SCFR Online – Opinion: Developments in the South Caucasus and Central Asia indicate that transit competition has become an arena for a new staging of influence among Iran, Turkey, Russia, and China.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The upcoming Palestinian elections, after nearly two decades of hiatus, could affect the arrangement of political forces, the legitimacy of institutions, and the future path of Palestinian governance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The direct war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, disruption of nuclear inspections, and intensification of great power competition have taken the non-proliferation crisis beyond the issue of Iran’s nuclear program.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the Iran–U.S. equation, China pursues a cautious balance between its energy and transit interests with Tehran and considerations related to sanctions and competition with Washington.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on subcontinental affairs says that the United Nations is looking for a mechanism with a so-called aim of “recognition of the Taliban” to prevent the movement from its extreme behavior. The international view is that by attracting the Taliban, more effective steps can be taken to achieve the target.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said that the main challenges and concerns of the foreign ministers of neighboring countries of Afghanistan, which had been raised in the first meeting in Samarkand, were prominent in the second meeting as well, adding: The Taliban have come to power by force of arms and all the past concerns are still standing about the future situation of Afghanistan.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Afghanistan affairs commenting on Taliban’s instruction on banning higher education for the girls, which should be condemned, and its consequences said: The previous constitution of Afghanistan, that is to say before the Taliban, which was a modern constitution, granted civil and many rights to Afghan citizens; including education, employment and even women’s political activities.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Although the recent meeting of Taliban elders and religious leaders was held in Kabul aimed at expediting the recognition of Taliban government at regional and international levels, but the government performance within the past months was in a way that makes the realization of such an objective as unachievable.
Samaa Farkhondeh Nejad, Expert of International Affairs
SCFR Online – Opinion: Developments in the South Caucasus and Central Asia indicate that transit competition has become an arena for a new staging of influence among Iran, Turkey, Russia, and China.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The upcoming Palestinian elections, after nearly two decades of hiatus, could affect the arrangement of political forces, the legitimacy of institutions, and the future path of Palestinian governance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The direct war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, disruption of nuclear inspections, and intensification of great power competition have taken the non-proliferation crisis beyond the issue of Iran’s nuclear program.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the Iran–U.S. equation, China pursues a cautious balance between its energy and transit interests with Tehran and considerations related to sanctions and competition with Washington.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on subcontinental affairs says that the United Nations is looking for a mechanism with a so-called aim of “recognition of the Taliban” to prevent the movement from its extreme behavior. The international view is that by attracting the Taliban, more effective steps can be taken to achieve the target.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said that the main challenges and concerns of the foreign ministers of neighboring countries of Afghanistan, which had been raised in the first meeting in Samarkand, were prominent in the second meeting as well, adding: The Taliban have come to power by force of arms and all the past concerns are still standing about the future situation of Afghanistan.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Afghanistan affairs commenting on Taliban’s instruction on banning higher education for the girls, which should be condemned, and its consequences said: The previous constitution of Afghanistan, that is to say before the Taliban, which was a modern constitution, granted civil and many rights to Afghan citizens; including education, employment and even women’s political activities.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Although the recent meeting of Taliban elders and religious leaders was held in Kabul aimed at expediting the recognition of Taliban government at regional and international levels, but the government performance within the past months was in a way that makes the realization of such an objective as unachievable.
Samaa Farkhondeh Nejad, Expert of International Affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on subcontinental affairs says that the United Nations is looking for a mechanism with a so-called aim of “recognition of the Taliban” to prevent the movement from its extreme behavior. The international view is that by attracting the Taliban, more effective steps can be taken to achieve the target.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said that the main challenges and concerns of the foreign ministers of neighboring countries of Afghanistan, which had been raised in the first meeting in Samarkand, were prominent in the second meeting as well, adding: The Taliban have come to power by force of arms and all the past concerns are still standing about the future situation of Afghanistan.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Afghanistan affairs commenting on Taliban’s instruction on banning higher education for the girls, which should be condemned, and its consequences said: The previous constitution of Afghanistan, that is to say before the Taliban, which was a modern constitution, granted civil and many rights to Afghan citizens; including education, employment and even women’s political activities.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Although the recent meeting of Taliban elders and religious leaders was held in Kabul aimed at expediting the recognition of Taliban government at regional and international levels, but the government performance within the past months was in a way that makes the realization of such an objective as unachievable.
Samaa Farkhondeh Nejad, Expert of International Affairs
SCFR Online – Opinion: Developments in the South Caucasus and Central Asia indicate that transit competition has become an arena for a new staging of influence among Iran, Turkey, Russia, and China.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The upcoming Palestinian elections, after nearly two decades of hiatus, could affect the arrangement of political forces, the legitimacy of institutions, and the future path of Palestinian governance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The direct war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, disruption of nuclear inspections, and intensification of great power competition have taken the non-proliferation crisis beyond the issue of Iran’s nuclear program.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the Iran–U.S. equation, China pursues a cautious balance between its energy and transit interests with Tehran and considerations related to sanctions and competition with Washington.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on subcontinental affairs says that the United Nations is looking for a mechanism with a so-called aim of “recognition of the Taliban” to prevent the movement from its extreme behavior. The international view is that by attracting the Taliban, more effective steps can be taken to achieve the target.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said that the main challenges and concerns of the foreign ministers of neighboring countries of Afghanistan, which had been raised in the first meeting in Samarkand, were prominent in the second meeting as well, adding: The Taliban have come to power by force of arms and all the past concerns are still standing about the future situation of Afghanistan.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Afghanistan affairs commenting on Taliban’s instruction on banning higher education for the girls, which should be condemned, and its consequences said: The previous constitution of Afghanistan, that is to say before the Taliban, which was a modern constitution, granted civil and many rights to Afghan citizens; including education, employment and even women’s political activities.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Although the recent meeting of Taliban elders and religious leaders was held in Kabul aimed at expediting the recognition of Taliban government at regional and international levels, but the government performance within the past months was in a way that makes the realization of such an objective as unachievable.
Samaa Farkhondeh Nejad, Expert of International Affairs
SCFR Online – Opinion: Developments in the South Caucasus and Central Asia indicate that transit competition has become an arena for a new staging of influence among Iran, Turkey, Russia, and China.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The upcoming Palestinian elections, after nearly two decades of hiatus, could affect the arrangement of political forces, the legitimacy of institutions, and the future path of Palestinian governance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The direct war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, disruption of nuclear inspections, and intensification of great power competition have taken the non-proliferation crisis beyond the issue of Iran’s nuclear program.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the Iran–U.S. equation, China pursues a cautious balance between its energy and transit interests with Tehran and considerations related to sanctions and competition with Washington.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on subcontinental affairs says that the United Nations is looking for a mechanism with a so-called aim of “recognition of the Taliban” to prevent the movement from its extreme behavior. The international view is that by attracting the Taliban, more effective steps can be taken to achieve the target.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said that the main challenges and concerns of the foreign ministers of neighboring countries of Afghanistan, which had been raised in the first meeting in Samarkand, were prominent in the second meeting as well, adding: The Taliban have come to power by force of arms and all the past concerns are still standing about the future situation of Afghanistan.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Afghanistan affairs commenting on Taliban’s instruction on banning higher education for the girls, which should be condemned, and its consequences said: The previous constitution of Afghanistan, that is to say before the Taliban, which was a modern constitution, granted civil and many rights to Afghan citizens; including education, employment and even women’s political activities.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Although the recent meeting of Taliban elders and religious leaders was held in Kabul aimed at expediting the recognition of Taliban government at regional and international levels, but the government performance within the past months was in a way that makes the realization of such an objective as unachievable.
Samaa Farkhondeh Nejad, Expert of International Affairs
SCFR Online – Opinion: Developments in the South Caucasus and Central Asia indicate that transit competition has become an arena for a new staging of influence among Iran, Turkey, Russia, and China.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The upcoming Palestinian elections, after nearly two decades of hiatus, could affect the arrangement of political forces, the legitimacy of institutions, and the future path of Palestinian governance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The direct war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, disruption of nuclear inspections, and intensification of great power competition have taken the non-proliferation crisis beyond the issue of Iran’s nuclear program.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the Iran–U.S. equation, China pursues a cautious balance between its energy and transit interests with Tehran and considerations related to sanctions and competition with Washington.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on subcontinental affairs says that the United Nations is looking for a mechanism with a so-called aim of “recognition of the Taliban” to prevent the movement from its extreme behavior. The international view is that by attracting the Taliban, more effective steps can be taken to achieve the target.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said that the main challenges and concerns of the foreign ministers of neighboring countries of Afghanistan, which had been raised in the first meeting in Samarkand, were prominent in the second meeting as well, adding: The Taliban have come to power by force of arms and all the past concerns are still standing about the future situation of Afghanistan.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Afghanistan affairs commenting on Taliban’s instruction on banning higher education for the girls, which should be condemned, and its consequences said: The previous constitution of Afghanistan, that is to say before the Taliban, which was a modern constitution, granted civil and many rights to Afghan citizens; including education, employment and even women’s political activities.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Although the recent meeting of Taliban elders and religious leaders was held in Kabul aimed at expediting the recognition of Taliban government at regional and international levels, but the government performance within the past months was in a way that makes the realization of such an objective as unachievable.
Samaa Farkhondeh Nejad, Expert of International Affairs
SCFR Online – Opinion: Developments in the South Caucasus and Central Asia indicate that transit competition has become an arena for a new staging of influence among Iran, Turkey, Russia, and China.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The upcoming Palestinian elections, after nearly two decades of hiatus, could affect the arrangement of political forces, the legitimacy of institutions, and the future path of Palestinian governance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The direct war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, disruption of nuclear inspections, and intensification of great power competition have taken the non-proliferation crisis beyond the issue of Iran’s nuclear program.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the Iran–U.S. equation, China pursues a cautious balance between its energy and transit interests with Tehran and considerations related to sanctions and competition with Washington.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on subcontinental affairs says that the United Nations is looking for a mechanism with a so-called aim of “recognition of the Taliban” to prevent the movement from its extreme behavior. The international view is that by attracting the Taliban, more effective steps can be taken to achieve the target.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said that the main challenges and concerns of the foreign ministers of neighboring countries of Afghanistan, which had been raised in the first meeting in Samarkand, were prominent in the second meeting as well, adding: The Taliban have come to power by force of arms and all the past concerns are still standing about the future situation of Afghanistan.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Afghanistan affairs commenting on Taliban’s instruction on banning higher education for the girls, which should be condemned, and its consequences said: The previous constitution of Afghanistan, that is to say before the Taliban, which was a modern constitution, granted civil and many rights to Afghan citizens; including education, employment and even women’s political activities.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Although the recent meeting of Taliban elders and religious leaders was held in Kabul aimed at expediting the recognition of Taliban government at regional and international levels, but the government performance within the past months was in a way that makes the realization of such an objective as unachievable.
Samaa Farkhondeh Nejad, Expert of International Affairs
SCFR Online – Opinion: Developments in the South Caucasus and Central Asia indicate that transit competition has become an arena for a new staging of influence among Iran, Turkey, Russia, and China.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The upcoming Palestinian elections, after nearly two decades of hiatus, could affect the arrangement of political forces, the legitimacy of institutions, and the future path of Palestinian governance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The direct war of the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, disruption of nuclear inspections, and intensification of great power competition have taken the non-proliferation crisis beyond the issue of Iran’s nuclear program.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the Iran–U.S. equation, China pursues a cautious balance between its energy and transit interests with Tehran and considerations related to sanctions and competition with Washington.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.