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النسخة العربية
  • Politics
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  • Tag
  • mineral wealth

An Afghan miner extracts gold ore in the Ghulak Dara Valley in the Shighnan district of Badakhshan province, northeastern Afghanistan, on 28 July 2026. AFP

Will Trump entertain the Taliban's rare-earth invitation?

Afghanistan's mineral resources, including its coveted rare earths, are estimated to be worth more than $1tn, but so far China has been the main extractor, but a recent offer could change that

Kamal Alam 12 September 2026
Underwater image of a diver among fish at the North Seymour Island dive site in the Galapagos archipelago, Ecuador, taken on 8 March 2024. ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP

The global race for rare earths reaches the ocean floor

A critical mineral found on Japan's seabed has caught US attention, and the two are teaming up to see whether it can yield future benefits and reduce their dependence on China

Abdulfattah Khattab 08 September 2026
Diana Estefanía Rubio

New front in race for rare earths opens under the sea

In the Pacific, the US and Japan are looking to exploit deep-sea mineral resources to counter China’s dominance of rare-earth supply chains, amid environmental concerns and unresolved international…

Al Majalla - London 18 August 2026
Eduardo Ramon

The G7 gets serious about critical minerals

With China dominating the 'rare earths' needed to power the technology of the future, the West is playing catch-up in a race that began years ago. Finally, a plan is emerging.

Abdulfattah Khattab 20 January 2026
Al Majalla

The six noble gases countries are fighting over

Odourless, colourless gases such as helium, neon, radon, argon, krypton, and xenon power key industries. They are rare, difficult to extract, and hugely valuable, yet largely under the radar.

Abdulfattah Khattab 07 December 2025
US President Donald Trump (L) and Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (R) hold up signed documents on a trade deal during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on 26 October 2025. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP

Will Trump’s critical minerals blitz pay off?

The US president has been on a mission to secure new supply chains—and counter China's grip

Christina Lu 11 November 2025
Shutterstock

Thorium: Egypt’s mineral treasure lying in its black sands

A metal that can be converted into a fissile material for nuclear power is plentiful in the Arab world's most populous country. If science can harness its potential, Egypt has a valuable asset.

Marcelle Nasr 09 September 2025
A worker mining lead sulphide in the border area between Morocco and Algeria. Alamy

Algeria’s mineral wealth gives it a new edge

The country has passed a new minerals law seen by its backers as a catalyst for investment. But critics say it surrenders sovereignty. Which way will the pendulum swing?

Rabia Abdul Salam 04 September 2025
Eduardo Ramon

The rare earths powering industries and fuelling conflicts

From Africa to the Arctic, certain metals and minerals are so highly sought after for today's strategic industries that countries will go to war over them. What are they? Al Majalla digs deeper.

Abdulfattah Khattab 18 August 2025
Al Majalla

China's rare earths edge puts US industry on the back foot

America’s economy heavily depends on imported minerals vital for technology, energy, and defence. In 2024, the US was 100% import-reliant for 12 of the 50 “critical” minerals identified by the US…

Al Majalla - London 12 August 2025
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Al Majalla/Reuters
Politics

A Houthi takeover of Bab al-Mandab cannot be tolerated

12 September 2026

The Iran-backed group's effective takeover of Yemen's western coast comes with serious regional and global implications. The world needs to act.

Alice Gower
Pete Reynolds
Politics

Inside Assad’s nuclear secrets

09 September 2026

Al Majalla reveals the structure of Syria's nuclear programme 19 years after Israel bombed the Al-Kibar reactor, detailing the involvement of other states and the assassinations that followed

Al Majalla - London
Underwater image of a diver among fish at the North Seymour Island dive site in the Galapagos archipelago, Ecuador, taken on 8 March 2024. ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP
Business & Economy

The global race for rare earths reaches the ocean floor

07 September 2026

A critical mineral found on Japan's seabed has caught US attention, and the two are teaming up to see whether it can yield future benefits and reduce their dependence on China

Abdulfattah Khattab
Al Majalla/Reuters
Politics

The murky origins of al-Qaeda explained

09 September 2026

Thousands of Muslim volunteers flocked to Afghanistan in 1979 to fight the Soviets in response to a rallying cry, aided by the largest covert operation in CIA history

Steve Hewitt
Susan Sarandon in Echo Chamber ANDREA MICONI
Culture & Social Affairs

Susan Sarandon on fear, freedom, and refusing to change

08 September 2026

The renowned American actress tells Al Majalla about her gnawing drive for justice at the Venice Film Festival, where her new film 'Echo Chamber' premiered

Leila Amar

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OPINIONS

Britain's complicated history with Israel

Steve Hewitt
Steve Hewitt

Why JNIM is unlikely to break off from al-Qaeda

Sergey Eledinov
Sergey Eledinov

Will Trump entertain the Taliban's rare-earth invitation?

Kamal Alam
Kamal Alam

A Houthi takeover of Bab al-Mandab cannot be tolerated

Alice Gower
Alice Gower
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