SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The intensification of U.S. sanctions against Iran on the eve of the U.S. midterm elections indicates Washington’s inability to achieve its war objectives.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition between Washington and Beijing over chips and artificial intelligence, simultaneously with the shifting of technological balances, has taken on new economic and security dimensions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit has created a new opportunity for Iran to transform its membership from a political achievement into economic and transit cooperation.
Strategic Council Online – Note: The Makkah Defense Pact can be seen as a sign of regional countries’ efforts to reduce security dependence on extra-regional powers and redefine the balance in West Asia.
SCFR Online – Report: Washington, which once regarded itself as the architect of the non-proliferation order, has now—through shifts in its strategic doctrines in this domain—become the primary factor in the decline of that very order.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of West Asia affairs, saying that the Zionist regime’s threats against Iran are more from a position of passivity and weakness since they know that they cannot take action in this regard, added: By taking advantage of such threats and influencing the atmosphere of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) talks, they now want to prevent an agreement with Iran and giving concessions to it.
Strategic Council Online – A faculty member of the Institute for Strategic Studies, stating that this political-security view of Iran’s nuclear activities and program has always been destructive and has hindered resolution of the problem, said: The recent issues raised by the IAEA are not new and in the past, when the parties have willed, they have managed and resolved the issues.
Strategic Council Online – An analyst of international affairs criticized the IAEA for leaking Iran’s confidential information and pointed to the negative consequences it has had so far for Iran. He said: The strategy to continue Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA is because of its positive approach to the preservation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and with the three-month deadline set by Iran for the United States and Europe; it has in fact shown its maximum goodwill towards the JCPOA to the other parties.
Strategic Council Online – A Saudi affairs analyst, stating that part of the concerns about Saudi Arabia is regarding the possibility of Wahhabi extremist groups coming to power, said that the international community can address the concerns of Saudi Arabia by fully and effectively monitoring the activities of the nuclear core and define clear lines for Saudi Arabia to move towards energy production from this industry.
Strategic Council Online: A disarmament affairs expert said: A review of historical records suggests intelligence agencies in some countries may send individuals to a country’s nuclear facilities posing as IAEA inspectors.
Strategic Council Online: The President of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations said: ‘Europe is pursuing its independence, development of the euro, and its security independence from the United States, all developments that are welcomed by Iran.’
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The intensification of U.S. sanctions against Iran on the eve of the U.S. midterm elections indicates Washington’s inability to achieve its war objectives.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition between Washington and Beijing over chips and artificial intelligence, simultaneously with the shifting of technological balances, has taken on new economic and security dimensions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit has created a new opportunity for Iran to transform its membership from a political achievement into economic and transit cooperation.
Strategic Council Online – Note: The Makkah Defense Pact can be seen as a sign of regional countries’ efforts to reduce security dependence on extra-regional powers and redefine the balance in West Asia.
SCFR Online – Report: Washington, which once regarded itself as the architect of the non-proliferation order, has now—through shifts in its strategic doctrines in this domain—become the primary factor in the decline of that very order.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of West Asia affairs, saying that the Zionist regime’s threats against Iran are more from a position of passivity and weakness since they know that they cannot take action in this regard, added: By taking advantage of such threats and influencing the atmosphere of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) talks, they now want to prevent an agreement with Iran and giving concessions to it.
Strategic Council Online – A faculty member of the Institute for Strategic Studies, stating that this political-security view of Iran’s nuclear activities and program has always been destructive and has hindered resolution of the problem, said: The recent issues raised by the IAEA are not new and in the past, when the parties have willed, they have managed and resolved the issues.
Strategic Council Online – An analyst of international affairs criticized the IAEA for leaking Iran’s confidential information and pointed to the negative consequences it has had so far for Iran. He said: The strategy to continue Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA is because of its positive approach to the preservation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and with the three-month deadline set by Iran for the United States and Europe; it has in fact shown its maximum goodwill towards the JCPOA to the other parties.
Strategic Council Online – A Saudi affairs analyst, stating that part of the concerns about Saudi Arabia is regarding the possibility of Wahhabi extremist groups coming to power, said that the international community can address the concerns of Saudi Arabia by fully and effectively monitoring the activities of the nuclear core and define clear lines for Saudi Arabia to move towards energy production from this industry.
Strategic Council Online: A disarmament affairs expert said: A review of historical records suggests intelligence agencies in some countries may send individuals to a country’s nuclear facilities posing as IAEA inspectors.
Strategic Council Online: The President of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations said: ‘Europe is pursuing its independence, development of the euro, and its security independence from the United States, all developments that are welcomed by Iran.’
SCFR Online – Report: Washington, which once regarded itself as the architect of the non-proliferation order, has now—through shifts in its strategic doctrines in this domain—become the primary factor in the decline of that very order.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of West Asia affairs, saying that the Zionist regime’s threats against Iran are more from a position of passivity and weakness since they know that they cannot take action in this regard, added: By taking advantage of such threats and influencing the atmosphere of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) talks, they now want to prevent an agreement with Iran and giving concessions to it.
Strategic Council Online – A faculty member of the Institute for Strategic Studies, stating that this political-security view of Iran’s nuclear activities and program has always been destructive and has hindered resolution of the problem, said: The recent issues raised by the IAEA are not new and in the past, when the parties have willed, they have managed and resolved the issues.
Strategic Council Online – An analyst of international affairs criticized the IAEA for leaking Iran’s confidential information and pointed to the negative consequences it has had so far for Iran. He said: The strategy to continue Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA is because of its positive approach to the preservation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and with the three-month deadline set by Iran for the United States and Europe; it has in fact shown its maximum goodwill towards the JCPOA to the other parties.
Strategic Council Online – A Saudi affairs analyst, stating that part of the concerns about Saudi Arabia is regarding the possibility of Wahhabi extremist groups coming to power, said that the international community can address the concerns of Saudi Arabia by fully and effectively monitoring the activities of the nuclear core and define clear lines for Saudi Arabia to move towards energy production from this industry.
Strategic Council Online: A disarmament affairs expert said: A review of historical records suggests intelligence agencies in some countries may send individuals to a country’s nuclear facilities posing as IAEA inspectors.
Strategic Council Online: The President of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations said: ‘Europe is pursuing its independence, development of the euro, and its security independence from the United States, all developments that are welcomed by Iran.’
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The intensification of U.S. sanctions against Iran on the eve of the U.S. midterm elections indicates Washington’s inability to achieve its war objectives.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition between Washington and Beijing over chips and artificial intelligence, simultaneously with the shifting of technological balances, has taken on new economic and security dimensions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit has created a new opportunity for Iran to transform its membership from a political achievement into economic and transit cooperation.
Strategic Council Online – Note: The Makkah Defense Pact can be seen as a sign of regional countries’ efforts to reduce security dependence on extra-regional powers and redefine the balance in West Asia.
SCFR Online – Report: Washington, which once regarded itself as the architect of the non-proliferation order, has now—through shifts in its strategic doctrines in this domain—become the primary factor in the decline of that very order.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of West Asia affairs, saying that the Zionist regime’s threats against Iran are more from a position of passivity and weakness since they know that they cannot take action in this regard, added: By taking advantage of such threats and influencing the atmosphere of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) talks, they now want to prevent an agreement with Iran and giving concessions to it.
Strategic Council Online – A faculty member of the Institute for Strategic Studies, stating that this political-security view of Iran’s nuclear activities and program has always been destructive and has hindered resolution of the problem, said: The recent issues raised by the IAEA are not new and in the past, when the parties have willed, they have managed and resolved the issues.
Strategic Council Online – An analyst of international affairs criticized the IAEA for leaking Iran’s confidential information and pointed to the negative consequences it has had so far for Iran. He said: The strategy to continue Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA is because of its positive approach to the preservation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and with the three-month deadline set by Iran for the United States and Europe; it has in fact shown its maximum goodwill towards the JCPOA to the other parties.
Strategic Council Online – A Saudi affairs analyst, stating that part of the concerns about Saudi Arabia is regarding the possibility of Wahhabi extremist groups coming to power, said that the international community can address the concerns of Saudi Arabia by fully and effectively monitoring the activities of the nuclear core and define clear lines for Saudi Arabia to move towards energy production from this industry.
Strategic Council Online: A disarmament affairs expert said: A review of historical records suggests intelligence agencies in some countries may send individuals to a country’s nuclear facilities posing as IAEA inspectors.
Strategic Council Online: The President of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations said: ‘Europe is pursuing its independence, development of the euro, and its security independence from the United States, all developments that are welcomed by Iran.’
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The intensification of U.S. sanctions against Iran on the eve of the U.S. midterm elections indicates Washington’s inability to achieve its war objectives.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition between Washington and Beijing over chips and artificial intelligence, simultaneously with the shifting of technological balances, has taken on new economic and security dimensions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit has created a new opportunity for Iran to transform its membership from a political achievement into economic and transit cooperation.
Strategic Council Online – Note: The Makkah Defense Pact can be seen as a sign of regional countries’ efforts to reduce security dependence on extra-regional powers and redefine the balance in West Asia.
SCFR Online – Report: Washington, which once regarded itself as the architect of the non-proliferation order, has now—through shifts in its strategic doctrines in this domain—become the primary factor in the decline of that very order.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of West Asia affairs, saying that the Zionist regime’s threats against Iran are more from a position of passivity and weakness since they know that they cannot take action in this regard, added: By taking advantage of such threats and influencing the atmosphere of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) talks, they now want to prevent an agreement with Iran and giving concessions to it.
Strategic Council Online – A faculty member of the Institute for Strategic Studies, stating that this political-security view of Iran’s nuclear activities and program has always been destructive and has hindered resolution of the problem, said: The recent issues raised by the IAEA are not new and in the past, when the parties have willed, they have managed and resolved the issues.
Strategic Council Online – An analyst of international affairs criticized the IAEA for leaking Iran’s confidential information and pointed to the negative consequences it has had so far for Iran. He said: The strategy to continue Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA is because of its positive approach to the preservation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and with the three-month deadline set by Iran for the United States and Europe; it has in fact shown its maximum goodwill towards the JCPOA to the other parties.
Strategic Council Online – A Saudi affairs analyst, stating that part of the concerns about Saudi Arabia is regarding the possibility of Wahhabi extremist groups coming to power, said that the international community can address the concerns of Saudi Arabia by fully and effectively monitoring the activities of the nuclear core and define clear lines for Saudi Arabia to move towards energy production from this industry.
Strategic Council Online: A disarmament affairs expert said: A review of historical records suggests intelligence agencies in some countries may send individuals to a country’s nuclear facilities posing as IAEA inspectors.
Strategic Council Online: The President of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations said: ‘Europe is pursuing its independence, development of the euro, and its security independence from the United States, all developments that are welcomed by Iran.’
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The intensification of U.S. sanctions against Iran on the eve of the U.S. midterm elections indicates Washington’s inability to achieve its war objectives.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition between Washington and Beijing over chips and artificial intelligence, simultaneously with the shifting of technological balances, has taken on new economic and security dimensions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit has created a new opportunity for Iran to transform its membership from a political achievement into economic and transit cooperation.
Strategic Council Online – Note: The Makkah Defense Pact can be seen as a sign of regional countries’ efforts to reduce security dependence on extra-regional powers and redefine the balance in West Asia.
SCFR Online – Report: Washington, which once regarded itself as the architect of the non-proliferation order, has now—through shifts in its strategic doctrines in this domain—become the primary factor in the decline of that very order.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of West Asia affairs, saying that the Zionist regime’s threats against Iran are more from a position of passivity and weakness since they know that they cannot take action in this regard, added: By taking advantage of such threats and influencing the atmosphere of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) talks, they now want to prevent an agreement with Iran and giving concessions to it.
Strategic Council Online – A faculty member of the Institute for Strategic Studies, stating that this political-security view of Iran’s nuclear activities and program has always been destructive and has hindered resolution of the problem, said: The recent issues raised by the IAEA are not new and in the past, when the parties have willed, they have managed and resolved the issues.
Strategic Council Online – An analyst of international affairs criticized the IAEA for leaking Iran’s confidential information and pointed to the negative consequences it has had so far for Iran. He said: The strategy to continue Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA is because of its positive approach to the preservation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and with the three-month deadline set by Iran for the United States and Europe; it has in fact shown its maximum goodwill towards the JCPOA to the other parties.
Strategic Council Online – A Saudi affairs analyst, stating that part of the concerns about Saudi Arabia is regarding the possibility of Wahhabi extremist groups coming to power, said that the international community can address the concerns of Saudi Arabia by fully and effectively monitoring the activities of the nuclear core and define clear lines for Saudi Arabia to move towards energy production from this industry.
Strategic Council Online: A disarmament affairs expert said: A review of historical records suggests intelligence agencies in some countries may send individuals to a country’s nuclear facilities posing as IAEA inspectors.
Strategic Council Online: The President of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations said: ‘Europe is pursuing its independence, development of the euro, and its security independence from the United States, all developments that are welcomed by Iran.’
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The intensification of U.S. sanctions against Iran on the eve of the U.S. midterm elections indicates Washington’s inability to achieve its war objectives.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition between Washington and Beijing over chips and artificial intelligence, simultaneously with the shifting of technological balances, has taken on new economic and security dimensions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit has created a new opportunity for Iran to transform its membership from a political achievement into economic and transit cooperation.
Strategic Council Online – Note: The Makkah Defense Pact can be seen as a sign of regional countries’ efforts to reduce security dependence on extra-regional powers and redefine the balance in West Asia.
SCFR Online – Report: Washington, which once regarded itself as the architect of the non-proliferation order, has now—through shifts in its strategic doctrines in this domain—become the primary factor in the decline of that very order.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of West Asia affairs, saying that the Zionist regime’s threats against Iran are more from a position of passivity and weakness since they know that they cannot take action in this regard, added: By taking advantage of such threats and influencing the atmosphere of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) talks, they now want to prevent an agreement with Iran and giving concessions to it.
Strategic Council Online – A faculty member of the Institute for Strategic Studies, stating that this political-security view of Iran’s nuclear activities and program has always been destructive and has hindered resolution of the problem, said: The recent issues raised by the IAEA are not new and in the past, when the parties have willed, they have managed and resolved the issues.
Strategic Council Online – An analyst of international affairs criticized the IAEA for leaking Iran’s confidential information and pointed to the negative consequences it has had so far for Iran. He said: The strategy to continue Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA is because of its positive approach to the preservation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and with the three-month deadline set by Iran for the United States and Europe; it has in fact shown its maximum goodwill towards the JCPOA to the other parties.
Strategic Council Online – A Saudi affairs analyst, stating that part of the concerns about Saudi Arabia is regarding the possibility of Wahhabi extremist groups coming to power, said that the international community can address the concerns of Saudi Arabia by fully and effectively monitoring the activities of the nuclear core and define clear lines for Saudi Arabia to move towards energy production from this industry.
Strategic Council Online: A disarmament affairs expert said: A review of historical records suggests intelligence agencies in some countries may send individuals to a country’s nuclear facilities posing as IAEA inspectors.
Strategic Council Online: The President of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations said: ‘Europe is pursuing its independence, development of the euro, and its security independence from the United States, all developments that are welcomed by Iran.’
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The intensification of U.S. sanctions against Iran on the eve of the U.S. midterm elections indicates Washington’s inability to achieve its war objectives.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition between Washington and Beijing over chips and artificial intelligence, simultaneously with the shifting of technological balances, has taken on new economic and security dimensions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit has created a new opportunity for Iran to transform its membership from a political achievement into economic and transit cooperation.
Strategic Council Online – Note: The Makkah Defense Pact can be seen as a sign of regional countries’ efforts to reduce security dependence on extra-regional powers and redefine the balance in West Asia.