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النسخة العربية
  • Politics
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  • 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

Houthis seek expansion after reaching Bab al-Mandab

17 September 2026

After rapid advances, the Yemeni rebel group is fortifying its positions along the vital maritime chokepoint, while intensifying pressure in southwestern Taiz, northern Lahj, and Marib

Ibrahim Jalal
Al Majalla
Culture & Social Affairs

Backlash over Macklemore ban shows major US culture shift

16, Sep 2026

The American rapper's removal from Ed Sheeran's tour over his 'Free Palestine' speech and the British singer's meek rebuttal sparked an uproar on social media

Samer Abou Hawwach
Axel Rangel García
Politics

Francesca Albanese: the Palestine question is a global one

16 September 2026

In an interview with Al Majalla, the UN Special Rapporteur says the backlash against her for speaking out against Israel's genocide in Gaza reveals much about the current international order

Elie Kossaifi
Al Majalla
Business & Economy

AI data centres: the costliest infrastructure race in history?

16 September 2026

Investment could reach $50tn by 2050, but electricity, semiconductors and data laws will determine where the factories of the new economy are built

Abdel-Rahman Ayas
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares a moment with Russian President Vladimir Putin as Chinese President Xi Jinping looks on during day two of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, on 13 September 2026. REUTERS
Politics

Only China, India, and Russia can end the Iran war

15 September 2026

Washington needs its rivals to create peace on its behalf

Amir Handjani

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OPINIONS

What does the Houthi targeting of Mecca mean?

Saud Al-Masaud
Saud Al-Masaud

A tale of two Libya's: internal division meets external unity

Tarek Megerisi
Tarek Megerisi

John Ternus: what Apple’s new boss means for the Arab world

Marco Mossad
Marco Mossad

Riyad al-Sunbati and the art of improvisation

Fadi El-Abdallah
Fadi El-Abdallah
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