2025/09/29
Online Strategic Council – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that the unveiling of Iraq’s Vision 2050 plan by its Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, is assessed as a turning point on the path of economic development and reducing the country’s dependence on oil revenues. This plan is designed to create a diversified economy, develop infrastructure, and position Iraq at the heart of Asia-Europe trade corridors. If realized, it could alter the region’s geopolitical equations. In this plan, Al-Sudani has emphasized diverting 20 percent of the Asia-Europe trade through Iraq, which, if successful, will make the country a key player in global trade. On the other hand, environmental crises, security challenges, and the necessity of reforming governance structures in Iraq have made this plan a multidimensional and complex issue. For Iran, the implementation of Vision 2050 not only creates economic opportunities in the fields of energy and transit but also provides the possibility of enhancing political and security cooperation. However, the success of this plan is contingent upon resolving internal obstacles and Baghdad’s smart management of foreign relations, an issue that could improve the future of Iran-Iraq interactions and the regional standing of both countries in the coming decades.
2025/09/11
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs analyst stated that the United States’ imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian export goods has not only severely impacted the economic relations between the two countries but has also opened a new path in New Delhi’s foreign policy. While Washington has justified this move as “punishing” India for purchasing oil from Russia, the Narendra Modi government has called it unfair and emphasized the necessity of ensuring its country’s energy security. However, India’s reaction has not been limited to mere verbal statements; Modi’s visit to China and participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit can practically be assessed as a strategic pivot towards the East. Simultaneously, diplomatic exchanges among the three Asian powers have accelerated: China’s Foreign Minister visited New Delhi, his Indian counterpart went to Moscow, and Modi, in his meeting with Beijing’s leaders, sent a clear message of India’s desire for closer cooperation with Russia and China. In this context, the Indian Prime Minister’s lack of response to several phone calls from Trump suggests that New Delhi is redefining its foreign policy priorities in response to Washington’s pressure. Many analysts believe that India’s recent actions are not merely short-term reactions but rather a sign of a new balance of power forming in Asia’s equations.
2024/07/30
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Iran’s former diplomat, considering Turkey’s request for membership in the Shanghai Organization, said: If at some point there is a dispute between the Shanghai Organization and NATO, Erdogan will not advocate Shanghai. Therefore, Turkey’s membership in the Shanghai Organization is sensitive, considering its common policies and interests with the West and Europe.
2023/12/07
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Russian affairs stated that despite some challenges and uncertainties, the relationship between Moscow and Beijing has somehow insured the Russian economy; at the same time, she said that the West has a long-term plan to weaken Russia through sanctions.
2023/07/26
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Secretary of the Turkish Studies Department at the Iranian Association of West Asian Studies said: Turkey is trying to pass through the tensions it experienced with some countries in the region and its neighbors in the past years and put the policy of reducing tension seriously on its agenda. The increase in tensions has negatively affected the country’s economy, and now Ankara is not in a good position to bear more costs.
