SCFR Online – Opinion: The withdrawal of American forces from Iraq has marked the end of Washington’s direct military presence in the country; however, America’s financial, political, and security levers can still affect and cause problems for the future of this country.
SCFR Online – Opinion: After months of war and economic pressure, the situation between Iran and the United States has been placed between two conflicting logics; Washington insists on intensifying pressure to gain concessions, and Tehran does not accept negotiations under pressure.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The expansion of artificial intelligence and influence operations has drawn the field of conflict from physical space to the perceptual and algorithmic environment and has turned cognitive deterrence into a strategic necessity.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Riyadh, amid the Iran war, Yemeni pressure, and ambiguous Washington guarantees, has turned to flexible balancing in order to both preserve its security and increase its bargaining power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: London’s decision to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in the Yemen file, beyond a limited aerial mission, could confront Britain with broad legal, security, economic, and strategic consequences.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The acceleration of AI competition has shattered the boundaries of economic, military, intelligence, and cognitive power, turning this technology into a strategic component of national power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The three-day visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington and his meeting with Donald Trump on September 24 and 25, 2026, accompanied by a ceremonial welcome at Andrews Air Force Base, was more a diplomatic display for managing the level of tensions than an indication of a breakthrough achievement in relations between the two powers.
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.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that Iran’s hybrid and multidimensional diplomacy, if combined with a measured, flexible, and more effective approach, could lead to tangible domestic and international achievements. The world is transitioning toward a multipolar order in which power is more dispersed and distributed among multiple actors. In this context, Iran, by adopting an inclusive policy and emphasizing cooperation with alliances such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), seeks to reposition itself in the international system strategically. This policy goes beyond a reaction to the so-called Western-imposed isolation; it signifies a normative decision and choice to establish a fairer and more balanced order based on principles of justice, equality, and respect for national sovereignty. However, excessive reliance on specific alliances and blocs could limit Iran’s strategic options.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat stated that Russia’s recognition of the Taliban or the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is primarily a security and intelligence matter, and any expansion of political and economic relations with the Taliban will undoubtedly be carried out with Moscow’s specific considerations.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The expansion of the BRICS group, particularly with the addition of influential powers such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, has sparked a wave of concern in American policymaking circles, especially among conservative factions symbolized by Donald Trump. This fear does not stem merely from the increase in membership. Still, it is rooted in the coalition’s potential to challenge the Western-led economic and political order—particularly the dollar’s exclusive status as the global reserve and exchange currency.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior U.S. affairs analyst stated that the tariff policies of U.S. President Donald Trump have once again exposed the world to the prospect of a full-scale trade war. Trump’s threat to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods and extensive tariffs against over 150 countries, including close U.S. allies like Japan and South Korea, reflects the White House’s aggressive approach to global trade.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the recent attacks by the Israeli regime and the U.S. against Iran’s nuclear facilities are the primary challenge to future cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Strategic Council Online – Analysis: On the verge of finalizing the Baku-Yerevan peace agreement, the recent remarks by Mnatsakan Safaryan, Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, regarding the potential handover of the “logistical management” of the Zangezur route to a foreign company have pushed the status of this 32-kilometer strip into a critical phase. The discussion of a foreign operator’s involvement coincides with the meeting between Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev in Abu Dhabi—a meeting that, according to regional media, primarily focused on this blocked route.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs analyst stated that the contemporary world is transitioning toward a multipolar order in which major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia are engaged in a complex competition to preserve or expand their global influence. In this context, Iran, as a key player in the region and the Islamic world with significant strategic capabilities—including membership in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)—can leverage these developments to strengthen its position.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An economist and university faculty member stated that the temporary agreement between the U.S. and China to reduce trade tariffs, recently announced in Geneva, is a turning point in easing trade tensions between the two largest economies in the world. This development, which led to positive reactions in global markets and a rise in economic indicators, has indirect consequences for Iran’s economy.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The recent speech by the U.S. President at the Al Udeid military base in Qatar contained a crucial point. For the umpteenth time in recent weeks, Trump, while criticizing the Biden administration’s policy of shutting down Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan as a mistake, emphasized: “We will keep Bagram Air Base. We will not let it go, because it is only an hour away from China.”
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The U.S. stance on the tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi was based on urging restraint from both sides, as the United States fears Pakistan may grow closer to China and act as a strategic pivot in anti-American equations.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The withdrawal of American forces from Iraq has marked the end of Washington’s direct military presence in the country; however, America’s financial, political, and security levers can still affect and cause problems for the future of this country.
SCFR Online – Opinion: After months of war and economic pressure, the situation between Iran and the United States has been placed between two conflicting logics; Washington insists on intensifying pressure to gain concessions, and Tehran does not accept negotiations under pressure.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The expansion of artificial intelligence and influence operations has drawn the field of conflict from physical space to the perceptual and algorithmic environment and has turned cognitive deterrence into a strategic necessity.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Riyadh, amid the Iran war, Yemeni pressure, and ambiguous Washington guarantees, has turned to flexible balancing in order to both preserve its security and increase its bargaining power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: London’s decision to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in the Yemen file, beyond a limited aerial mission, could confront Britain with broad legal, security, economic, and strategic consequences.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The acceleration of AI competition has shattered the boundaries of economic, military, intelligence, and cognitive power, turning this technology into a strategic component of national power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The three-day visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington and his meeting with Donald Trump on September 24 and 25, 2026, accompanied by a ceremonial welcome at Andrews Air Force Base, was more a diplomatic display for managing the level of tensions than an indication of a breakthrough achievement in relations between the two powers.
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.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that Iran’s hybrid and multidimensional diplomacy, if combined with a measured, flexible, and more effective approach, could lead to tangible domestic and international achievements. The world is transitioning toward a multipolar order in which power is more dispersed and distributed among multiple actors. In this context, Iran, by adopting an inclusive policy and emphasizing cooperation with alliances such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), seeks to reposition itself in the international system strategically. This policy goes beyond a reaction to the so-called Western-imposed isolation; it signifies a normative decision and choice to establish a fairer and more balanced order based on principles of justice, equality, and respect for national sovereignty. However, excessive reliance on specific alliances and blocs could limit Iran’s strategic options.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat stated that Russia’s recognition of the Taliban or the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is primarily a security and intelligence matter, and any expansion of political and economic relations with the Taliban will undoubtedly be carried out with Moscow’s specific considerations.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The expansion of the BRICS group, particularly with the addition of influential powers such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, has sparked a wave of concern in American policymaking circles, especially among conservative factions symbolized by Donald Trump. This fear does not stem merely from the increase in membership. Still, it is rooted in the coalition’s potential to challenge the Western-led economic and political order—particularly the dollar’s exclusive status as the global reserve and exchange currency.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior U.S. affairs analyst stated that the tariff policies of U.S. President Donald Trump have once again exposed the world to the prospect of a full-scale trade war. Trump’s threat to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods and extensive tariffs against over 150 countries, including close U.S. allies like Japan and South Korea, reflects the White House’s aggressive approach to global trade.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the recent attacks by the Israeli regime and the U.S. against Iran’s nuclear facilities are the primary challenge to future cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Strategic Council Online – Analysis: On the verge of finalizing the Baku-Yerevan peace agreement, the recent remarks by Mnatsakan Safaryan, Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, regarding the potential handover of the “logistical management” of the Zangezur route to a foreign company have pushed the status of this 32-kilometer strip into a critical phase. The discussion of a foreign operator’s involvement coincides with the meeting between Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev in Abu Dhabi—a meeting that, according to regional media, primarily focused on this blocked route.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs analyst stated that the contemporary world is transitioning toward a multipolar order in which major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia are engaged in a complex competition to preserve or expand their global influence. In this context, Iran, as a key player in the region and the Islamic world with significant strategic capabilities—including membership in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)—can leverage these developments to strengthen its position.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An economist and university faculty member stated that the temporary agreement between the U.S. and China to reduce trade tariffs, recently announced in Geneva, is a turning point in easing trade tensions between the two largest economies in the world. This development, which led to positive reactions in global markets and a rise in economic indicators, has indirect consequences for Iran’s economy.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The recent speech by the U.S. President at the Al Udeid military base in Qatar contained a crucial point. For the umpteenth time in recent weeks, Trump, while criticizing the Biden administration’s policy of shutting down Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan as a mistake, emphasized: “We will keep Bagram Air Base. We will not let it go, because it is only an hour away from China.”
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The U.S. stance on the tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi was based on urging restraint from both sides, as the United States fears Pakistan may grow closer to China and act as a strategic pivot in anti-American equations.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that Iran’s hybrid and multidimensional diplomacy, if combined with a measured, flexible, and more effective approach, could lead to tangible domestic and international achievements. The world is transitioning toward a multipolar order in which power is more dispersed and distributed among multiple actors. In this context, Iran, by adopting an inclusive policy and emphasizing cooperation with alliances such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), seeks to reposition itself in the international system strategically. This policy goes beyond a reaction to the so-called Western-imposed isolation; it signifies a normative decision and choice to establish a fairer and more balanced order based on principles of justice, equality, and respect for national sovereignty. However, excessive reliance on specific alliances and blocs could limit Iran’s strategic options.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat stated that Russia’s recognition of the Taliban or the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is primarily a security and intelligence matter, and any expansion of political and economic relations with the Taliban will undoubtedly be carried out with Moscow’s specific considerations.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The expansion of the BRICS group, particularly with the addition of influential powers such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, has sparked a wave of concern in American policymaking circles, especially among conservative factions symbolized by Donald Trump. This fear does not stem merely from the increase in membership. Still, it is rooted in the coalition’s potential to challenge the Western-led economic and political order—particularly the dollar’s exclusive status as the global reserve and exchange currency.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior U.S. affairs analyst stated that the tariff policies of U.S. President Donald Trump have once again exposed the world to the prospect of a full-scale trade war. Trump’s threat to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods and extensive tariffs against over 150 countries, including close U.S. allies like Japan and South Korea, reflects the White House’s aggressive approach to global trade.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the recent attacks by the Israeli regime and the U.S. against Iran’s nuclear facilities are the primary challenge to future cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Strategic Council Online – Analysis: On the verge of finalizing the Baku-Yerevan peace agreement, the recent remarks by Mnatsakan Safaryan, Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, regarding the potential handover of the “logistical management” of the Zangezur route to a foreign company have pushed the status of this 32-kilometer strip into a critical phase. The discussion of a foreign operator’s involvement coincides with the meeting between Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev in Abu Dhabi—a meeting that, according to regional media, primarily focused on this blocked route.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs analyst stated that the contemporary world is transitioning toward a multipolar order in which major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia are engaged in a complex competition to preserve or expand their global influence. In this context, Iran, as a key player in the region and the Islamic world with significant strategic capabilities—including membership in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)—can leverage these developments to strengthen its position.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An economist and university faculty member stated that the temporary agreement between the U.S. and China to reduce trade tariffs, recently announced in Geneva, is a turning point in easing trade tensions between the two largest economies in the world. This development, which led to positive reactions in global markets and a rise in economic indicators, has indirect consequences for Iran’s economy.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The recent speech by the U.S. President at the Al Udeid military base in Qatar contained a crucial point. For the umpteenth time in recent weeks, Trump, while criticizing the Biden administration’s policy of shutting down Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan as a mistake, emphasized: “We will keep Bagram Air Base. We will not let it go, because it is only an hour away from China.”
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The U.S. stance on the tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi was based on urging restraint from both sides, as the United States fears Pakistan may grow closer to China and act as a strategic pivot in anti-American equations.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The withdrawal of American forces from Iraq has marked the end of Washington’s direct military presence in the country; however, America’s financial, political, and security levers can still affect and cause problems for the future of this country.
SCFR Online – Opinion: After months of war and economic pressure, the situation between Iran and the United States has been placed between two conflicting logics; Washington insists on intensifying pressure to gain concessions, and Tehran does not accept negotiations under pressure.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The expansion of artificial intelligence and influence operations has drawn the field of conflict from physical space to the perceptual and algorithmic environment and has turned cognitive deterrence into a strategic necessity.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Riyadh, amid the Iran war, Yemeni pressure, and ambiguous Washington guarantees, has turned to flexible balancing in order to both preserve its security and increase its bargaining power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: London’s decision to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in the Yemen file, beyond a limited aerial mission, could confront Britain with broad legal, security, economic, and strategic consequences.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The acceleration of AI competition has shattered the boundaries of economic, military, intelligence, and cognitive power, turning this technology into a strategic component of national power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The three-day visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington and his meeting with Donald Trump on September 24 and 25, 2026, accompanied by a ceremonial welcome at Andrews Air Force Base, was more a diplomatic display for managing the level of tensions than an indication of a breakthrough achievement in relations between the two powers.
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.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that Iran’s hybrid and multidimensional diplomacy, if combined with a measured, flexible, and more effective approach, could lead to tangible domestic and international achievements. The world is transitioning toward a multipolar order in which power is more dispersed and distributed among multiple actors. In this context, Iran, by adopting an inclusive policy and emphasizing cooperation with alliances such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), seeks to reposition itself in the international system strategically. This policy goes beyond a reaction to the so-called Western-imposed isolation; it signifies a normative decision and choice to establish a fairer and more balanced order based on principles of justice, equality, and respect for national sovereignty. However, excessive reliance on specific alliances and blocs could limit Iran’s strategic options.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat stated that Russia’s recognition of the Taliban or the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is primarily a security and intelligence matter, and any expansion of political and economic relations with the Taliban will undoubtedly be carried out with Moscow’s specific considerations.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The expansion of the BRICS group, particularly with the addition of influential powers such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, has sparked a wave of concern in American policymaking circles, especially among conservative factions symbolized by Donald Trump. This fear does not stem merely from the increase in membership. Still, it is rooted in the coalition’s potential to challenge the Western-led economic and political order—particularly the dollar’s exclusive status as the global reserve and exchange currency.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior U.S. affairs analyst stated that the tariff policies of U.S. President Donald Trump have once again exposed the world to the prospect of a full-scale trade war. Trump’s threat to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods and extensive tariffs against over 150 countries, including close U.S. allies like Japan and South Korea, reflects the White House’s aggressive approach to global trade.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the recent attacks by the Israeli regime and the U.S. against Iran’s nuclear facilities are the primary challenge to future cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Strategic Council Online – Analysis: On the verge of finalizing the Baku-Yerevan peace agreement, the recent remarks by Mnatsakan Safaryan, Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, regarding the potential handover of the “logistical management” of the Zangezur route to a foreign company have pushed the status of this 32-kilometer strip into a critical phase. The discussion of a foreign operator’s involvement coincides with the meeting between Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev in Abu Dhabi—a meeting that, according to regional media, primarily focused on this blocked route.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs analyst stated that the contemporary world is transitioning toward a multipolar order in which major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia are engaged in a complex competition to preserve or expand their global influence. In this context, Iran, as a key player in the region and the Islamic world with significant strategic capabilities—including membership in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)—can leverage these developments to strengthen its position.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An economist and university faculty member stated that the temporary agreement between the U.S. and China to reduce trade tariffs, recently announced in Geneva, is a turning point in easing trade tensions between the two largest economies in the world. This development, which led to positive reactions in global markets and a rise in economic indicators, has indirect consequences for Iran’s economy.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The recent speech by the U.S. President at the Al Udeid military base in Qatar contained a crucial point. For the umpteenth time in recent weeks, Trump, while criticizing the Biden administration’s policy of shutting down Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan as a mistake, emphasized: “We will keep Bagram Air Base. We will not let it go, because it is only an hour away from China.”
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The U.S. stance on the tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi was based on urging restraint from both sides, as the United States fears Pakistan may grow closer to China and act as a strategic pivot in anti-American equations.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The withdrawal of American forces from Iraq has marked the end of Washington’s direct military presence in the country; however, America’s financial, political, and security levers can still affect and cause problems for the future of this country.
SCFR Online – Opinion: After months of war and economic pressure, the situation between Iran and the United States has been placed between two conflicting logics; Washington insists on intensifying pressure to gain concessions, and Tehran does not accept negotiations under pressure.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The expansion of artificial intelligence and influence operations has drawn the field of conflict from physical space to the perceptual and algorithmic environment and has turned cognitive deterrence into a strategic necessity.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Riyadh, amid the Iran war, Yemeni pressure, and ambiguous Washington guarantees, has turned to flexible balancing in order to both preserve its security and increase its bargaining power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: London’s decision to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in the Yemen file, beyond a limited aerial mission, could confront Britain with broad legal, security, economic, and strategic consequences.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The acceleration of AI competition has shattered the boundaries of economic, military, intelligence, and cognitive power, turning this technology into a strategic component of national power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The three-day visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington and his meeting with Donald Trump on September 24 and 25, 2026, accompanied by a ceremonial welcome at Andrews Air Force Base, was more a diplomatic display for managing the level of tensions than an indication of a breakthrough achievement in relations between the two powers.
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.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that Iran’s hybrid and multidimensional diplomacy, if combined with a measured, flexible, and more effective approach, could lead to tangible domestic and international achievements. The world is transitioning toward a multipolar order in which power is more dispersed and distributed among multiple actors. In this context, Iran, by adopting an inclusive policy and emphasizing cooperation with alliances such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), seeks to reposition itself in the international system strategically. This policy goes beyond a reaction to the so-called Western-imposed isolation; it signifies a normative decision and choice to establish a fairer and more balanced order based on principles of justice, equality, and respect for national sovereignty. However, excessive reliance on specific alliances and blocs could limit Iran’s strategic options.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat stated that Russia’s recognition of the Taliban or the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is primarily a security and intelligence matter, and any expansion of political and economic relations with the Taliban will undoubtedly be carried out with Moscow’s specific considerations.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The expansion of the BRICS group, particularly with the addition of influential powers such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, has sparked a wave of concern in American policymaking circles, especially among conservative factions symbolized by Donald Trump. This fear does not stem merely from the increase in membership. Still, it is rooted in the coalition’s potential to challenge the Western-led economic and political order—particularly the dollar’s exclusive status as the global reserve and exchange currency.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior U.S. affairs analyst stated that the tariff policies of U.S. President Donald Trump have once again exposed the world to the prospect of a full-scale trade war. Trump’s threat to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods and extensive tariffs against over 150 countries, including close U.S. allies like Japan and South Korea, reflects the White House’s aggressive approach to global trade.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the recent attacks by the Israeli regime and the U.S. against Iran’s nuclear facilities are the primary challenge to future cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Strategic Council Online – Analysis: On the verge of finalizing the Baku-Yerevan peace agreement, the recent remarks by Mnatsakan Safaryan, Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, regarding the potential handover of the “logistical management” of the Zangezur route to a foreign company have pushed the status of this 32-kilometer strip into a critical phase. The discussion of a foreign operator’s involvement coincides with the meeting between Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev in Abu Dhabi—a meeting that, according to regional media, primarily focused on this blocked route.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs analyst stated that the contemporary world is transitioning toward a multipolar order in which major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia are engaged in a complex competition to preserve or expand their global influence. In this context, Iran, as a key player in the region and the Islamic world with significant strategic capabilities—including membership in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)—can leverage these developments to strengthen its position.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An economist and university faculty member stated that the temporary agreement between the U.S. and China to reduce trade tariffs, recently announced in Geneva, is a turning point in easing trade tensions between the two largest economies in the world. This development, which led to positive reactions in global markets and a rise in economic indicators, has indirect consequences for Iran’s economy.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The recent speech by the U.S. President at the Al Udeid military base in Qatar contained a crucial point. For the umpteenth time in recent weeks, Trump, while criticizing the Biden administration’s policy of shutting down Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan as a mistake, emphasized: “We will keep Bagram Air Base. We will not let it go, because it is only an hour away from China.”
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The U.S. stance on the tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi was based on urging restraint from both sides, as the United States fears Pakistan may grow closer to China and act as a strategic pivot in anti-American equations.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The withdrawal of American forces from Iraq has marked the end of Washington’s direct military presence in the country; however, America’s financial, political, and security levers can still affect and cause problems for the future of this country.
SCFR Online – Opinion: After months of war and economic pressure, the situation between Iran and the United States has been placed between two conflicting logics; Washington insists on intensifying pressure to gain concessions, and Tehran does not accept negotiations under pressure.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The expansion of artificial intelligence and influence operations has drawn the field of conflict from physical space to the perceptual and algorithmic environment and has turned cognitive deterrence into a strategic necessity.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Riyadh, amid the Iran war, Yemeni pressure, and ambiguous Washington guarantees, has turned to flexible balancing in order to both preserve its security and increase its bargaining power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: London’s decision to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in the Yemen file, beyond a limited aerial mission, could confront Britain with broad legal, security, economic, and strategic consequences.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The acceleration of AI competition has shattered the boundaries of economic, military, intelligence, and cognitive power, turning this technology into a strategic component of national power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The three-day visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington and his meeting with Donald Trump on September 24 and 25, 2026, accompanied by a ceremonial welcome at Andrews Air Force Base, was more a diplomatic display for managing the level of tensions than an indication of a breakthrough achievement in relations between the two powers.
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.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that Iran’s hybrid and multidimensional diplomacy, if combined with a measured, flexible, and more effective approach, could lead to tangible domestic and international achievements. The world is transitioning toward a multipolar order in which power is more dispersed and distributed among multiple actors. In this context, Iran, by adopting an inclusive policy and emphasizing cooperation with alliances such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), seeks to reposition itself in the international system strategically. This policy goes beyond a reaction to the so-called Western-imposed isolation; it signifies a normative decision and choice to establish a fairer and more balanced order based on principles of justice, equality, and respect for national sovereignty. However, excessive reliance on specific alliances and blocs could limit Iran’s strategic options.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat stated that Russia’s recognition of the Taliban or the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is primarily a security and intelligence matter, and any expansion of political and economic relations with the Taliban will undoubtedly be carried out with Moscow’s specific considerations.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The expansion of the BRICS group, particularly with the addition of influential powers such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, has sparked a wave of concern in American policymaking circles, especially among conservative factions symbolized by Donald Trump. This fear does not stem merely from the increase in membership. Still, it is rooted in the coalition’s potential to challenge the Western-led economic and political order—particularly the dollar’s exclusive status as the global reserve and exchange currency.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior U.S. affairs analyst stated that the tariff policies of U.S. President Donald Trump have once again exposed the world to the prospect of a full-scale trade war. Trump’s threat to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods and extensive tariffs against over 150 countries, including close U.S. allies like Japan and South Korea, reflects the White House’s aggressive approach to global trade.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the recent attacks by the Israeli regime and the U.S. against Iran’s nuclear facilities are the primary challenge to future cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Strategic Council Online – Analysis: On the verge of finalizing the Baku-Yerevan peace agreement, the recent remarks by Mnatsakan Safaryan, Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, regarding the potential handover of the “logistical management” of the Zangezur route to a foreign company have pushed the status of this 32-kilometer strip into a critical phase. The discussion of a foreign operator’s involvement coincides with the meeting between Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev in Abu Dhabi—a meeting that, according to regional media, primarily focused on this blocked route.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs analyst stated that the contemporary world is transitioning toward a multipolar order in which major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia are engaged in a complex competition to preserve or expand their global influence. In this context, Iran, as a key player in the region and the Islamic world with significant strategic capabilities—including membership in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)—can leverage these developments to strengthen its position.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An economist and university faculty member stated that the temporary agreement between the U.S. and China to reduce trade tariffs, recently announced in Geneva, is a turning point in easing trade tensions between the two largest economies in the world. This development, which led to positive reactions in global markets and a rise in economic indicators, has indirect consequences for Iran’s economy.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The recent speech by the U.S. President at the Al Udeid military base in Qatar contained a crucial point. For the umpteenth time in recent weeks, Trump, while criticizing the Biden administration’s policy of shutting down Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan as a mistake, emphasized: “We will keep Bagram Air Base. We will not let it go, because it is only an hour away from China.”
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The U.S. stance on the tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi was based on urging restraint from both sides, as the United States fears Pakistan may grow closer to China and act as a strategic pivot in anti-American equations.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The withdrawal of American forces from Iraq has marked the end of Washington’s direct military presence in the country; however, America’s financial, political, and security levers can still affect and cause problems for the future of this country.
SCFR Online – Opinion: After months of war and economic pressure, the situation between Iran and the United States has been placed between two conflicting logics; Washington insists on intensifying pressure to gain concessions, and Tehran does not accept negotiations under pressure.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The expansion of artificial intelligence and influence operations has drawn the field of conflict from physical space to the perceptual and algorithmic environment and has turned cognitive deterrence into a strategic necessity.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Riyadh, amid the Iran war, Yemeni pressure, and ambiguous Washington guarantees, has turned to flexible balancing in order to both preserve its security and increase its bargaining power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: London’s decision to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in the Yemen file, beyond a limited aerial mission, could confront Britain with broad legal, security, economic, and strategic consequences.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The acceleration of AI competition has shattered the boundaries of economic, military, intelligence, and cognitive power, turning this technology into a strategic component of national power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The three-day visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington and his meeting with Donald Trump on September 24 and 25, 2026, accompanied by a ceremonial welcome at Andrews Air Force Base, was more a diplomatic display for managing the level of tensions than an indication of a breakthrough achievement in relations between the two powers.
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.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that Iran’s hybrid and multidimensional diplomacy, if combined with a measured, flexible, and more effective approach, could lead to tangible domestic and international achievements. The world is transitioning toward a multipolar order in which power is more dispersed and distributed among multiple actors. In this context, Iran, by adopting an inclusive policy and emphasizing cooperation with alliances such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), seeks to reposition itself in the international system strategically. This policy goes beyond a reaction to the so-called Western-imposed isolation; it signifies a normative decision and choice to establish a fairer and more balanced order based on principles of justice, equality, and respect for national sovereignty. However, excessive reliance on specific alliances and blocs could limit Iran’s strategic options.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A former Iranian diplomat stated that Russia’s recognition of the Taliban or the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is primarily a security and intelligence matter, and any expansion of political and economic relations with the Taliban will undoubtedly be carried out with Moscow’s specific considerations.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The expansion of the BRICS group, particularly with the addition of influential powers such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, has sparked a wave of concern in American policymaking circles, especially among conservative factions symbolized by Donald Trump. This fear does not stem merely from the increase in membership. Still, it is rooted in the coalition’s potential to challenge the Western-led economic and political order—particularly the dollar’s exclusive status as the global reserve and exchange currency.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior U.S. affairs analyst stated that the tariff policies of U.S. President Donald Trump have once again exposed the world to the prospect of a full-scale trade war. Trump’s threat to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods and extensive tariffs against over 150 countries, including close U.S. allies like Japan and South Korea, reflects the White House’s aggressive approach to global trade.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the recent attacks by the Israeli regime and the U.S. against Iran’s nuclear facilities are the primary challenge to future cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Strategic Council Online – Analysis: On the verge of finalizing the Baku-Yerevan peace agreement, the recent remarks by Mnatsakan Safaryan, Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, regarding the potential handover of the “logistical management” of the Zangezur route to a foreign company have pushed the status of this 32-kilometer strip into a critical phase. The discussion of a foreign operator’s involvement coincides with the meeting between Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev in Abu Dhabi—a meeting that, according to regional media, primarily focused on this blocked route.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs analyst stated that the contemporary world is transitioning toward a multipolar order in which major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia are engaged in a complex competition to preserve or expand their global influence. In this context, Iran, as a key player in the region and the Islamic world with significant strategic capabilities—including membership in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)—can leverage these developments to strengthen its position.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An economist and university faculty member stated that the temporary agreement between the U.S. and China to reduce trade tariffs, recently announced in Geneva, is a turning point in easing trade tensions between the two largest economies in the world. This development, which led to positive reactions in global markets and a rise in economic indicators, has indirect consequences for Iran’s economy.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The recent speech by the U.S. President at the Al Udeid military base in Qatar contained a crucial point. For the umpteenth time in recent weeks, Trump, while criticizing the Biden administration’s policy of shutting down Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan as a mistake, emphasized: “We will keep Bagram Air Base. We will not let it go, because it is only an hour away from China.”
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The U.S. stance on the tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi was based on urging restraint from both sides, as the United States fears Pakistan may grow closer to China and act as a strategic pivot in anti-American equations.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The withdrawal of American forces from Iraq has marked the end of Washington’s direct military presence in the country; however, America’s financial, political, and security levers can still affect and cause problems for the future of this country.
SCFR Online – Opinion: After months of war and economic pressure, the situation between Iran and the United States has been placed between two conflicting logics; Washington insists on intensifying pressure to gain concessions, and Tehran does not accept negotiations under pressure.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The expansion of artificial intelligence and influence operations has drawn the field of conflict from physical space to the perceptual and algorithmic environment and has turned cognitive deterrence into a strategic necessity.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Riyadh, amid the Iran war, Yemeni pressure, and ambiguous Washington guarantees, has turned to flexible balancing in order to both preserve its security and increase its bargaining power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: London’s decision to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in the Yemen file, beyond a limited aerial mission, could confront Britain with broad legal, security, economic, and strategic consequences.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The acceleration of AI competition has shattered the boundaries of economic, military, intelligence, and cognitive power, turning this technology into a strategic component of national power.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The three-day visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington and his meeting with Donald Trump on September 24 and 25, 2026, accompanied by a ceremonial welcome at Andrews Air Force Base, was more a diplomatic display for managing the level of tensions than an indication of a breakthrough achievement in relations between the two powers.
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.