SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey under the motto “an attack on one is an attack on all,” is viewed by some analysts less as a full-fledged military coalition and more as an attempt to reduce security dependence on an external power and to establish a regional security mechanism.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The new US-Saudi nuclear agreement, despite legal and political ambiguities, could alter previous non-proliferation standards in West Asia and intensify nuclear competition, ushering it into a new phase.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Recent developments in Syria indicate an intensification of strategic rivalry between Turkey and the Israeli regime, but mutual considerations and the role of the United States have limited the likelihood of direct war.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The future of the so-called Trump peace plan for Gaza, despite claims of an agreement on Hamas’s disarmament, remains shrouded in ambiguity due to structural deficiencies and opposition from key actors.
SCFR Online – Opinion: An examination of the mechanisms of the Israeli regime’s influence in the United States depicts a complex picture of shared interests, strategic dependencies, and the limitations of this relationship.
SCFR Online – Interview: The signing of the Makkah agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey has raised questions about the future of the region’s security structure and the position of these countries in West Asian equations. Can this agreement become a genuine collective defense mechanism, or does it have more of a political and deterrent function than creating new military capacity?
SCFR Online – Opinion: The continuation of the US war against Iran, in addition to increasing operational costs, has called into question the actual capacity of the American arsenal to simultaneously fulfill security commitments on multiple fronts; an issue that affects deterrence, defense production capacity, and Washington’s resource prioritization.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Russia-Ukraine war and the war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran have been formed with different objectives and actors, but field and political developments indicate that they are not entirely separate from one another.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: Recently, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, explicitly stated in an interview with Channel 14 of this regime that a significant number of Iran’s nuclear scientists have been killed as part of a targeted assassination program. This is the first time that a senior official of the Israeli regime has made such an explicit confession. Although the Israeli regime had previously been accused of playing a role in the assassination of Iranian scientists, this official confession opens a new chapter in legal and political pursuits; a chapter that could, by utilizing international capacities, confront a regime that sees itself as above the law with serious consequences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that the remarks by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, about holding general elections with the participation of Palestinians, while Gaza and the West Bank are facing the most severe attacks and threats, are a theatrical move aimed at legitimizing Mahmoud Abbas. This comes while Mahmoud Abbas suffers from severe illegitimacy among Palestinians, which is precisely why he raises such proposals.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The Syria-Turkey-Azerbaijan gas project goes beyond simple energy cooperation and must be evaluated within the context of regional power competition, efforts to redefine the political order in Syria, and the strengthening of the Turkish-Qatari-Azerbaijani axis in West Asia. An order whose future will largely depend on the stability of the Damascus government and Turkey’s ability to manage security, economic, and geopolitical crises simultaneously.
At a time when Syria is still grappling with extensive infrastructure problems and an energy crisis, the inauguration of the gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Syria via Turkey, with Qatar’s financial support, has drawn the attention of regional analysts. This project, which in its first phase will transfer 3.4 million cubic meters of gas per day and will eventually reach a capacity of 6 million cubic meters per day, could add approximately 750 megawatts to Syria’s electricity generation capacity.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated that the current geopolitical situation has created an unprecedented space for strategic changes in Europe, adding that the recommendation letter from France’s parliament is essentially a strategic response to these conditions. The release of the French parliament’s 153-page report—dubbed by Arnaud Bertrand (French journalist) as “the most prominent geopolitical document of the century”—has sparked a wave of debate and reactions in global political and intellectual circles. This document describes the European Union’s strategic dependence on the United States as a catastrophic failure and, through 50 practical recommendations, proposes a new path to escape Atlanticist hegemony and move towards equal partnership with China. If the contents and recommendations of this document are taken seriously in Europe, the consequences will extend beyond the geography of the Green Continent and directly impact relations among emerging powers, financial markets, and even international security equations. Furthermore, the document goes beyond “defense independence” to address “economic and monetary independence”—an area hitherto under the shadow of the US dollar and Washington’s policies. From this perspective, the present moment may mark the beginning of a new chapter in international politics, where Europe defines itself as an independent actor in the future multipolar order.
Strategic Council Online in – Interview: A senior Arab world analyst stated: When 61 thousand people are killed in Gaza and the Security Council is not even willing to issue a simple resolution in condemnation of the Zionist regime, it means the international structure is entirely dysfunctional. In such a situation, it is the nations that must cry out and awaken the global conscience.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated: “The final week of summer 2025 marks a sensitive test for international relations and the future of the Ukraine war. The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska was merely seven months after Trump’s return to the White House, as the Ukraine war rages on relentlessly.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, has preemptively rejected Trump’s proposed peace plan—likely based on territorial concessions to Russia—warning that any agreement without Kyiv’s presence and consent would be a “dead solution.” Observers view the clash of interests among Moscow, Washington, Kyiv, and Europe as the intersection of four conflicting logics: Washington’s deal-driven logic, Moscow’s consolidationist logic, and Kyiv’s and Europe’s survivalist logic. While scenarios range from a minimal agreement to tacit Putin-Trump collusion solidifying current frontlines, each carries profound implications for European security and global power balances. Zelenskyy’s absence from Alaska could heighten risks of a deal that not only weakens Ukraine’s position but also undermines the legitimacy of fundamental international law.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey under the motto “an attack on one is an attack on all,” is viewed by some analysts less as a full-fledged military coalition and more as an attempt to reduce security dependence on an external power and to establish a regional security mechanism.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The new US-Saudi nuclear agreement, despite legal and political ambiguities, could alter previous non-proliferation standards in West Asia and intensify nuclear competition, ushering it into a new phase.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Recent developments in Syria indicate an intensification of strategic rivalry between Turkey and the Israeli regime, but mutual considerations and the role of the United States have limited the likelihood of direct war.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The future of the so-called Trump peace plan for Gaza, despite claims of an agreement on Hamas’s disarmament, remains shrouded in ambiguity due to structural deficiencies and opposition from key actors.
SCFR Online – Opinion: An examination of the mechanisms of the Israeli regime’s influence in the United States depicts a complex picture of shared interests, strategic dependencies, and the limitations of this relationship.
SCFR Online – Interview: The signing of the Makkah agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey has raised questions about the future of the region’s security structure and the position of these countries in West Asian equations. Can this agreement become a genuine collective defense mechanism, or does it have more of a political and deterrent function than creating new military capacity?
SCFR Online – Opinion: The continuation of the US war against Iran, in addition to increasing operational costs, has called into question the actual capacity of the American arsenal to simultaneously fulfill security commitments on multiple fronts; an issue that affects deterrence, defense production capacity, and Washington’s resource prioritization.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Russia-Ukraine war and the war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran have been formed with different objectives and actors, but field and political developments indicate that they are not entirely separate from one another.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: Recently, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, explicitly stated in an interview with Channel 14 of this regime that a significant number of Iran’s nuclear scientists have been killed as part of a targeted assassination program. This is the first time that a senior official of the Israeli regime has made such an explicit confession. Although the Israeli regime had previously been accused of playing a role in the assassination of Iranian scientists, this official confession opens a new chapter in legal and political pursuits; a chapter that could, by utilizing international capacities, confront a regime that sees itself as above the law with serious consequences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that the remarks by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, about holding general elections with the participation of Palestinians, while Gaza and the West Bank are facing the most severe attacks and threats, are a theatrical move aimed at legitimizing Mahmoud Abbas. This comes while Mahmoud Abbas suffers from severe illegitimacy among Palestinians, which is precisely why he raises such proposals.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The Syria-Turkey-Azerbaijan gas project goes beyond simple energy cooperation and must be evaluated within the context of regional power competition, efforts to redefine the political order in Syria, and the strengthening of the Turkish-Qatari-Azerbaijani axis in West Asia. An order whose future will largely depend on the stability of the Damascus government and Turkey’s ability to manage security, economic, and geopolitical crises simultaneously.
At a time when Syria is still grappling with extensive infrastructure problems and an energy crisis, the inauguration of the gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Syria via Turkey, with Qatar’s financial support, has drawn the attention of regional analysts. This project, which in its first phase will transfer 3.4 million cubic meters of gas per day and will eventually reach a capacity of 6 million cubic meters per day, could add approximately 750 megawatts to Syria’s electricity generation capacity.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated that the current geopolitical situation has created an unprecedented space for strategic changes in Europe, adding that the recommendation letter from France’s parliament is essentially a strategic response to these conditions. The release of the French parliament’s 153-page report—dubbed by Arnaud Bertrand (French journalist) as “the most prominent geopolitical document of the century”—has sparked a wave of debate and reactions in global political and intellectual circles. This document describes the European Union’s strategic dependence on the United States as a catastrophic failure and, through 50 practical recommendations, proposes a new path to escape Atlanticist hegemony and move towards equal partnership with China. If the contents and recommendations of this document are taken seriously in Europe, the consequences will extend beyond the geography of the Green Continent and directly impact relations among emerging powers, financial markets, and even international security equations. Furthermore, the document goes beyond “defense independence” to address “economic and monetary independence”—an area hitherto under the shadow of the US dollar and Washington’s policies. From this perspective, the present moment may mark the beginning of a new chapter in international politics, where Europe defines itself as an independent actor in the future multipolar order.
Strategic Council Online in – Interview: A senior Arab world analyst stated: When 61 thousand people are killed in Gaza and the Security Council is not even willing to issue a simple resolution in condemnation of the Zionist regime, it means the international structure is entirely dysfunctional. In such a situation, it is the nations that must cry out and awaken the global conscience.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated: “The final week of summer 2025 marks a sensitive test for international relations and the future of the Ukraine war. The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska was merely seven months after Trump’s return to the White House, as the Ukraine war rages on relentlessly.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, has preemptively rejected Trump’s proposed peace plan—likely based on territorial concessions to Russia—warning that any agreement without Kyiv’s presence and consent would be a “dead solution.” Observers view the clash of interests among Moscow, Washington, Kyiv, and Europe as the intersection of four conflicting logics: Washington’s deal-driven logic, Moscow’s consolidationist logic, and Kyiv’s and Europe’s survivalist logic. While scenarios range from a minimal agreement to tacit Putin-Trump collusion solidifying current frontlines, each carries profound implications for European security and global power balances. Zelenskyy’s absence from Alaska could heighten risks of a deal that not only weakens Ukraine’s position but also undermines the legitimacy of fundamental international law.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: Recently, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, explicitly stated in an interview with Channel 14 of this regime that a significant number of Iran’s nuclear scientists have been killed as part of a targeted assassination program. This is the first time that a senior official of the Israeli regime has made such an explicit confession. Although the Israeli regime had previously been accused of playing a role in the assassination of Iranian scientists, this official confession opens a new chapter in legal and political pursuits; a chapter that could, by utilizing international capacities, confront a regime that sees itself as above the law with serious consequences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that the remarks by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, about holding general elections with the participation of Palestinians, while Gaza and the West Bank are facing the most severe attacks and threats, are a theatrical move aimed at legitimizing Mahmoud Abbas. This comes while Mahmoud Abbas suffers from severe illegitimacy among Palestinians, which is precisely why he raises such proposals.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The Syria-Turkey-Azerbaijan gas project goes beyond simple energy cooperation and must be evaluated within the context of regional power competition, efforts to redefine the political order in Syria, and the strengthening of the Turkish-Qatari-Azerbaijani axis in West Asia. An order whose future will largely depend on the stability of the Damascus government and Turkey’s ability to manage security, economic, and geopolitical crises simultaneously.
At a time when Syria is still grappling with extensive infrastructure problems and an energy crisis, the inauguration of the gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Syria via Turkey, with Qatar’s financial support, has drawn the attention of regional analysts. This project, which in its first phase will transfer 3.4 million cubic meters of gas per day and will eventually reach a capacity of 6 million cubic meters per day, could add approximately 750 megawatts to Syria’s electricity generation capacity.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated that the current geopolitical situation has created an unprecedented space for strategic changes in Europe, adding that the recommendation letter from France’s parliament is essentially a strategic response to these conditions. The release of the French parliament’s 153-page report—dubbed by Arnaud Bertrand (French journalist) as “the most prominent geopolitical document of the century”—has sparked a wave of debate and reactions in global political and intellectual circles. This document describes the European Union’s strategic dependence on the United States as a catastrophic failure and, through 50 practical recommendations, proposes a new path to escape Atlanticist hegemony and move towards equal partnership with China. If the contents and recommendations of this document are taken seriously in Europe, the consequences will extend beyond the geography of the Green Continent and directly impact relations among emerging powers, financial markets, and even international security equations. Furthermore, the document goes beyond “defense independence” to address “economic and monetary independence”—an area hitherto under the shadow of the US dollar and Washington’s policies. From this perspective, the present moment may mark the beginning of a new chapter in international politics, where Europe defines itself as an independent actor in the future multipolar order.
Strategic Council Online in – Interview: A senior Arab world analyst stated: When 61 thousand people are killed in Gaza and the Security Council is not even willing to issue a simple resolution in condemnation of the Zionist regime, it means the international structure is entirely dysfunctional. In such a situation, it is the nations that must cry out and awaken the global conscience.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated: “The final week of summer 2025 marks a sensitive test for international relations and the future of the Ukraine war. The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska was merely seven months after Trump’s return to the White House, as the Ukraine war rages on relentlessly.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, has preemptively rejected Trump’s proposed peace plan—likely based on territorial concessions to Russia—warning that any agreement without Kyiv’s presence and consent would be a “dead solution.” Observers view the clash of interests among Moscow, Washington, Kyiv, and Europe as the intersection of four conflicting logics: Washington’s deal-driven logic, Moscow’s consolidationist logic, and Kyiv’s and Europe’s survivalist logic. While scenarios range from a minimal agreement to tacit Putin-Trump collusion solidifying current frontlines, each carries profound implications for European security and global power balances. Zelenskyy’s absence from Alaska could heighten risks of a deal that not only weakens Ukraine’s position but also undermines the legitimacy of fundamental international law.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey under the motto “an attack on one is an attack on all,” is viewed by some analysts less as a full-fledged military coalition and more as an attempt to reduce security dependence on an external power and to establish a regional security mechanism.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The new US-Saudi nuclear agreement, despite legal and political ambiguities, could alter previous non-proliferation standards in West Asia and intensify nuclear competition, ushering it into a new phase.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Recent developments in Syria indicate an intensification of strategic rivalry between Turkey and the Israeli regime, but mutual considerations and the role of the United States have limited the likelihood of direct war.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The future of the so-called Trump peace plan for Gaza, despite claims of an agreement on Hamas’s disarmament, remains shrouded in ambiguity due to structural deficiencies and opposition from key actors.
SCFR Online – Opinion: An examination of the mechanisms of the Israeli regime’s influence in the United States depicts a complex picture of shared interests, strategic dependencies, and the limitations of this relationship.
SCFR Online – Interview: The signing of the Makkah agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey has raised questions about the future of the region’s security structure and the position of these countries in West Asian equations. Can this agreement become a genuine collective defense mechanism, or does it have more of a political and deterrent function than creating new military capacity?
SCFR Online – Opinion: The continuation of the US war against Iran, in addition to increasing operational costs, has called into question the actual capacity of the American arsenal to simultaneously fulfill security commitments on multiple fronts; an issue that affects deterrence, defense production capacity, and Washington’s resource prioritization.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Russia-Ukraine war and the war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran have been formed with different objectives and actors, but field and political developments indicate that they are not entirely separate from one another.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: Recently, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, explicitly stated in an interview with Channel 14 of this regime that a significant number of Iran’s nuclear scientists have been killed as part of a targeted assassination program. This is the first time that a senior official of the Israeli regime has made such an explicit confession. Although the Israeli regime had previously been accused of playing a role in the assassination of Iranian scientists, this official confession opens a new chapter in legal and political pursuits; a chapter that could, by utilizing international capacities, confront a regime that sees itself as above the law with serious consequences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that the remarks by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, about holding general elections with the participation of Palestinians, while Gaza and the West Bank are facing the most severe attacks and threats, are a theatrical move aimed at legitimizing Mahmoud Abbas. This comes while Mahmoud Abbas suffers from severe illegitimacy among Palestinians, which is precisely why he raises such proposals.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The Syria-Turkey-Azerbaijan gas project goes beyond simple energy cooperation and must be evaluated within the context of regional power competition, efforts to redefine the political order in Syria, and the strengthening of the Turkish-Qatari-Azerbaijani axis in West Asia. An order whose future will largely depend on the stability of the Damascus government and Turkey’s ability to manage security, economic, and geopolitical crises simultaneously.
At a time when Syria is still grappling with extensive infrastructure problems and an energy crisis, the inauguration of the gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Syria via Turkey, with Qatar’s financial support, has drawn the attention of regional analysts. This project, which in its first phase will transfer 3.4 million cubic meters of gas per day and will eventually reach a capacity of 6 million cubic meters per day, could add approximately 750 megawatts to Syria’s electricity generation capacity.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated that the current geopolitical situation has created an unprecedented space for strategic changes in Europe, adding that the recommendation letter from France’s parliament is essentially a strategic response to these conditions. The release of the French parliament’s 153-page report—dubbed by Arnaud Bertrand (French journalist) as “the most prominent geopolitical document of the century”—has sparked a wave of debate and reactions in global political and intellectual circles. This document describes the European Union’s strategic dependence on the United States as a catastrophic failure and, through 50 practical recommendations, proposes a new path to escape Atlanticist hegemony and move towards equal partnership with China. If the contents and recommendations of this document are taken seriously in Europe, the consequences will extend beyond the geography of the Green Continent and directly impact relations among emerging powers, financial markets, and even international security equations. Furthermore, the document goes beyond “defense independence” to address “economic and monetary independence”—an area hitherto under the shadow of the US dollar and Washington’s policies. From this perspective, the present moment may mark the beginning of a new chapter in international politics, where Europe defines itself as an independent actor in the future multipolar order.
Strategic Council Online in – Interview: A senior Arab world analyst stated: When 61 thousand people are killed in Gaza and the Security Council is not even willing to issue a simple resolution in condemnation of the Zionist regime, it means the international structure is entirely dysfunctional. In such a situation, it is the nations that must cry out and awaken the global conscience.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated: “The final week of summer 2025 marks a sensitive test for international relations and the future of the Ukraine war. The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska was merely seven months after Trump’s return to the White House, as the Ukraine war rages on relentlessly.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, has preemptively rejected Trump’s proposed peace plan—likely based on territorial concessions to Russia—warning that any agreement without Kyiv’s presence and consent would be a “dead solution.” Observers view the clash of interests among Moscow, Washington, Kyiv, and Europe as the intersection of four conflicting logics: Washington’s deal-driven logic, Moscow’s consolidationist logic, and Kyiv’s and Europe’s survivalist logic. While scenarios range from a minimal agreement to tacit Putin-Trump collusion solidifying current frontlines, each carries profound implications for European security and global power balances. Zelenskyy’s absence from Alaska could heighten risks of a deal that not only weakens Ukraine’s position but also undermines the legitimacy of fundamental international law.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey under the motto “an attack on one is an attack on all,” is viewed by some analysts less as a full-fledged military coalition and more as an attempt to reduce security dependence on an external power and to establish a regional security mechanism.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The new US-Saudi nuclear agreement, despite legal and political ambiguities, could alter previous non-proliferation standards in West Asia and intensify nuclear competition, ushering it into a new phase.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Recent developments in Syria indicate an intensification of strategic rivalry between Turkey and the Israeli regime, but mutual considerations and the role of the United States have limited the likelihood of direct war.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The future of the so-called Trump peace plan for Gaza, despite claims of an agreement on Hamas’s disarmament, remains shrouded in ambiguity due to structural deficiencies and opposition from key actors.
SCFR Online – Opinion: An examination of the mechanisms of the Israeli regime’s influence in the United States depicts a complex picture of shared interests, strategic dependencies, and the limitations of this relationship.
SCFR Online – Interview: The signing of the Makkah agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey has raised questions about the future of the region’s security structure and the position of these countries in West Asian equations. Can this agreement become a genuine collective defense mechanism, or does it have more of a political and deterrent function than creating new military capacity?
SCFR Online – Opinion: The continuation of the US war against Iran, in addition to increasing operational costs, has called into question the actual capacity of the American arsenal to simultaneously fulfill security commitments on multiple fronts; an issue that affects deterrence, defense production capacity, and Washington’s resource prioritization.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Russia-Ukraine war and the war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran have been formed with different objectives and actors, but field and political developments indicate that they are not entirely separate from one another.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: Recently, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, explicitly stated in an interview with Channel 14 of this regime that a significant number of Iran’s nuclear scientists have been killed as part of a targeted assassination program. This is the first time that a senior official of the Israeli regime has made such an explicit confession. Although the Israeli regime had previously been accused of playing a role in the assassination of Iranian scientists, this official confession opens a new chapter in legal and political pursuits; a chapter that could, by utilizing international capacities, confront a regime that sees itself as above the law with serious consequences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that the remarks by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, about holding general elections with the participation of Palestinians, while Gaza and the West Bank are facing the most severe attacks and threats, are a theatrical move aimed at legitimizing Mahmoud Abbas. This comes while Mahmoud Abbas suffers from severe illegitimacy among Palestinians, which is precisely why he raises such proposals.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The Syria-Turkey-Azerbaijan gas project goes beyond simple energy cooperation and must be evaluated within the context of regional power competition, efforts to redefine the political order in Syria, and the strengthening of the Turkish-Qatari-Azerbaijani axis in West Asia. An order whose future will largely depend on the stability of the Damascus government and Turkey’s ability to manage security, economic, and geopolitical crises simultaneously.
At a time when Syria is still grappling with extensive infrastructure problems and an energy crisis, the inauguration of the gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Syria via Turkey, with Qatar’s financial support, has drawn the attention of regional analysts. This project, which in its first phase will transfer 3.4 million cubic meters of gas per day and will eventually reach a capacity of 6 million cubic meters per day, could add approximately 750 megawatts to Syria’s electricity generation capacity.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated that the current geopolitical situation has created an unprecedented space for strategic changes in Europe, adding that the recommendation letter from France’s parliament is essentially a strategic response to these conditions. The release of the French parliament’s 153-page report—dubbed by Arnaud Bertrand (French journalist) as “the most prominent geopolitical document of the century”—has sparked a wave of debate and reactions in global political and intellectual circles. This document describes the European Union’s strategic dependence on the United States as a catastrophic failure and, through 50 practical recommendations, proposes a new path to escape Atlanticist hegemony and move towards equal partnership with China. If the contents and recommendations of this document are taken seriously in Europe, the consequences will extend beyond the geography of the Green Continent and directly impact relations among emerging powers, financial markets, and even international security equations. Furthermore, the document goes beyond “defense independence” to address “economic and monetary independence”—an area hitherto under the shadow of the US dollar and Washington’s policies. From this perspective, the present moment may mark the beginning of a new chapter in international politics, where Europe defines itself as an independent actor in the future multipolar order.
Strategic Council Online in – Interview: A senior Arab world analyst stated: When 61 thousand people are killed in Gaza and the Security Council is not even willing to issue a simple resolution in condemnation of the Zionist regime, it means the international structure is entirely dysfunctional. In such a situation, it is the nations that must cry out and awaken the global conscience.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated: “The final week of summer 2025 marks a sensitive test for international relations and the future of the Ukraine war. The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska was merely seven months after Trump’s return to the White House, as the Ukraine war rages on relentlessly.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, has preemptively rejected Trump’s proposed peace plan—likely based on territorial concessions to Russia—warning that any agreement without Kyiv’s presence and consent would be a “dead solution.” Observers view the clash of interests among Moscow, Washington, Kyiv, and Europe as the intersection of four conflicting logics: Washington’s deal-driven logic, Moscow’s consolidationist logic, and Kyiv’s and Europe’s survivalist logic. While scenarios range from a minimal agreement to tacit Putin-Trump collusion solidifying current frontlines, each carries profound implications for European security and global power balances. Zelenskyy’s absence from Alaska could heighten risks of a deal that not only weakens Ukraine’s position but also undermines the legitimacy of fundamental international law.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey under the motto “an attack on one is an attack on all,” is viewed by some analysts less as a full-fledged military coalition and more as an attempt to reduce security dependence on an external power and to establish a regional security mechanism.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The new US-Saudi nuclear agreement, despite legal and political ambiguities, could alter previous non-proliferation standards in West Asia and intensify nuclear competition, ushering it into a new phase.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Recent developments in Syria indicate an intensification of strategic rivalry between Turkey and the Israeli regime, but mutual considerations and the role of the United States have limited the likelihood of direct war.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The future of the so-called Trump peace plan for Gaza, despite claims of an agreement on Hamas’s disarmament, remains shrouded in ambiguity due to structural deficiencies and opposition from key actors.
SCFR Online – Opinion: An examination of the mechanisms of the Israeli regime’s influence in the United States depicts a complex picture of shared interests, strategic dependencies, and the limitations of this relationship.
SCFR Online – Interview: The signing of the Makkah agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey has raised questions about the future of the region’s security structure and the position of these countries in West Asian equations. Can this agreement become a genuine collective defense mechanism, or does it have more of a political and deterrent function than creating new military capacity?
SCFR Online – Opinion: The continuation of the US war against Iran, in addition to increasing operational costs, has called into question the actual capacity of the American arsenal to simultaneously fulfill security commitments on multiple fronts; an issue that affects deterrence, defense production capacity, and Washington’s resource prioritization.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Russia-Ukraine war and the war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran have been formed with different objectives and actors, but field and political developments indicate that they are not entirely separate from one another.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: Recently, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, explicitly stated in an interview with Channel 14 of this regime that a significant number of Iran’s nuclear scientists have been killed as part of a targeted assassination program. This is the first time that a senior official of the Israeli regime has made such an explicit confession. Although the Israeli regime had previously been accused of playing a role in the assassination of Iranian scientists, this official confession opens a new chapter in legal and political pursuits; a chapter that could, by utilizing international capacities, confront a regime that sees itself as above the law with serious consequences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that the remarks by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, about holding general elections with the participation of Palestinians, while Gaza and the West Bank are facing the most severe attacks and threats, are a theatrical move aimed at legitimizing Mahmoud Abbas. This comes while Mahmoud Abbas suffers from severe illegitimacy among Palestinians, which is precisely why he raises such proposals.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The Syria-Turkey-Azerbaijan gas project goes beyond simple energy cooperation and must be evaluated within the context of regional power competition, efforts to redefine the political order in Syria, and the strengthening of the Turkish-Qatari-Azerbaijani axis in West Asia. An order whose future will largely depend on the stability of the Damascus government and Turkey’s ability to manage security, economic, and geopolitical crises simultaneously.
At a time when Syria is still grappling with extensive infrastructure problems and an energy crisis, the inauguration of the gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Syria via Turkey, with Qatar’s financial support, has drawn the attention of regional analysts. This project, which in its first phase will transfer 3.4 million cubic meters of gas per day and will eventually reach a capacity of 6 million cubic meters per day, could add approximately 750 megawatts to Syria’s electricity generation capacity.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated that the current geopolitical situation has created an unprecedented space for strategic changes in Europe, adding that the recommendation letter from France’s parliament is essentially a strategic response to these conditions. The release of the French parliament’s 153-page report—dubbed by Arnaud Bertrand (French journalist) as “the most prominent geopolitical document of the century”—has sparked a wave of debate and reactions in global political and intellectual circles. This document describes the European Union’s strategic dependence on the United States as a catastrophic failure and, through 50 practical recommendations, proposes a new path to escape Atlanticist hegemony and move towards equal partnership with China. If the contents and recommendations of this document are taken seriously in Europe, the consequences will extend beyond the geography of the Green Continent and directly impact relations among emerging powers, financial markets, and even international security equations. Furthermore, the document goes beyond “defense independence” to address “economic and monetary independence”—an area hitherto under the shadow of the US dollar and Washington’s policies. From this perspective, the present moment may mark the beginning of a new chapter in international politics, where Europe defines itself as an independent actor in the future multipolar order.
Strategic Council Online in – Interview: A senior Arab world analyst stated: When 61 thousand people are killed in Gaza and the Security Council is not even willing to issue a simple resolution in condemnation of the Zionist regime, it means the international structure is entirely dysfunctional. In such a situation, it is the nations that must cry out and awaken the global conscience.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated: “The final week of summer 2025 marks a sensitive test for international relations and the future of the Ukraine war. The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska was merely seven months after Trump’s return to the White House, as the Ukraine war rages on relentlessly.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, has preemptively rejected Trump’s proposed peace plan—likely based on territorial concessions to Russia—warning that any agreement without Kyiv’s presence and consent would be a “dead solution.” Observers view the clash of interests among Moscow, Washington, Kyiv, and Europe as the intersection of four conflicting logics: Washington’s deal-driven logic, Moscow’s consolidationist logic, and Kyiv’s and Europe’s survivalist logic. While scenarios range from a minimal agreement to tacit Putin-Trump collusion solidifying current frontlines, each carries profound implications for European security and global power balances. Zelenskyy’s absence from Alaska could heighten risks of a deal that not only weakens Ukraine’s position but also undermines the legitimacy of fundamental international law.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey under the motto “an attack on one is an attack on all,” is viewed by some analysts less as a full-fledged military coalition and more as an attempt to reduce security dependence on an external power and to establish a regional security mechanism.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The new US-Saudi nuclear agreement, despite legal and political ambiguities, could alter previous non-proliferation standards in West Asia and intensify nuclear competition, ushering it into a new phase.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Recent developments in Syria indicate an intensification of strategic rivalry between Turkey and the Israeli regime, but mutual considerations and the role of the United States have limited the likelihood of direct war.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The future of the so-called Trump peace plan for Gaza, despite claims of an agreement on Hamas’s disarmament, remains shrouded in ambiguity due to structural deficiencies and opposition from key actors.
SCFR Online – Opinion: An examination of the mechanisms of the Israeli regime’s influence in the United States depicts a complex picture of shared interests, strategic dependencies, and the limitations of this relationship.
SCFR Online – Interview: The signing of the Makkah agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey has raised questions about the future of the region’s security structure and the position of these countries in West Asian equations. Can this agreement become a genuine collective defense mechanism, or does it have more of a political and deterrent function than creating new military capacity?
SCFR Online – Opinion: The continuation of the US war against Iran, in addition to increasing operational costs, has called into question the actual capacity of the American arsenal to simultaneously fulfill security commitments on multiple fronts; an issue that affects deterrence, defense production capacity, and Washington’s resource prioritization.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Russia-Ukraine war and the war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran have been formed with different objectives and actors, but field and political developments indicate that they are not entirely separate from one another.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: Recently, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, explicitly stated in an interview with Channel 14 of this regime that a significant number of Iran’s nuclear scientists have been killed as part of a targeted assassination program. This is the first time that a senior official of the Israeli regime has made such an explicit confession. Although the Israeli regime had previously been accused of playing a role in the assassination of Iranian scientists, this official confession opens a new chapter in legal and political pursuits; a chapter that could, by utilizing international capacities, confront a regime that sees itself as above the law with serious consequences.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that the remarks by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, about holding general elections with the participation of Palestinians, while Gaza and the West Bank are facing the most severe attacks and threats, are a theatrical move aimed at legitimizing Mahmoud Abbas. This comes while Mahmoud Abbas suffers from severe illegitimacy among Palestinians, which is precisely why he raises such proposals.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The Syria-Turkey-Azerbaijan gas project goes beyond simple energy cooperation and must be evaluated within the context of regional power competition, efforts to redefine the political order in Syria, and the strengthening of the Turkish-Qatari-Azerbaijani axis in West Asia. An order whose future will largely depend on the stability of the Damascus government and Turkey’s ability to manage security, economic, and geopolitical crises simultaneously.
At a time when Syria is still grappling with extensive infrastructure problems and an energy crisis, the inauguration of the gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Syria via Turkey, with Qatar’s financial support, has drawn the attention of regional analysts. This project, which in its first phase will transfer 3.4 million cubic meters of gas per day and will eventually reach a capacity of 6 million cubic meters per day, could add approximately 750 megawatts to Syria’s electricity generation capacity.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated that the current geopolitical situation has created an unprecedented space for strategic changes in Europe, adding that the recommendation letter from France’s parliament is essentially a strategic response to these conditions. The release of the French parliament’s 153-page report—dubbed by Arnaud Bertrand (French journalist) as “the most prominent geopolitical document of the century”—has sparked a wave of debate and reactions in global political and intellectual circles. This document describes the European Union’s strategic dependence on the United States as a catastrophic failure and, through 50 practical recommendations, proposes a new path to escape Atlanticist hegemony and move towards equal partnership with China. If the contents and recommendations of this document are taken seriously in Europe, the consequences will extend beyond the geography of the Green Continent and directly impact relations among emerging powers, financial markets, and even international security equations. Furthermore, the document goes beyond “defense independence” to address “economic and monetary independence”—an area hitherto under the shadow of the US dollar and Washington’s policies. From this perspective, the present moment may mark the beginning of a new chapter in international politics, where Europe defines itself as an independent actor in the future multipolar order.
Strategic Council Online in – Interview: A senior Arab world analyst stated: When 61 thousand people are killed in Gaza and the Security Council is not even willing to issue a simple resolution in condemnation of the Zionist regime, it means the international structure is entirely dysfunctional. In such a situation, it is the nations that must cry out and awaken the global conscience.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated: “The final week of summer 2025 marks a sensitive test for international relations and the future of the Ukraine war. The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska was merely seven months after Trump’s return to the White House, as the Ukraine war rages on relentlessly.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, has preemptively rejected Trump’s proposed peace plan—likely based on territorial concessions to Russia—warning that any agreement without Kyiv’s presence and consent would be a “dead solution.” Observers view the clash of interests among Moscow, Washington, Kyiv, and Europe as the intersection of four conflicting logics: Washington’s deal-driven logic, Moscow’s consolidationist logic, and Kyiv’s and Europe’s survivalist logic. While scenarios range from a minimal agreement to tacit Putin-Trump collusion solidifying current frontlines, each carries profound implications for European security and global power balances. Zelenskyy’s absence from Alaska could heighten risks of a deal that not only weakens Ukraine’s position but also undermines the legitimacy of fundamental international law.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey under the motto “an attack on one is an attack on all,” is viewed by some analysts less as a full-fledged military coalition and more as an attempt to reduce security dependence on an external power and to establish a regional security mechanism.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The new US-Saudi nuclear agreement, despite legal and political ambiguities, could alter previous non-proliferation standards in West Asia and intensify nuclear competition, ushering it into a new phase.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Recent developments in Syria indicate an intensification of strategic rivalry between Turkey and the Israeli regime, but mutual considerations and the role of the United States have limited the likelihood of direct war.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The future of the so-called Trump peace plan for Gaza, despite claims of an agreement on Hamas’s disarmament, remains shrouded in ambiguity due to structural deficiencies and opposition from key actors.
SCFR Online – Opinion: An examination of the mechanisms of the Israeli regime’s influence in the United States depicts a complex picture of shared interests, strategic dependencies, and the limitations of this relationship.
SCFR Online – Interview: The signing of the Makkah agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey has raised questions about the future of the region’s security structure and the position of these countries in West Asian equations. Can this agreement become a genuine collective defense mechanism, or does it have more of a political and deterrent function than creating new military capacity?
SCFR Online – Opinion: The continuation of the US war against Iran, in addition to increasing operational costs, has called into question the actual capacity of the American arsenal to simultaneously fulfill security commitments on multiple fronts; an issue that affects deterrence, defense production capacity, and Washington’s resource prioritization.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Russia-Ukraine war and the war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran have been formed with different objectives and actors, but field and political developments indicate that they are not entirely separate from one another.