جدیدترین مطالب

The Inseparability of the Lebanese Front from the Axis of Resistance

2026/06/02

SCFR Online–Opinion: By providing an extensive network of social, healthcare, educational, and post-war reconstruction services, Hezbollah has established a strong social base for itself among Lebanon’s Shiites and Sunnis, and even beyond that, among other segments of Lebanese society, including Christians. Hezbollah has never been an external actor imposed upon Lebanon; rather, it is a phenomenon fundamentally born out of the occupation and crimes of the Zionist regime and itself influenced by popular resistance.

The Increasing Efforts of the Zionist Regime to Redefine Borders and the Regional Order and Its Consequences

2026/06/02

SCFR Online– Opinion: Security and military developments in the region over recent months indicate that the ongoing crises and wars in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and parts of Syrian territory encompass broader dimensions of geopolitical and geostrategic transformations. In this context, the increased military presence and control of the Zionist regime over parts of the territories of these areas, along with proposals regarding the creation of buffer zones or even the expansion of security borders, have raised serious questions about the future of the regional order and its consequences for the countries of West Asia.

From the West’s Dream of Iran’s Collapse to the Reality of Its Resilience

2026/06/02

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.

The Components of Iran’s Deterrence Power

2026/05/31

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.

Arabs between Iran and NATO; A Questionable Redefinition of Persian Gulf Security

2026/05/31

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.

The Persian Gulf; A Cold Battlefield Between Beijing and Washington

2026/05/31

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.

The Strait of Hormuz and the Birth of a New Geopolitics in the Energy Domain

2026/05/31

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.

Europe’s Enduring Dependence on Persian Gulf Energy

2026/05/28

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.

Iraq

Consequences of Four Iraqi Shiite Groups Being Placed on the US Terrorist List

2025/09/27

Strategic Council Online– Interview: A senior Iraqi affairs analyst stated that the recent action by the US Department of State in placing four Iraqi Shiite groups on the list of foreign terrorist organizations has not only seriously challenged Iraq’s security dimension but has also broadly overshadowed Baghdad’s political and diplomatic equations. This decision, interpreted as a continuation of Washington’s policy of maximum pressure in the region, could have multi-layered consequences for Iraq’s internal security, foreign relations, and even the balance of power. The groups affected by this decision are part of the official structure of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and were key players in the defeat of ISIS; therefore, their placement on the terrorist list is not only considered a threat against US interests but also calls into question the legitimacy and cohesion of Iraq’s security forces. This move could cast a shadow over the process of withdrawing US forces from Iraq and provide a pretext for the continuation of Washington’s military presence. Similarly, at the regional level, it further frees the hands of the Israeli regime for aggressive actions.

Dr. Kharrazi, in a meeting with the leader of Iraq’s National Wisdom Movement: The wickedness of the Zionist regime, backed by the US, threatens all countries in the region

2025/09/10

Strategic Council Online: Seyed Ammar al-Hakim, the leader of Iraq’s National Wisdom Movement, met with Dr. Seyed Kamal Kharrazi, the President of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations (SCFR), this afternoon. They discussed regional developments, bilateral relations, and the prospects of elections in Iraq.

Dimensions and Implications of Parallel Efforts to Disarm the Resistance in West Asia

2025/08/23

Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.

Consequences of America’s Efforts to Destroy Resistance Groups in Iraq

2025/07/22

Online Strategic Council – Commentary: In recent weeks, as part of advancing the so-called “New Middle East” plan by the U.S. and the Zionist regime in the region, and following the 12-day war against Iran, Washington and Tel Aviv have focused on Iraq and are pursuing a project to destabilize the country.

Trump’s Baseless Claim Regarding “Peace Through Force” in the Context of International Relations and Regional Studies

2025/07/04

Strategic Council online – Opinion: The term “Peace through Force,” which Donald Trump has heavily promoted in recent media displays, refers in international relations literature to an approach where a global or regional power attempts to impose stability or regime change in a country or region through military and coercive means.

Reasons for NATO’s Interest in a Military Partnership with Iraq

2025/06/07

Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that Christoph Henzi, the new NATO commander in Iraq, recently emphasized the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) continued commitment to coordinating and cooperating with Iraqi military and security institutions through experience-sharing, advisory services, and capacity-building.

Examination of the Causes of the Arab League’s Inability and Passivity Regarding Palestine

2025/05/22

Strategic Council Online – Interview: A faculty member of International Relations at the Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies stated: The 34th Arab League Summit was held in Baghdad on Saturday, May 17. 2024). In their final statement, Arab leaders called on the international community to pressure the Zionist regime to stop the bloodshed and massacres in Gaza. The summit’s final statement focused on the centrality of the Palestinian issue and the demand for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. However, the question remains: Why has this body, aside from issuing a series of ineffective statements, failed to play a role in regional matters?

Iraq Liquidity Crisis: The Intersection of External Pressures and Internal Challenges

2025/05/17

Strategic Council Online –Opinion: The liquidity crisis in Iraq’s banking system, marked by a sharp decline in state banks’ cash reserves and disruptions in loan disbursements and salary payments, goes beyond a mere financial issue and could have political, diplomatic, and even security repercussions.

Consequences of Inviting Al-Sharaa to the Arab Summit in Iraq

2025/05/13

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The invitation to Ahmed Al-Sharaa, head of Syria’s interim government, to attend the Arab Summit in Baghdad sends a message from the Iraqi government to the Arab world that Baghdad seeks to play a central role in rebuilding Arab relations and reducing regional tensions. However, the path ahead for Baghdad does not appear straightforward. The invitation to Syria’s interim President, facilitated by the mediation of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, and Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani’s initial meeting with Al-Sharaa in Doha in February 2025, demonstrates Iraq’s determination to mediate regional conflicts.

Analysis of the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Visit to England

2025/01/22

Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert considered the Iraqi Prime Minister’s visit to the UK and the agreements reached during this visit important for Iraq’s future in West Asia. He said that Iraq is on the path to transitioning from a “disorganized” state in terms of politics, economy, and security to a stable state in the region, economically, politically, and security-wise.