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.
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.
Strategic Council Online –Guest Post: Among the key elements that control and manage political – social behavioral patterns of nation states concerning establishment of order and provision of security is the advantage of access to fresh water. More than putting emphasis on the comfort and welfare of citizens, role of water in the Middle East leaves effect on the unity and integration of political entities.
Maryam Verij Kazemi, Researcher, Geopolitical Issues
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The United States has taken advantage of NATO expansion eastward as a low-cost tool to destabilize calmness of the Russians. In this regard, NATO’s tense actions on Russia’s western borders should be considered one of the main factors in exacerbating the crisis in Ukraine.
Hamid Khoshayand – Expert on international affairs
Strategic Council Online: Experts on Russia and international relations, in an expert session hosted by the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, examined the dimensions of the change in the international system following the Ukraine war.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international law stressed: Baku is concerned about the possibility of Russia recognizing the independence of the Karabakh region in coming years, and according to the Declaration on Allied Interaction, it gives guarantees to Russia so that Moscow will not implement the formula of supporting separatism in Karabakh and even in the Lezgian regions of northern Azerbaijan.
Strategic Council online – Interview: An expert on geopolitics commented on the recent remarks of Hungarian Prime Minister on exiting the European Union in case of intolerance with the country and said:” It is unlikely that Hungary will really wish to exit from the European Union and the recent remark is merely considered as a threat”.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Russia Affairs stated that imposition of new economic sanctions, transfer of crisis into Russia, and increasing costs of Moscow in Ukraine are among the issues in the U.S. and NATO agenda. She said:” Kiev expectation of the European Union and NATO was unrealistic because it was merely based on their political and their verbal positions, and Ukraine was entrapped in the present crisis based on these unrealistic expectations”.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine showed that most of the predictions that considered the idea of an attack a mere propaganda ploy and the conspiracy of Western media or regarded the interwoven global economy an obstacle hindering outbreak of war were not accurate enough.
Seyed Nader Nourbakhsh – Expert on Europe affairs
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Turkey has been a member of NATO for 70 years and, like the Cold War time, it is an active member of the organization. At a time when on the one hand there is talk about NATO 2030 and, on the other hand, we are witnessing comprehensive security tests; Turkey claims that it has played its part in defense and security fields, and that it will continue to make significant contributions to NATO’s transformation process and to its efforts to maintain security and stability, in particular to combat all forms of terrorism that pose a threat not only to Turkey but to the entire Euro-Atlantic geography.
Mahmoud Fazeli – International affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat, stating that in the current situation we will be witness to the continuation of regional rivalries and differences between Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, said: Although the presence of the Taliban has reduced the level of tension and mistrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Taliban cannot treat Pakistan against their ethnic sentiments, and the two sides are trying to prevent tensions from escalating by managing differences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Having stated in the course of crises over Ukraine, Russia managed to act so powerfully to make the French President visit Moscow, a Tehran University professor said:” it seems that Russian President in his meeting did not find Europe capable and serious enough to play an effective role concerning de-escalation in connection with Ukraine. That’s why he employed the leverage to recognize the independence of the two republics of Ukraine”.
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.
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.
Strategic Council Online –Guest Post: Among the key elements that control and manage political – social behavioral patterns of nation states concerning establishment of order and provision of security is the advantage of access to fresh water. More than putting emphasis on the comfort and welfare of citizens, role of water in the Middle East leaves effect on the unity and integration of political entities.
Maryam Verij Kazemi, Researcher, Geopolitical Issues
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The United States has taken advantage of NATO expansion eastward as a low-cost tool to destabilize calmness of the Russians. In this regard, NATO’s tense actions on Russia’s western borders should be considered one of the main factors in exacerbating the crisis in Ukraine.
Hamid Khoshayand – Expert on international affairs
Strategic Council Online: Experts on Russia and international relations, in an expert session hosted by the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, examined the dimensions of the change in the international system following the Ukraine war.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international law stressed: Baku is concerned about the possibility of Russia recognizing the independence of the Karabakh region in coming years, and according to the Declaration on Allied Interaction, it gives guarantees to Russia so that Moscow will not implement the formula of supporting separatism in Karabakh and even in the Lezgian regions of northern Azerbaijan.
Strategic Council online – Interview: An expert on geopolitics commented on the recent remarks of Hungarian Prime Minister on exiting the European Union in case of intolerance with the country and said:” It is unlikely that Hungary will really wish to exit from the European Union and the recent remark is merely considered as a threat”.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Russia Affairs stated that imposition of new economic sanctions, transfer of crisis into Russia, and increasing costs of Moscow in Ukraine are among the issues in the U.S. and NATO agenda. She said:” Kiev expectation of the European Union and NATO was unrealistic because it was merely based on their political and their verbal positions, and Ukraine was entrapped in the present crisis based on these unrealistic expectations”.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine showed that most of the predictions that considered the idea of an attack a mere propaganda ploy and the conspiracy of Western media or regarded the interwoven global economy an obstacle hindering outbreak of war were not accurate enough.
Seyed Nader Nourbakhsh – Expert on Europe affairs
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Turkey has been a member of NATO for 70 years and, like the Cold War time, it is an active member of the organization. At a time when on the one hand there is talk about NATO 2030 and, on the other hand, we are witnessing comprehensive security tests; Turkey claims that it has played its part in defense and security fields, and that it will continue to make significant contributions to NATO’s transformation process and to its efforts to maintain security and stability, in particular to combat all forms of terrorism that pose a threat not only to Turkey but to the entire Euro-Atlantic geography.
Mahmoud Fazeli – International affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat, stating that in the current situation we will be witness to the continuation of regional rivalries and differences between Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, said: Although the presence of the Taliban has reduced the level of tension and mistrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Taliban cannot treat Pakistan against their ethnic sentiments, and the two sides are trying to prevent tensions from escalating by managing differences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Having stated in the course of crises over Ukraine, Russia managed to act so powerfully to make the French President visit Moscow, a Tehran University professor said:” it seems that Russian President in his meeting did not find Europe capable and serious enough to play an effective role concerning de-escalation in connection with Ukraine. That’s why he employed the leverage to recognize the independence of the two republics of Ukraine”.
Strategic Council Online –Guest Post: Among the key elements that control and manage political – social behavioral patterns of nation states concerning establishment of order and provision of security is the advantage of access to fresh water. More than putting emphasis on the comfort and welfare of citizens, role of water in the Middle East leaves effect on the unity and integration of political entities.
Maryam Verij Kazemi, Researcher, Geopolitical Issues
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The United States has taken advantage of NATO expansion eastward as a low-cost tool to destabilize calmness of the Russians. In this regard, NATO’s tense actions on Russia’s western borders should be considered one of the main factors in exacerbating the crisis in Ukraine.
Hamid Khoshayand – Expert on international affairs
Strategic Council Online: Experts on Russia and international relations, in an expert session hosted by the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, examined the dimensions of the change in the international system following the Ukraine war.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international law stressed: Baku is concerned about the possibility of Russia recognizing the independence of the Karabakh region in coming years, and according to the Declaration on Allied Interaction, it gives guarantees to Russia so that Moscow will not implement the formula of supporting separatism in Karabakh and even in the Lezgian regions of northern Azerbaijan.
Strategic Council online – Interview: An expert on geopolitics commented on the recent remarks of Hungarian Prime Minister on exiting the European Union in case of intolerance with the country and said:” It is unlikely that Hungary will really wish to exit from the European Union and the recent remark is merely considered as a threat”.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Russia Affairs stated that imposition of new economic sanctions, transfer of crisis into Russia, and increasing costs of Moscow in Ukraine are among the issues in the U.S. and NATO agenda. She said:” Kiev expectation of the European Union and NATO was unrealistic because it was merely based on their political and their verbal positions, and Ukraine was entrapped in the present crisis based on these unrealistic expectations”.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine showed that most of the predictions that considered the idea of an attack a mere propaganda ploy and the conspiracy of Western media or regarded the interwoven global economy an obstacle hindering outbreak of war were not accurate enough.
Seyed Nader Nourbakhsh – Expert on Europe affairs
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Turkey has been a member of NATO for 70 years and, like the Cold War time, it is an active member of the organization. At a time when on the one hand there is talk about NATO 2030 and, on the other hand, we are witnessing comprehensive security tests; Turkey claims that it has played its part in defense and security fields, and that it will continue to make significant contributions to NATO’s transformation process and to its efforts to maintain security and stability, in particular to combat all forms of terrorism that pose a threat not only to Turkey but to the entire Euro-Atlantic geography.
Mahmoud Fazeli – International affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat, stating that in the current situation we will be witness to the continuation of regional rivalries and differences between Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, said: Although the presence of the Taliban has reduced the level of tension and mistrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Taliban cannot treat Pakistan against their ethnic sentiments, and the two sides are trying to prevent tensions from escalating by managing differences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Having stated in the course of crises over Ukraine, Russia managed to act so powerfully to make the French President visit Moscow, a Tehran University professor said:” it seems that Russian President in his meeting did not find Europe capable and serious enough to play an effective role concerning de-escalation in connection with Ukraine. That’s why he employed the leverage to recognize the independence of the two republics of Ukraine”.
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.
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.
Strategic Council Online –Guest Post: Among the key elements that control and manage political – social behavioral patterns of nation states concerning establishment of order and provision of security is the advantage of access to fresh water. More than putting emphasis on the comfort and welfare of citizens, role of water in the Middle East leaves effect on the unity and integration of political entities.
Maryam Verij Kazemi, Researcher, Geopolitical Issues
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The United States has taken advantage of NATO expansion eastward as a low-cost tool to destabilize calmness of the Russians. In this regard, NATO’s tense actions on Russia’s western borders should be considered one of the main factors in exacerbating the crisis in Ukraine.
Hamid Khoshayand – Expert on international affairs
Strategic Council Online: Experts on Russia and international relations, in an expert session hosted by the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, examined the dimensions of the change in the international system following the Ukraine war.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international law stressed: Baku is concerned about the possibility of Russia recognizing the independence of the Karabakh region in coming years, and according to the Declaration on Allied Interaction, it gives guarantees to Russia so that Moscow will not implement the formula of supporting separatism in Karabakh and even in the Lezgian regions of northern Azerbaijan.
Strategic Council online – Interview: An expert on geopolitics commented on the recent remarks of Hungarian Prime Minister on exiting the European Union in case of intolerance with the country and said:” It is unlikely that Hungary will really wish to exit from the European Union and the recent remark is merely considered as a threat”.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Russia Affairs stated that imposition of new economic sanctions, transfer of crisis into Russia, and increasing costs of Moscow in Ukraine are among the issues in the U.S. and NATO agenda. She said:” Kiev expectation of the European Union and NATO was unrealistic because it was merely based on their political and their verbal positions, and Ukraine was entrapped in the present crisis based on these unrealistic expectations”.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine showed that most of the predictions that considered the idea of an attack a mere propaganda ploy and the conspiracy of Western media or regarded the interwoven global economy an obstacle hindering outbreak of war were not accurate enough.
Seyed Nader Nourbakhsh – Expert on Europe affairs
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Turkey has been a member of NATO for 70 years and, like the Cold War time, it is an active member of the organization. At a time when on the one hand there is talk about NATO 2030 and, on the other hand, we are witnessing comprehensive security tests; Turkey claims that it has played its part in defense and security fields, and that it will continue to make significant contributions to NATO’s transformation process and to its efforts to maintain security and stability, in particular to combat all forms of terrorism that pose a threat not only to Turkey but to the entire Euro-Atlantic geography.
Mahmoud Fazeli – International affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat, stating that in the current situation we will be witness to the continuation of regional rivalries and differences between Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, said: Although the presence of the Taliban has reduced the level of tension and mistrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Taliban cannot treat Pakistan against their ethnic sentiments, and the two sides are trying to prevent tensions from escalating by managing differences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Having stated in the course of crises over Ukraine, Russia managed to act so powerfully to make the French President visit Moscow, a Tehran University professor said:” it seems that Russian President in his meeting did not find Europe capable and serious enough to play an effective role concerning de-escalation in connection with Ukraine. That’s why he employed the leverage to recognize the independence of the two republics of Ukraine”.
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.
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.
Strategic Council Online –Guest Post: Among the key elements that control and manage political – social behavioral patterns of nation states concerning establishment of order and provision of security is the advantage of access to fresh water. More than putting emphasis on the comfort and welfare of citizens, role of water in the Middle East leaves effect on the unity and integration of political entities.
Maryam Verij Kazemi, Researcher, Geopolitical Issues
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The United States has taken advantage of NATO expansion eastward as a low-cost tool to destabilize calmness of the Russians. In this regard, NATO’s tense actions on Russia’s western borders should be considered one of the main factors in exacerbating the crisis in Ukraine.
Hamid Khoshayand – Expert on international affairs
Strategic Council Online: Experts on Russia and international relations, in an expert session hosted by the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, examined the dimensions of the change in the international system following the Ukraine war.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international law stressed: Baku is concerned about the possibility of Russia recognizing the independence of the Karabakh region in coming years, and according to the Declaration on Allied Interaction, it gives guarantees to Russia so that Moscow will not implement the formula of supporting separatism in Karabakh and even in the Lezgian regions of northern Azerbaijan.
Strategic Council online – Interview: An expert on geopolitics commented on the recent remarks of Hungarian Prime Minister on exiting the European Union in case of intolerance with the country and said:” It is unlikely that Hungary will really wish to exit from the European Union and the recent remark is merely considered as a threat”.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Russia Affairs stated that imposition of new economic sanctions, transfer of crisis into Russia, and increasing costs of Moscow in Ukraine are among the issues in the U.S. and NATO agenda. She said:” Kiev expectation of the European Union and NATO was unrealistic because it was merely based on their political and their verbal positions, and Ukraine was entrapped in the present crisis based on these unrealistic expectations”.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine showed that most of the predictions that considered the idea of an attack a mere propaganda ploy and the conspiracy of Western media or regarded the interwoven global economy an obstacle hindering outbreak of war were not accurate enough.
Seyed Nader Nourbakhsh – Expert on Europe affairs
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Turkey has been a member of NATO for 70 years and, like the Cold War time, it is an active member of the organization. At a time when on the one hand there is talk about NATO 2030 and, on the other hand, we are witnessing comprehensive security tests; Turkey claims that it has played its part in defense and security fields, and that it will continue to make significant contributions to NATO’s transformation process and to its efforts to maintain security and stability, in particular to combat all forms of terrorism that pose a threat not only to Turkey but to the entire Euro-Atlantic geography.
Mahmoud Fazeli – International affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat, stating that in the current situation we will be witness to the continuation of regional rivalries and differences between Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, said: Although the presence of the Taliban has reduced the level of tension and mistrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Taliban cannot treat Pakistan against their ethnic sentiments, and the two sides are trying to prevent tensions from escalating by managing differences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Having stated in the course of crises over Ukraine, Russia managed to act so powerfully to make the French President visit Moscow, a Tehran University professor said:” it seems that Russian President in his meeting did not find Europe capable and serious enough to play an effective role concerning de-escalation in connection with Ukraine. That’s why he employed the leverage to recognize the independence of the two republics of Ukraine”.
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.
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.
Strategic Council Online –Guest Post: Among the key elements that control and manage political – social behavioral patterns of nation states concerning establishment of order and provision of security is the advantage of access to fresh water. More than putting emphasis on the comfort and welfare of citizens, role of water in the Middle East leaves effect on the unity and integration of political entities.
Maryam Verij Kazemi, Researcher, Geopolitical Issues
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The United States has taken advantage of NATO expansion eastward as a low-cost tool to destabilize calmness of the Russians. In this regard, NATO’s tense actions on Russia’s western borders should be considered one of the main factors in exacerbating the crisis in Ukraine.
Hamid Khoshayand – Expert on international affairs
Strategic Council Online: Experts on Russia and international relations, in an expert session hosted by the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, examined the dimensions of the change in the international system following the Ukraine war.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international law stressed: Baku is concerned about the possibility of Russia recognizing the independence of the Karabakh region in coming years, and according to the Declaration on Allied Interaction, it gives guarantees to Russia so that Moscow will not implement the formula of supporting separatism in Karabakh and even in the Lezgian regions of northern Azerbaijan.
Strategic Council online – Interview: An expert on geopolitics commented on the recent remarks of Hungarian Prime Minister on exiting the European Union in case of intolerance with the country and said:” It is unlikely that Hungary will really wish to exit from the European Union and the recent remark is merely considered as a threat”.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Russia Affairs stated that imposition of new economic sanctions, transfer of crisis into Russia, and increasing costs of Moscow in Ukraine are among the issues in the U.S. and NATO agenda. She said:” Kiev expectation of the European Union and NATO was unrealistic because it was merely based on their political and their verbal positions, and Ukraine was entrapped in the present crisis based on these unrealistic expectations”.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine showed that most of the predictions that considered the idea of an attack a mere propaganda ploy and the conspiracy of Western media or regarded the interwoven global economy an obstacle hindering outbreak of war were not accurate enough.
Seyed Nader Nourbakhsh – Expert on Europe affairs
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Turkey has been a member of NATO for 70 years and, like the Cold War time, it is an active member of the organization. At a time when on the one hand there is talk about NATO 2030 and, on the other hand, we are witnessing comprehensive security tests; Turkey claims that it has played its part in defense and security fields, and that it will continue to make significant contributions to NATO’s transformation process and to its efforts to maintain security and stability, in particular to combat all forms of terrorism that pose a threat not only to Turkey but to the entire Euro-Atlantic geography.
Mahmoud Fazeli – International affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat, stating that in the current situation we will be witness to the continuation of regional rivalries and differences between Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, said: Although the presence of the Taliban has reduced the level of tension and mistrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Taliban cannot treat Pakistan against their ethnic sentiments, and the two sides are trying to prevent tensions from escalating by managing differences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Having stated in the course of crises over Ukraine, Russia managed to act so powerfully to make the French President visit Moscow, a Tehran University professor said:” it seems that Russian President in his meeting did not find Europe capable and serious enough to play an effective role concerning de-escalation in connection with Ukraine. That’s why he employed the leverage to recognize the independence of the two republics of Ukraine”.
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.
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.
Strategic Council Online –Guest Post: Among the key elements that control and manage political – social behavioral patterns of nation states concerning establishment of order and provision of security is the advantage of access to fresh water. More than putting emphasis on the comfort and welfare of citizens, role of water in the Middle East leaves effect on the unity and integration of political entities.
Maryam Verij Kazemi, Researcher, Geopolitical Issues
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The United States has taken advantage of NATO expansion eastward as a low-cost tool to destabilize calmness of the Russians. In this regard, NATO’s tense actions on Russia’s western borders should be considered one of the main factors in exacerbating the crisis in Ukraine.
Hamid Khoshayand – Expert on international affairs
Strategic Council Online: Experts on Russia and international relations, in an expert session hosted by the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, examined the dimensions of the change in the international system following the Ukraine war.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on international law stressed: Baku is concerned about the possibility of Russia recognizing the independence of the Karabakh region in coming years, and according to the Declaration on Allied Interaction, it gives guarantees to Russia so that Moscow will not implement the formula of supporting separatism in Karabakh and even in the Lezgian regions of northern Azerbaijan.
Strategic Council online – Interview: An expert on geopolitics commented on the recent remarks of Hungarian Prime Minister on exiting the European Union in case of intolerance with the country and said:” It is unlikely that Hungary will really wish to exit from the European Union and the recent remark is merely considered as a threat”.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Russia Affairs stated that imposition of new economic sanctions, transfer of crisis into Russia, and increasing costs of Moscow in Ukraine are among the issues in the U.S. and NATO agenda. She said:” Kiev expectation of the European Union and NATO was unrealistic because it was merely based on their political and their verbal positions, and Ukraine was entrapped in the present crisis based on these unrealistic expectations”.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine showed that most of the predictions that considered the idea of an attack a mere propaganda ploy and the conspiracy of Western media or regarded the interwoven global economy an obstacle hindering outbreak of war were not accurate enough.
Seyed Nader Nourbakhsh – Expert on Europe affairs
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Turkey has been a member of NATO for 70 years and, like the Cold War time, it is an active member of the organization. At a time when on the one hand there is talk about NATO 2030 and, on the other hand, we are witnessing comprehensive security tests; Turkey claims that it has played its part in defense and security fields, and that it will continue to make significant contributions to NATO’s transformation process and to its efforts to maintain security and stability, in particular to combat all forms of terrorism that pose a threat not only to Turkey but to the entire Euro-Atlantic geography.
Mahmoud Fazeli – International affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat, stating that in the current situation we will be witness to the continuation of regional rivalries and differences between Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, said: Although the presence of the Taliban has reduced the level of tension and mistrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Taliban cannot treat Pakistan against their ethnic sentiments, and the two sides are trying to prevent tensions from escalating by managing differences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Having stated in the course of crises over Ukraine, Russia managed to act so powerfully to make the French President visit Moscow, a Tehran University professor said:” it seems that Russian President in his meeting did not find Europe capable and serious enough to play an effective role concerning de-escalation in connection with Ukraine. That’s why he employed the leverage to recognize the independence of the two republics of Ukraine”.
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.
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.