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  • 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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Stefano Summo
Politics

Can the Houthis be defeated?

15, Oct 2026

In this week's cover story, Al Majalla examines the military balance of power on the ground, the networks through which the Houthis obtain weapons, and the foreign support they receive

Al Majalla - London
Eduardo Ramon
Business & Economy

Trump's tariffs are changing the global trade ecosystem

16, Oct 2026

Trade routes and composition have changed, but not the overall flow, with ASEAN countries playing a bigger role

Abdulfattah Khattab
Helena Perez Garcia
Profiles

Ms. Rachel, Gaza, and the power of education

13, Oct 2026

As YouTube star Accurso's influence grew, she transitioned from educator to child advocate. But it only became 'controversial' when she spoke up for Palestinian kids

Hala Al-Naji
Members of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) arrive at the Moroccan side of the border crossing between Morocco and Mauritania in the Guerguerat area of Western Sahara on 25 November, 2020 AFP
Politics

Western Sahara's MINURSO faces an uncertain future

15, Oct 2026

Boulos's remarks shattered expectations that UN Security Council Resolution 2797—which made Morocco's autonomy plan the basis for negotiations—would quickly translate into a final settlement

Rabia Abdul Salam
Culture & Social Affairs

The 9 Arab films vying for an Oscar

08, Oct 2026

From Gaza to Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Jordan, Iraq, and Algeria, this year's Arab Oscar submissions explore stories of conflict, displacement, memory, and survival

Wael Said

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OPINIONS

Al Majalla's Book Watch

Khodr Al Agha
Khodr Al Agha

Data centres: from engines for AI growth to electoral issue

Marco Mossad
Marco Mossad

Dieselgate widens Trump-Zelensky rift

Con Coughlin
Con Coughlin

Are the Houthis nearing defeat?

Anwar Al-Ansi
Anwar Al-Ansi
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