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.
SCFR Online – Opinion: At a time when regional security equations have reached a sensitive stage under the influence of Iran’s strategic confrontation with the United States and the Zionist regime, the question of the nature of Tehran’s defensive power has gained greater significance than ever before. While Washington and Tel Aviv rely on their technological superiority, the Islamic Republic of Iran has presented a model of deterrence that extends beyond the material calculations of the world’s classical militaries. This power, rooted in the connection between “the field” and “the people,” has not only altered the balance of power in recent conflicts but has also disrupted adversaries’ calculations when confronting Iran’s strategic depth.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The recent mobilization by certain members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council toward more active participation in NATO security arrangements should not be interpreted as a sudden shift or fundamental transformation in these countries’ foreign policies.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition in recent years between the United States and China encompasses various geographical regions—including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, the Arctic and Antarctic, and Africa—as well as multiple domains such as economics and technology. Within this context, a strategic competition has also emerged in the Persian Gulf region across economic, technological, and military spheres.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz has transformed from an energy corridor into a geopolitical instrument, and the West’s reluctant acknowledgment of Iran’s capacity to disrupt it has consolidated Tehran’s deterrence.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The dominant discourse in the field of European energy security over the past two decades has revolved around diversification of supply sources and the gradual reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. This narrative, which gained particular momentum after the Ukraine gas crisis in 2006 and its intensification in 2014 and 2022, was based on the assumption that Europe could free itself from the geopolitical vulnerabilities arising from dependence on specific suppliers through investment in renewable energy, imports of liquefied natural gas from diversified sources, and the establishment of new infrastructure. However, a closer analysis of energy trade data and the structure of the global oil and gas supply chain presents a different picture. Europe has not only failed to meaningfully reduce its dependence on the Persian Gulf, but in some sectors — particularly in liquefied natural gas imports — this dependence has deepened. This reality, which is often overlooked in public discourse, raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of Europe’s energy security strategies and their impact on regional power equations.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The growing divide between Europe and the United States is no longer merely a tactical disagreement, but rather a sign of strategic divergence and the redefinition of interests in a multipolar world.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In modern warfare, it has always been assumed that the more expensive, and advanced the weapon—particularly from well-known companies—the more certain the victory will be. However, developments on the northern front of occupied Palestine in recent months have challenged this long-held belief. Here, the Zionist regime’s military, despite possessing the most advanced defense systems such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow, as well as fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, Merkava tanks, and other modern equipment found in few countries worldwide, has effectively been rendered helpless against Hezbollah Lebanon’s few-hundred-dollar drones. Benjamin Netanyahu’s bitter admission regarding the inability to counter this threat, and his order to allocate an unlimited budget to find a solution, underscores the reality that the era of pure superiority through expensive technologies has come to an end.
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.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: There are a lot of speculations about the future of relations between China and Russia. Some describe it as a “pseudo-unity” and some as a “marriage of convenience”.
Mohammad Javad Qahremani- PhD in international relations
Strategic Council Online- Interview: An expert on Iraq commented on the recent visit of Mostafa Al-Kazemi, Iraqi Premier to Tehran and said:” Mostafa Al-Kazemi visit to Iran was his first visit after President Raisi took office. From political point of view, the visit was made one month before holding the Iraqi election, and is important for Al-Kazem who has made several counselling visits to regional countries.
Strategic Council Online- Note: Chinese export volume during the first 7 months of 2021 showed 24.5% growth and the import of the country 24.4% growth respectively. This is the case while the trade volume of foreign companies stationed in China had as much as 16.7% growth. There is a question that despite the pessimism of a large number of economists on leaving behind Corona economic crisis, how could such growth rate be attained?
Reza Majid-Zade, Researcher, Development Political Economics
Strategic Council Online – A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry recently announced that Russia is preparing to be removed from SWIFT. His remarks came in response to a European Parliament resolution calling for Russia to cut ties with SWIFT if it continues to invade Ukraine. The question now is how feasible is this Russian move? What are its implications for SWIFT and international trade? What are the roots of this decision and how far can the countries involved in SWIFT go with the option of sanctioning and leaving SWIFT?
Reza Majidzadeh – Researcher of development political economy
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.
SCFR Online – Opinion: At a time when regional security equations have reached a sensitive stage under the influence of Iran’s strategic confrontation with the United States and the Zionist regime, the question of the nature of Tehran’s defensive power has gained greater significance than ever before. While Washington and Tel Aviv rely on their technological superiority, the Islamic Republic of Iran has presented a model of deterrence that extends beyond the material calculations of the world’s classical militaries. This power, rooted in the connection between “the field” and “the people,” has not only altered the balance of power in recent conflicts but has also disrupted adversaries’ calculations when confronting Iran’s strategic depth.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The recent mobilization by certain members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council toward more active participation in NATO security arrangements should not be interpreted as a sudden shift or fundamental transformation in these countries’ foreign policies.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition in recent years between the United States and China encompasses various geographical regions—including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, the Arctic and Antarctic, and Africa—as well as multiple domains such as economics and technology. Within this context, a strategic competition has also emerged in the Persian Gulf region across economic, technological, and military spheres.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz has transformed from an energy corridor into a geopolitical instrument, and the West’s reluctant acknowledgment of Iran’s capacity to disrupt it has consolidated Tehran’s deterrence.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The dominant discourse in the field of European energy security over the past two decades has revolved around diversification of supply sources and the gradual reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. This narrative, which gained particular momentum after the Ukraine gas crisis in 2006 and its intensification in 2014 and 2022, was based on the assumption that Europe could free itself from the geopolitical vulnerabilities arising from dependence on specific suppliers through investment in renewable energy, imports of liquefied natural gas from diversified sources, and the establishment of new infrastructure. However, a closer analysis of energy trade data and the structure of the global oil and gas supply chain presents a different picture. Europe has not only failed to meaningfully reduce its dependence on the Persian Gulf, but in some sectors — particularly in liquefied natural gas imports — this dependence has deepened. This reality, which is often overlooked in public discourse, raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of Europe’s energy security strategies and their impact on regional power equations.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The growing divide between Europe and the United States is no longer merely a tactical disagreement, but rather a sign of strategic divergence and the redefinition of interests in a multipolar world.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In modern warfare, it has always been assumed that the more expensive, and advanced the weapon—particularly from well-known companies—the more certain the victory will be. However, developments on the northern front of occupied Palestine in recent months have challenged this long-held belief. Here, the Zionist regime’s military, despite possessing the most advanced defense systems such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow, as well as fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, Merkava tanks, and other modern equipment found in few countries worldwide, has effectively been rendered helpless against Hezbollah Lebanon’s few-hundred-dollar drones. Benjamin Netanyahu’s bitter admission regarding the inability to counter this threat, and his order to allocate an unlimited budget to find a solution, underscores the reality that the era of pure superiority through expensive technologies has come to an end.
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.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: There are a lot of speculations about the future of relations between China and Russia. Some describe it as a “pseudo-unity” and some as a “marriage of convenience”.
Mohammad Javad Qahremani- PhD in international relations
Strategic Council Online- Interview: An expert on Iraq commented on the recent visit of Mostafa Al-Kazemi, Iraqi Premier to Tehran and said:” Mostafa Al-Kazemi visit to Iran was his first visit after President Raisi took office. From political point of view, the visit was made one month before holding the Iraqi election, and is important for Al-Kazem who has made several counselling visits to regional countries.
Strategic Council Online- Note: Chinese export volume during the first 7 months of 2021 showed 24.5% growth and the import of the country 24.4% growth respectively. This is the case while the trade volume of foreign companies stationed in China had as much as 16.7% growth. There is a question that despite the pessimism of a large number of economists on leaving behind Corona economic crisis, how could such growth rate be attained?
Reza Majid-Zade, Researcher, Development Political Economics
Strategic Council Online – A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry recently announced that Russia is preparing to be removed from SWIFT. His remarks came in response to a European Parliament resolution calling for Russia to cut ties with SWIFT if it continues to invade Ukraine. The question now is how feasible is this Russian move? What are its implications for SWIFT and international trade? What are the roots of this decision and how far can the countries involved in SWIFT go with the option of sanctioning and leaving SWIFT?
Reza Majidzadeh – Researcher of development political economy
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.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: There are a lot of speculations about the future of relations between China and Russia. Some describe it as a “pseudo-unity” and some as a “marriage of convenience”.
Mohammad Javad Qahremani- PhD in international relations
Strategic Council Online- Interview: An expert on Iraq commented on the recent visit of Mostafa Al-Kazemi, Iraqi Premier to Tehran and said:” Mostafa Al-Kazemi visit to Iran was his first visit after President Raisi took office. From political point of view, the visit was made one month before holding the Iraqi election, and is important for Al-Kazem who has made several counselling visits to regional countries.
Strategic Council Online- Note: Chinese export volume during the first 7 months of 2021 showed 24.5% growth and the import of the country 24.4% growth respectively. This is the case while the trade volume of foreign companies stationed in China had as much as 16.7% growth. There is a question that despite the pessimism of a large number of economists on leaving behind Corona economic crisis, how could such growth rate be attained?
Reza Majid-Zade, Researcher, Development Political Economics
Strategic Council Online – A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry recently announced that Russia is preparing to be removed from SWIFT. His remarks came in response to a European Parliament resolution calling for Russia to cut ties with SWIFT if it continues to invade Ukraine. The question now is how feasible is this Russian move? What are its implications for SWIFT and international trade? What are the roots of this decision and how far can the countries involved in SWIFT go with the option of sanctioning and leaving SWIFT?
Reza Majidzadeh – Researcher of development political economy
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.
SCFR Online – Opinion: At a time when regional security equations have reached a sensitive stage under the influence of Iran’s strategic confrontation with the United States and the Zionist regime, the question of the nature of Tehran’s defensive power has gained greater significance than ever before. While Washington and Tel Aviv rely on their technological superiority, the Islamic Republic of Iran has presented a model of deterrence that extends beyond the material calculations of the world’s classical militaries. This power, rooted in the connection between “the field” and “the people,” has not only altered the balance of power in recent conflicts but has also disrupted adversaries’ calculations when confronting Iran’s strategic depth.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The recent mobilization by certain members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council toward more active participation in NATO security arrangements should not be interpreted as a sudden shift or fundamental transformation in these countries’ foreign policies.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition in recent years between the United States and China encompasses various geographical regions—including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, the Arctic and Antarctic, and Africa—as well as multiple domains such as economics and technology. Within this context, a strategic competition has also emerged in the Persian Gulf region across economic, technological, and military spheres.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz has transformed from an energy corridor into a geopolitical instrument, and the West’s reluctant acknowledgment of Iran’s capacity to disrupt it has consolidated Tehran’s deterrence.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The dominant discourse in the field of European energy security over the past two decades has revolved around diversification of supply sources and the gradual reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. This narrative, which gained particular momentum after the Ukraine gas crisis in 2006 and its intensification in 2014 and 2022, was based on the assumption that Europe could free itself from the geopolitical vulnerabilities arising from dependence on specific suppliers through investment in renewable energy, imports of liquefied natural gas from diversified sources, and the establishment of new infrastructure. However, a closer analysis of energy trade data and the structure of the global oil and gas supply chain presents a different picture. Europe has not only failed to meaningfully reduce its dependence on the Persian Gulf, but in some sectors — particularly in liquefied natural gas imports — this dependence has deepened. This reality, which is often overlooked in public discourse, raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of Europe’s energy security strategies and their impact on regional power equations.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The growing divide between Europe and the United States is no longer merely a tactical disagreement, but rather a sign of strategic divergence and the redefinition of interests in a multipolar world.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In modern warfare, it has always been assumed that the more expensive, and advanced the weapon—particularly from well-known companies—the more certain the victory will be. However, developments on the northern front of occupied Palestine in recent months have challenged this long-held belief. Here, the Zionist regime’s military, despite possessing the most advanced defense systems such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow, as well as fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, Merkava tanks, and other modern equipment found in few countries worldwide, has effectively been rendered helpless against Hezbollah Lebanon’s few-hundred-dollar drones. Benjamin Netanyahu’s bitter admission regarding the inability to counter this threat, and his order to allocate an unlimited budget to find a solution, underscores the reality that the era of pure superiority through expensive technologies has come to an end.
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.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: There are a lot of speculations about the future of relations between China and Russia. Some describe it as a “pseudo-unity” and some as a “marriage of convenience”.
Mohammad Javad Qahremani- PhD in international relations
Strategic Council Online- Interview: An expert on Iraq commented on the recent visit of Mostafa Al-Kazemi, Iraqi Premier to Tehran and said:” Mostafa Al-Kazemi visit to Iran was his first visit after President Raisi took office. From political point of view, the visit was made one month before holding the Iraqi election, and is important for Al-Kazem who has made several counselling visits to regional countries.
Strategic Council Online- Note: Chinese export volume during the first 7 months of 2021 showed 24.5% growth and the import of the country 24.4% growth respectively. This is the case while the trade volume of foreign companies stationed in China had as much as 16.7% growth. There is a question that despite the pessimism of a large number of economists on leaving behind Corona economic crisis, how could such growth rate be attained?
Reza Majid-Zade, Researcher, Development Political Economics
Strategic Council Online – A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry recently announced that Russia is preparing to be removed from SWIFT. His remarks came in response to a European Parliament resolution calling for Russia to cut ties with SWIFT if it continues to invade Ukraine. The question now is how feasible is this Russian move? What are its implications for SWIFT and international trade? What are the roots of this decision and how far can the countries involved in SWIFT go with the option of sanctioning and leaving SWIFT?
Reza Majidzadeh – Researcher of development political economy
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.
SCFR Online – Opinion: At a time when regional security equations have reached a sensitive stage under the influence of Iran’s strategic confrontation with the United States and the Zionist regime, the question of the nature of Tehran’s defensive power has gained greater significance than ever before. While Washington and Tel Aviv rely on their technological superiority, the Islamic Republic of Iran has presented a model of deterrence that extends beyond the material calculations of the world’s classical militaries. This power, rooted in the connection between “the field” and “the people,” has not only altered the balance of power in recent conflicts but has also disrupted adversaries’ calculations when confronting Iran’s strategic depth.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The recent mobilization by certain members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council toward more active participation in NATO security arrangements should not be interpreted as a sudden shift or fundamental transformation in these countries’ foreign policies.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition in recent years between the United States and China encompasses various geographical regions—including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, the Arctic and Antarctic, and Africa—as well as multiple domains such as economics and technology. Within this context, a strategic competition has also emerged in the Persian Gulf region across economic, technological, and military spheres.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz has transformed from an energy corridor into a geopolitical instrument, and the West’s reluctant acknowledgment of Iran’s capacity to disrupt it has consolidated Tehran’s deterrence.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The dominant discourse in the field of European energy security over the past two decades has revolved around diversification of supply sources and the gradual reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. This narrative, which gained particular momentum after the Ukraine gas crisis in 2006 and its intensification in 2014 and 2022, was based on the assumption that Europe could free itself from the geopolitical vulnerabilities arising from dependence on specific suppliers through investment in renewable energy, imports of liquefied natural gas from diversified sources, and the establishment of new infrastructure. However, a closer analysis of energy trade data and the structure of the global oil and gas supply chain presents a different picture. Europe has not only failed to meaningfully reduce its dependence on the Persian Gulf, but in some sectors — particularly in liquefied natural gas imports — this dependence has deepened. This reality, which is often overlooked in public discourse, raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of Europe’s energy security strategies and their impact on regional power equations.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The growing divide between Europe and the United States is no longer merely a tactical disagreement, but rather a sign of strategic divergence and the redefinition of interests in a multipolar world.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In modern warfare, it has always been assumed that the more expensive, and advanced the weapon—particularly from well-known companies—the more certain the victory will be. However, developments on the northern front of occupied Palestine in recent months have challenged this long-held belief. Here, the Zionist regime’s military, despite possessing the most advanced defense systems such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow, as well as fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, Merkava tanks, and other modern equipment found in few countries worldwide, has effectively been rendered helpless against Hezbollah Lebanon’s few-hundred-dollar drones. Benjamin Netanyahu’s bitter admission regarding the inability to counter this threat, and his order to allocate an unlimited budget to find a solution, underscores the reality that the era of pure superiority through expensive technologies has come to an end.
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.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: There are a lot of speculations about the future of relations between China and Russia. Some describe it as a “pseudo-unity” and some as a “marriage of convenience”.
Mohammad Javad Qahremani- PhD in international relations
Strategic Council Online- Interview: An expert on Iraq commented on the recent visit of Mostafa Al-Kazemi, Iraqi Premier to Tehran and said:” Mostafa Al-Kazemi visit to Iran was his first visit after President Raisi took office. From political point of view, the visit was made one month before holding the Iraqi election, and is important for Al-Kazem who has made several counselling visits to regional countries.
Strategic Council Online- Note: Chinese export volume during the first 7 months of 2021 showed 24.5% growth and the import of the country 24.4% growth respectively. This is the case while the trade volume of foreign companies stationed in China had as much as 16.7% growth. There is a question that despite the pessimism of a large number of economists on leaving behind Corona economic crisis, how could such growth rate be attained?
Reza Majid-Zade, Researcher, Development Political Economics
Strategic Council Online – A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry recently announced that Russia is preparing to be removed from SWIFT. His remarks came in response to a European Parliament resolution calling for Russia to cut ties with SWIFT if it continues to invade Ukraine. The question now is how feasible is this Russian move? What are its implications for SWIFT and international trade? What are the roots of this decision and how far can the countries involved in SWIFT go with the option of sanctioning and leaving SWIFT?
Reza Majidzadeh – Researcher of development political economy
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.
SCFR Online – Opinion: At a time when regional security equations have reached a sensitive stage under the influence of Iran’s strategic confrontation with the United States and the Zionist regime, the question of the nature of Tehran’s defensive power has gained greater significance than ever before. While Washington and Tel Aviv rely on their technological superiority, the Islamic Republic of Iran has presented a model of deterrence that extends beyond the material calculations of the world’s classical militaries. This power, rooted in the connection between “the field” and “the people,” has not only altered the balance of power in recent conflicts but has also disrupted adversaries’ calculations when confronting Iran’s strategic depth.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The recent mobilization by certain members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council toward more active participation in NATO security arrangements should not be interpreted as a sudden shift or fundamental transformation in these countries’ foreign policies.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition in recent years between the United States and China encompasses various geographical regions—including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, the Arctic and Antarctic, and Africa—as well as multiple domains such as economics and technology. Within this context, a strategic competition has also emerged in the Persian Gulf region across economic, technological, and military spheres.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz has transformed from an energy corridor into a geopolitical instrument, and the West’s reluctant acknowledgment of Iran’s capacity to disrupt it has consolidated Tehran’s deterrence.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The dominant discourse in the field of European energy security over the past two decades has revolved around diversification of supply sources and the gradual reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. This narrative, which gained particular momentum after the Ukraine gas crisis in 2006 and its intensification in 2014 and 2022, was based on the assumption that Europe could free itself from the geopolitical vulnerabilities arising from dependence on specific suppliers through investment in renewable energy, imports of liquefied natural gas from diversified sources, and the establishment of new infrastructure. However, a closer analysis of energy trade data and the structure of the global oil and gas supply chain presents a different picture. Europe has not only failed to meaningfully reduce its dependence on the Persian Gulf, but in some sectors — particularly in liquefied natural gas imports — this dependence has deepened. This reality, which is often overlooked in public discourse, raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of Europe’s energy security strategies and their impact on regional power equations.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The growing divide between Europe and the United States is no longer merely a tactical disagreement, but rather a sign of strategic divergence and the redefinition of interests in a multipolar world.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In modern warfare, it has always been assumed that the more expensive, and advanced the weapon—particularly from well-known companies—the more certain the victory will be. However, developments on the northern front of occupied Palestine in recent months have challenged this long-held belief. Here, the Zionist regime’s military, despite possessing the most advanced defense systems such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow, as well as fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, Merkava tanks, and other modern equipment found in few countries worldwide, has effectively been rendered helpless against Hezbollah Lebanon’s few-hundred-dollar drones. Benjamin Netanyahu’s bitter admission regarding the inability to counter this threat, and his order to allocate an unlimited budget to find a solution, underscores the reality that the era of pure superiority through expensive technologies has come to an end.
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.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: There are a lot of speculations about the future of relations between China and Russia. Some describe it as a “pseudo-unity” and some as a “marriage of convenience”.
Mohammad Javad Qahremani- PhD in international relations
Strategic Council Online- Interview: An expert on Iraq commented on the recent visit of Mostafa Al-Kazemi, Iraqi Premier to Tehran and said:” Mostafa Al-Kazemi visit to Iran was his first visit after President Raisi took office. From political point of view, the visit was made one month before holding the Iraqi election, and is important for Al-Kazem who has made several counselling visits to regional countries.
Strategic Council Online- Note: Chinese export volume during the first 7 months of 2021 showed 24.5% growth and the import of the country 24.4% growth respectively. This is the case while the trade volume of foreign companies stationed in China had as much as 16.7% growth. There is a question that despite the pessimism of a large number of economists on leaving behind Corona economic crisis, how could such growth rate be attained?
Reza Majid-Zade, Researcher, Development Political Economics
Strategic Council Online – A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry recently announced that Russia is preparing to be removed from SWIFT. His remarks came in response to a European Parliament resolution calling for Russia to cut ties with SWIFT if it continues to invade Ukraine. The question now is how feasible is this Russian move? What are its implications for SWIFT and international trade? What are the roots of this decision and how far can the countries involved in SWIFT go with the option of sanctioning and leaving SWIFT?
Reza Majidzadeh – Researcher of development political economy
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.
SCFR Online – Opinion: At a time when regional security equations have reached a sensitive stage under the influence of Iran’s strategic confrontation with the United States and the Zionist regime, the question of the nature of Tehran’s defensive power has gained greater significance than ever before. While Washington and Tel Aviv rely on their technological superiority, the Islamic Republic of Iran has presented a model of deterrence that extends beyond the material calculations of the world’s classical militaries. This power, rooted in the connection between “the field” and “the people,” has not only altered the balance of power in recent conflicts but has also disrupted adversaries’ calculations when confronting Iran’s strategic depth.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The recent mobilization by certain members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council toward more active participation in NATO security arrangements should not be interpreted as a sudden shift or fundamental transformation in these countries’ foreign policies.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition in recent years between the United States and China encompasses various geographical regions—including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, the Arctic and Antarctic, and Africa—as well as multiple domains such as economics and technology. Within this context, a strategic competition has also emerged in the Persian Gulf region across economic, technological, and military spheres.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz has transformed from an energy corridor into a geopolitical instrument, and the West’s reluctant acknowledgment of Iran’s capacity to disrupt it has consolidated Tehran’s deterrence.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The dominant discourse in the field of European energy security over the past two decades has revolved around diversification of supply sources and the gradual reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. This narrative, which gained particular momentum after the Ukraine gas crisis in 2006 and its intensification in 2014 and 2022, was based on the assumption that Europe could free itself from the geopolitical vulnerabilities arising from dependence on specific suppliers through investment in renewable energy, imports of liquefied natural gas from diversified sources, and the establishment of new infrastructure. However, a closer analysis of energy trade data and the structure of the global oil and gas supply chain presents a different picture. Europe has not only failed to meaningfully reduce its dependence on the Persian Gulf, but in some sectors — particularly in liquefied natural gas imports — this dependence has deepened. This reality, which is often overlooked in public discourse, raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of Europe’s energy security strategies and their impact on regional power equations.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The growing divide between Europe and the United States is no longer merely a tactical disagreement, but rather a sign of strategic divergence and the redefinition of interests in a multipolar world.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In modern warfare, it has always been assumed that the more expensive, and advanced the weapon—particularly from well-known companies—the more certain the victory will be. However, developments on the northern front of occupied Palestine in recent months have challenged this long-held belief. Here, the Zionist regime’s military, despite possessing the most advanced defense systems such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow, as well as fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, Merkava tanks, and other modern equipment found in few countries worldwide, has effectively been rendered helpless against Hezbollah Lebanon’s few-hundred-dollar drones. Benjamin Netanyahu’s bitter admission regarding the inability to counter this threat, and his order to allocate an unlimited budget to find a solution, underscores the reality that the era of pure superiority through expensive technologies has come to an end.
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.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: There are a lot of speculations about the future of relations between China and Russia. Some describe it as a “pseudo-unity” and some as a “marriage of convenience”.
Mohammad Javad Qahremani- PhD in international relations
Strategic Council Online- Interview: An expert on Iraq commented on the recent visit of Mostafa Al-Kazemi, Iraqi Premier to Tehran and said:” Mostafa Al-Kazemi visit to Iran was his first visit after President Raisi took office. From political point of view, the visit was made one month before holding the Iraqi election, and is important for Al-Kazem who has made several counselling visits to regional countries.
Strategic Council Online- Note: Chinese export volume during the first 7 months of 2021 showed 24.5% growth and the import of the country 24.4% growth respectively. This is the case while the trade volume of foreign companies stationed in China had as much as 16.7% growth. There is a question that despite the pessimism of a large number of economists on leaving behind Corona economic crisis, how could such growth rate be attained?
Reza Majid-Zade, Researcher, Development Political Economics
Strategic Council Online – A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry recently announced that Russia is preparing to be removed from SWIFT. His remarks came in response to a European Parliament resolution calling for Russia to cut ties with SWIFT if it continues to invade Ukraine. The question now is how feasible is this Russian move? What are its implications for SWIFT and international trade? What are the roots of this decision and how far can the countries involved in SWIFT go with the option of sanctioning and leaving SWIFT?
Reza Majidzadeh – Researcher of development political economy
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.
SCFR Online – Opinion: At a time when regional security equations have reached a sensitive stage under the influence of Iran’s strategic confrontation with the United States and the Zionist regime, the question of the nature of Tehran’s defensive power has gained greater significance than ever before. While Washington and Tel Aviv rely on their technological superiority, the Islamic Republic of Iran has presented a model of deterrence that extends beyond the material calculations of the world’s classical militaries. This power, rooted in the connection between “the field” and “the people,” has not only altered the balance of power in recent conflicts but has also disrupted adversaries’ calculations when confronting Iran’s strategic depth.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The recent mobilization by certain members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council toward more active participation in NATO security arrangements should not be interpreted as a sudden shift or fundamental transformation in these countries’ foreign policies.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition in recent years between the United States and China encompasses various geographical regions—including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, the Arctic and Antarctic, and Africa—as well as multiple domains such as economics and technology. Within this context, a strategic competition has also emerged in the Persian Gulf region across economic, technological, and military spheres.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz has transformed from an energy corridor into a geopolitical instrument, and the West’s reluctant acknowledgment of Iran’s capacity to disrupt it has consolidated Tehran’s deterrence.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The dominant discourse in the field of European energy security over the past two decades has revolved around diversification of supply sources and the gradual reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. This narrative, which gained particular momentum after the Ukraine gas crisis in 2006 and its intensification in 2014 and 2022, was based on the assumption that Europe could free itself from the geopolitical vulnerabilities arising from dependence on specific suppliers through investment in renewable energy, imports of liquefied natural gas from diversified sources, and the establishment of new infrastructure. However, a closer analysis of energy trade data and the structure of the global oil and gas supply chain presents a different picture. Europe has not only failed to meaningfully reduce its dependence on the Persian Gulf, but in some sectors — particularly in liquefied natural gas imports — this dependence has deepened. This reality, which is often overlooked in public discourse, raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of Europe’s energy security strategies and their impact on regional power equations.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The growing divide between Europe and the United States is no longer merely a tactical disagreement, but rather a sign of strategic divergence and the redefinition of interests in a multipolar world.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In modern warfare, it has always been assumed that the more expensive, and advanced the weapon—particularly from well-known companies—the more certain the victory will be. However, developments on the northern front of occupied Palestine in recent months have challenged this long-held belief. Here, the Zionist regime’s military, despite possessing the most advanced defense systems such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow, as well as fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, Merkava tanks, and other modern equipment found in few countries worldwide, has effectively been rendered helpless against Hezbollah Lebanon’s few-hundred-dollar drones. Benjamin Netanyahu’s bitter admission regarding the inability to counter this threat, and his order to allocate an unlimited budget to find a solution, underscores the reality that the era of pure superiority through expensive technologies has come to an end.