Strategic Council Online: Despite the presence of representatives of the four major international organizations, the Berlin Conference was a venue for the rivalry of various big players and profit-seeking of European powers over its resources rather than showing conciliation and convergence on a ceasefire and peace in Libya.
Jafar Ghanadbashi – African Affairs Expert
Strategic Council Online: University of Tehran faculty member on Palestinian Studies called the meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation a test for Islamic governments in defence of the Palestinian nation. Referring to the impact of the conference on the stances and actions of the United States and Israel, he said if a strong and effective statement is issued by the OIC it would undoubtedly mean the emergence of a new force in the Middle East and Arab-Islamic countries and among Palestinian supporters.
Strategic Council Online: A Middle East affairs analyst says Saudi Arabia seeks an opportunity to return to the Syrian scene, adding however that the role played by certain Arab states against Syria cannot be erased from the memory of Syrian nation and government.
Strategic Council Online: An international relations professor says the Americans have a number of plans to boost their presence in Iraqi Kurdistan. “America has come to the conclusion that it is more desirable for them to be in Iraqi Kurdistan than Baghdad and its green zone.”
Strategic Council Online: Former Iranian ambassador to Iraq says the United States and Israel are seeking disintegration of the regional countries, adding that the formation of new regions is different from Iraq’s breakdown. There are analyzes that creation of these regions could disintegrate Iraq, but it is not a simple matter and no one can divide Iraq, he said.
Strategic Council Online: A professor of international relations says the new Lebanese government and the changes considered are in line with the demands of the people and protesters and stressed: “In the current situation, returning security and stability to Lebanon is very difficult.”
Strategic Council Online: An international affairs analyst said tensions have been exacerbated in the Mediterranean due to efforts of Turkey, Greece and Cyprus to conduct gas exploration and drilling operations in the region. “Europe is well aware that implementation of certain decisions against Turkey could throw hurdles in the way of gas transfer from the East Mediterranean to Europe,” he said.
Strategic Council Online: Recently, news broke out that the United States is seeking to resume talks with North Korea. According to the White House National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien “it’s a positive sign that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had not delivered on a warning of a Christmas gift.” However, there is still a long and winding road to resolving the crisis on the Korean Peninsula and according to current trends there is no positive prospect of resolving it until at least the end of Donald Trump’s presidency.
Mohammad Zare: China and Asia affairs expert
Strategic Council Online: An international affairs analyst said Europe claims to be seeking a way to keep the Iran Nuclear Agreement alive by launching the trigger dispute mechanism. He said: “The reality is that if Europeans want Iran to unilaterally fulfill its JCPOA obligations, this would not be acceptable to Iran and continuation of the current trend by Europe may put an end to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Strategic Council Online: An Asian affairs expert has described a security conference between heads of Turkish and Syrian intelligence agencies in Russia after long years an important and eye-catching development. “Considering its field victories Syria seems to have sent a strong message to the Turkish authorities about complete withdrawal from Syrian lands and the decision to fight terrorism and return all occupied Syrian lands.