Opinion | Latest Muslim News, Islamic Updates & World Coverage 2026

Why elevating the UAE's meteorology chief to minister of state matters

The Emirati leadership has long shown far-sightedness to focus on areas and issues ahead of their time

Nick
March

Today's cartoonShadi's take on Fifa banning some bottles from World Cup games

Video

The world is missing global water targets

Alya Al Mazrouei

China’s diplomatic marathon offers the world a lesson in strategic stability

Zeng Jixin

The Class of 2026 deserves honesty over comfort to face the trials ahead

Janine di Giovanni

Comment

In parts of the West, grand strategy is becoming inceasingly difficult to craft

Omar Al-Ubaydli

Amid Strait of Hormuz crisis, the UAE has an opportunity to protect the world's data

Nasser
Al Shaikh

Lebanon needs to get over its America Derangement Syndrome

Michael Young

Trump might intervene in Cuba because of the Iran war – not despite it

Gavin Esler

Have we been thinking about commuting all wrong?

Adhraa Almansoori

Editorial

Ceasefires should halt violence, not manage it

Rent freeze injects some certainty into uncertain times

Why the UAE's textile waste campaign is a good fit

Israel is repeating its past mistakes in Lebanon

Will the world ever see real accountability for alleged Israeli military crimes?

How to keep people at the heart of AI

Columnists

The stranding of cargo vessels in the Strait of Hormuz has offered harsh lessons for global trade. Reuters

The world should turn Strait of Hormuz crisis into a catalyst for resilience

Ken Okaniwa

Italy and the UAE show that friendships are forged in times of uncertainty

Lorenzo Fanara

The UAE shows it’s possible to stay focused on conservation in times of conflict

Razan Al Mubarak

Britain's book festivals reveal a nation wiser than many of its politicians

Gavin Esler

The race to bypass the Strait of Malacca is about more than trade

Sholto Byrnes

'Paper tiger' Nato still has teeth, even if Trump can't see them

Damien McElroy

The UAE is built for permanence, and patient capital should act accordingly

Issam Hamid

We're being advertised to every waking hour - there's nowhere left to switch off

David Tusing

Podcast: Beyond the Headlines

Anyone for football? SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California is among the US stadiums being used for the Fifa World Cup. Getty Images via AFP

The limits of soft power: America’s war and its World Cup

A boy stands in the rubble of a residential building hit by an Israeli strike in Gaza. AFP.

Replay: Who will fill the security vacuum in Gaza?

More weapons, less action: What are the Houthis up to?

Where does China stand in US-Iran conflict?

More episodes

Week in cartoons

Newsletters

Middle East Today
Expert insight, analysis, exclusive reports plus all the latest news from the region, about the region
Preview Sign up
The UAE Today
Your essential source for must-read news from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the rest of the Emirates
Preview Sign up
Energy This Week
Your insight into the latest trends in oil, clean energy and more in the UAE and beyond
Preview Sign up
Beshara
Your weekly dose of good news and inspiration, delivered to your inbox
Preview Sign up
The Arts Edit
Your guide to Middle Eastern arts and culture from the region, and about the region
Preview Sign up
Future Beat
A round-up of stories shaping the world, from AI and green tech to science and medicine
Preview Sign up
Checking In
Expert travel advice on destinations, getting there, and what to do on arrival
Preview Sign up
View From London
The stories that matter to you from across Europe, brought to you directly by our London bureau
Preview Sign up
Weekender
Make the most of your weekend with long reads, features and our quiz of the week
Preview Sign up
On The Money
Stay ahead in personal finance with expert tips on investing, saving and spending
Preview Sign up
View From DC
Insight from The National's Washington DC team on US politics and its impact on the Mena region
Preview Sign up
Emirati
UAE Chief Reporter Shireena Al Nowais explores stories shaping the Emirates and its people
Preview Sign up
The Climate Edit
Stay updated on climate change, sustainability and innovations shaping the Mena region’s future
Preview Sign up

Why elevating the UAE's meteorology chief to minister of state matters

Opinion: Is the EU losing patience with Israel?

How Pakistan came out as winner after ceasefire agreement

Opinion: Is Donald Trump losing the Iran war narrative?

Why Britons in Dubai don’t deserve the backlash

Post-Khamenei Iran: Power struggle and a new era?

Opinion: Why are Pakistan and Afghanistan fighting?

What's next for Keir Starmer after Epstein linked to UK envoy

Iranian citizens not looking for monarchy to be restored

Will second phase of Gaza ceasefire bring change?

Opinion: Europe's fresh engagement with Syria is welcome

The world is missing global water targets

China’s diplomatic marathon offers the world a lesson in strategic stability

The Class of 2026 deserves honesty over comfort to face the trials ahead

In parts of the West, grand strategy is becoming inceasingly difficult to craft

Amid Strait of Hormuz crisis, the UAE has an opportunity to protect the world's data

Lebanon needs to get over its America Derangement Syndrome

Trump might intervene in Cuba because of the Iran war – not despite it

Have we been thinking about commuting all wrong?

Italy and the UAE show that friendships are forged in times of uncertainty

Why Pope Leo and Tony Blair's treatises on AI have captured global attention

A stroke survivor is showing how every step counts in the long road to recovery

Lebanon and Syria have a historic chance to remake the Levant

The UAE shows it’s possible to stay focused on conservation in times of conflict

Britain's book festivals reveal a nation wiser than many of its politicians

The race to bypass the Strait of Malacca is about more than trade

'Paper tiger' Nato still has teeth, even if Trump can't see them

The UAE is built for permanence, and patient capital should act accordingly

We're being advertised to every waking hour - there's nowhere left to switch off

Why elevating the UAE's meteorology chief to minister of state matters

Opinion: Is the EU losing patience with Israel?

How Pakistan came out as winner after ceasefire agreement

Opinion: Is Donald Trump losing the Iran war narrative?

Why Britons in Dubai don’t deserve the backlash

Post-Khamenei Iran: Power struggle and a new era?

Opinion: Why are Pakistan and Afghanistan fighting?

What's next for Keir Starmer after Epstein linked to UK envoy

Iranian citizens not looking for monarchy to be restored

Will second phase of Gaza ceasefire bring change?

Opinion: Europe's fresh engagement with Syria is welcome

The world is missing global water targets

China’s diplomatic marathon offers the world a lesson in strategic stability

The Class of 2026 deserves honesty over comfort to face the trials ahead

QuoteIn parts of the West, grand strategy is becoming inceasingly difficult to craft

QuoteAmid Strait of Hormuz crisis, the UAE has an opportunity to protect the world's data

QuoteLebanon needs to get over its America Derangement Syndrome

Trump might intervene in Cuba because of the Iran war – not despite it

Have we been thinking about commuting all wrong?

Italy and the UAE show that friendships are forged in times of uncertainty

QuoteWhy Pope Leo and Tony Blair's treatises on AI have captured global attention

A stroke survivor is showing how every step counts in the long road to recovery

Lebanon and Syria have a historic chance to remake the Levant

The UAE shows it’s possible to stay focused on conservation in times of conflict

Britain's book festivals reveal a nation wiser than many of its politicians

The race to bypass the Strait of Malacca is about more than trade

'Paper tiger' Nato still has teeth, even if Trump can't see them

The UAE is built for permanence, and patient capital should act accordingly

We're being advertised to every waking hour - there's nowhere left to switch off

In parts of the West, grand strategy is becoming inceasingly difficult to craft

Amid Strait of Hormuz crisis, the UAE has an opportunity to protect the world's data

Lebanon needs to get over its America Derangement Syndrome

Why Pope Leo and Tony Blair's treatises on AI have captured global attention