SCFRonline – Opinion: The increase in public distrust of the French judicial system, which in recent surveys has reached approximately two-thirds of citizens, should be analyzed within a framework broader than temporary dissatisfaction or an emotional reaction to a particular criminal case.
SCFRonline– Opinion: Iran’s geopolitical power is not limited solely to oil and the Strait of Hormuz; the unintended emergence of disruptions in the future global food and energy security chains can also demonstrate Iran’s strategic importance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Competition among great powers is no longer solely about oil; rather, control over rare minerals has now become the most important geopolitical arena for the global economy and technology.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The confrontation between Iran and the West has moved beyond traditional military arenas and now continues in the realm of perception, data, and artificial intelligence.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s display of power in the recent imposed war and Washington’s turning away from its traditional allies have pushed Persian Gulf countries toward new partners in the East.
SCFR Online–Opinion: By providing an extensive network of social, healthcare, educational, and post-war reconstruction services, Hezbollah has established a strong social base for itself among Lebanon’s Shiites and Sunnis, and even beyond that, among other segments of Lebanese society, including Christians. Hezbollah has never been an external actor imposed upon Lebanon; rather, it is a phenomenon fundamentally born out of the occupation and crimes of the Zionist regime and itself influenced by popular resistance.
SCFR Online– Opinion: Security and military developments in the region over recent months indicate that the ongoing crises and wars in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and parts of Syrian territory encompass broader dimensions of geopolitical and geostrategic transformations. In this context, the increased military presence and control of the Zionist regime over parts of the territories of these areas, along with proposals regarding the creation of buffer zones or even the expansion of security borders, have raised serious questions about the future of the regional order and its consequences for the countries of West Asia.
SCFR Online – Note: Articles from Western think tanks confirm that, contrary to Western assumptions, the war has failed to cause Iran’s economy to collapse, and this situation has led Washington to seek a pathway for exiting the quagmire.
Online Strategic Council – Interview: An international affairs analyst stated that the recent United Nations meeting, which centered on recognizing the state of Palestine and the two-state solution, has sparked a wave of international reactions. Supporters of this plan see it as a step towards peace. Still, critics view it with skepticism and believe that this move is more of a tool to deceive public opinion and solidify the existence of the Zionist regime than to resolve the crisis. The initiative by France and some European countries is being proposed while the genocide in Gaza continues, and the West has so far taken no effective action to stop it. Some analysts say the primary goal of this plan is not the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, but rather the disarmament of resistance groups and the isolation of Hamas—an action that, through superficial negotiations and apparent peace, paves the way for realizing the interests of the Israeli regime. Iran, by rejecting the two-state solution, presents a different narrative for the future of Palestine, based on a referendum involving all indigenous inhabitants of the land.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international economics expert stated that sanctions, as discussed in political and economic literature, are tools used to force countries to change their behavior in foreign or domestic policies. However, the fundamental question is whether these tools consistently achieve the expected results. The European Union, which has intensified its sanctions policy against Russia since 2014, especially after the Ukraine war in 2022, now faces the question of to what extent these sanctions have been able to halt Moscow’s economic machine. Although more than 50 sanction packages have been imposed against Russia since 2014, statistics and analyses show that Russia has been able to overcome the pressures in many cases and even gain more profit in some areas. Experts believe that the lack of unity in European decision-making, the conflict of economic interests among member states, and the historical dependence of some on Russian energy have all combined to cause Europe’s sanctions policy not only to fail to achieve its ultimate goal but, in some cases, to yield opposite results. Meanwhile, the debate over “secondary sanctions” and the change in the European Union’s strategies after the Ukraine war marks a turning point in the future path of Moscow-Brussels relations.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the French government’s inability to meet public demands has led to a resurgence of domestic protests. The budget deficit has compelled Emmanuel Macron’s government to implement measures such as reducing public service expenditures, eliminating national holidays, cutting wages, and increasing taxes to offset the shortfall, which has further fueled the protests.
Strategic Council Online – A senior US affairs analyst stated that the overt intervention of billionaire and media mogul Elon Musk in the UK’s internal developments has once again brought the discussion about the role of non-state actors in international politics to the forefront of attention. With his provocative speech at the extreme right-wing rally in London, Musk not only called for the dissolution of parliament and early elections but also effectively sowed the seeds of political violence in the country’s fragile social fabric by promoting a rhetoric of “resistance or destruction.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned these remarks, but the matter goes beyond a war of words. The emergence of figures like Musk, who simultaneously possess capital, media influence, and social popularity, has blurred the line between official politics and protest movements. This trend could become a serious challenge to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of countries, one of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter. International institutions have been designed primarily to control the actions of states, rather than billionaires who own global platforms. Today, however, developments show that technology and media giants can influence the political developments of countries as independent actors; a reality that could pose new questions to the international order regarding national sovereignty and political security.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Eurasian and Russian affairs stated that the West’s reaction to Russia’s threats regarding any deployment of foreign forces in Ukraine, whether under NATO or as an independent force, will be a combination of caution and deterrence. He said: Despite the desire of Europe and America to deploy military forces in Ukraine, they emphasize indirect support for Ukraine, including economic sanctions and increased diplomatic pressure on Moscow, and at best propose deploying neutral observers in Ukraine.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on Afghan and Pakistani affairs stated that China’s explicit reaction to the new US efforts to retake Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan has once again highlighted the geopolitical competition among major powers in this sensitive region. Beijing has emphasized that any escalation of tensions or creation of confrontation in Afghanistan runs counter to the wishes and interests of the Afghan people and the entire region, and the Afghans themselves must shape the future of Afghanistan. This stance comes as US President Donald Trump has revealed Washington’s plan to return to Bagram, citing the base’s proximity to sensitive Chinese nuclear areas as one of the primary motivations. Analysts believe that a potential US return to Bagram signifies not only the revival of a military presence in Afghanistan but also an effort to curb China’s growing influence and control vital regional trade and security routes; a move that could have broad geopolitical consequences for all of Central and South Asia.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Recently, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has barred Chinese citizens from accessing its systems and facilities, a prohibition that even includes Chinese citizens possessing U.S. visas. This move can be interpreted as a sign of space competition between the United States and China.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A strategic affairs expert stated that recently, the United States has asked its allies in the G7 and its partners in the European Union to impose a new round of “significant tariffs” on China and India for purchasing Russian oil. Trump’s tariff demands reveal a clear gap in strategy between Washington and Brussels. While the Trump administration prefers to weaken the Kremlin’s economy by imposing tariffs on third countries, Europe seeks official sanctions against Moscow’s trade and financial partners.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert, referring to the ongoing dispute between Europe and America over Greenland, stated that Europe’s policy is based on increasing political, diplomatic, and even economic support for Denmark and Greenland, and it certainly will not move towards escalating tensions with America.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of U.S. affairs stated that while Donald Trump promised to revive the U.S. economy and restore the country’s industrial glory upon his return to the White House, the latest economic data indicate otherwise. The unemployment rate, which was 3.8% at the beginning of the new administration, has now risen to 4.3%, and factories and construction companies have laid off thousands of workers. Even revised statistics show that in June of this year alone, 13,000 jobs were lost. These developments highlight the gap between Trump’s campaign promises and the economic reality in the U.S.. This divide has overshadowed not only domestic politics but also the country’s economic and geopolitical future.
At the same time, Trump is attempting to shift pressures outward by leveraging geopolitical tools; an example is his threat to the European Union following the fines imposed on Google, an action many observers see as an effort to shift the agenda from domestic recession to external challenges. The question is whether these policies can pull the U.S. economy out of recession or if their consequences will ultimately spill over into the global economy.
SCFRonline – Opinion: The increase in public distrust of the French judicial system, which in recent surveys has reached approximately two-thirds of citizens, should be analyzed within a framework broader than temporary dissatisfaction or an emotional reaction to a particular criminal case.
SCFRonline– Opinion: Iran’s geopolitical power is not limited solely to oil and the Strait of Hormuz; the unintended emergence of disruptions in the future global food and energy security chains can also demonstrate Iran’s strategic importance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Competition among great powers is no longer solely about oil; rather, control over rare minerals has now become the most important geopolitical arena for the global economy and technology.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The confrontation between Iran and the West has moved beyond traditional military arenas and now continues in the realm of perception, data, and artificial intelligence.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s display of power in the recent imposed war and Washington’s turning away from its traditional allies have pushed Persian Gulf countries toward new partners in the East.
SCFR Online–Opinion: By providing an extensive network of social, healthcare, educational, and post-war reconstruction services, Hezbollah has established a strong social base for itself among Lebanon’s Shiites and Sunnis, and even beyond that, among other segments of Lebanese society, including Christians. Hezbollah has never been an external actor imposed upon Lebanon; rather, it is a phenomenon fundamentally born out of the occupation and crimes of the Zionist regime and itself influenced by popular resistance.
SCFR Online– Opinion: Security and military developments in the region over recent months indicate that the ongoing crises and wars in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and parts of Syrian territory encompass broader dimensions of geopolitical and geostrategic transformations. In this context, the increased military presence and control of the Zionist regime over parts of the territories of these areas, along with proposals regarding the creation of buffer zones or even the expansion of security borders, have raised serious questions about the future of the regional order and its consequences for the countries of West Asia.
SCFR Online – Note: Articles from Western think tanks confirm that, contrary to Western assumptions, the war has failed to cause Iran’s economy to collapse, and this situation has led Washington to seek a pathway for exiting the quagmire.
Online Strategic Council – Interview: An international affairs analyst stated that the recent United Nations meeting, which centered on recognizing the state of Palestine and the two-state solution, has sparked a wave of international reactions. Supporters of this plan see it as a step towards peace. Still, critics view it with skepticism and believe that this move is more of a tool to deceive public opinion and solidify the existence of the Zionist regime than to resolve the crisis. The initiative by France and some European countries is being proposed while the genocide in Gaza continues, and the West has so far taken no effective action to stop it. Some analysts say the primary goal of this plan is not the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, but rather the disarmament of resistance groups and the isolation of Hamas—an action that, through superficial negotiations and apparent peace, paves the way for realizing the interests of the Israeli regime. Iran, by rejecting the two-state solution, presents a different narrative for the future of Palestine, based on a referendum involving all indigenous inhabitants of the land.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international economics expert stated that sanctions, as discussed in political and economic literature, are tools used to force countries to change their behavior in foreign or domestic policies. However, the fundamental question is whether these tools consistently achieve the expected results. The European Union, which has intensified its sanctions policy against Russia since 2014, especially after the Ukraine war in 2022, now faces the question of to what extent these sanctions have been able to halt Moscow’s economic machine. Although more than 50 sanction packages have been imposed against Russia since 2014, statistics and analyses show that Russia has been able to overcome the pressures in many cases and even gain more profit in some areas. Experts believe that the lack of unity in European decision-making, the conflict of economic interests among member states, and the historical dependence of some on Russian energy have all combined to cause Europe’s sanctions policy not only to fail to achieve its ultimate goal but, in some cases, to yield opposite results. Meanwhile, the debate over “secondary sanctions” and the change in the European Union’s strategies after the Ukraine war marks a turning point in the future path of Moscow-Brussels relations.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the French government’s inability to meet public demands has led to a resurgence of domestic protests. The budget deficit has compelled Emmanuel Macron’s government to implement measures such as reducing public service expenditures, eliminating national holidays, cutting wages, and increasing taxes to offset the shortfall, which has further fueled the protests.
Strategic Council Online – A senior US affairs analyst stated that the overt intervention of billionaire and media mogul Elon Musk in the UK’s internal developments has once again brought the discussion about the role of non-state actors in international politics to the forefront of attention. With his provocative speech at the extreme right-wing rally in London, Musk not only called for the dissolution of parliament and early elections but also effectively sowed the seeds of political violence in the country’s fragile social fabric by promoting a rhetoric of “resistance or destruction.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned these remarks, but the matter goes beyond a war of words. The emergence of figures like Musk, who simultaneously possess capital, media influence, and social popularity, has blurred the line between official politics and protest movements. This trend could become a serious challenge to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of countries, one of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter. International institutions have been designed primarily to control the actions of states, rather than billionaires who own global platforms. Today, however, developments show that technology and media giants can influence the political developments of countries as independent actors; a reality that could pose new questions to the international order regarding national sovereignty and political security.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Eurasian and Russian affairs stated that the West’s reaction to Russia’s threats regarding any deployment of foreign forces in Ukraine, whether under NATO or as an independent force, will be a combination of caution and deterrence. He said: Despite the desire of Europe and America to deploy military forces in Ukraine, they emphasize indirect support for Ukraine, including economic sanctions and increased diplomatic pressure on Moscow, and at best propose deploying neutral observers in Ukraine.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on Afghan and Pakistani affairs stated that China’s explicit reaction to the new US efforts to retake Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan has once again highlighted the geopolitical competition among major powers in this sensitive region. Beijing has emphasized that any escalation of tensions or creation of confrontation in Afghanistan runs counter to the wishes and interests of the Afghan people and the entire region, and the Afghans themselves must shape the future of Afghanistan. This stance comes as US President Donald Trump has revealed Washington’s plan to return to Bagram, citing the base’s proximity to sensitive Chinese nuclear areas as one of the primary motivations. Analysts believe that a potential US return to Bagram signifies not only the revival of a military presence in Afghanistan but also an effort to curb China’s growing influence and control vital regional trade and security routes; a move that could have broad geopolitical consequences for all of Central and South Asia.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Recently, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has barred Chinese citizens from accessing its systems and facilities, a prohibition that even includes Chinese citizens possessing U.S. visas. This move can be interpreted as a sign of space competition between the United States and China.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A strategic affairs expert stated that recently, the United States has asked its allies in the G7 and its partners in the European Union to impose a new round of “significant tariffs” on China and India for purchasing Russian oil. Trump’s tariff demands reveal a clear gap in strategy between Washington and Brussels. While the Trump administration prefers to weaken the Kremlin’s economy by imposing tariffs on third countries, Europe seeks official sanctions against Moscow’s trade and financial partners.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert, referring to the ongoing dispute between Europe and America over Greenland, stated that Europe’s policy is based on increasing political, diplomatic, and even economic support for Denmark and Greenland, and it certainly will not move towards escalating tensions with America.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of U.S. affairs stated that while Donald Trump promised to revive the U.S. economy and restore the country’s industrial glory upon his return to the White House, the latest economic data indicate otherwise. The unemployment rate, which was 3.8% at the beginning of the new administration, has now risen to 4.3%, and factories and construction companies have laid off thousands of workers. Even revised statistics show that in June of this year alone, 13,000 jobs were lost. These developments highlight the gap between Trump’s campaign promises and the economic reality in the U.S.. This divide has overshadowed not only domestic politics but also the country’s economic and geopolitical future.
At the same time, Trump is attempting to shift pressures outward by leveraging geopolitical tools; an example is his threat to the European Union following the fines imposed on Google, an action many observers see as an effort to shift the agenda from domestic recession to external challenges. The question is whether these policies can pull the U.S. economy out of recession or if their consequences will ultimately spill over into the global economy.
Online Strategic Council – Interview: An international affairs analyst stated that the recent United Nations meeting, which centered on recognizing the state of Palestine and the two-state solution, has sparked a wave of international reactions. Supporters of this plan see it as a step towards peace. Still, critics view it with skepticism and believe that this move is more of a tool to deceive public opinion and solidify the existence of the Zionist regime than to resolve the crisis. The initiative by France and some European countries is being proposed while the genocide in Gaza continues, and the West has so far taken no effective action to stop it. Some analysts say the primary goal of this plan is not the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, but rather the disarmament of resistance groups and the isolation of Hamas—an action that, through superficial negotiations and apparent peace, paves the way for realizing the interests of the Israeli regime. Iran, by rejecting the two-state solution, presents a different narrative for the future of Palestine, based on a referendum involving all indigenous inhabitants of the land.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international economics expert stated that sanctions, as discussed in political and economic literature, are tools used to force countries to change their behavior in foreign or domestic policies. However, the fundamental question is whether these tools consistently achieve the expected results. The European Union, which has intensified its sanctions policy against Russia since 2014, especially after the Ukraine war in 2022, now faces the question of to what extent these sanctions have been able to halt Moscow’s economic machine. Although more than 50 sanction packages have been imposed against Russia since 2014, statistics and analyses show that Russia has been able to overcome the pressures in many cases and even gain more profit in some areas. Experts believe that the lack of unity in European decision-making, the conflict of economic interests among member states, and the historical dependence of some on Russian energy have all combined to cause Europe’s sanctions policy not only to fail to achieve its ultimate goal but, in some cases, to yield opposite results. Meanwhile, the debate over “secondary sanctions” and the change in the European Union’s strategies after the Ukraine war marks a turning point in the future path of Moscow-Brussels relations.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the French government’s inability to meet public demands has led to a resurgence of domestic protests. The budget deficit has compelled Emmanuel Macron’s government to implement measures such as reducing public service expenditures, eliminating national holidays, cutting wages, and increasing taxes to offset the shortfall, which has further fueled the protests.
Strategic Council Online – A senior US affairs analyst stated that the overt intervention of billionaire and media mogul Elon Musk in the UK’s internal developments has once again brought the discussion about the role of non-state actors in international politics to the forefront of attention. With his provocative speech at the extreme right-wing rally in London, Musk not only called for the dissolution of parliament and early elections but also effectively sowed the seeds of political violence in the country’s fragile social fabric by promoting a rhetoric of “resistance or destruction.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned these remarks, but the matter goes beyond a war of words. The emergence of figures like Musk, who simultaneously possess capital, media influence, and social popularity, has blurred the line between official politics and protest movements. This trend could become a serious challenge to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of countries, one of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter. International institutions have been designed primarily to control the actions of states, rather than billionaires who own global platforms. Today, however, developments show that technology and media giants can influence the political developments of countries as independent actors; a reality that could pose new questions to the international order regarding national sovereignty and political security.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Eurasian and Russian affairs stated that the West’s reaction to Russia’s threats regarding any deployment of foreign forces in Ukraine, whether under NATO or as an independent force, will be a combination of caution and deterrence. He said: Despite the desire of Europe and America to deploy military forces in Ukraine, they emphasize indirect support for Ukraine, including economic sanctions and increased diplomatic pressure on Moscow, and at best propose deploying neutral observers in Ukraine.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on Afghan and Pakistani affairs stated that China’s explicit reaction to the new US efforts to retake Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan has once again highlighted the geopolitical competition among major powers in this sensitive region. Beijing has emphasized that any escalation of tensions or creation of confrontation in Afghanistan runs counter to the wishes and interests of the Afghan people and the entire region, and the Afghans themselves must shape the future of Afghanistan. This stance comes as US President Donald Trump has revealed Washington’s plan to return to Bagram, citing the base’s proximity to sensitive Chinese nuclear areas as one of the primary motivations. Analysts believe that a potential US return to Bagram signifies not only the revival of a military presence in Afghanistan but also an effort to curb China’s growing influence and control vital regional trade and security routes; a move that could have broad geopolitical consequences for all of Central and South Asia.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Recently, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has barred Chinese citizens from accessing its systems and facilities, a prohibition that even includes Chinese citizens possessing U.S. visas. This move can be interpreted as a sign of space competition between the United States and China.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A strategic affairs expert stated that recently, the United States has asked its allies in the G7 and its partners in the European Union to impose a new round of “significant tariffs” on China and India for purchasing Russian oil. Trump’s tariff demands reveal a clear gap in strategy between Washington and Brussels. While the Trump administration prefers to weaken the Kremlin’s economy by imposing tariffs on third countries, Europe seeks official sanctions against Moscow’s trade and financial partners.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert, referring to the ongoing dispute between Europe and America over Greenland, stated that Europe’s policy is based on increasing political, diplomatic, and even economic support for Denmark and Greenland, and it certainly will not move towards escalating tensions with America.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of U.S. affairs stated that while Donald Trump promised to revive the U.S. economy and restore the country’s industrial glory upon his return to the White House, the latest economic data indicate otherwise. The unemployment rate, which was 3.8% at the beginning of the new administration, has now risen to 4.3%, and factories and construction companies have laid off thousands of workers. Even revised statistics show that in June of this year alone, 13,000 jobs were lost. These developments highlight the gap between Trump’s campaign promises and the economic reality in the U.S.. This divide has overshadowed not only domestic politics but also the country’s economic and geopolitical future.
At the same time, Trump is attempting to shift pressures outward by leveraging geopolitical tools; an example is his threat to the European Union following the fines imposed on Google, an action many observers see as an effort to shift the agenda from domestic recession to external challenges. The question is whether these policies can pull the U.S. economy out of recession or if their consequences will ultimately spill over into the global economy.
SCFRonline – Opinion: The increase in public distrust of the French judicial system, which in recent surveys has reached approximately two-thirds of citizens, should be analyzed within a framework broader than temporary dissatisfaction or an emotional reaction to a particular criminal case.
SCFRonline– Opinion: Iran’s geopolitical power is not limited solely to oil and the Strait of Hormuz; the unintended emergence of disruptions in the future global food and energy security chains can also demonstrate Iran’s strategic importance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Competition among great powers is no longer solely about oil; rather, control over rare minerals has now become the most important geopolitical arena for the global economy and technology.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The confrontation between Iran and the West has moved beyond traditional military arenas and now continues in the realm of perception, data, and artificial intelligence.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s display of power in the recent imposed war and Washington’s turning away from its traditional allies have pushed Persian Gulf countries toward new partners in the East.
SCFR Online–Opinion: By providing an extensive network of social, healthcare, educational, and post-war reconstruction services, Hezbollah has established a strong social base for itself among Lebanon’s Shiites and Sunnis, and even beyond that, among other segments of Lebanese society, including Christians. Hezbollah has never been an external actor imposed upon Lebanon; rather, it is a phenomenon fundamentally born out of the occupation and crimes of the Zionist regime and itself influenced by popular resistance.
SCFR Online– Opinion: Security and military developments in the region over recent months indicate that the ongoing crises and wars in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and parts of Syrian territory encompass broader dimensions of geopolitical and geostrategic transformations. In this context, the increased military presence and control of the Zionist regime over parts of the territories of these areas, along with proposals regarding the creation of buffer zones or even the expansion of security borders, have raised serious questions about the future of the regional order and its consequences for the countries of West Asia.
SCFR Online – Note: Articles from Western think tanks confirm that, contrary to Western assumptions, the war has failed to cause Iran’s economy to collapse, and this situation has led Washington to seek a pathway for exiting the quagmire.
Online Strategic Council – Interview: An international affairs analyst stated that the recent United Nations meeting, which centered on recognizing the state of Palestine and the two-state solution, has sparked a wave of international reactions. Supporters of this plan see it as a step towards peace. Still, critics view it with skepticism and believe that this move is more of a tool to deceive public opinion and solidify the existence of the Zionist regime than to resolve the crisis. The initiative by France and some European countries is being proposed while the genocide in Gaza continues, and the West has so far taken no effective action to stop it. Some analysts say the primary goal of this plan is not the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, but rather the disarmament of resistance groups and the isolation of Hamas—an action that, through superficial negotiations and apparent peace, paves the way for realizing the interests of the Israeli regime. Iran, by rejecting the two-state solution, presents a different narrative for the future of Palestine, based on a referendum involving all indigenous inhabitants of the land.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international economics expert stated that sanctions, as discussed in political and economic literature, are tools used to force countries to change their behavior in foreign or domestic policies. However, the fundamental question is whether these tools consistently achieve the expected results. The European Union, which has intensified its sanctions policy against Russia since 2014, especially after the Ukraine war in 2022, now faces the question of to what extent these sanctions have been able to halt Moscow’s economic machine. Although more than 50 sanction packages have been imposed against Russia since 2014, statistics and analyses show that Russia has been able to overcome the pressures in many cases and even gain more profit in some areas. Experts believe that the lack of unity in European decision-making, the conflict of economic interests among member states, and the historical dependence of some on Russian energy have all combined to cause Europe’s sanctions policy not only to fail to achieve its ultimate goal but, in some cases, to yield opposite results. Meanwhile, the debate over “secondary sanctions” and the change in the European Union’s strategies after the Ukraine war marks a turning point in the future path of Moscow-Brussels relations.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the French government’s inability to meet public demands has led to a resurgence of domestic protests. The budget deficit has compelled Emmanuel Macron’s government to implement measures such as reducing public service expenditures, eliminating national holidays, cutting wages, and increasing taxes to offset the shortfall, which has further fueled the protests.
Strategic Council Online – A senior US affairs analyst stated that the overt intervention of billionaire and media mogul Elon Musk in the UK’s internal developments has once again brought the discussion about the role of non-state actors in international politics to the forefront of attention. With his provocative speech at the extreme right-wing rally in London, Musk not only called for the dissolution of parliament and early elections but also effectively sowed the seeds of political violence in the country’s fragile social fabric by promoting a rhetoric of “resistance or destruction.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned these remarks, but the matter goes beyond a war of words. The emergence of figures like Musk, who simultaneously possess capital, media influence, and social popularity, has blurred the line between official politics and protest movements. This trend could become a serious challenge to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of countries, one of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter. International institutions have been designed primarily to control the actions of states, rather than billionaires who own global platforms. Today, however, developments show that technology and media giants can influence the political developments of countries as independent actors; a reality that could pose new questions to the international order regarding national sovereignty and political security.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Eurasian and Russian affairs stated that the West’s reaction to Russia’s threats regarding any deployment of foreign forces in Ukraine, whether under NATO or as an independent force, will be a combination of caution and deterrence. He said: Despite the desire of Europe and America to deploy military forces in Ukraine, they emphasize indirect support for Ukraine, including economic sanctions and increased diplomatic pressure on Moscow, and at best propose deploying neutral observers in Ukraine.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on Afghan and Pakistani affairs stated that China’s explicit reaction to the new US efforts to retake Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan has once again highlighted the geopolitical competition among major powers in this sensitive region. Beijing has emphasized that any escalation of tensions or creation of confrontation in Afghanistan runs counter to the wishes and interests of the Afghan people and the entire region, and the Afghans themselves must shape the future of Afghanistan. This stance comes as US President Donald Trump has revealed Washington’s plan to return to Bagram, citing the base’s proximity to sensitive Chinese nuclear areas as one of the primary motivations. Analysts believe that a potential US return to Bagram signifies not only the revival of a military presence in Afghanistan but also an effort to curb China’s growing influence and control vital regional trade and security routes; a move that could have broad geopolitical consequences for all of Central and South Asia.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Recently, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has barred Chinese citizens from accessing its systems and facilities, a prohibition that even includes Chinese citizens possessing U.S. visas. This move can be interpreted as a sign of space competition between the United States and China.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A strategic affairs expert stated that recently, the United States has asked its allies in the G7 and its partners in the European Union to impose a new round of “significant tariffs” on China and India for purchasing Russian oil. Trump’s tariff demands reveal a clear gap in strategy between Washington and Brussels. While the Trump administration prefers to weaken the Kremlin’s economy by imposing tariffs on third countries, Europe seeks official sanctions against Moscow’s trade and financial partners.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert, referring to the ongoing dispute between Europe and America over Greenland, stated that Europe’s policy is based on increasing political, diplomatic, and even economic support for Denmark and Greenland, and it certainly will not move towards escalating tensions with America.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of U.S. affairs stated that while Donald Trump promised to revive the U.S. economy and restore the country’s industrial glory upon his return to the White House, the latest economic data indicate otherwise. The unemployment rate, which was 3.8% at the beginning of the new administration, has now risen to 4.3%, and factories and construction companies have laid off thousands of workers. Even revised statistics show that in June of this year alone, 13,000 jobs were lost. These developments highlight the gap between Trump’s campaign promises and the economic reality in the U.S.. This divide has overshadowed not only domestic politics but also the country’s economic and geopolitical future.
At the same time, Trump is attempting to shift pressures outward by leveraging geopolitical tools; an example is his threat to the European Union following the fines imposed on Google, an action many observers see as an effort to shift the agenda from domestic recession to external challenges. The question is whether these policies can pull the U.S. economy out of recession or if their consequences will ultimately spill over into the global economy.
SCFRonline – Opinion: The increase in public distrust of the French judicial system, which in recent surveys has reached approximately two-thirds of citizens, should be analyzed within a framework broader than temporary dissatisfaction or an emotional reaction to a particular criminal case.
SCFRonline– Opinion: Iran’s geopolitical power is not limited solely to oil and the Strait of Hormuz; the unintended emergence of disruptions in the future global food and energy security chains can also demonstrate Iran’s strategic importance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Competition among great powers is no longer solely about oil; rather, control over rare minerals has now become the most important geopolitical arena for the global economy and technology.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The confrontation between Iran and the West has moved beyond traditional military arenas and now continues in the realm of perception, data, and artificial intelligence.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s display of power in the recent imposed war and Washington’s turning away from its traditional allies have pushed Persian Gulf countries toward new partners in the East.
SCFR Online–Opinion: By providing an extensive network of social, healthcare, educational, and post-war reconstruction services, Hezbollah has established a strong social base for itself among Lebanon’s Shiites and Sunnis, and even beyond that, among other segments of Lebanese society, including Christians. Hezbollah has never been an external actor imposed upon Lebanon; rather, it is a phenomenon fundamentally born out of the occupation and crimes of the Zionist regime and itself influenced by popular resistance.
SCFR Online– Opinion: Security and military developments in the region over recent months indicate that the ongoing crises and wars in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and parts of Syrian territory encompass broader dimensions of geopolitical and geostrategic transformations. In this context, the increased military presence and control of the Zionist regime over parts of the territories of these areas, along with proposals regarding the creation of buffer zones or even the expansion of security borders, have raised serious questions about the future of the regional order and its consequences for the countries of West Asia.
SCFR Online – Note: Articles from Western think tanks confirm that, contrary to Western assumptions, the war has failed to cause Iran’s economy to collapse, and this situation has led Washington to seek a pathway for exiting the quagmire.
Online Strategic Council – Interview: An international affairs analyst stated that the recent United Nations meeting, which centered on recognizing the state of Palestine and the two-state solution, has sparked a wave of international reactions. Supporters of this plan see it as a step towards peace. Still, critics view it with skepticism and believe that this move is more of a tool to deceive public opinion and solidify the existence of the Zionist regime than to resolve the crisis. The initiative by France and some European countries is being proposed while the genocide in Gaza continues, and the West has so far taken no effective action to stop it. Some analysts say the primary goal of this plan is not the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, but rather the disarmament of resistance groups and the isolation of Hamas—an action that, through superficial negotiations and apparent peace, paves the way for realizing the interests of the Israeli regime. Iran, by rejecting the two-state solution, presents a different narrative for the future of Palestine, based on a referendum involving all indigenous inhabitants of the land.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international economics expert stated that sanctions, as discussed in political and economic literature, are tools used to force countries to change their behavior in foreign or domestic policies. However, the fundamental question is whether these tools consistently achieve the expected results. The European Union, which has intensified its sanctions policy against Russia since 2014, especially after the Ukraine war in 2022, now faces the question of to what extent these sanctions have been able to halt Moscow’s economic machine. Although more than 50 sanction packages have been imposed against Russia since 2014, statistics and analyses show that Russia has been able to overcome the pressures in many cases and even gain more profit in some areas. Experts believe that the lack of unity in European decision-making, the conflict of economic interests among member states, and the historical dependence of some on Russian energy have all combined to cause Europe’s sanctions policy not only to fail to achieve its ultimate goal but, in some cases, to yield opposite results. Meanwhile, the debate over “secondary sanctions” and the change in the European Union’s strategies after the Ukraine war marks a turning point in the future path of Moscow-Brussels relations.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the French government’s inability to meet public demands has led to a resurgence of domestic protests. The budget deficit has compelled Emmanuel Macron’s government to implement measures such as reducing public service expenditures, eliminating national holidays, cutting wages, and increasing taxes to offset the shortfall, which has further fueled the protests.
Strategic Council Online – A senior US affairs analyst stated that the overt intervention of billionaire and media mogul Elon Musk in the UK’s internal developments has once again brought the discussion about the role of non-state actors in international politics to the forefront of attention. With his provocative speech at the extreme right-wing rally in London, Musk not only called for the dissolution of parliament and early elections but also effectively sowed the seeds of political violence in the country’s fragile social fabric by promoting a rhetoric of “resistance or destruction.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned these remarks, but the matter goes beyond a war of words. The emergence of figures like Musk, who simultaneously possess capital, media influence, and social popularity, has blurred the line between official politics and protest movements. This trend could become a serious challenge to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of countries, one of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter. International institutions have been designed primarily to control the actions of states, rather than billionaires who own global platforms. Today, however, developments show that technology and media giants can influence the political developments of countries as independent actors; a reality that could pose new questions to the international order regarding national sovereignty and political security.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Eurasian and Russian affairs stated that the West’s reaction to Russia’s threats regarding any deployment of foreign forces in Ukraine, whether under NATO or as an independent force, will be a combination of caution and deterrence. He said: Despite the desire of Europe and America to deploy military forces in Ukraine, they emphasize indirect support for Ukraine, including economic sanctions and increased diplomatic pressure on Moscow, and at best propose deploying neutral observers in Ukraine.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on Afghan and Pakistani affairs stated that China’s explicit reaction to the new US efforts to retake Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan has once again highlighted the geopolitical competition among major powers in this sensitive region. Beijing has emphasized that any escalation of tensions or creation of confrontation in Afghanistan runs counter to the wishes and interests of the Afghan people and the entire region, and the Afghans themselves must shape the future of Afghanistan. This stance comes as US President Donald Trump has revealed Washington’s plan to return to Bagram, citing the base’s proximity to sensitive Chinese nuclear areas as one of the primary motivations. Analysts believe that a potential US return to Bagram signifies not only the revival of a military presence in Afghanistan but also an effort to curb China’s growing influence and control vital regional trade and security routes; a move that could have broad geopolitical consequences for all of Central and South Asia.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Recently, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has barred Chinese citizens from accessing its systems and facilities, a prohibition that even includes Chinese citizens possessing U.S. visas. This move can be interpreted as a sign of space competition between the United States and China.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A strategic affairs expert stated that recently, the United States has asked its allies in the G7 and its partners in the European Union to impose a new round of “significant tariffs” on China and India for purchasing Russian oil. Trump’s tariff demands reveal a clear gap in strategy between Washington and Brussels. While the Trump administration prefers to weaken the Kremlin’s economy by imposing tariffs on third countries, Europe seeks official sanctions against Moscow’s trade and financial partners.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert, referring to the ongoing dispute between Europe and America over Greenland, stated that Europe’s policy is based on increasing political, diplomatic, and even economic support for Denmark and Greenland, and it certainly will not move towards escalating tensions with America.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of U.S. affairs stated that while Donald Trump promised to revive the U.S. economy and restore the country’s industrial glory upon his return to the White House, the latest economic data indicate otherwise. The unemployment rate, which was 3.8% at the beginning of the new administration, has now risen to 4.3%, and factories and construction companies have laid off thousands of workers. Even revised statistics show that in June of this year alone, 13,000 jobs were lost. These developments highlight the gap between Trump’s campaign promises and the economic reality in the U.S.. This divide has overshadowed not only domestic politics but also the country’s economic and geopolitical future.
At the same time, Trump is attempting to shift pressures outward by leveraging geopolitical tools; an example is his threat to the European Union following the fines imposed on Google, an action many observers see as an effort to shift the agenda from domestic recession to external challenges. The question is whether these policies can pull the U.S. economy out of recession or if their consequences will ultimately spill over into the global economy.
SCFRonline – Opinion: The increase in public distrust of the French judicial system, which in recent surveys has reached approximately two-thirds of citizens, should be analyzed within a framework broader than temporary dissatisfaction or an emotional reaction to a particular criminal case.
SCFRonline– Opinion: Iran’s geopolitical power is not limited solely to oil and the Strait of Hormuz; the unintended emergence of disruptions in the future global food and energy security chains can also demonstrate Iran’s strategic importance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Competition among great powers is no longer solely about oil; rather, control over rare minerals has now become the most important geopolitical arena for the global economy and technology.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The confrontation between Iran and the West has moved beyond traditional military arenas and now continues in the realm of perception, data, and artificial intelligence.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s display of power in the recent imposed war and Washington’s turning away from its traditional allies have pushed Persian Gulf countries toward new partners in the East.
SCFR Online–Opinion: By providing an extensive network of social, healthcare, educational, and post-war reconstruction services, Hezbollah has established a strong social base for itself among Lebanon’s Shiites and Sunnis, and even beyond that, among other segments of Lebanese society, including Christians. Hezbollah has never been an external actor imposed upon Lebanon; rather, it is a phenomenon fundamentally born out of the occupation and crimes of the Zionist regime and itself influenced by popular resistance.
SCFR Online– Opinion: Security and military developments in the region over recent months indicate that the ongoing crises and wars in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and parts of Syrian territory encompass broader dimensions of geopolitical and geostrategic transformations. In this context, the increased military presence and control of the Zionist regime over parts of the territories of these areas, along with proposals regarding the creation of buffer zones or even the expansion of security borders, have raised serious questions about the future of the regional order and its consequences for the countries of West Asia.
SCFR Online – Note: Articles from Western think tanks confirm that, contrary to Western assumptions, the war has failed to cause Iran’s economy to collapse, and this situation has led Washington to seek a pathway for exiting the quagmire.
Online Strategic Council – Interview: An international affairs analyst stated that the recent United Nations meeting, which centered on recognizing the state of Palestine and the two-state solution, has sparked a wave of international reactions. Supporters of this plan see it as a step towards peace. Still, critics view it with skepticism and believe that this move is more of a tool to deceive public opinion and solidify the existence of the Zionist regime than to resolve the crisis. The initiative by France and some European countries is being proposed while the genocide in Gaza continues, and the West has so far taken no effective action to stop it. Some analysts say the primary goal of this plan is not the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, but rather the disarmament of resistance groups and the isolation of Hamas—an action that, through superficial negotiations and apparent peace, paves the way for realizing the interests of the Israeli regime. Iran, by rejecting the two-state solution, presents a different narrative for the future of Palestine, based on a referendum involving all indigenous inhabitants of the land.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international economics expert stated that sanctions, as discussed in political and economic literature, are tools used to force countries to change their behavior in foreign or domestic policies. However, the fundamental question is whether these tools consistently achieve the expected results. The European Union, which has intensified its sanctions policy against Russia since 2014, especially after the Ukraine war in 2022, now faces the question of to what extent these sanctions have been able to halt Moscow’s economic machine. Although more than 50 sanction packages have been imposed against Russia since 2014, statistics and analyses show that Russia has been able to overcome the pressures in many cases and even gain more profit in some areas. Experts believe that the lack of unity in European decision-making, the conflict of economic interests among member states, and the historical dependence of some on Russian energy have all combined to cause Europe’s sanctions policy not only to fail to achieve its ultimate goal but, in some cases, to yield opposite results. Meanwhile, the debate over “secondary sanctions” and the change in the European Union’s strategies after the Ukraine war marks a turning point in the future path of Moscow-Brussels relations.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the French government’s inability to meet public demands has led to a resurgence of domestic protests. The budget deficit has compelled Emmanuel Macron’s government to implement measures such as reducing public service expenditures, eliminating national holidays, cutting wages, and increasing taxes to offset the shortfall, which has further fueled the protests.
Strategic Council Online – A senior US affairs analyst stated that the overt intervention of billionaire and media mogul Elon Musk in the UK’s internal developments has once again brought the discussion about the role of non-state actors in international politics to the forefront of attention. With his provocative speech at the extreme right-wing rally in London, Musk not only called for the dissolution of parliament and early elections but also effectively sowed the seeds of political violence in the country’s fragile social fabric by promoting a rhetoric of “resistance or destruction.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned these remarks, but the matter goes beyond a war of words. The emergence of figures like Musk, who simultaneously possess capital, media influence, and social popularity, has blurred the line between official politics and protest movements. This trend could become a serious challenge to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of countries, one of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter. International institutions have been designed primarily to control the actions of states, rather than billionaires who own global platforms. Today, however, developments show that technology and media giants can influence the political developments of countries as independent actors; a reality that could pose new questions to the international order regarding national sovereignty and political security.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Eurasian and Russian affairs stated that the West’s reaction to Russia’s threats regarding any deployment of foreign forces in Ukraine, whether under NATO or as an independent force, will be a combination of caution and deterrence. He said: Despite the desire of Europe and America to deploy military forces in Ukraine, they emphasize indirect support for Ukraine, including economic sanctions and increased diplomatic pressure on Moscow, and at best propose deploying neutral observers in Ukraine.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on Afghan and Pakistani affairs stated that China’s explicit reaction to the new US efforts to retake Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan has once again highlighted the geopolitical competition among major powers in this sensitive region. Beijing has emphasized that any escalation of tensions or creation of confrontation in Afghanistan runs counter to the wishes and interests of the Afghan people and the entire region, and the Afghans themselves must shape the future of Afghanistan. This stance comes as US President Donald Trump has revealed Washington’s plan to return to Bagram, citing the base’s proximity to sensitive Chinese nuclear areas as one of the primary motivations. Analysts believe that a potential US return to Bagram signifies not only the revival of a military presence in Afghanistan but also an effort to curb China’s growing influence and control vital regional trade and security routes; a move that could have broad geopolitical consequences for all of Central and South Asia.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Recently, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has barred Chinese citizens from accessing its systems and facilities, a prohibition that even includes Chinese citizens possessing U.S. visas. This move can be interpreted as a sign of space competition between the United States and China.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A strategic affairs expert stated that recently, the United States has asked its allies in the G7 and its partners in the European Union to impose a new round of “significant tariffs” on China and India for purchasing Russian oil. Trump’s tariff demands reveal a clear gap in strategy between Washington and Brussels. While the Trump administration prefers to weaken the Kremlin’s economy by imposing tariffs on third countries, Europe seeks official sanctions against Moscow’s trade and financial partners.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert, referring to the ongoing dispute between Europe and America over Greenland, stated that Europe’s policy is based on increasing political, diplomatic, and even economic support for Denmark and Greenland, and it certainly will not move towards escalating tensions with America.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of U.S. affairs stated that while Donald Trump promised to revive the U.S. economy and restore the country’s industrial glory upon his return to the White House, the latest economic data indicate otherwise. The unemployment rate, which was 3.8% at the beginning of the new administration, has now risen to 4.3%, and factories and construction companies have laid off thousands of workers. Even revised statistics show that in June of this year alone, 13,000 jobs were lost. These developments highlight the gap between Trump’s campaign promises and the economic reality in the U.S.. This divide has overshadowed not only domestic politics but also the country’s economic and geopolitical future.
At the same time, Trump is attempting to shift pressures outward by leveraging geopolitical tools; an example is his threat to the European Union following the fines imposed on Google, an action many observers see as an effort to shift the agenda from domestic recession to external challenges. The question is whether these policies can pull the U.S. economy out of recession or if their consequences will ultimately spill over into the global economy.
SCFRonline – Opinion: The increase in public distrust of the French judicial system, which in recent surveys has reached approximately two-thirds of citizens, should be analyzed within a framework broader than temporary dissatisfaction or an emotional reaction to a particular criminal case.
SCFRonline– Opinion: Iran’s geopolitical power is not limited solely to oil and the Strait of Hormuz; the unintended emergence of disruptions in the future global food and energy security chains can also demonstrate Iran’s strategic importance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Competition among great powers is no longer solely about oil; rather, control over rare minerals has now become the most important geopolitical arena for the global economy and technology.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The confrontation between Iran and the West has moved beyond traditional military arenas and now continues in the realm of perception, data, and artificial intelligence.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s display of power in the recent imposed war and Washington’s turning away from its traditional allies have pushed Persian Gulf countries toward new partners in the East.
SCFR Online–Opinion: By providing an extensive network of social, healthcare, educational, and post-war reconstruction services, Hezbollah has established a strong social base for itself among Lebanon’s Shiites and Sunnis, and even beyond that, among other segments of Lebanese society, including Christians. Hezbollah has never been an external actor imposed upon Lebanon; rather, it is a phenomenon fundamentally born out of the occupation and crimes of the Zionist regime and itself influenced by popular resistance.
SCFR Online– Opinion: Security and military developments in the region over recent months indicate that the ongoing crises and wars in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and parts of Syrian territory encompass broader dimensions of geopolitical and geostrategic transformations. In this context, the increased military presence and control of the Zionist regime over parts of the territories of these areas, along with proposals regarding the creation of buffer zones or even the expansion of security borders, have raised serious questions about the future of the regional order and its consequences for the countries of West Asia.
SCFR Online – Note: Articles from Western think tanks confirm that, contrary to Western assumptions, the war has failed to cause Iran’s economy to collapse, and this situation has led Washington to seek a pathway for exiting the quagmire.
Online Strategic Council – Interview: An international affairs analyst stated that the recent United Nations meeting, which centered on recognizing the state of Palestine and the two-state solution, has sparked a wave of international reactions. Supporters of this plan see it as a step towards peace. Still, critics view it with skepticism and believe that this move is more of a tool to deceive public opinion and solidify the existence of the Zionist regime than to resolve the crisis. The initiative by France and some European countries is being proposed while the genocide in Gaza continues, and the West has so far taken no effective action to stop it. Some analysts say the primary goal of this plan is not the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, but rather the disarmament of resistance groups and the isolation of Hamas—an action that, through superficial negotiations and apparent peace, paves the way for realizing the interests of the Israeli regime. Iran, by rejecting the two-state solution, presents a different narrative for the future of Palestine, based on a referendum involving all indigenous inhabitants of the land.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international economics expert stated that sanctions, as discussed in political and economic literature, are tools used to force countries to change their behavior in foreign or domestic policies. However, the fundamental question is whether these tools consistently achieve the expected results. The European Union, which has intensified its sanctions policy against Russia since 2014, especially after the Ukraine war in 2022, now faces the question of to what extent these sanctions have been able to halt Moscow’s economic machine. Although more than 50 sanction packages have been imposed against Russia since 2014, statistics and analyses show that Russia has been able to overcome the pressures in many cases and even gain more profit in some areas. Experts believe that the lack of unity in European decision-making, the conflict of economic interests among member states, and the historical dependence of some on Russian energy have all combined to cause Europe’s sanctions policy not only to fail to achieve its ultimate goal but, in some cases, to yield opposite results. Meanwhile, the debate over “secondary sanctions” and the change in the European Union’s strategies after the Ukraine war marks a turning point in the future path of Moscow-Brussels relations.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the French government’s inability to meet public demands has led to a resurgence of domestic protests. The budget deficit has compelled Emmanuel Macron’s government to implement measures such as reducing public service expenditures, eliminating national holidays, cutting wages, and increasing taxes to offset the shortfall, which has further fueled the protests.
Strategic Council Online – A senior US affairs analyst stated that the overt intervention of billionaire and media mogul Elon Musk in the UK’s internal developments has once again brought the discussion about the role of non-state actors in international politics to the forefront of attention. With his provocative speech at the extreme right-wing rally in London, Musk not only called for the dissolution of parliament and early elections but also effectively sowed the seeds of political violence in the country’s fragile social fabric by promoting a rhetoric of “resistance or destruction.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned these remarks, but the matter goes beyond a war of words. The emergence of figures like Musk, who simultaneously possess capital, media influence, and social popularity, has blurred the line between official politics and protest movements. This trend could become a serious challenge to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of countries, one of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter. International institutions have been designed primarily to control the actions of states, rather than billionaires who own global platforms. Today, however, developments show that technology and media giants can influence the political developments of countries as independent actors; a reality that could pose new questions to the international order regarding national sovereignty and political security.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Eurasian and Russian affairs stated that the West’s reaction to Russia’s threats regarding any deployment of foreign forces in Ukraine, whether under NATO or as an independent force, will be a combination of caution and deterrence. He said: Despite the desire of Europe and America to deploy military forces in Ukraine, they emphasize indirect support for Ukraine, including economic sanctions and increased diplomatic pressure on Moscow, and at best propose deploying neutral observers in Ukraine.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on Afghan and Pakistani affairs stated that China’s explicit reaction to the new US efforts to retake Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan has once again highlighted the geopolitical competition among major powers in this sensitive region. Beijing has emphasized that any escalation of tensions or creation of confrontation in Afghanistan runs counter to the wishes and interests of the Afghan people and the entire region, and the Afghans themselves must shape the future of Afghanistan. This stance comes as US President Donald Trump has revealed Washington’s plan to return to Bagram, citing the base’s proximity to sensitive Chinese nuclear areas as one of the primary motivations. Analysts believe that a potential US return to Bagram signifies not only the revival of a military presence in Afghanistan but also an effort to curb China’s growing influence and control vital regional trade and security routes; a move that could have broad geopolitical consequences for all of Central and South Asia.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Recently, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has barred Chinese citizens from accessing its systems and facilities, a prohibition that even includes Chinese citizens possessing U.S. visas. This move can be interpreted as a sign of space competition between the United States and China.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A strategic affairs expert stated that recently, the United States has asked its allies in the G7 and its partners in the European Union to impose a new round of “significant tariffs” on China and India for purchasing Russian oil. Trump’s tariff demands reveal a clear gap in strategy between Washington and Brussels. While the Trump administration prefers to weaken the Kremlin’s economy by imposing tariffs on third countries, Europe seeks official sanctions against Moscow’s trade and financial partners.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert, referring to the ongoing dispute between Europe and America over Greenland, stated that Europe’s policy is based on increasing political, diplomatic, and even economic support for Denmark and Greenland, and it certainly will not move towards escalating tensions with America.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of U.S. affairs stated that while Donald Trump promised to revive the U.S. economy and restore the country’s industrial glory upon his return to the White House, the latest economic data indicate otherwise. The unemployment rate, which was 3.8% at the beginning of the new administration, has now risen to 4.3%, and factories and construction companies have laid off thousands of workers. Even revised statistics show that in June of this year alone, 13,000 jobs were lost. These developments highlight the gap between Trump’s campaign promises and the economic reality in the U.S.. This divide has overshadowed not only domestic politics but also the country’s economic and geopolitical future.
At the same time, Trump is attempting to shift pressures outward by leveraging geopolitical tools; an example is his threat to the European Union following the fines imposed on Google, an action many observers see as an effort to shift the agenda from domestic recession to external challenges. The question is whether these policies can pull the U.S. economy out of recession or if their consequences will ultimately spill over into the global economy.
SCFRonline – Opinion: The increase in public distrust of the French judicial system, which in recent surveys has reached approximately two-thirds of citizens, should be analyzed within a framework broader than temporary dissatisfaction or an emotional reaction to a particular criminal case.
SCFRonline– Opinion: Iran’s geopolitical power is not limited solely to oil and the Strait of Hormuz; the unintended emergence of disruptions in the future global food and energy security chains can also demonstrate Iran’s strategic importance.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Competition among great powers is no longer solely about oil; rather, control over rare minerals has now become the most important geopolitical arena for the global economy and technology.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The confrontation between Iran and the West has moved beyond traditional military arenas and now continues in the realm of perception, data, and artificial intelligence.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s display of power in the recent imposed war and Washington’s turning away from its traditional allies have pushed Persian Gulf countries toward new partners in the East.
SCFR Online–Opinion: By providing an extensive network of social, healthcare, educational, and post-war reconstruction services, Hezbollah has established a strong social base for itself among Lebanon’s Shiites and Sunnis, and even beyond that, among other segments of Lebanese society, including Christians. Hezbollah has never been an external actor imposed upon Lebanon; rather, it is a phenomenon fundamentally born out of the occupation and crimes of the Zionist regime and itself influenced by popular resistance.
SCFR Online– Opinion: Security and military developments in the region over recent months indicate that the ongoing crises and wars in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and parts of Syrian territory encompass broader dimensions of geopolitical and geostrategic transformations. In this context, the increased military presence and control of the Zionist regime over parts of the territories of these areas, along with proposals regarding the creation of buffer zones or even the expansion of security borders, have raised serious questions about the future of the regional order and its consequences for the countries of West Asia.
SCFR Online – Note: Articles from Western think tanks confirm that, contrary to Western assumptions, the war has failed to cause Iran’s economy to collapse, and this situation has led Washington to seek a pathway for exiting the quagmire.