SCFR Online – Opinion: Developments in the South Caucasus and Central Asia indicate that transit competition has become an arena for a new staging of influence among Iran, Turkey, Russia, and China.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The upcoming Palestinian elections, after nearly two decades of hiatus, could affect the arrangement of political forces, the legitimacy of institutions, and the future path of Palestinian governance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The direct war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, disruption of nuclear inspections, and intensification of great power competition have taken the non-proliferation crisis beyond the issue of Iran’s nuclear program.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the Iran–U.S. equation, China pursues a cautious balance between its energy and transit interests with Tehran and considerations related to sanctions and competition with Washington.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The Zionist regime’s attempt to make the Al-Aqsa Storm operation look illegitimate and thus legitimize its war crimes, bombing hospitals and residential areas, and its genocidal disaster in Gaza, is a “futile and useless” attempt.
Barsam Mohammadi – Expert in regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The president of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations said: The Israeli regime is not only an apartheid regime but also a child-killing regime, which is committing genocide by continuing its war crimes in Gaza.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international affairs stated that due to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Palestine, the normalization of relations with the Zionist regime will be suspended and seriously challenged, adding: In this situation, with an increase of conflicts and human casualties, considering the sensitivity of public opinion, in the short term, less governments in the region will dare to raise the issue of normalization.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Yemen issues said that conducting negotiations between Yemeni political groups will be a big part of Ansarollah’s problems and Yemen’s problems. Despite the influence of regional and international powers, these negotiations seem to be unsuccessful because they are trying to institutionalize the internal crisis in Yemen.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: At the end of August this year, Saudi Arabia announced that it had appointed its first ambassador to the Palestinian Authority. Based on this decision, Nayef bin Bandar al-Sudairi, as the extraordinary, plenipotentiary and non-resident ambassador (accredited) of Saudi Arabia in Ramallah and the Saudi consul general in occupied Quds, handed over his credentials to Majdi Al-Khalidi, the diplomatic advisor of Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority. Now, less than two months have passed since these decisions and actions, the Saudi government has announced that an official delegation from this country, headed by Nayef Bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, will travel to Ramallah to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) and to offer prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque; An unprecedented action since the occupation of Quds in 1967, which will open a new chapter in Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic and role-playing activities in the West Asian region.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri – University professor
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on US affairs stated that the US priority is to contain Russia, even at the cost of destroying the Ukrainian nation or weakening Europe, to finally force Moscow to give concessions to Kyiv at the negotiating table. He emphasized that the main war is about survival, and the US is ready to pay heavy costs for it, but in fact, the main cost is from Europe, and the people of Europe, Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian, are dying.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on West Asia affairs said China’s purpose of inviting Assad to Beijing in the current situation is more political and in line with the determination of the Chinese to strengthen their political and geopolitical role in the Middle East, especially in critical areas and disputed cases, adding: The signing of the memorandum with general titles without clear economic agreements is indicative of the fact that China currently has no intention of doing serious economic work in Syria and what is more likely is the implementation of small scale projects rather than macroeconomic plan.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: One of the most important issues raised during Amir Abdollahian’s trip to the coastal states of the Persian Gulf a few months ago was the formation of a joint mechanism called “Dialogue and Cooperation Assembly” for negotiation and cooperation with the presence of all countries in the Persian Gulf region.
Barsam Mohammadi – Expert on regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international law, stating that with the blocking of the Lachin Corridor nine months ago and the surrender of Karabakh, Moscow’s 2020 agreement has practically collapsed, added: For the first time after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a solid anti-Russian atmosphere has been created in Armenia and the US, while considering the Russians to be the cause of the current situation, is trying to show Russia as passive and useless and pull the rug from that country’s foot in the region and strengthen its presence in Armenia.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on European affairs, stating that immigration policies can lead to disagreements among EU member states of the Union, added: Differences in immigration policies can be one of the factors that lead to increased pressure on the European Union and the resulting consequences, especially difference between the right and left political currents along with social violence creates, would cause serious challenges for the Union.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Developments in the South Caucasus and Central Asia indicate that transit competition has become an arena for a new staging of influence among Iran, Turkey, Russia, and China.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The upcoming Palestinian elections, after nearly two decades of hiatus, could affect the arrangement of political forces, the legitimacy of institutions, and the future path of Palestinian governance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The direct war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, disruption of nuclear inspections, and intensification of great power competition have taken the non-proliferation crisis beyond the issue of Iran’s nuclear program.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the Iran–U.S. equation, China pursues a cautious balance between its energy and transit interests with Tehran and considerations related to sanctions and competition with Washington.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The Zionist regime’s attempt to make the Al-Aqsa Storm operation look illegitimate and thus legitimize its war crimes, bombing hospitals and residential areas, and its genocidal disaster in Gaza, is a “futile and useless” attempt.
Barsam Mohammadi – Expert in regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The president of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations said: The Israeli regime is not only an apartheid regime but also a child-killing regime, which is committing genocide by continuing its war crimes in Gaza.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international affairs stated that due to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Palestine, the normalization of relations with the Zionist regime will be suspended and seriously challenged, adding: In this situation, with an increase of conflicts and human casualties, considering the sensitivity of public opinion, in the short term, less governments in the region will dare to raise the issue of normalization.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Yemen issues said that conducting negotiations between Yemeni political groups will be a big part of Ansarollah’s problems and Yemen’s problems. Despite the influence of regional and international powers, these negotiations seem to be unsuccessful because they are trying to institutionalize the internal crisis in Yemen.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: At the end of August this year, Saudi Arabia announced that it had appointed its first ambassador to the Palestinian Authority. Based on this decision, Nayef bin Bandar al-Sudairi, as the extraordinary, plenipotentiary and non-resident ambassador (accredited) of Saudi Arabia in Ramallah and the Saudi consul general in occupied Quds, handed over his credentials to Majdi Al-Khalidi, the diplomatic advisor of Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority. Now, less than two months have passed since these decisions and actions, the Saudi government has announced that an official delegation from this country, headed by Nayef Bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, will travel to Ramallah to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) and to offer prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque; An unprecedented action since the occupation of Quds in 1967, which will open a new chapter in Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic and role-playing activities in the West Asian region.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri – University professor
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on US affairs stated that the US priority is to contain Russia, even at the cost of destroying the Ukrainian nation or weakening Europe, to finally force Moscow to give concessions to Kyiv at the negotiating table. He emphasized that the main war is about survival, and the US is ready to pay heavy costs for it, but in fact, the main cost is from Europe, and the people of Europe, Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian, are dying.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on West Asia affairs said China’s purpose of inviting Assad to Beijing in the current situation is more political and in line with the determination of the Chinese to strengthen their political and geopolitical role in the Middle East, especially in critical areas and disputed cases, adding: The signing of the memorandum with general titles without clear economic agreements is indicative of the fact that China currently has no intention of doing serious economic work in Syria and what is more likely is the implementation of small scale projects rather than macroeconomic plan.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: One of the most important issues raised during Amir Abdollahian’s trip to the coastal states of the Persian Gulf a few months ago was the formation of a joint mechanism called “Dialogue and Cooperation Assembly” for negotiation and cooperation with the presence of all countries in the Persian Gulf region.
Barsam Mohammadi – Expert on regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international law, stating that with the blocking of the Lachin Corridor nine months ago and the surrender of Karabakh, Moscow’s 2020 agreement has practically collapsed, added: For the first time after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a solid anti-Russian atmosphere has been created in Armenia and the US, while considering the Russians to be the cause of the current situation, is trying to show Russia as passive and useless and pull the rug from that country’s foot in the region and strengthen its presence in Armenia.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on European affairs, stating that immigration policies can lead to disagreements among EU member states of the Union, added: Differences in immigration policies can be one of the factors that lead to increased pressure on the European Union and the resulting consequences, especially difference between the right and left political currents along with social violence creates, would cause serious challenges for the Union.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The Zionist regime’s attempt to make the Al-Aqsa Storm operation look illegitimate and thus legitimize its war crimes, bombing hospitals and residential areas, and its genocidal disaster in Gaza, is a “futile and useless” attempt.
Barsam Mohammadi – Expert in regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The president of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations said: The Israeli regime is not only an apartheid regime but also a child-killing regime, which is committing genocide by continuing its war crimes in Gaza.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international affairs stated that due to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Palestine, the normalization of relations with the Zionist regime will be suspended and seriously challenged, adding: In this situation, with an increase of conflicts and human casualties, considering the sensitivity of public opinion, in the short term, less governments in the region will dare to raise the issue of normalization.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Yemen issues said that conducting negotiations between Yemeni political groups will be a big part of Ansarollah’s problems and Yemen’s problems. Despite the influence of regional and international powers, these negotiations seem to be unsuccessful because they are trying to institutionalize the internal crisis in Yemen.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: At the end of August this year, Saudi Arabia announced that it had appointed its first ambassador to the Palestinian Authority. Based on this decision, Nayef bin Bandar al-Sudairi, as the extraordinary, plenipotentiary and non-resident ambassador (accredited) of Saudi Arabia in Ramallah and the Saudi consul general in occupied Quds, handed over his credentials to Majdi Al-Khalidi, the diplomatic advisor of Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority. Now, less than two months have passed since these decisions and actions, the Saudi government has announced that an official delegation from this country, headed by Nayef Bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, will travel to Ramallah to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) and to offer prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque; An unprecedented action since the occupation of Quds in 1967, which will open a new chapter in Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic and role-playing activities in the West Asian region.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri – University professor
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on US affairs stated that the US priority is to contain Russia, even at the cost of destroying the Ukrainian nation or weakening Europe, to finally force Moscow to give concessions to Kyiv at the negotiating table. He emphasized that the main war is about survival, and the US is ready to pay heavy costs for it, but in fact, the main cost is from Europe, and the people of Europe, Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian, are dying.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on West Asia affairs said China’s purpose of inviting Assad to Beijing in the current situation is more political and in line with the determination of the Chinese to strengthen their political and geopolitical role in the Middle East, especially in critical areas and disputed cases, adding: The signing of the memorandum with general titles without clear economic agreements is indicative of the fact that China currently has no intention of doing serious economic work in Syria and what is more likely is the implementation of small scale projects rather than macroeconomic plan.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: One of the most important issues raised during Amir Abdollahian’s trip to the coastal states of the Persian Gulf a few months ago was the formation of a joint mechanism called “Dialogue and Cooperation Assembly” for negotiation and cooperation with the presence of all countries in the Persian Gulf region.
Barsam Mohammadi – Expert on regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international law, stating that with the blocking of the Lachin Corridor nine months ago and the surrender of Karabakh, Moscow’s 2020 agreement has practically collapsed, added: For the first time after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a solid anti-Russian atmosphere has been created in Armenia and the US, while considering the Russians to be the cause of the current situation, is trying to show Russia as passive and useless and pull the rug from that country’s foot in the region and strengthen its presence in Armenia.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on European affairs, stating that immigration policies can lead to disagreements among EU member states of the Union, added: Differences in immigration policies can be one of the factors that lead to increased pressure on the European Union and the resulting consequences, especially difference between the right and left political currents along with social violence creates, would cause serious challenges for the Union.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Developments in the South Caucasus and Central Asia indicate that transit competition has become an arena for a new staging of influence among Iran, Turkey, Russia, and China.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The upcoming Palestinian elections, after nearly two decades of hiatus, could affect the arrangement of political forces, the legitimacy of institutions, and the future path of Palestinian governance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The direct war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, disruption of nuclear inspections, and intensification of great power competition have taken the non-proliferation crisis beyond the issue of Iran’s nuclear program.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the Iran–U.S. equation, China pursues a cautious balance between its energy and transit interests with Tehran and considerations related to sanctions and competition with Washington.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The Zionist regime’s attempt to make the Al-Aqsa Storm operation look illegitimate and thus legitimize its war crimes, bombing hospitals and residential areas, and its genocidal disaster in Gaza, is a “futile and useless” attempt.
Barsam Mohammadi – Expert in regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The president of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations said: The Israeli regime is not only an apartheid regime but also a child-killing regime, which is committing genocide by continuing its war crimes in Gaza.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international affairs stated that due to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Palestine, the normalization of relations with the Zionist regime will be suspended and seriously challenged, adding: In this situation, with an increase of conflicts and human casualties, considering the sensitivity of public opinion, in the short term, less governments in the region will dare to raise the issue of normalization.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Yemen issues said that conducting negotiations between Yemeni political groups will be a big part of Ansarollah’s problems and Yemen’s problems. Despite the influence of regional and international powers, these negotiations seem to be unsuccessful because they are trying to institutionalize the internal crisis in Yemen.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: At the end of August this year, Saudi Arabia announced that it had appointed its first ambassador to the Palestinian Authority. Based on this decision, Nayef bin Bandar al-Sudairi, as the extraordinary, plenipotentiary and non-resident ambassador (accredited) of Saudi Arabia in Ramallah and the Saudi consul general in occupied Quds, handed over his credentials to Majdi Al-Khalidi, the diplomatic advisor of Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority. Now, less than two months have passed since these decisions and actions, the Saudi government has announced that an official delegation from this country, headed by Nayef Bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, will travel to Ramallah to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) and to offer prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque; An unprecedented action since the occupation of Quds in 1967, which will open a new chapter in Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic and role-playing activities in the West Asian region.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri – University professor
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on US affairs stated that the US priority is to contain Russia, even at the cost of destroying the Ukrainian nation or weakening Europe, to finally force Moscow to give concessions to Kyiv at the negotiating table. He emphasized that the main war is about survival, and the US is ready to pay heavy costs for it, but in fact, the main cost is from Europe, and the people of Europe, Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian, are dying.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on West Asia affairs said China’s purpose of inviting Assad to Beijing in the current situation is more political and in line with the determination of the Chinese to strengthen their political and geopolitical role in the Middle East, especially in critical areas and disputed cases, adding: The signing of the memorandum with general titles without clear economic agreements is indicative of the fact that China currently has no intention of doing serious economic work in Syria and what is more likely is the implementation of small scale projects rather than macroeconomic plan.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: One of the most important issues raised during Amir Abdollahian’s trip to the coastal states of the Persian Gulf a few months ago was the formation of a joint mechanism called “Dialogue and Cooperation Assembly” for negotiation and cooperation with the presence of all countries in the Persian Gulf region.
Barsam Mohammadi – Expert on regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international law, stating that with the blocking of the Lachin Corridor nine months ago and the surrender of Karabakh, Moscow’s 2020 agreement has practically collapsed, added: For the first time after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a solid anti-Russian atmosphere has been created in Armenia and the US, while considering the Russians to be the cause of the current situation, is trying to show Russia as passive and useless and pull the rug from that country’s foot in the region and strengthen its presence in Armenia.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on European affairs, stating that immigration policies can lead to disagreements among EU member states of the Union, added: Differences in immigration policies can be one of the factors that lead to increased pressure on the European Union and the resulting consequences, especially difference between the right and left political currents along with social violence creates, would cause serious challenges for the Union.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Developments in the South Caucasus and Central Asia indicate that transit competition has become an arena for a new staging of influence among Iran, Turkey, Russia, and China.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The upcoming Palestinian elections, after nearly two decades of hiatus, could affect the arrangement of political forces, the legitimacy of institutions, and the future path of Palestinian governance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The direct war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, disruption of nuclear inspections, and intensification of great power competition have taken the non-proliferation crisis beyond the issue of Iran’s nuclear program.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the Iran–U.S. equation, China pursues a cautious balance between its energy and transit interests with Tehran and considerations related to sanctions and competition with Washington.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The Zionist regime’s attempt to make the Al-Aqsa Storm operation look illegitimate and thus legitimize its war crimes, bombing hospitals and residential areas, and its genocidal disaster in Gaza, is a “futile and useless” attempt.
Barsam Mohammadi – Expert in regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The president of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations said: The Israeli regime is not only an apartheid regime but also a child-killing regime, which is committing genocide by continuing its war crimes in Gaza.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international affairs stated that due to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Palestine, the normalization of relations with the Zionist regime will be suspended and seriously challenged, adding: In this situation, with an increase of conflicts and human casualties, considering the sensitivity of public opinion, in the short term, less governments in the region will dare to raise the issue of normalization.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Yemen issues said that conducting negotiations between Yemeni political groups will be a big part of Ansarollah’s problems and Yemen’s problems. Despite the influence of regional and international powers, these negotiations seem to be unsuccessful because they are trying to institutionalize the internal crisis in Yemen.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: At the end of August this year, Saudi Arabia announced that it had appointed its first ambassador to the Palestinian Authority. Based on this decision, Nayef bin Bandar al-Sudairi, as the extraordinary, plenipotentiary and non-resident ambassador (accredited) of Saudi Arabia in Ramallah and the Saudi consul general in occupied Quds, handed over his credentials to Majdi Al-Khalidi, the diplomatic advisor of Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority. Now, less than two months have passed since these decisions and actions, the Saudi government has announced that an official delegation from this country, headed by Nayef Bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, will travel to Ramallah to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) and to offer prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque; An unprecedented action since the occupation of Quds in 1967, which will open a new chapter in Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic and role-playing activities in the West Asian region.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri – University professor
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on US affairs stated that the US priority is to contain Russia, even at the cost of destroying the Ukrainian nation or weakening Europe, to finally force Moscow to give concessions to Kyiv at the negotiating table. He emphasized that the main war is about survival, and the US is ready to pay heavy costs for it, but in fact, the main cost is from Europe, and the people of Europe, Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian, are dying.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on West Asia affairs said China’s purpose of inviting Assad to Beijing in the current situation is more political and in line with the determination of the Chinese to strengthen their political and geopolitical role in the Middle East, especially in critical areas and disputed cases, adding: The signing of the memorandum with general titles without clear economic agreements is indicative of the fact that China currently has no intention of doing serious economic work in Syria and what is more likely is the implementation of small scale projects rather than macroeconomic plan.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: One of the most important issues raised during Amir Abdollahian’s trip to the coastal states of the Persian Gulf a few months ago was the formation of a joint mechanism called “Dialogue and Cooperation Assembly” for negotiation and cooperation with the presence of all countries in the Persian Gulf region.
Barsam Mohammadi – Expert on regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international law, stating that with the blocking of the Lachin Corridor nine months ago and the surrender of Karabakh, Moscow’s 2020 agreement has practically collapsed, added: For the first time after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a solid anti-Russian atmosphere has been created in Armenia and the US, while considering the Russians to be the cause of the current situation, is trying to show Russia as passive and useless and pull the rug from that country’s foot in the region and strengthen its presence in Armenia.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on European affairs, stating that immigration policies can lead to disagreements among EU member states of the Union, added: Differences in immigration policies can be one of the factors that lead to increased pressure on the European Union and the resulting consequences, especially difference between the right and left political currents along with social violence creates, would cause serious challenges for the Union.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Developments in the South Caucasus and Central Asia indicate that transit competition has become an arena for a new staging of influence among Iran, Turkey, Russia, and China.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The upcoming Palestinian elections, after nearly two decades of hiatus, could affect the arrangement of political forces, the legitimacy of institutions, and the future path of Palestinian governance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The direct war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, disruption of nuclear inspections, and intensification of great power competition have taken the non-proliferation crisis beyond the issue of Iran’s nuclear program.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the Iran–U.S. equation, China pursues a cautious balance between its energy and transit interests with Tehran and considerations related to sanctions and competition with Washington.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The Zionist regime’s attempt to make the Al-Aqsa Storm operation look illegitimate and thus legitimize its war crimes, bombing hospitals and residential areas, and its genocidal disaster in Gaza, is a “futile and useless” attempt.
Barsam Mohammadi – Expert in regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The president of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations said: The Israeli regime is not only an apartheid regime but also a child-killing regime, which is committing genocide by continuing its war crimes in Gaza.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international affairs stated that due to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Palestine, the normalization of relations with the Zionist regime will be suspended and seriously challenged, adding: In this situation, with an increase of conflicts and human casualties, considering the sensitivity of public opinion, in the short term, less governments in the region will dare to raise the issue of normalization.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Yemen issues said that conducting negotiations between Yemeni political groups will be a big part of Ansarollah’s problems and Yemen’s problems. Despite the influence of regional and international powers, these negotiations seem to be unsuccessful because they are trying to institutionalize the internal crisis in Yemen.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: At the end of August this year, Saudi Arabia announced that it had appointed its first ambassador to the Palestinian Authority. Based on this decision, Nayef bin Bandar al-Sudairi, as the extraordinary, plenipotentiary and non-resident ambassador (accredited) of Saudi Arabia in Ramallah and the Saudi consul general in occupied Quds, handed over his credentials to Majdi Al-Khalidi, the diplomatic advisor of Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority. Now, less than two months have passed since these decisions and actions, the Saudi government has announced that an official delegation from this country, headed by Nayef Bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, will travel to Ramallah to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) and to offer prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque; An unprecedented action since the occupation of Quds in 1967, which will open a new chapter in Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic and role-playing activities in the West Asian region.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri – University professor
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on US affairs stated that the US priority is to contain Russia, even at the cost of destroying the Ukrainian nation or weakening Europe, to finally force Moscow to give concessions to Kyiv at the negotiating table. He emphasized that the main war is about survival, and the US is ready to pay heavy costs for it, but in fact, the main cost is from Europe, and the people of Europe, Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian, are dying.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on West Asia affairs said China’s purpose of inviting Assad to Beijing in the current situation is more political and in line with the determination of the Chinese to strengthen their political and geopolitical role in the Middle East, especially in critical areas and disputed cases, adding: The signing of the memorandum with general titles without clear economic agreements is indicative of the fact that China currently has no intention of doing serious economic work in Syria and what is more likely is the implementation of small scale projects rather than macroeconomic plan.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: One of the most important issues raised during Amir Abdollahian’s trip to the coastal states of the Persian Gulf a few months ago was the formation of a joint mechanism called “Dialogue and Cooperation Assembly” for negotiation and cooperation with the presence of all countries in the Persian Gulf region.
Barsam Mohammadi – Expert on regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international law, stating that with the blocking of the Lachin Corridor nine months ago and the surrender of Karabakh, Moscow’s 2020 agreement has practically collapsed, added: For the first time after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a solid anti-Russian atmosphere has been created in Armenia and the US, while considering the Russians to be the cause of the current situation, is trying to show Russia as passive and useless and pull the rug from that country’s foot in the region and strengthen its presence in Armenia.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on European affairs, stating that immigration policies can lead to disagreements among EU member states of the Union, added: Differences in immigration policies can be one of the factors that lead to increased pressure on the European Union and the resulting consequences, especially difference between the right and left political currents along with social violence creates, would cause serious challenges for the Union.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Developments in the South Caucasus and Central Asia indicate that transit competition has become an arena for a new staging of influence among Iran, Turkey, Russia, and China.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The upcoming Palestinian elections, after nearly two decades of hiatus, could affect the arrangement of political forces, the legitimacy of institutions, and the future path of Palestinian governance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The direct war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, disruption of nuclear inspections, and intensification of great power competition have taken the non-proliferation crisis beyond the issue of Iran’s nuclear program.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the Iran–U.S. equation, China pursues a cautious balance between its energy and transit interests with Tehran and considerations related to sanctions and competition with Washington.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The Zionist regime’s attempt to make the Al-Aqsa Storm operation look illegitimate and thus legitimize its war crimes, bombing hospitals and residential areas, and its genocidal disaster in Gaza, is a “futile and useless” attempt.
Barsam Mohammadi – Expert in regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The president of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations said: The Israeli regime is not only an apartheid regime but also a child-killing regime, which is committing genocide by continuing its war crimes in Gaza.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international affairs stated that due to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Palestine, the normalization of relations with the Zionist regime will be suspended and seriously challenged, adding: In this situation, with an increase of conflicts and human casualties, considering the sensitivity of public opinion, in the short term, less governments in the region will dare to raise the issue of normalization.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Yemen issues said that conducting negotiations between Yemeni political groups will be a big part of Ansarollah’s problems and Yemen’s problems. Despite the influence of regional and international powers, these negotiations seem to be unsuccessful because they are trying to institutionalize the internal crisis in Yemen.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: At the end of August this year, Saudi Arabia announced that it had appointed its first ambassador to the Palestinian Authority. Based on this decision, Nayef bin Bandar al-Sudairi, as the extraordinary, plenipotentiary and non-resident ambassador (accredited) of Saudi Arabia in Ramallah and the Saudi consul general in occupied Quds, handed over his credentials to Majdi Al-Khalidi, the diplomatic advisor of Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority. Now, less than two months have passed since these decisions and actions, the Saudi government has announced that an official delegation from this country, headed by Nayef Bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, will travel to Ramallah to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) and to offer prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque; An unprecedented action since the occupation of Quds in 1967, which will open a new chapter in Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic and role-playing activities in the West Asian region.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri – University professor
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on US affairs stated that the US priority is to contain Russia, even at the cost of destroying the Ukrainian nation or weakening Europe, to finally force Moscow to give concessions to Kyiv at the negotiating table. He emphasized that the main war is about survival, and the US is ready to pay heavy costs for it, but in fact, the main cost is from Europe, and the people of Europe, Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian, are dying.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on West Asia affairs said China’s purpose of inviting Assad to Beijing in the current situation is more political and in line with the determination of the Chinese to strengthen their political and geopolitical role in the Middle East, especially in critical areas and disputed cases, adding: The signing of the memorandum with general titles without clear economic agreements is indicative of the fact that China currently has no intention of doing serious economic work in Syria and what is more likely is the implementation of small scale projects rather than macroeconomic plan.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: One of the most important issues raised during Amir Abdollahian’s trip to the coastal states of the Persian Gulf a few months ago was the formation of a joint mechanism called “Dialogue and Cooperation Assembly” for negotiation and cooperation with the presence of all countries in the Persian Gulf region.
Barsam Mohammadi – Expert on regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international law, stating that with the blocking of the Lachin Corridor nine months ago and the surrender of Karabakh, Moscow’s 2020 agreement has practically collapsed, added: For the first time after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a solid anti-Russian atmosphere has been created in Armenia and the US, while considering the Russians to be the cause of the current situation, is trying to show Russia as passive and useless and pull the rug from that country’s foot in the region and strengthen its presence in Armenia.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on European affairs, stating that immigration policies can lead to disagreements among EU member states of the Union, added: Differences in immigration policies can be one of the factors that lead to increased pressure on the European Union and the resulting consequences, especially difference between the right and left political currents along with social violence creates, would cause serious challenges for the Union.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Developments in the South Caucasus and Central Asia indicate that transit competition has become an arena for a new staging of influence among Iran, Turkey, Russia, and China.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The upcoming Palestinian elections, after nearly two decades of hiatus, could affect the arrangement of political forces, the legitimacy of institutions, and the future path of Palestinian governance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The direct war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, disruption of nuclear inspections, and intensification of great power competition have taken the non-proliferation crisis beyond the issue of Iran’s nuclear program.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the Iran–U.S. equation, China pursues a cautious balance between its energy and transit interests with Tehran and considerations related to sanctions and competition with Washington.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.