SCFR Online – Opinion: The proliferation of smart unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb shows that control of the sea is not possible solely with large warships, submarines, and carrier-based aircraft.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The withdrawal of American forces from Iraq has marked the end of Washington’s direct military presence in the country; however, America’s financial, political, and security levers can still affect and cause problems for the future of this country.
SCFR Online – Opinion: After months of war and economic pressure, the situation between Iran and the United States has been placed between two conflicting logics; Washington insists on intensifying pressure to gain concessions, and Tehran does not accept negotiations under pressure.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The expansion of artificial intelligence and influence operations has drawn the field of conflict from physical space to the perceptual and algorithmic environment and has turned cognitive deterrence into a strategic necessity.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Riyadh, amid the Iran war, Yemeni pressure, and ambiguous Washington guarantees, has turned to flexible balancing in order to both preserve its security and increase its bargaining power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: London’s decision to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in the Yemen file, beyond a limited aerial mission, could confront Britain with broad legal, security, economic, and strategic consequences.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The acceleration of AI competition has shattered the boundaries of economic, military, intelligence, and cognitive power, turning this technology into a strategic component of national power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The three-day visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington and his meeting with Donald Trump on September 24 and 25, 2026, accompanied by a ceremonial welcome at Andrews Air Force Base, was more a diplomatic display for managing the level of tensions than an indication of a breakthrough achievement in relations between the two powers.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said: Verification of the implementation of the 1972 agreement regarding the Hirmand River water sharing by the Taliban is considered the only way to prevent Iran-Afghanistan relations from becoming critical.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A faculty member of Allameh Tabataba’i University stated that in relations with Central Asia, China has considered a pragmatic policy centered on the economy and has put this economy in interaction with politics, and for this reason, concerning political and security issues has not been indifferent, adding: the agreements reached in the recent meeting of the heads of states of China and Central Asian countries, entails stabilization and intensification of Beijing’s presence and influence in that region, and as a result, an increase of Beijing’s playing capability in those countries.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Middle East issues,l while referring to the arrival of new US troops and military equipment at Ain al-Asad Air Base, said that “recently, the commanders of Iraqi Popular Forces expressed their concern about the suspicious and hidden movements of American forces at Ein al-Asad Air Base in the city of Hit, Anbar Province, located in the west of Iraq. It is said that the US has recently reconstructed the destroyed parts of the Ain al-Assad base and increased its forces from 2,500 to 3,000.
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: Normalization of Iran-Saudi relations with China’s mediation, which is an indication of Beijing’s more significant influence and role in new regional trends in the Middle East, increased speculations about the possibility of changes in the geostrategy of other powers.
Abbas Aslani – Expert on international relations
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With the holding of the national elections in Greece on May 21, although the winning party announced priorities of its future government to be mainly improvement of the economic situation, the continuation of the national policy in foreign relations, security, and immigration would be most important challenges for this EU and NATO member country. Although the new leaders defend the continuation of the foreign and defense policy, strengthening of the country’s armed forces, creation of solid alliances, and development of the weapons program over the past four years, they differ in the field of energy exploration, the militarization of some islands in the Aegean Sea, and the issue of refugees.
Mahmoud Fazeli – International Affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Afghanistan affairs, criticizing the weak role and performance of the United Nations regarding Afghanistan, emphasized: The difference of views, heterogeneous and different performances of countries regarding Afghanistan, along with the weak role of the United Nations, have completed the cycle of failure and in this situation, with the increasing risk of isolation of the Taliban, their leadership is gaining more power.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Asian issues considered the tripartite meeting in Islamabad regarding Afghanistan as another Chinese initiative to establish peace and stability in the region by using economic tools, adding that this meeting arose from the security concerns of Pakistan and China concerning the realization of their political and economic interests in Afghanistan.
Strategic Council Online-Opinion: After the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia created a wave of positive developments in the region and encouraged other Persian Gulf countries to resume or strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, now the news indicates that Iran and Egypt with the mediation of Iraq are trying to resume diplomatic relations.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri—University scholar
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Former official in charge of Afghanistan Support Headquarters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: Iranian people are witnessing the high and unusual presence of Afghan refugees, adding that vigilance is needed concerning their presence in the strategic context of cities, as well as to the possibility of targeted organization and possible use of them against the interests and security of Iran.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: The European issues researcher said about the latest round of tensions between the West and Moscow and Russia’s recent statements that it will react if Finland and Sweden join NATO, saying that “the discussion of Russia’s peripheral countries joining NATO is Moscow’s red line, and the Russian attack on Ukraine was also a reaction to this country’s attempt to join NATO.”
SCFR Online – Opinion: The proliferation of smart unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb shows that control of the sea is not possible solely with large warships, submarines, and carrier-based aircraft.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The withdrawal of American forces from Iraq has marked the end of Washington’s direct military presence in the country; however, America’s financial, political, and security levers can still affect and cause problems for the future of this country.
SCFR Online – Opinion: After months of war and economic pressure, the situation between Iran and the United States has been placed between two conflicting logics; Washington insists on intensifying pressure to gain concessions, and Tehran does not accept negotiations under pressure.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The expansion of artificial intelligence and influence operations has drawn the field of conflict from physical space to the perceptual and algorithmic environment and has turned cognitive deterrence into a strategic necessity.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Riyadh, amid the Iran war, Yemeni pressure, and ambiguous Washington guarantees, has turned to flexible balancing in order to both preserve its security and increase its bargaining power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: London’s decision to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in the Yemen file, beyond a limited aerial mission, could confront Britain with broad legal, security, economic, and strategic consequences.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The acceleration of AI competition has shattered the boundaries of economic, military, intelligence, and cognitive power, turning this technology into a strategic component of national power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The three-day visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington and his meeting with Donald Trump on September 24 and 25, 2026, accompanied by a ceremonial welcome at Andrews Air Force Base, was more a diplomatic display for managing the level of tensions than an indication of a breakthrough achievement in relations between the two powers.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said: Verification of the implementation of the 1972 agreement regarding the Hirmand River water sharing by the Taliban is considered the only way to prevent Iran-Afghanistan relations from becoming critical.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A faculty member of Allameh Tabataba’i University stated that in relations with Central Asia, China has considered a pragmatic policy centered on the economy and has put this economy in interaction with politics, and for this reason, concerning political and security issues has not been indifferent, adding: the agreements reached in the recent meeting of the heads of states of China and Central Asian countries, entails stabilization and intensification of Beijing’s presence and influence in that region, and as a result, an increase of Beijing’s playing capability in those countries.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Middle East issues,l while referring to the arrival of new US troops and military equipment at Ain al-Asad Air Base, said that “recently, the commanders of Iraqi Popular Forces expressed their concern about the suspicious and hidden movements of American forces at Ein al-Asad Air Base in the city of Hit, Anbar Province, located in the west of Iraq. It is said that the US has recently reconstructed the destroyed parts of the Ain al-Assad base and increased its forces from 2,500 to 3,000.
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: Normalization of Iran-Saudi relations with China’s mediation, which is an indication of Beijing’s more significant influence and role in new regional trends in the Middle East, increased speculations about the possibility of changes in the geostrategy of other powers.
Abbas Aslani – Expert on international relations
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With the holding of the national elections in Greece on May 21, although the winning party announced priorities of its future government to be mainly improvement of the economic situation, the continuation of the national policy in foreign relations, security, and immigration would be most important challenges for this EU and NATO member country. Although the new leaders defend the continuation of the foreign and defense policy, strengthening of the country’s armed forces, creation of solid alliances, and development of the weapons program over the past four years, they differ in the field of energy exploration, the militarization of some islands in the Aegean Sea, and the issue of refugees.
Mahmoud Fazeli – International Affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Afghanistan affairs, criticizing the weak role and performance of the United Nations regarding Afghanistan, emphasized: The difference of views, heterogeneous and different performances of countries regarding Afghanistan, along with the weak role of the United Nations, have completed the cycle of failure and in this situation, with the increasing risk of isolation of the Taliban, their leadership is gaining more power.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Asian issues considered the tripartite meeting in Islamabad regarding Afghanistan as another Chinese initiative to establish peace and stability in the region by using economic tools, adding that this meeting arose from the security concerns of Pakistan and China concerning the realization of their political and economic interests in Afghanistan.
Strategic Council Online-Opinion: After the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia created a wave of positive developments in the region and encouraged other Persian Gulf countries to resume or strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, now the news indicates that Iran and Egypt with the mediation of Iraq are trying to resume diplomatic relations.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri—University scholar
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Former official in charge of Afghanistan Support Headquarters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: Iranian people are witnessing the high and unusual presence of Afghan refugees, adding that vigilance is needed concerning their presence in the strategic context of cities, as well as to the possibility of targeted organization and possible use of them against the interests and security of Iran.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: The European issues researcher said about the latest round of tensions between the West and Moscow and Russia’s recent statements that it will react if Finland and Sweden join NATO, saying that “the discussion of Russia’s peripheral countries joining NATO is Moscow’s red line, and the Russian attack on Ukraine was also a reaction to this country’s attempt to join NATO.”
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said: Verification of the implementation of the 1972 agreement regarding the Hirmand River water sharing by the Taliban is considered the only way to prevent Iran-Afghanistan relations from becoming critical.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A faculty member of Allameh Tabataba’i University stated that in relations with Central Asia, China has considered a pragmatic policy centered on the economy and has put this economy in interaction with politics, and for this reason, concerning political and security issues has not been indifferent, adding: the agreements reached in the recent meeting of the heads of states of China and Central Asian countries, entails stabilization and intensification of Beijing’s presence and influence in that region, and as a result, an increase of Beijing’s playing capability in those countries.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Middle East issues,l while referring to the arrival of new US troops and military equipment at Ain al-Asad Air Base, said that “recently, the commanders of Iraqi Popular Forces expressed their concern about the suspicious and hidden movements of American forces at Ein al-Asad Air Base in the city of Hit, Anbar Province, located in the west of Iraq. It is said that the US has recently reconstructed the destroyed parts of the Ain al-Assad base and increased its forces from 2,500 to 3,000.
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: Normalization of Iran-Saudi relations with China’s mediation, which is an indication of Beijing’s more significant influence and role in new regional trends in the Middle East, increased speculations about the possibility of changes in the geostrategy of other powers.
Abbas Aslani – Expert on international relations
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With the holding of the national elections in Greece on May 21, although the winning party announced priorities of its future government to be mainly improvement of the economic situation, the continuation of the national policy in foreign relations, security, and immigration would be most important challenges for this EU and NATO member country. Although the new leaders defend the continuation of the foreign and defense policy, strengthening of the country’s armed forces, creation of solid alliances, and development of the weapons program over the past four years, they differ in the field of energy exploration, the militarization of some islands in the Aegean Sea, and the issue of refugees.
Mahmoud Fazeli – International Affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Afghanistan affairs, criticizing the weak role and performance of the United Nations regarding Afghanistan, emphasized: The difference of views, heterogeneous and different performances of countries regarding Afghanistan, along with the weak role of the United Nations, have completed the cycle of failure and in this situation, with the increasing risk of isolation of the Taliban, their leadership is gaining more power.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Asian issues considered the tripartite meeting in Islamabad regarding Afghanistan as another Chinese initiative to establish peace and stability in the region by using economic tools, adding that this meeting arose from the security concerns of Pakistan and China concerning the realization of their political and economic interests in Afghanistan.
Strategic Council Online-Opinion: After the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia created a wave of positive developments in the region and encouraged other Persian Gulf countries to resume or strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, now the news indicates that Iran and Egypt with the mediation of Iraq are trying to resume diplomatic relations.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri—University scholar
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Former official in charge of Afghanistan Support Headquarters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: Iranian people are witnessing the high and unusual presence of Afghan refugees, adding that vigilance is needed concerning their presence in the strategic context of cities, as well as to the possibility of targeted organization and possible use of them against the interests and security of Iran.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: The European issues researcher said about the latest round of tensions between the West and Moscow and Russia’s recent statements that it will react if Finland and Sweden join NATO, saying that “the discussion of Russia’s peripheral countries joining NATO is Moscow’s red line, and the Russian attack on Ukraine was also a reaction to this country’s attempt to join NATO.”
SCFR Online – Opinion: The proliferation of smart unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb shows that control of the sea is not possible solely with large warships, submarines, and carrier-based aircraft.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The withdrawal of American forces from Iraq has marked the end of Washington’s direct military presence in the country; however, America’s financial, political, and security levers can still affect and cause problems for the future of this country.
SCFR Online – Opinion: After months of war and economic pressure, the situation between Iran and the United States has been placed between two conflicting logics; Washington insists on intensifying pressure to gain concessions, and Tehran does not accept negotiations under pressure.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The expansion of artificial intelligence and influence operations has drawn the field of conflict from physical space to the perceptual and algorithmic environment and has turned cognitive deterrence into a strategic necessity.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Riyadh, amid the Iran war, Yemeni pressure, and ambiguous Washington guarantees, has turned to flexible balancing in order to both preserve its security and increase its bargaining power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: London’s decision to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in the Yemen file, beyond a limited aerial mission, could confront Britain with broad legal, security, economic, and strategic consequences.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The acceleration of AI competition has shattered the boundaries of economic, military, intelligence, and cognitive power, turning this technology into a strategic component of national power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The three-day visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington and his meeting with Donald Trump on September 24 and 25, 2026, accompanied by a ceremonial welcome at Andrews Air Force Base, was more a diplomatic display for managing the level of tensions than an indication of a breakthrough achievement in relations between the two powers.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said: Verification of the implementation of the 1972 agreement regarding the Hirmand River water sharing by the Taliban is considered the only way to prevent Iran-Afghanistan relations from becoming critical.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A faculty member of Allameh Tabataba’i University stated that in relations with Central Asia, China has considered a pragmatic policy centered on the economy and has put this economy in interaction with politics, and for this reason, concerning political and security issues has not been indifferent, adding: the agreements reached in the recent meeting of the heads of states of China and Central Asian countries, entails stabilization and intensification of Beijing’s presence and influence in that region, and as a result, an increase of Beijing’s playing capability in those countries.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Middle East issues,l while referring to the arrival of new US troops and military equipment at Ain al-Asad Air Base, said that “recently, the commanders of Iraqi Popular Forces expressed their concern about the suspicious and hidden movements of American forces at Ein al-Asad Air Base in the city of Hit, Anbar Province, located in the west of Iraq. It is said that the US has recently reconstructed the destroyed parts of the Ain al-Assad base and increased its forces from 2,500 to 3,000.
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: Normalization of Iran-Saudi relations with China’s mediation, which is an indication of Beijing’s more significant influence and role in new regional trends in the Middle East, increased speculations about the possibility of changes in the geostrategy of other powers.
Abbas Aslani – Expert on international relations
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With the holding of the national elections in Greece on May 21, although the winning party announced priorities of its future government to be mainly improvement of the economic situation, the continuation of the national policy in foreign relations, security, and immigration would be most important challenges for this EU and NATO member country. Although the new leaders defend the continuation of the foreign and defense policy, strengthening of the country’s armed forces, creation of solid alliances, and development of the weapons program over the past four years, they differ in the field of energy exploration, the militarization of some islands in the Aegean Sea, and the issue of refugees.
Mahmoud Fazeli – International Affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Afghanistan affairs, criticizing the weak role and performance of the United Nations regarding Afghanistan, emphasized: The difference of views, heterogeneous and different performances of countries regarding Afghanistan, along with the weak role of the United Nations, have completed the cycle of failure and in this situation, with the increasing risk of isolation of the Taliban, their leadership is gaining more power.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Asian issues considered the tripartite meeting in Islamabad regarding Afghanistan as another Chinese initiative to establish peace and stability in the region by using economic tools, adding that this meeting arose from the security concerns of Pakistan and China concerning the realization of their political and economic interests in Afghanistan.
Strategic Council Online-Opinion: After the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia created a wave of positive developments in the region and encouraged other Persian Gulf countries to resume or strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, now the news indicates that Iran and Egypt with the mediation of Iraq are trying to resume diplomatic relations.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri—University scholar
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Former official in charge of Afghanistan Support Headquarters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: Iranian people are witnessing the high and unusual presence of Afghan refugees, adding that vigilance is needed concerning their presence in the strategic context of cities, as well as to the possibility of targeted organization and possible use of them against the interests and security of Iran.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: The European issues researcher said about the latest round of tensions between the West and Moscow and Russia’s recent statements that it will react if Finland and Sweden join NATO, saying that “the discussion of Russia’s peripheral countries joining NATO is Moscow’s red line, and the Russian attack on Ukraine was also a reaction to this country’s attempt to join NATO.”
SCFR Online – Opinion: The proliferation of smart unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb shows that control of the sea is not possible solely with large warships, submarines, and carrier-based aircraft.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The withdrawal of American forces from Iraq has marked the end of Washington’s direct military presence in the country; however, America’s financial, political, and security levers can still affect and cause problems for the future of this country.
SCFR Online – Opinion: After months of war and economic pressure, the situation between Iran and the United States has been placed between two conflicting logics; Washington insists on intensifying pressure to gain concessions, and Tehran does not accept negotiations under pressure.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The expansion of artificial intelligence and influence operations has drawn the field of conflict from physical space to the perceptual and algorithmic environment and has turned cognitive deterrence into a strategic necessity.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Riyadh, amid the Iran war, Yemeni pressure, and ambiguous Washington guarantees, has turned to flexible balancing in order to both preserve its security and increase its bargaining power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: London’s decision to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in the Yemen file, beyond a limited aerial mission, could confront Britain with broad legal, security, economic, and strategic consequences.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The acceleration of AI competition has shattered the boundaries of economic, military, intelligence, and cognitive power, turning this technology into a strategic component of national power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The three-day visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington and his meeting with Donald Trump on September 24 and 25, 2026, accompanied by a ceremonial welcome at Andrews Air Force Base, was more a diplomatic display for managing the level of tensions than an indication of a breakthrough achievement in relations between the two powers.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said: Verification of the implementation of the 1972 agreement regarding the Hirmand River water sharing by the Taliban is considered the only way to prevent Iran-Afghanistan relations from becoming critical.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A faculty member of Allameh Tabataba’i University stated that in relations with Central Asia, China has considered a pragmatic policy centered on the economy and has put this economy in interaction with politics, and for this reason, concerning political and security issues has not been indifferent, adding: the agreements reached in the recent meeting of the heads of states of China and Central Asian countries, entails stabilization and intensification of Beijing’s presence and influence in that region, and as a result, an increase of Beijing’s playing capability in those countries.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Middle East issues,l while referring to the arrival of new US troops and military equipment at Ain al-Asad Air Base, said that “recently, the commanders of Iraqi Popular Forces expressed their concern about the suspicious and hidden movements of American forces at Ein al-Asad Air Base in the city of Hit, Anbar Province, located in the west of Iraq. It is said that the US has recently reconstructed the destroyed parts of the Ain al-Assad base and increased its forces from 2,500 to 3,000.
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: Normalization of Iran-Saudi relations with China’s mediation, which is an indication of Beijing’s more significant influence and role in new regional trends in the Middle East, increased speculations about the possibility of changes in the geostrategy of other powers.
Abbas Aslani – Expert on international relations
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With the holding of the national elections in Greece on May 21, although the winning party announced priorities of its future government to be mainly improvement of the economic situation, the continuation of the national policy in foreign relations, security, and immigration would be most important challenges for this EU and NATO member country. Although the new leaders defend the continuation of the foreign and defense policy, strengthening of the country’s armed forces, creation of solid alliances, and development of the weapons program over the past four years, they differ in the field of energy exploration, the militarization of some islands in the Aegean Sea, and the issue of refugees.
Mahmoud Fazeli – International Affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Afghanistan affairs, criticizing the weak role and performance of the United Nations regarding Afghanistan, emphasized: The difference of views, heterogeneous and different performances of countries regarding Afghanistan, along with the weak role of the United Nations, have completed the cycle of failure and in this situation, with the increasing risk of isolation of the Taliban, their leadership is gaining more power.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Asian issues considered the tripartite meeting in Islamabad regarding Afghanistan as another Chinese initiative to establish peace and stability in the region by using economic tools, adding that this meeting arose from the security concerns of Pakistan and China concerning the realization of their political and economic interests in Afghanistan.
Strategic Council Online-Opinion: After the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia created a wave of positive developments in the region and encouraged other Persian Gulf countries to resume or strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, now the news indicates that Iran and Egypt with the mediation of Iraq are trying to resume diplomatic relations.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri—University scholar
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Former official in charge of Afghanistan Support Headquarters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: Iranian people are witnessing the high and unusual presence of Afghan refugees, adding that vigilance is needed concerning their presence in the strategic context of cities, as well as to the possibility of targeted organization and possible use of them against the interests and security of Iran.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: The European issues researcher said about the latest round of tensions between the West and Moscow and Russia’s recent statements that it will react if Finland and Sweden join NATO, saying that “the discussion of Russia’s peripheral countries joining NATO is Moscow’s red line, and the Russian attack on Ukraine was also a reaction to this country’s attempt to join NATO.”
SCFR Online – Opinion: The proliferation of smart unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb shows that control of the sea is not possible solely with large warships, submarines, and carrier-based aircraft.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The withdrawal of American forces from Iraq has marked the end of Washington’s direct military presence in the country; however, America’s financial, political, and security levers can still affect and cause problems for the future of this country.
SCFR Online – Opinion: After months of war and economic pressure, the situation between Iran and the United States has been placed between two conflicting logics; Washington insists on intensifying pressure to gain concessions, and Tehran does not accept negotiations under pressure.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The expansion of artificial intelligence and influence operations has drawn the field of conflict from physical space to the perceptual and algorithmic environment and has turned cognitive deterrence into a strategic necessity.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Riyadh, amid the Iran war, Yemeni pressure, and ambiguous Washington guarantees, has turned to flexible balancing in order to both preserve its security and increase its bargaining power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: London’s decision to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in the Yemen file, beyond a limited aerial mission, could confront Britain with broad legal, security, economic, and strategic consequences.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The acceleration of AI competition has shattered the boundaries of economic, military, intelligence, and cognitive power, turning this technology into a strategic component of national power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The three-day visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington and his meeting with Donald Trump on September 24 and 25, 2026, accompanied by a ceremonial welcome at Andrews Air Force Base, was more a diplomatic display for managing the level of tensions than an indication of a breakthrough achievement in relations between the two powers.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said: Verification of the implementation of the 1972 agreement regarding the Hirmand River water sharing by the Taliban is considered the only way to prevent Iran-Afghanistan relations from becoming critical.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A faculty member of Allameh Tabataba’i University stated that in relations with Central Asia, China has considered a pragmatic policy centered on the economy and has put this economy in interaction with politics, and for this reason, concerning political and security issues has not been indifferent, adding: the agreements reached in the recent meeting of the heads of states of China and Central Asian countries, entails stabilization and intensification of Beijing’s presence and influence in that region, and as a result, an increase of Beijing’s playing capability in those countries.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Middle East issues,l while referring to the arrival of new US troops and military equipment at Ain al-Asad Air Base, said that “recently, the commanders of Iraqi Popular Forces expressed their concern about the suspicious and hidden movements of American forces at Ein al-Asad Air Base in the city of Hit, Anbar Province, located in the west of Iraq. It is said that the US has recently reconstructed the destroyed parts of the Ain al-Assad base and increased its forces from 2,500 to 3,000.
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: Normalization of Iran-Saudi relations with China’s mediation, which is an indication of Beijing’s more significant influence and role in new regional trends in the Middle East, increased speculations about the possibility of changes in the geostrategy of other powers.
Abbas Aslani – Expert on international relations
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With the holding of the national elections in Greece on May 21, although the winning party announced priorities of its future government to be mainly improvement of the economic situation, the continuation of the national policy in foreign relations, security, and immigration would be most important challenges for this EU and NATO member country. Although the new leaders defend the continuation of the foreign and defense policy, strengthening of the country’s armed forces, creation of solid alliances, and development of the weapons program over the past four years, they differ in the field of energy exploration, the militarization of some islands in the Aegean Sea, and the issue of refugees.
Mahmoud Fazeli – International Affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Afghanistan affairs, criticizing the weak role and performance of the United Nations regarding Afghanistan, emphasized: The difference of views, heterogeneous and different performances of countries regarding Afghanistan, along with the weak role of the United Nations, have completed the cycle of failure and in this situation, with the increasing risk of isolation of the Taliban, their leadership is gaining more power.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Asian issues considered the tripartite meeting in Islamabad regarding Afghanistan as another Chinese initiative to establish peace and stability in the region by using economic tools, adding that this meeting arose from the security concerns of Pakistan and China concerning the realization of their political and economic interests in Afghanistan.
Strategic Council Online-Opinion: After the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia created a wave of positive developments in the region and encouraged other Persian Gulf countries to resume or strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, now the news indicates that Iran and Egypt with the mediation of Iraq are trying to resume diplomatic relations.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri—University scholar
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Former official in charge of Afghanistan Support Headquarters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: Iranian people are witnessing the high and unusual presence of Afghan refugees, adding that vigilance is needed concerning their presence in the strategic context of cities, as well as to the possibility of targeted organization and possible use of them against the interests and security of Iran.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: The European issues researcher said about the latest round of tensions between the West and Moscow and Russia’s recent statements that it will react if Finland and Sweden join NATO, saying that “the discussion of Russia’s peripheral countries joining NATO is Moscow’s red line, and the Russian attack on Ukraine was also a reaction to this country’s attempt to join NATO.”
SCFR Online – Opinion: The proliferation of smart unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb shows that control of the sea is not possible solely with large warships, submarines, and carrier-based aircraft.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The withdrawal of American forces from Iraq has marked the end of Washington’s direct military presence in the country; however, America’s financial, political, and security levers can still affect and cause problems for the future of this country.
SCFR Online – Opinion: After months of war and economic pressure, the situation between Iran and the United States has been placed between two conflicting logics; Washington insists on intensifying pressure to gain concessions, and Tehran does not accept negotiations under pressure.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The expansion of artificial intelligence and influence operations has drawn the field of conflict from physical space to the perceptual and algorithmic environment and has turned cognitive deterrence into a strategic necessity.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Riyadh, amid the Iran war, Yemeni pressure, and ambiguous Washington guarantees, has turned to flexible balancing in order to both preserve its security and increase its bargaining power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: London’s decision to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in the Yemen file, beyond a limited aerial mission, could confront Britain with broad legal, security, economic, and strategic consequences.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The acceleration of AI competition has shattered the boundaries of economic, military, intelligence, and cognitive power, turning this technology into a strategic component of national power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The three-day visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington and his meeting with Donald Trump on September 24 and 25, 2026, accompanied by a ceremonial welcome at Andrews Air Force Base, was more a diplomatic display for managing the level of tensions than an indication of a breakthrough achievement in relations between the two powers.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said: Verification of the implementation of the 1972 agreement regarding the Hirmand River water sharing by the Taliban is considered the only way to prevent Iran-Afghanistan relations from becoming critical.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A faculty member of Allameh Tabataba’i University stated that in relations with Central Asia, China has considered a pragmatic policy centered on the economy and has put this economy in interaction with politics, and for this reason, concerning political and security issues has not been indifferent, adding: the agreements reached in the recent meeting of the heads of states of China and Central Asian countries, entails stabilization and intensification of Beijing’s presence and influence in that region, and as a result, an increase of Beijing’s playing capability in those countries.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Middle East issues,l while referring to the arrival of new US troops and military equipment at Ain al-Asad Air Base, said that “recently, the commanders of Iraqi Popular Forces expressed their concern about the suspicious and hidden movements of American forces at Ein al-Asad Air Base in the city of Hit, Anbar Province, located in the west of Iraq. It is said that the US has recently reconstructed the destroyed parts of the Ain al-Assad base and increased its forces from 2,500 to 3,000.
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: Normalization of Iran-Saudi relations with China’s mediation, which is an indication of Beijing’s more significant influence and role in new regional trends in the Middle East, increased speculations about the possibility of changes in the geostrategy of other powers.
Abbas Aslani – Expert on international relations
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With the holding of the national elections in Greece on May 21, although the winning party announced priorities of its future government to be mainly improvement of the economic situation, the continuation of the national policy in foreign relations, security, and immigration would be most important challenges for this EU and NATO member country. Although the new leaders defend the continuation of the foreign and defense policy, strengthening of the country’s armed forces, creation of solid alliances, and development of the weapons program over the past four years, they differ in the field of energy exploration, the militarization of some islands in the Aegean Sea, and the issue of refugees.
Mahmoud Fazeli – International Affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Afghanistan affairs, criticizing the weak role and performance of the United Nations regarding Afghanistan, emphasized: The difference of views, heterogeneous and different performances of countries regarding Afghanistan, along with the weak role of the United Nations, have completed the cycle of failure and in this situation, with the increasing risk of isolation of the Taliban, their leadership is gaining more power.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Asian issues considered the tripartite meeting in Islamabad regarding Afghanistan as another Chinese initiative to establish peace and stability in the region by using economic tools, adding that this meeting arose from the security concerns of Pakistan and China concerning the realization of their political and economic interests in Afghanistan.
Strategic Council Online-Opinion: After the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia created a wave of positive developments in the region and encouraged other Persian Gulf countries to resume or strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, now the news indicates that Iran and Egypt with the mediation of Iraq are trying to resume diplomatic relations.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri—University scholar
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Former official in charge of Afghanistan Support Headquarters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: Iranian people are witnessing the high and unusual presence of Afghan refugees, adding that vigilance is needed concerning their presence in the strategic context of cities, as well as to the possibility of targeted organization and possible use of them against the interests and security of Iran.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: The European issues researcher said about the latest round of tensions between the West and Moscow and Russia’s recent statements that it will react if Finland and Sweden join NATO, saying that “the discussion of Russia’s peripheral countries joining NATO is Moscow’s red line, and the Russian attack on Ukraine was also a reaction to this country’s attempt to join NATO.”
SCFR Online – Opinion: The proliferation of smart unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb shows that control of the sea is not possible solely with large warships, submarines, and carrier-based aircraft.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The withdrawal of American forces from Iraq has marked the end of Washington’s direct military presence in the country; however, America’s financial, political, and security levers can still affect and cause problems for the future of this country.
SCFR Online – Opinion: After months of war and economic pressure, the situation between Iran and the United States has been placed between two conflicting logics; Washington insists on intensifying pressure to gain concessions, and Tehran does not accept negotiations under pressure.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The expansion of artificial intelligence and influence operations has drawn the field of conflict from physical space to the perceptual and algorithmic environment and has turned cognitive deterrence into a strategic necessity.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Riyadh, amid the Iran war, Yemeni pressure, and ambiguous Washington guarantees, has turned to flexible balancing in order to both preserve its security and increase its bargaining power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: London’s decision to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in the Yemen file, beyond a limited aerial mission, could confront Britain with broad legal, security, economic, and strategic consequences.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The acceleration of AI competition has shattered the boundaries of economic, military, intelligence, and cognitive power, turning this technology into a strategic component of national power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The three-day visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington and his meeting with Donald Trump on September 24 and 25, 2026, accompanied by a ceremonial welcome at Andrews Air Force Base, was more a diplomatic display for managing the level of tensions than an indication of a breakthrough achievement in relations between the two powers.