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 – Interview: An expert on Iraq affairs, stating that the current situation leads the Shiite currents to form a government, noted: Shiite groups seek to form a government with the opportunity that has been created, and increasing the number of seats will give them this opportunity, but it is not clear what policy the Sadr Movement wants to pursue outside the political process towards the formation of the government.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on US affairs says the Democrats are facing the challenge of unpopularity and are likely to lose seats in the mid-term congressional elections. He added: The internal situation in the United States is very chaotic for a variety of reasons, and its distorted image has negatively affected its soft power in the world.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: There are a couple of different readings on the recent Iraqi parliament bill about banning the normalization of relations with the Zionist regime; The first interpretation deals with it from micro scale and studies the case from executive background. The second interpretation reviews the bill from macro and strategic aspects and thus analyses its effects on Iraq’s foreign relations as well as political and military equations of the region.
Jafar Ghannad Baashi, Expert of the Middle East issues
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Under circumstances that the Zionist regime is in a difficult situation in terms of security, political, economic, social … issues which, as admitted by the leaders of that regime, has been unprecedented in the past 75 years, we are witnessing actions taken by certain important Arab states, including Iraq, for confronting the strategy of normalization of the Zionist regime’s relations with Arab and Islamic countries.
Hamid Khoshayand – Expert on regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: After a decade of cold relations, Turkey and the UAE are on the path to reviving bilateral relations. This new trend began in 2021 with a series of high-level diplomatic meetings and contacts, culminating in Mohamed bin Zayed’s November visit to Ankara. Recently, Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Abu Dhabi to offer condolences on the death of Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The trip also saw the signing of more than 10 agreements between the two countries, including a defense industry cooperation agreement.
Seyed Hamed Hosseini – PhD student in international relations
Motivations
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Saudi Arabia policy versus the Zionist regime has always been impressed by domestic, regional and international elements as well as components. While the authorities of Al Saud have always tried to turn Palestinian issue as the axis of their Arabic – Islamic policy to draw a macro image of the so-called concerns of the kingdom, they have kept their connecting channels active for the development of their clandestine relations with the Zionist regime.
Kamran Karami, Researcher of Arabic Peninsula issues
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A University of Tehran professor says Paris is trying not to blame France for the confrontation with Russia, as a country claiming to lead Europe, adding that with the Ukraine crisis, Macron’s ideas to rule Europe were completely questioned, which is why France prefers to maintain minimal and symbolic policies and approaches to play its traditional mediating role.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Director of Caucasia Studies Foundation said:” it seems that the objectives of Turkey and the Republic of Azerbaijan on making Zangezur corridor follow mostly non-economic aspects, while territorial, political as well as security objectives to make corridor will face the opposition of the regional players.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Turkey affairs, stressing that Turkey’s claims to sovereignty over the Aegean islands will not go beyond verbal claims, said: Turkey feels that so far in tensions it has had with Greece it has been left alone by NATO and under this situation, with warnings it tries to persuade them to judge fairly about the Greek military movements in the islands.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The expert of West Asia affairs commented about the recent parliamentary election of Lebanon and its results:” the results obtained was in a way that no party managed to win the majority of the parliament. It means the lists of Resistance Coalition groups gained about 58 to 59 seats and the other party that is in line with the West – Arab axis gained nearly 41 to 45 seats. Amid this, independent groups and individuals also won 128 seats”.
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 – Interview: An expert on Iraq affairs, stating that the current situation leads the Shiite currents to form a government, noted: Shiite groups seek to form a government with the opportunity that has been created, and increasing the number of seats will give them this opportunity, but it is not clear what policy the Sadr Movement wants to pursue outside the political process towards the formation of the government.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on US affairs says the Democrats are facing the challenge of unpopularity and are likely to lose seats in the mid-term congressional elections. He added: The internal situation in the United States is very chaotic for a variety of reasons, and its distorted image has negatively affected its soft power in the world.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: There are a couple of different readings on the recent Iraqi parliament bill about banning the normalization of relations with the Zionist regime; The first interpretation deals with it from micro scale and studies the case from executive background. The second interpretation reviews the bill from macro and strategic aspects and thus analyses its effects on Iraq’s foreign relations as well as political and military equations of the region.
Jafar Ghannad Baashi, Expert of the Middle East issues
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Under circumstances that the Zionist regime is in a difficult situation in terms of security, political, economic, social … issues which, as admitted by the leaders of that regime, has been unprecedented in the past 75 years, we are witnessing actions taken by certain important Arab states, including Iraq, for confronting the strategy of normalization of the Zionist regime’s relations with Arab and Islamic countries.
Hamid Khoshayand – Expert on regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: After a decade of cold relations, Turkey and the UAE are on the path to reviving bilateral relations. This new trend began in 2021 with a series of high-level diplomatic meetings and contacts, culminating in Mohamed bin Zayed’s November visit to Ankara. Recently, Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Abu Dhabi to offer condolences on the death of Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The trip also saw the signing of more than 10 agreements between the two countries, including a defense industry cooperation agreement.
Seyed Hamed Hosseini – PhD student in international relations
Motivations
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Saudi Arabia policy versus the Zionist regime has always been impressed by domestic, regional and international elements as well as components. While the authorities of Al Saud have always tried to turn Palestinian issue as the axis of their Arabic – Islamic policy to draw a macro image of the so-called concerns of the kingdom, they have kept their connecting channels active for the development of their clandestine relations with the Zionist regime.
Kamran Karami, Researcher of Arabic Peninsula issues
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A University of Tehran professor says Paris is trying not to blame France for the confrontation with Russia, as a country claiming to lead Europe, adding that with the Ukraine crisis, Macron’s ideas to rule Europe were completely questioned, which is why France prefers to maintain minimal and symbolic policies and approaches to play its traditional mediating role.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Director of Caucasia Studies Foundation said:” it seems that the objectives of Turkey and the Republic of Azerbaijan on making Zangezur corridor follow mostly non-economic aspects, while territorial, political as well as security objectives to make corridor will face the opposition of the regional players.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Turkey affairs, stressing that Turkey’s claims to sovereignty over the Aegean islands will not go beyond verbal claims, said: Turkey feels that so far in tensions it has had with Greece it has been left alone by NATO and under this situation, with warnings it tries to persuade them to judge fairly about the Greek military movements in the islands.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The expert of West Asia affairs commented about the recent parliamentary election of Lebanon and its results:” the results obtained was in a way that no party managed to win the majority of the parliament. It means the lists of Resistance Coalition groups gained about 58 to 59 seats and the other party that is in line with the West – Arab axis gained nearly 41 to 45 seats. Amid this, independent groups and individuals also won 128 seats”.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Iraq affairs, stating that the current situation leads the Shiite currents to form a government, noted: Shiite groups seek to form a government with the opportunity that has been created, and increasing the number of seats will give them this opportunity, but it is not clear what policy the Sadr Movement wants to pursue outside the political process towards the formation of the government.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on US affairs says the Democrats are facing the challenge of unpopularity and are likely to lose seats in the mid-term congressional elections. He added: The internal situation in the United States is very chaotic for a variety of reasons, and its distorted image has negatively affected its soft power in the world.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: There are a couple of different readings on the recent Iraqi parliament bill about banning the normalization of relations with the Zionist regime; The first interpretation deals with it from micro scale and studies the case from executive background. The second interpretation reviews the bill from macro and strategic aspects and thus analyses its effects on Iraq’s foreign relations as well as political and military equations of the region.
Jafar Ghannad Baashi, Expert of the Middle East issues
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Under circumstances that the Zionist regime is in a difficult situation in terms of security, political, economic, social … issues which, as admitted by the leaders of that regime, has been unprecedented in the past 75 years, we are witnessing actions taken by certain important Arab states, including Iraq, for confronting the strategy of normalization of the Zionist regime’s relations with Arab and Islamic countries.
Hamid Khoshayand – Expert on regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: After a decade of cold relations, Turkey and the UAE are on the path to reviving bilateral relations. This new trend began in 2021 with a series of high-level diplomatic meetings and contacts, culminating in Mohamed bin Zayed’s November visit to Ankara. Recently, Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Abu Dhabi to offer condolences on the death of Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The trip also saw the signing of more than 10 agreements between the two countries, including a defense industry cooperation agreement.
Seyed Hamed Hosseini – PhD student in international relations
Motivations
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Saudi Arabia policy versus the Zionist regime has always been impressed by domestic, regional and international elements as well as components. While the authorities of Al Saud have always tried to turn Palestinian issue as the axis of their Arabic – Islamic policy to draw a macro image of the so-called concerns of the kingdom, they have kept their connecting channels active for the development of their clandestine relations with the Zionist regime.
Kamran Karami, Researcher of Arabic Peninsula issues
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A University of Tehran professor says Paris is trying not to blame France for the confrontation with Russia, as a country claiming to lead Europe, adding that with the Ukraine crisis, Macron’s ideas to rule Europe were completely questioned, which is why France prefers to maintain minimal and symbolic policies and approaches to play its traditional mediating role.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Director of Caucasia Studies Foundation said:” it seems that the objectives of Turkey and the Republic of Azerbaijan on making Zangezur corridor follow mostly non-economic aspects, while territorial, political as well as security objectives to make corridor will face the opposition of the regional players.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Turkey affairs, stressing that Turkey’s claims to sovereignty over the Aegean islands will not go beyond verbal claims, said: Turkey feels that so far in tensions it has had with Greece it has been left alone by NATO and under this situation, with warnings it tries to persuade them to judge fairly about the Greek military movements in the islands.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The expert of West Asia affairs commented about the recent parliamentary election of Lebanon and its results:” the results obtained was in a way that no party managed to win the majority of the parliament. It means the lists of Resistance Coalition groups gained about 58 to 59 seats and the other party that is in line with the West – Arab axis gained nearly 41 to 45 seats. Amid this, independent groups and individuals also won 128 seats”.
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 – Interview: An expert on Iraq affairs, stating that the current situation leads the Shiite currents to form a government, noted: Shiite groups seek to form a government with the opportunity that has been created, and increasing the number of seats will give them this opportunity, but it is not clear what policy the Sadr Movement wants to pursue outside the political process towards the formation of the government.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on US affairs says the Democrats are facing the challenge of unpopularity and are likely to lose seats in the mid-term congressional elections. He added: The internal situation in the United States is very chaotic for a variety of reasons, and its distorted image has negatively affected its soft power in the world.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: There are a couple of different readings on the recent Iraqi parliament bill about banning the normalization of relations with the Zionist regime; The first interpretation deals with it from micro scale and studies the case from executive background. The second interpretation reviews the bill from macro and strategic aspects and thus analyses its effects on Iraq’s foreign relations as well as political and military equations of the region.
Jafar Ghannad Baashi, Expert of the Middle East issues
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Under circumstances that the Zionist regime is in a difficult situation in terms of security, political, economic, social … issues which, as admitted by the leaders of that regime, has been unprecedented in the past 75 years, we are witnessing actions taken by certain important Arab states, including Iraq, for confronting the strategy of normalization of the Zionist regime’s relations with Arab and Islamic countries.
Hamid Khoshayand – Expert on regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: After a decade of cold relations, Turkey and the UAE are on the path to reviving bilateral relations. This new trend began in 2021 with a series of high-level diplomatic meetings and contacts, culminating in Mohamed bin Zayed’s November visit to Ankara. Recently, Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Abu Dhabi to offer condolences on the death of Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The trip also saw the signing of more than 10 agreements between the two countries, including a defense industry cooperation agreement.
Seyed Hamed Hosseini – PhD student in international relations
Motivations
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Saudi Arabia policy versus the Zionist regime has always been impressed by domestic, regional and international elements as well as components. While the authorities of Al Saud have always tried to turn Palestinian issue as the axis of their Arabic – Islamic policy to draw a macro image of the so-called concerns of the kingdom, they have kept their connecting channels active for the development of their clandestine relations with the Zionist regime.
Kamran Karami, Researcher of Arabic Peninsula issues
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A University of Tehran professor says Paris is trying not to blame France for the confrontation with Russia, as a country claiming to lead Europe, adding that with the Ukraine crisis, Macron’s ideas to rule Europe were completely questioned, which is why France prefers to maintain minimal and symbolic policies and approaches to play its traditional mediating role.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Director of Caucasia Studies Foundation said:” it seems that the objectives of Turkey and the Republic of Azerbaijan on making Zangezur corridor follow mostly non-economic aspects, while territorial, political as well as security objectives to make corridor will face the opposition of the regional players.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Turkey affairs, stressing that Turkey’s claims to sovereignty over the Aegean islands will not go beyond verbal claims, said: Turkey feels that so far in tensions it has had with Greece it has been left alone by NATO and under this situation, with warnings it tries to persuade them to judge fairly about the Greek military movements in the islands.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The expert of West Asia affairs commented about the recent parliamentary election of Lebanon and its results:” the results obtained was in a way that no party managed to win the majority of the parliament. It means the lists of Resistance Coalition groups gained about 58 to 59 seats and the other party that is in line with the West – Arab axis gained nearly 41 to 45 seats. Amid this, independent groups and individuals also won 128 seats”.
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 – Interview: An expert on Iraq affairs, stating that the current situation leads the Shiite currents to form a government, noted: Shiite groups seek to form a government with the opportunity that has been created, and increasing the number of seats will give them this opportunity, but it is not clear what policy the Sadr Movement wants to pursue outside the political process towards the formation of the government.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on US affairs says the Democrats are facing the challenge of unpopularity and are likely to lose seats in the mid-term congressional elections. He added: The internal situation in the United States is very chaotic for a variety of reasons, and its distorted image has negatively affected its soft power in the world.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: There are a couple of different readings on the recent Iraqi parliament bill about banning the normalization of relations with the Zionist regime; The first interpretation deals with it from micro scale and studies the case from executive background. The second interpretation reviews the bill from macro and strategic aspects and thus analyses its effects on Iraq’s foreign relations as well as political and military equations of the region.
Jafar Ghannad Baashi, Expert of the Middle East issues
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Under circumstances that the Zionist regime is in a difficult situation in terms of security, political, economic, social … issues which, as admitted by the leaders of that regime, has been unprecedented in the past 75 years, we are witnessing actions taken by certain important Arab states, including Iraq, for confronting the strategy of normalization of the Zionist regime’s relations with Arab and Islamic countries.
Hamid Khoshayand – Expert on regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: After a decade of cold relations, Turkey and the UAE are on the path to reviving bilateral relations. This new trend began in 2021 with a series of high-level diplomatic meetings and contacts, culminating in Mohamed bin Zayed’s November visit to Ankara. Recently, Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Abu Dhabi to offer condolences on the death of Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The trip also saw the signing of more than 10 agreements between the two countries, including a defense industry cooperation agreement.
Seyed Hamed Hosseini – PhD student in international relations
Motivations
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Saudi Arabia policy versus the Zionist regime has always been impressed by domestic, regional and international elements as well as components. While the authorities of Al Saud have always tried to turn Palestinian issue as the axis of their Arabic – Islamic policy to draw a macro image of the so-called concerns of the kingdom, they have kept their connecting channels active for the development of their clandestine relations with the Zionist regime.
Kamran Karami, Researcher of Arabic Peninsula issues
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A University of Tehran professor says Paris is trying not to blame France for the confrontation with Russia, as a country claiming to lead Europe, adding that with the Ukraine crisis, Macron’s ideas to rule Europe were completely questioned, which is why France prefers to maintain minimal and symbolic policies and approaches to play its traditional mediating role.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Director of Caucasia Studies Foundation said:” it seems that the objectives of Turkey and the Republic of Azerbaijan on making Zangezur corridor follow mostly non-economic aspects, while territorial, political as well as security objectives to make corridor will face the opposition of the regional players.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Turkey affairs, stressing that Turkey’s claims to sovereignty over the Aegean islands will not go beyond verbal claims, said: Turkey feels that so far in tensions it has had with Greece it has been left alone by NATO and under this situation, with warnings it tries to persuade them to judge fairly about the Greek military movements in the islands.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The expert of West Asia affairs commented about the recent parliamentary election of Lebanon and its results:” the results obtained was in a way that no party managed to win the majority of the parliament. It means the lists of Resistance Coalition groups gained about 58 to 59 seats and the other party that is in line with the West – Arab axis gained nearly 41 to 45 seats. Amid this, independent groups and individuals also won 128 seats”.
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 – Interview: An expert on Iraq affairs, stating that the current situation leads the Shiite currents to form a government, noted: Shiite groups seek to form a government with the opportunity that has been created, and increasing the number of seats will give them this opportunity, but it is not clear what policy the Sadr Movement wants to pursue outside the political process towards the formation of the government.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on US affairs says the Democrats are facing the challenge of unpopularity and are likely to lose seats in the mid-term congressional elections. He added: The internal situation in the United States is very chaotic for a variety of reasons, and its distorted image has negatively affected its soft power in the world.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: There are a couple of different readings on the recent Iraqi parliament bill about banning the normalization of relations with the Zionist regime; The first interpretation deals with it from micro scale and studies the case from executive background. The second interpretation reviews the bill from macro and strategic aspects and thus analyses its effects on Iraq’s foreign relations as well as political and military equations of the region.
Jafar Ghannad Baashi, Expert of the Middle East issues
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Under circumstances that the Zionist regime is in a difficult situation in terms of security, political, economic, social … issues which, as admitted by the leaders of that regime, has been unprecedented in the past 75 years, we are witnessing actions taken by certain important Arab states, including Iraq, for confronting the strategy of normalization of the Zionist regime’s relations with Arab and Islamic countries.
Hamid Khoshayand – Expert on regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: After a decade of cold relations, Turkey and the UAE are on the path to reviving bilateral relations. This new trend began in 2021 with a series of high-level diplomatic meetings and contacts, culminating in Mohamed bin Zayed’s November visit to Ankara. Recently, Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Abu Dhabi to offer condolences on the death of Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The trip also saw the signing of more than 10 agreements between the two countries, including a defense industry cooperation agreement.
Seyed Hamed Hosseini – PhD student in international relations
Motivations
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Saudi Arabia policy versus the Zionist regime has always been impressed by domestic, regional and international elements as well as components. While the authorities of Al Saud have always tried to turn Palestinian issue as the axis of their Arabic – Islamic policy to draw a macro image of the so-called concerns of the kingdom, they have kept their connecting channels active for the development of their clandestine relations with the Zionist regime.
Kamran Karami, Researcher of Arabic Peninsula issues
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A University of Tehran professor says Paris is trying not to blame France for the confrontation with Russia, as a country claiming to lead Europe, adding that with the Ukraine crisis, Macron’s ideas to rule Europe were completely questioned, which is why France prefers to maintain minimal and symbolic policies and approaches to play its traditional mediating role.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Director of Caucasia Studies Foundation said:” it seems that the objectives of Turkey and the Republic of Azerbaijan on making Zangezur corridor follow mostly non-economic aspects, while territorial, political as well as security objectives to make corridor will face the opposition of the regional players.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Turkey affairs, stressing that Turkey’s claims to sovereignty over the Aegean islands will not go beyond verbal claims, said: Turkey feels that so far in tensions it has had with Greece it has been left alone by NATO and under this situation, with warnings it tries to persuade them to judge fairly about the Greek military movements in the islands.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The expert of West Asia affairs commented about the recent parliamentary election of Lebanon and its results:” the results obtained was in a way that no party managed to win the majority of the parliament. It means the lists of Resistance Coalition groups gained about 58 to 59 seats and the other party that is in line with the West – Arab axis gained nearly 41 to 45 seats. Amid this, independent groups and individuals also won 128 seats”.
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 – Interview: An expert on Iraq affairs, stating that the current situation leads the Shiite currents to form a government, noted: Shiite groups seek to form a government with the opportunity that has been created, and increasing the number of seats will give them this opportunity, but it is not clear what policy the Sadr Movement wants to pursue outside the political process towards the formation of the government.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on US affairs says the Democrats are facing the challenge of unpopularity and are likely to lose seats in the mid-term congressional elections. He added: The internal situation in the United States is very chaotic for a variety of reasons, and its distorted image has negatively affected its soft power in the world.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: There are a couple of different readings on the recent Iraqi parliament bill about banning the normalization of relations with the Zionist regime; The first interpretation deals with it from micro scale and studies the case from executive background. The second interpretation reviews the bill from macro and strategic aspects and thus analyses its effects on Iraq’s foreign relations as well as political and military equations of the region.
Jafar Ghannad Baashi, Expert of the Middle East issues
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Under circumstances that the Zionist regime is in a difficult situation in terms of security, political, economic, social … issues which, as admitted by the leaders of that regime, has been unprecedented in the past 75 years, we are witnessing actions taken by certain important Arab states, including Iraq, for confronting the strategy of normalization of the Zionist regime’s relations with Arab and Islamic countries.
Hamid Khoshayand – Expert on regional affairs
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: After a decade of cold relations, Turkey and the UAE are on the path to reviving bilateral relations. This new trend began in 2021 with a series of high-level diplomatic meetings and contacts, culminating in Mohamed bin Zayed’s November visit to Ankara. Recently, Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Abu Dhabi to offer condolences on the death of Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The trip also saw the signing of more than 10 agreements between the two countries, including a defense industry cooperation agreement.
Seyed Hamed Hosseini – PhD student in international relations
Motivations
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Saudi Arabia policy versus the Zionist regime has always been impressed by domestic, regional and international elements as well as components. While the authorities of Al Saud have always tried to turn Palestinian issue as the axis of their Arabic – Islamic policy to draw a macro image of the so-called concerns of the kingdom, they have kept their connecting channels active for the development of their clandestine relations with the Zionist regime.
Kamran Karami, Researcher of Arabic Peninsula issues
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A University of Tehran professor says Paris is trying not to blame France for the confrontation with Russia, as a country claiming to lead Europe, adding that with the Ukraine crisis, Macron’s ideas to rule Europe were completely questioned, which is why France prefers to maintain minimal and symbolic policies and approaches to play its traditional mediating role.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Director of Caucasia Studies Foundation said:” it seems that the objectives of Turkey and the Republic of Azerbaijan on making Zangezur corridor follow mostly non-economic aspects, while territorial, political as well as security objectives to make corridor will face the opposition of the regional players.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Turkey affairs, stressing that Turkey’s claims to sovereignty over the Aegean islands will not go beyond verbal claims, said: Turkey feels that so far in tensions it has had with Greece it has been left alone by NATO and under this situation, with warnings it tries to persuade them to judge fairly about the Greek military movements in the islands.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The expert of West Asia affairs commented about the recent parliamentary election of Lebanon and its results:” the results obtained was in a way that no party managed to win the majority of the parliament. It means the lists of Resistance Coalition groups gained about 58 to 59 seats and the other party that is in line with the West – Arab axis gained nearly 41 to 45 seats. Amid this, independent groups and individuals also won 128 seats”.
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.