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The possibility of the UK being dragged into the escalating Middle East conflict became all the more real following a drone strike on an RAF base in Cyprus, which the government confirmed on Monday. Keir Starmer is navigating a tricky path – he has now allowed the US to use UK military bases for “limited defensive purpose”, but has made clear that the UK won’t take part in “offensive action”.
But, as Geraint Hughes, an expert in British foreign and defence policy, argues, that distinction may not make much difference to Tehran, who “may well target the UK’s military assets in the Gulf and beyond”. In this piece, he gives an overview of the British military’s longstanding strategic presence in the Middle East, and explains how things could play out.
The consequences of this conflict are economic as well, of course. Disruption to the key shipping route the Strait of Hormuz has meant surging oil prices, and is likely to result in widespread instability to global trade. Supply chains expert Maryam Lotfi explains.
And, as video games have become more visually stunning over the years, some players have become in-game photographers, with serious artistic prowess.
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Avery Anapol
Commissioning Editor, Politics + Society
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An RAF fighter jet takes off from the UK’s Akrotiri air base in Cyprus after it was hit by a drone strike early morning on March 2.
AP Photo/Petros Karadjias
Geraint Hughes, King's College London
It is possible that Tehran has assumed British complicity in the launching of Operation Epic Fury.
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Many ships lie anchored, like this one off the coast of Dubai, after Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz.
EPA/STRINGER
Maryam Lotfi, Cardiff University
Oil prices are responding to risk – not just supply shortages.
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A visitor to the Tales From the Real World exhibition at la Chapelle des Trinitaires, Arles, France.
Courtesy of Pascal Greco
Gabriele Aroni, Manchester Metropolitan University
Several artists have turned in‑game photography into a serious artistic practice, with radically different approaches.
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World
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Darius Wainwright, University of Bristol
Trump has shifted American policy towards Iran from one of containment to direct confrontation.
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Politics + Society
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Lee John Curley, Glasgow Caledonian University; Dominic Willmott, Loughborough University; Kennath Widanaralalage, King's College London
Rape myths relating to male survivors often blame victims, minimise the harm or exonerate the accused.
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Arts + Culture
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Danielle Turton, Lancaster University
The accent has been distracting for some because it sounds different to modern Mancunians.
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Business + Economy
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Erhan Kilincarslan, University of Huddersfield
Food and energy are not optional.
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Federico Iannacci, University of Sussex; Stan Karanasios, The University of Queensland
West Midlands and other English police forces have been criticised for over-reliance on AI tools.
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Kirk Chang, University of East London; Susan Akinwalere, University of East London
Reports suggest younger workers are turning to trades – but the best option may be to stick in an industry you know.
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Maryam Lotfi, Cardiff University
Oil prices are responding to risk – not just supply shortages.
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Education
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Dónal Mulligan, Dublin City University
Encourage verifying anything important – news, health claims, law, school facts, statements that may be repeated as “true”.
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Environment
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Alex Ford, University of Portsmouth
The water industry has been left to police its own pollution.
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Angus Atkinson, Plymouth Marine Laboratory; Bob Brewin, University of Exeter; Victor Martinez Vicente, Plymouth Marine Laboratory
With the loss of sea ice, tiny filter feeders known as ‘salps’ can thrive, while shrimp-like krill lose out.
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Health
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Lisa McNally, University of Birmingham
A generational sales ban could transform smoking rates. Success depends on enforcement, funding and resisting industry pressure.
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Ahmed Elbediwy, Kingston University; Nadine Wehida, Kingston University
Modern screening can create patients out of people who never needed treatment in the first place.
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The most clicked links from yesterday
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23 February - 12 March 2026
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Colchester
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2 March 2026
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Southampton
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