19, 2024, 3:45 PM
David Miliband at the Aspen Security Forum. He served as UK foreign secretary from 2007 to 2010. Photo: Aspen Security Forum
Labour will boost UK's global engagement, David Miliband says

Former foreign secretary says Britain will be 'open for business' as new government looks to strengthen economy

July 19, 2024, 6:23 AM
Salam Fayyad speaks at the Aspen Security Forum on July 18. Photo: Aspen Security Forum
US must urgently act on Palestinian state, former PM says

Former Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad sees window of opportunity closing - perhaps forever - if Trump is elected

July 18, 2024, 11:15 PM
Police snipers return fire after shots were fired at Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. AP
Pressure builds on Secret Service after attempt on Trump's life

Calls mount for agency director to resign after string of failures allowed gunman to fire from rooftop

July 18, 2024, 12:19 AM
Satellites, planes and comets transit across the night sky in this time-lapse image taken near Corfe Castle in England. Getty
Russian plans for space weapon incredibly reckless, US says

The Soviet Union was an original signatory of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty

July 17, 2024, 6:57 PM
Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen at a meeting with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon on Monday. AFP
Israel-Gaza war 'incensed' South-East Asia, Singapore defence chief says

Aspen Security Forum rejigged agenda after attempted assassination of Donald Trump

July 17, 2024, 3:54 AM
Donald Trump pumps his fist as he is helped off the stage. AP
A dangerous moment for US after Trump assassination attempt

President Biden calls for unity in a country that has long been beset by political violence

July 14, 2024, 3:45 AM
Iraq's ambassador to the US Nazar Al Khirullah, left, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein speak to reporters at the Iraqi embassy in Washington. Thomas Watkins / The National
Israeli invasion of Lebanon would be a 'disaster', Iraqi Foreign Minister says

Fuad Hussein says 'there are many questions' about the current US political situation

July 12, 2024, 7:25 PM