SCFR Online – Opinion: Following military failure, Trump has announced the implementation of sanctions and old economic pressures under the new label of “unprecedented economic operation” against Iran; however, Tehran can neutralize this blockade through four specific strategies.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Two contrasting narratives of Trump’s foreign policy – one “crisis as doctrine” and the other a “coherent doctrine” – present a complex picture of America’s attempt to redefine its role in the international system.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey under the motto “an attack on one is an attack on all,” is viewed by some analysts less as a full-fledged military coalition and more as an attempt to reduce security dependence on an external power and to establish a regional security mechanism.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The new US-Saudi nuclear agreement, despite legal and political ambiguities, could alter previous non-proliferation standards in West Asia and intensify nuclear competition, ushering it into a new phase.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Recent developments in Syria indicate an intensification of strategic rivalry between Turkey and the Israeli regime, but mutual considerations and the role of the United States have limited the likelihood of direct war.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The future of the so-called Trump peace plan for Gaza, despite claims of an agreement on Hamas’s disarmament, remains shrouded in ambiguity due to structural deficiencies and opposition from key actors.
SCFR Online – Opinion: An examination of the mechanisms of the Israeli regime’s influence in the United States depicts a complex picture of shared interests, strategic dependencies, and the limitations of this relationship.
SCFR Online – Interview: The signing of the Makkah agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey has raised questions about the future of the region’s security structure and the position of these countries in West Asian equations. Can this agreement become a genuine collective defense mechanism, or does it have more of a political and deterrent function than creating new military capacity?
Strategic Council Online: Mr. Hafiz Naeem Al-Rehman, Secretary-General of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, met today with Dr. Seyed Kamal Kharrazi, President of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations (SCFR).
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior Palestinian affairs analyst stated: To justify its crimes in Gaza, the Zionist regime employs two main strategies: using military censorship regarding the publication of operational details and presenting an official narrative by military spokespersons in Hebrew and Arabic. By relying on selective images and information, it attempts to make its military actions in Gaza seem believable. While Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Israeli regime, has announced readiness to expand military operations in Gaza and claimed that Palestinians would be allowed to leave the area, international criticism of this regime’s actions under the accusation of ethnic cleansing has intensified. By controlling Gaza’s borders, the Israeli regime’s military has restricted the exit of Palestinians and simultaneously carried out extensive bombings in the residential areas of Zeitoun and Sabra, which, according to the Hamas Civil Defense Organization, resulted in at least 33 deaths and widespread destruction. The European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Japan, in a joint statement, have warned of an impending famine in Gaza and called for a halt to the use of lethal force near aid distribution sites. The World Health Organization has also emphasized the necessity of medical equipment entering Gaza, but the Israeli regime continues to prevent sufficient humanitarian aid from being sent.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Despite widespread disagreements between Netanyahu and the Chief of the General Staff of the Zionist regime’s army, Eyal Zamir, the main framework of the plan to occupy Gaza City was finally signed after the war cabinet agreed to seize Gaza City; a decision that could have extensive consequences in the Occupied Territories and the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: Recently, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, explicitly stated in an interview with Channel 14 of this regime that a significant number of Iran’s nuclear scientists have been killed as part of a targeted assassination program. This is the first time that a senior official of the Israeli regime has made such an explicit confession. Although the Israeli regime had previously been accused of playing a role in the assassination of Iranian scientists, this official confession opens a new chapter in legal and political pursuits; a chapter that could, by utilizing international capacities, confront a regime that sees itself as above the law with serious consequences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that the remarks by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, about holding general elections with the participation of Palestinians, while Gaza and the West Bank are facing the most severe attacks and threats, are a theatrical move aimed at legitimizing Mahmoud Abbas. This comes while Mahmoud Abbas suffers from severe illegitimacy among Palestinians, which is precisely why he raises such proposals.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The Syria-Turkey-Azerbaijan gas project goes beyond simple energy cooperation and must be evaluated within the context of regional power competition, efforts to redefine the political order in Syria, and the strengthening of the Turkish-Qatari-Azerbaijani axis in West Asia. An order whose future will largely depend on the stability of the Damascus government and Turkey’s ability to manage security, economic, and geopolitical crises simultaneously.
At a time when Syria is still grappling with extensive infrastructure problems and an energy crisis, the inauguration of the gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Syria via Turkey, with Qatar’s financial support, has drawn the attention of regional analysts. This project, which in its first phase will transfer 3.4 million cubic meters of gas per day and will eventually reach a capacity of 6 million cubic meters per day, could add approximately 750 megawatts to Syria’s electricity generation capacity.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Following military failure, Trump has announced the implementation of sanctions and old economic pressures under the new label of “unprecedented economic operation” against Iran; however, Tehran can neutralize this blockade through four specific strategies.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Two contrasting narratives of Trump’s foreign policy – one “crisis as doctrine” and the other a “coherent doctrine” – present a complex picture of America’s attempt to redefine its role in the international system.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey under the motto “an attack on one is an attack on all,” is viewed by some analysts less as a full-fledged military coalition and more as an attempt to reduce security dependence on an external power and to establish a regional security mechanism.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The new US-Saudi nuclear agreement, despite legal and political ambiguities, could alter previous non-proliferation standards in West Asia and intensify nuclear competition, ushering it into a new phase.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Recent developments in Syria indicate an intensification of strategic rivalry between Turkey and the Israeli regime, but mutual considerations and the role of the United States have limited the likelihood of direct war.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The future of the so-called Trump peace plan for Gaza, despite claims of an agreement on Hamas’s disarmament, remains shrouded in ambiguity due to structural deficiencies and opposition from key actors.
SCFR Online – Opinion: An examination of the mechanisms of the Israeli regime’s influence in the United States depicts a complex picture of shared interests, strategic dependencies, and the limitations of this relationship.
SCFR Online – Interview: The signing of the Makkah agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey has raised questions about the future of the region’s security structure and the position of these countries in West Asian equations. Can this agreement become a genuine collective defense mechanism, or does it have more of a political and deterrent function than creating new military capacity?
Strategic Council Online: Mr. Hafiz Naeem Al-Rehman, Secretary-General of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, met today with Dr. Seyed Kamal Kharrazi, President of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations (SCFR).
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior Palestinian affairs analyst stated: To justify its crimes in Gaza, the Zionist regime employs two main strategies: using military censorship regarding the publication of operational details and presenting an official narrative by military spokespersons in Hebrew and Arabic. By relying on selective images and information, it attempts to make its military actions in Gaza seem believable. While Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Israeli regime, has announced readiness to expand military operations in Gaza and claimed that Palestinians would be allowed to leave the area, international criticism of this regime’s actions under the accusation of ethnic cleansing has intensified. By controlling Gaza’s borders, the Israeli regime’s military has restricted the exit of Palestinians and simultaneously carried out extensive bombings in the residential areas of Zeitoun and Sabra, which, according to the Hamas Civil Defense Organization, resulted in at least 33 deaths and widespread destruction. The European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Japan, in a joint statement, have warned of an impending famine in Gaza and called for a halt to the use of lethal force near aid distribution sites. The World Health Organization has also emphasized the necessity of medical equipment entering Gaza, but the Israeli regime continues to prevent sufficient humanitarian aid from being sent.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Despite widespread disagreements between Netanyahu and the Chief of the General Staff of the Zionist regime’s army, Eyal Zamir, the main framework of the plan to occupy Gaza City was finally signed after the war cabinet agreed to seize Gaza City; a decision that could have extensive consequences in the Occupied Territories and the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: Recently, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, explicitly stated in an interview with Channel 14 of this regime that a significant number of Iran’s nuclear scientists have been killed as part of a targeted assassination program. This is the first time that a senior official of the Israeli regime has made such an explicit confession. Although the Israeli regime had previously been accused of playing a role in the assassination of Iranian scientists, this official confession opens a new chapter in legal and political pursuits; a chapter that could, by utilizing international capacities, confront a regime that sees itself as above the law with serious consequences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that the remarks by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, about holding general elections with the participation of Palestinians, while Gaza and the West Bank are facing the most severe attacks and threats, are a theatrical move aimed at legitimizing Mahmoud Abbas. This comes while Mahmoud Abbas suffers from severe illegitimacy among Palestinians, which is precisely why he raises such proposals.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The Syria-Turkey-Azerbaijan gas project goes beyond simple energy cooperation and must be evaluated within the context of regional power competition, efforts to redefine the political order in Syria, and the strengthening of the Turkish-Qatari-Azerbaijani axis in West Asia. An order whose future will largely depend on the stability of the Damascus government and Turkey’s ability to manage security, economic, and geopolitical crises simultaneously.
At a time when Syria is still grappling with extensive infrastructure problems and an energy crisis, the inauguration of the gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Syria via Turkey, with Qatar’s financial support, has drawn the attention of regional analysts. This project, which in its first phase will transfer 3.4 million cubic meters of gas per day and will eventually reach a capacity of 6 million cubic meters per day, could add approximately 750 megawatts to Syria’s electricity generation capacity.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
Strategic Council Online: Mr. Hafiz Naeem Al-Rehman, Secretary-General of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, met today with Dr. Seyed Kamal Kharrazi, President of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations (SCFR).
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior Palestinian affairs analyst stated: To justify its crimes in Gaza, the Zionist regime employs two main strategies: using military censorship regarding the publication of operational details and presenting an official narrative by military spokespersons in Hebrew and Arabic. By relying on selective images and information, it attempts to make its military actions in Gaza seem believable. While Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Israeli regime, has announced readiness to expand military operations in Gaza and claimed that Palestinians would be allowed to leave the area, international criticism of this regime’s actions under the accusation of ethnic cleansing has intensified. By controlling Gaza’s borders, the Israeli regime’s military has restricted the exit of Palestinians and simultaneously carried out extensive bombings in the residential areas of Zeitoun and Sabra, which, according to the Hamas Civil Defense Organization, resulted in at least 33 deaths and widespread destruction. The European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Japan, in a joint statement, have warned of an impending famine in Gaza and called for a halt to the use of lethal force near aid distribution sites. The World Health Organization has also emphasized the necessity of medical equipment entering Gaza, but the Israeli regime continues to prevent sufficient humanitarian aid from being sent.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Despite widespread disagreements between Netanyahu and the Chief of the General Staff of the Zionist regime’s army, Eyal Zamir, the main framework of the plan to occupy Gaza City was finally signed after the war cabinet agreed to seize Gaza City; a decision that could have extensive consequences in the Occupied Territories and the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: Recently, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, explicitly stated in an interview with Channel 14 of this regime that a significant number of Iran’s nuclear scientists have been killed as part of a targeted assassination program. This is the first time that a senior official of the Israeli regime has made such an explicit confession. Although the Israeli regime had previously been accused of playing a role in the assassination of Iranian scientists, this official confession opens a new chapter in legal and political pursuits; a chapter that could, by utilizing international capacities, confront a regime that sees itself as above the law with serious consequences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that the remarks by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, about holding general elections with the participation of Palestinians, while Gaza and the West Bank are facing the most severe attacks and threats, are a theatrical move aimed at legitimizing Mahmoud Abbas. This comes while Mahmoud Abbas suffers from severe illegitimacy among Palestinians, which is precisely why he raises such proposals.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The Syria-Turkey-Azerbaijan gas project goes beyond simple energy cooperation and must be evaluated within the context of regional power competition, efforts to redefine the political order in Syria, and the strengthening of the Turkish-Qatari-Azerbaijani axis in West Asia. An order whose future will largely depend on the stability of the Damascus government and Turkey’s ability to manage security, economic, and geopolitical crises simultaneously.
At a time when Syria is still grappling with extensive infrastructure problems and an energy crisis, the inauguration of the gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Syria via Turkey, with Qatar’s financial support, has drawn the attention of regional analysts. This project, which in its first phase will transfer 3.4 million cubic meters of gas per day and will eventually reach a capacity of 6 million cubic meters per day, could add approximately 750 megawatts to Syria’s electricity generation capacity.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Following military failure, Trump has announced the implementation of sanctions and old economic pressures under the new label of “unprecedented economic operation” against Iran; however, Tehran can neutralize this blockade through four specific strategies.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Two contrasting narratives of Trump’s foreign policy – one “crisis as doctrine” and the other a “coherent doctrine” – present a complex picture of America’s attempt to redefine its role in the international system.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey under the motto “an attack on one is an attack on all,” is viewed by some analysts less as a full-fledged military coalition and more as an attempt to reduce security dependence on an external power and to establish a regional security mechanism.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The new US-Saudi nuclear agreement, despite legal and political ambiguities, could alter previous non-proliferation standards in West Asia and intensify nuclear competition, ushering it into a new phase.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Recent developments in Syria indicate an intensification of strategic rivalry between Turkey and the Israeli regime, but mutual considerations and the role of the United States have limited the likelihood of direct war.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The future of the so-called Trump peace plan for Gaza, despite claims of an agreement on Hamas’s disarmament, remains shrouded in ambiguity due to structural deficiencies and opposition from key actors.
SCFR Online – Opinion: An examination of the mechanisms of the Israeli regime’s influence in the United States depicts a complex picture of shared interests, strategic dependencies, and the limitations of this relationship.
SCFR Online – Interview: The signing of the Makkah agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey has raised questions about the future of the region’s security structure and the position of these countries in West Asian equations. Can this agreement become a genuine collective defense mechanism, or does it have more of a political and deterrent function than creating new military capacity?
Strategic Council Online: Mr. Hafiz Naeem Al-Rehman, Secretary-General of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, met today with Dr. Seyed Kamal Kharrazi, President of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations (SCFR).
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior Palestinian affairs analyst stated: To justify its crimes in Gaza, the Zionist regime employs two main strategies: using military censorship regarding the publication of operational details and presenting an official narrative by military spokespersons in Hebrew and Arabic. By relying on selective images and information, it attempts to make its military actions in Gaza seem believable. While Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Israeli regime, has announced readiness to expand military operations in Gaza and claimed that Palestinians would be allowed to leave the area, international criticism of this regime’s actions under the accusation of ethnic cleansing has intensified. By controlling Gaza’s borders, the Israeli regime’s military has restricted the exit of Palestinians and simultaneously carried out extensive bombings in the residential areas of Zeitoun and Sabra, which, according to the Hamas Civil Defense Organization, resulted in at least 33 deaths and widespread destruction. The European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Japan, in a joint statement, have warned of an impending famine in Gaza and called for a halt to the use of lethal force near aid distribution sites. The World Health Organization has also emphasized the necessity of medical equipment entering Gaza, but the Israeli regime continues to prevent sufficient humanitarian aid from being sent.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Despite widespread disagreements between Netanyahu and the Chief of the General Staff of the Zionist regime’s army, Eyal Zamir, the main framework of the plan to occupy Gaza City was finally signed after the war cabinet agreed to seize Gaza City; a decision that could have extensive consequences in the Occupied Territories and the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: Recently, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, explicitly stated in an interview with Channel 14 of this regime that a significant number of Iran’s nuclear scientists have been killed as part of a targeted assassination program. This is the first time that a senior official of the Israeli regime has made such an explicit confession. Although the Israeli regime had previously been accused of playing a role in the assassination of Iranian scientists, this official confession opens a new chapter in legal and political pursuits; a chapter that could, by utilizing international capacities, confront a regime that sees itself as above the law with serious consequences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that the remarks by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, about holding general elections with the participation of Palestinians, while Gaza and the West Bank are facing the most severe attacks and threats, are a theatrical move aimed at legitimizing Mahmoud Abbas. This comes while Mahmoud Abbas suffers from severe illegitimacy among Palestinians, which is precisely why he raises such proposals.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The Syria-Turkey-Azerbaijan gas project goes beyond simple energy cooperation and must be evaluated within the context of regional power competition, efforts to redefine the political order in Syria, and the strengthening of the Turkish-Qatari-Azerbaijani axis in West Asia. An order whose future will largely depend on the stability of the Damascus government and Turkey’s ability to manage security, economic, and geopolitical crises simultaneously.
At a time when Syria is still grappling with extensive infrastructure problems and an energy crisis, the inauguration of the gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Syria via Turkey, with Qatar’s financial support, has drawn the attention of regional analysts. This project, which in its first phase will transfer 3.4 million cubic meters of gas per day and will eventually reach a capacity of 6 million cubic meters per day, could add approximately 750 megawatts to Syria’s electricity generation capacity.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Following military failure, Trump has announced the implementation of sanctions and old economic pressures under the new label of “unprecedented economic operation” against Iran; however, Tehran can neutralize this blockade through four specific strategies.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Two contrasting narratives of Trump’s foreign policy – one “crisis as doctrine” and the other a “coherent doctrine” – present a complex picture of America’s attempt to redefine its role in the international system.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey under the motto “an attack on one is an attack on all,” is viewed by some analysts less as a full-fledged military coalition and more as an attempt to reduce security dependence on an external power and to establish a regional security mechanism.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The new US-Saudi nuclear agreement, despite legal and political ambiguities, could alter previous non-proliferation standards in West Asia and intensify nuclear competition, ushering it into a new phase.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Recent developments in Syria indicate an intensification of strategic rivalry between Turkey and the Israeli regime, but mutual considerations and the role of the United States have limited the likelihood of direct war.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The future of the so-called Trump peace plan for Gaza, despite claims of an agreement on Hamas’s disarmament, remains shrouded in ambiguity due to structural deficiencies and opposition from key actors.
SCFR Online – Opinion: An examination of the mechanisms of the Israeli regime’s influence in the United States depicts a complex picture of shared interests, strategic dependencies, and the limitations of this relationship.
SCFR Online – Interview: The signing of the Makkah agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey has raised questions about the future of the region’s security structure and the position of these countries in West Asian equations. Can this agreement become a genuine collective defense mechanism, or does it have more of a political and deterrent function than creating new military capacity?
Strategic Council Online: Mr. Hafiz Naeem Al-Rehman, Secretary-General of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, met today with Dr. Seyed Kamal Kharrazi, President of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations (SCFR).
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior Palestinian affairs analyst stated: To justify its crimes in Gaza, the Zionist regime employs two main strategies: using military censorship regarding the publication of operational details and presenting an official narrative by military spokespersons in Hebrew and Arabic. By relying on selective images and information, it attempts to make its military actions in Gaza seem believable. While Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Israeli regime, has announced readiness to expand military operations in Gaza and claimed that Palestinians would be allowed to leave the area, international criticism of this regime’s actions under the accusation of ethnic cleansing has intensified. By controlling Gaza’s borders, the Israeli regime’s military has restricted the exit of Palestinians and simultaneously carried out extensive bombings in the residential areas of Zeitoun and Sabra, which, according to the Hamas Civil Defense Organization, resulted in at least 33 deaths and widespread destruction. The European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Japan, in a joint statement, have warned of an impending famine in Gaza and called for a halt to the use of lethal force near aid distribution sites. The World Health Organization has also emphasized the necessity of medical equipment entering Gaza, but the Israeli regime continues to prevent sufficient humanitarian aid from being sent.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Despite widespread disagreements between Netanyahu and the Chief of the General Staff of the Zionist regime’s army, Eyal Zamir, the main framework of the plan to occupy Gaza City was finally signed after the war cabinet agreed to seize Gaza City; a decision that could have extensive consequences in the Occupied Territories and the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: Recently, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, explicitly stated in an interview with Channel 14 of this regime that a significant number of Iran’s nuclear scientists have been killed as part of a targeted assassination program. This is the first time that a senior official of the Israeli regime has made such an explicit confession. Although the Israeli regime had previously been accused of playing a role in the assassination of Iranian scientists, this official confession opens a new chapter in legal and political pursuits; a chapter that could, by utilizing international capacities, confront a regime that sees itself as above the law with serious consequences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that the remarks by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, about holding general elections with the participation of Palestinians, while Gaza and the West Bank are facing the most severe attacks and threats, are a theatrical move aimed at legitimizing Mahmoud Abbas. This comes while Mahmoud Abbas suffers from severe illegitimacy among Palestinians, which is precisely why he raises such proposals.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The Syria-Turkey-Azerbaijan gas project goes beyond simple energy cooperation and must be evaluated within the context of regional power competition, efforts to redefine the political order in Syria, and the strengthening of the Turkish-Qatari-Azerbaijani axis in West Asia. An order whose future will largely depend on the stability of the Damascus government and Turkey’s ability to manage security, economic, and geopolitical crises simultaneously.
At a time when Syria is still grappling with extensive infrastructure problems and an energy crisis, the inauguration of the gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Syria via Turkey, with Qatar’s financial support, has drawn the attention of regional analysts. This project, which in its first phase will transfer 3.4 million cubic meters of gas per day and will eventually reach a capacity of 6 million cubic meters per day, could add approximately 750 megawatts to Syria’s electricity generation capacity.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Following military failure, Trump has announced the implementation of sanctions and old economic pressures under the new label of “unprecedented economic operation” against Iran; however, Tehran can neutralize this blockade through four specific strategies.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Two contrasting narratives of Trump’s foreign policy – one “crisis as doctrine” and the other a “coherent doctrine” – present a complex picture of America’s attempt to redefine its role in the international system.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey under the motto “an attack on one is an attack on all,” is viewed by some analysts less as a full-fledged military coalition and more as an attempt to reduce security dependence on an external power and to establish a regional security mechanism.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The new US-Saudi nuclear agreement, despite legal and political ambiguities, could alter previous non-proliferation standards in West Asia and intensify nuclear competition, ushering it into a new phase.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Recent developments in Syria indicate an intensification of strategic rivalry between Turkey and the Israeli regime, but mutual considerations and the role of the United States have limited the likelihood of direct war.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The future of the so-called Trump peace plan for Gaza, despite claims of an agreement on Hamas’s disarmament, remains shrouded in ambiguity due to structural deficiencies and opposition from key actors.
SCFR Online – Opinion: An examination of the mechanisms of the Israeli regime’s influence in the United States depicts a complex picture of shared interests, strategic dependencies, and the limitations of this relationship.
SCFR Online – Interview: The signing of the Makkah agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey has raised questions about the future of the region’s security structure and the position of these countries in West Asian equations. Can this agreement become a genuine collective defense mechanism, or does it have more of a political and deterrent function than creating new military capacity?
Strategic Council Online: Mr. Hafiz Naeem Al-Rehman, Secretary-General of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, met today with Dr. Seyed Kamal Kharrazi, President of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations (SCFR).
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior Palestinian affairs analyst stated: To justify its crimes in Gaza, the Zionist regime employs two main strategies: using military censorship regarding the publication of operational details and presenting an official narrative by military spokespersons in Hebrew and Arabic. By relying on selective images and information, it attempts to make its military actions in Gaza seem believable. While Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Israeli regime, has announced readiness to expand military operations in Gaza and claimed that Palestinians would be allowed to leave the area, international criticism of this regime’s actions under the accusation of ethnic cleansing has intensified. By controlling Gaza’s borders, the Israeli regime’s military has restricted the exit of Palestinians and simultaneously carried out extensive bombings in the residential areas of Zeitoun and Sabra, which, according to the Hamas Civil Defense Organization, resulted in at least 33 deaths and widespread destruction. The European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Japan, in a joint statement, have warned of an impending famine in Gaza and called for a halt to the use of lethal force near aid distribution sites. The World Health Organization has also emphasized the necessity of medical equipment entering Gaza, but the Israeli regime continues to prevent sufficient humanitarian aid from being sent.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Despite widespread disagreements between Netanyahu and the Chief of the General Staff of the Zionist regime’s army, Eyal Zamir, the main framework of the plan to occupy Gaza City was finally signed after the war cabinet agreed to seize Gaza City; a decision that could have extensive consequences in the Occupied Territories and the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: Recently, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, explicitly stated in an interview with Channel 14 of this regime that a significant number of Iran’s nuclear scientists have been killed as part of a targeted assassination program. This is the first time that a senior official of the Israeli regime has made such an explicit confession. Although the Israeli regime had previously been accused of playing a role in the assassination of Iranian scientists, this official confession opens a new chapter in legal and political pursuits; a chapter that could, by utilizing international capacities, confront a regime that sees itself as above the law with serious consequences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that the remarks by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, about holding general elections with the participation of Palestinians, while Gaza and the West Bank are facing the most severe attacks and threats, are a theatrical move aimed at legitimizing Mahmoud Abbas. This comes while Mahmoud Abbas suffers from severe illegitimacy among Palestinians, which is precisely why he raises such proposals.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The Syria-Turkey-Azerbaijan gas project goes beyond simple energy cooperation and must be evaluated within the context of regional power competition, efforts to redefine the political order in Syria, and the strengthening of the Turkish-Qatari-Azerbaijani axis in West Asia. An order whose future will largely depend on the stability of the Damascus government and Turkey’s ability to manage security, economic, and geopolitical crises simultaneously.
At a time when Syria is still grappling with extensive infrastructure problems and an energy crisis, the inauguration of the gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Syria via Turkey, with Qatar’s financial support, has drawn the attention of regional analysts. This project, which in its first phase will transfer 3.4 million cubic meters of gas per day and will eventually reach a capacity of 6 million cubic meters per day, could add approximately 750 megawatts to Syria’s electricity generation capacity.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Following military failure, Trump has announced the implementation of sanctions and old economic pressures under the new label of “unprecedented economic operation” against Iran; however, Tehran can neutralize this blockade through four specific strategies.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Two contrasting narratives of Trump’s foreign policy – one “crisis as doctrine” and the other a “coherent doctrine” – present a complex picture of America’s attempt to redefine its role in the international system.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey under the motto “an attack on one is an attack on all,” is viewed by some analysts less as a full-fledged military coalition and more as an attempt to reduce security dependence on an external power and to establish a regional security mechanism.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The new US-Saudi nuclear agreement, despite legal and political ambiguities, could alter previous non-proliferation standards in West Asia and intensify nuclear competition, ushering it into a new phase.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Recent developments in Syria indicate an intensification of strategic rivalry between Turkey and the Israeli regime, but mutual considerations and the role of the United States have limited the likelihood of direct war.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The future of the so-called Trump peace plan for Gaza, despite claims of an agreement on Hamas’s disarmament, remains shrouded in ambiguity due to structural deficiencies and opposition from key actors.
SCFR Online – Opinion: An examination of the mechanisms of the Israeli regime’s influence in the United States depicts a complex picture of shared interests, strategic dependencies, and the limitations of this relationship.
SCFR Online – Interview: The signing of the Makkah agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey has raised questions about the future of the region’s security structure and the position of these countries in West Asian equations. Can this agreement become a genuine collective defense mechanism, or does it have more of a political and deterrent function than creating new military capacity?
Strategic Council Online: Mr. Hafiz Naeem Al-Rehman, Secretary-General of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, met today with Dr. Seyed Kamal Kharrazi, President of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations (SCFR).
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior Palestinian affairs analyst stated: To justify its crimes in Gaza, the Zionist regime employs two main strategies: using military censorship regarding the publication of operational details and presenting an official narrative by military spokespersons in Hebrew and Arabic. By relying on selective images and information, it attempts to make its military actions in Gaza seem believable. While Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Israeli regime, has announced readiness to expand military operations in Gaza and claimed that Palestinians would be allowed to leave the area, international criticism of this regime’s actions under the accusation of ethnic cleansing has intensified. By controlling Gaza’s borders, the Israeli regime’s military has restricted the exit of Palestinians and simultaneously carried out extensive bombings in the residential areas of Zeitoun and Sabra, which, according to the Hamas Civil Defense Organization, resulted in at least 33 deaths and widespread destruction. The European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Japan, in a joint statement, have warned of an impending famine in Gaza and called for a halt to the use of lethal force near aid distribution sites. The World Health Organization has also emphasized the necessity of medical equipment entering Gaza, but the Israeli regime continues to prevent sufficient humanitarian aid from being sent.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Despite widespread disagreements between Netanyahu and the Chief of the General Staff of the Zionist regime’s army, Eyal Zamir, the main framework of the plan to occupy Gaza City was finally signed after the war cabinet agreed to seize Gaza City; a decision that could have extensive consequences in the Occupied Territories and the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: Recently, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, explicitly stated in an interview with Channel 14 of this regime that a significant number of Iran’s nuclear scientists have been killed as part of a targeted assassination program. This is the first time that a senior official of the Israeli regime has made such an explicit confession. Although the Israeli regime had previously been accused of playing a role in the assassination of Iranian scientists, this official confession opens a new chapter in legal and political pursuits; a chapter that could, by utilizing international capacities, confront a regime that sees itself as above the law with serious consequences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that the remarks by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, about holding general elections with the participation of Palestinians, while Gaza and the West Bank are facing the most severe attacks and threats, are a theatrical move aimed at legitimizing Mahmoud Abbas. This comes while Mahmoud Abbas suffers from severe illegitimacy among Palestinians, which is precisely why he raises such proposals.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The Syria-Turkey-Azerbaijan gas project goes beyond simple energy cooperation and must be evaluated within the context of regional power competition, efforts to redefine the political order in Syria, and the strengthening of the Turkish-Qatari-Azerbaijani axis in West Asia. An order whose future will largely depend on the stability of the Damascus government and Turkey’s ability to manage security, economic, and geopolitical crises simultaneously.
At a time when Syria is still grappling with extensive infrastructure problems and an energy crisis, the inauguration of the gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Syria via Turkey, with Qatar’s financial support, has drawn the attention of regional analysts. This project, which in its first phase will transfer 3.4 million cubic meters of gas per day and will eventually reach a capacity of 6 million cubic meters per day, could add approximately 750 megawatts to Syria’s electricity generation capacity.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Following military failure, Trump has announced the implementation of sanctions and old economic pressures under the new label of “unprecedented economic operation” against Iran; however, Tehran can neutralize this blockade through four specific strategies.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Two contrasting narratives of Trump’s foreign policy – one “crisis as doctrine” and the other a “coherent doctrine” – present a complex picture of America’s attempt to redefine its role in the international system.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey under the motto “an attack on one is an attack on all,” is viewed by some analysts less as a full-fledged military coalition and more as an attempt to reduce security dependence on an external power and to establish a regional security mechanism.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The new US-Saudi nuclear agreement, despite legal and political ambiguities, could alter previous non-proliferation standards in West Asia and intensify nuclear competition, ushering it into a new phase.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Recent developments in Syria indicate an intensification of strategic rivalry between Turkey and the Israeli regime, but mutual considerations and the role of the United States have limited the likelihood of direct war.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The future of the so-called Trump peace plan for Gaza, despite claims of an agreement on Hamas’s disarmament, remains shrouded in ambiguity due to structural deficiencies and opposition from key actors.
SCFR Online – Opinion: An examination of the mechanisms of the Israeli regime’s influence in the United States depicts a complex picture of shared interests, strategic dependencies, and the limitations of this relationship.
SCFR Online – Interview: The signing of the Makkah agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey has raised questions about the future of the region’s security structure and the position of these countries in West Asian equations. Can this agreement become a genuine collective defense mechanism, or does it have more of a political and deterrent function than creating new military capacity?