An Analysis of the Makkah Defense Pact
SCFR Online – Opinion: On Friday, August 7, the heads of state of three countries – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan – signed a text under the title “Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.”
SCFR Online – Opinion: On Friday, August 7, the heads of state of three countries – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan – signed a text under the title “Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.”
Strategic Council Online – Note: The initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway, beyond being a transportation project, constitutes an attempt to redefine geopolitics, the economy, and Turkey’s regional position; however, its realization appears to face significant financial, security, and institutional challenges.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz crisis is no longer merely the consequence of a military confrontation, but rather a sign of the transition from the US-centered maritime order to a new energy security structure involving the participation of emerging and influential powers.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s active deterrence strategy, while increasing the costs of US intervention, has increasingly exposed the hidden rifts between Washington’s interests and those of the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The escalation of verbal and strategic tensions between Turkey and the Israeli regime, although not increasing the likelihood of direct war, indicates the formation of a new order in West Asian geopolitical rivalries.
Strategic Council Online – Note: Recent developments in the political geography of West Asia, from rising tensions in the Persian Gulf to missile and drone activities in the Red Sea and the recent warning by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, regarding the threat to freedom of navigation, indicate a key pattern shift; the US-Iran war has moved beyond the scope of a regional and local confrontation and has linked two vital passageways for the global economy: the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Ukraine war was not merely a European crisis, but rather the starting point for the rearrangement of the global balance of power and a shift in the strategic behavior of great powers.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Great power competition is now pursued more in trade, currency, technology, and global supply chains than on the battlefields of military confrontation.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The former Iranian ambassador to France says now, due to the clarification of the terrorist actions and plans of the MKO and their cyberattacks, the government of Albania is expected to cooperate with Iran in extraditing their leaders through the Interpol, and added: In recent years, Albania has been the main loser in hosting the Munafiqeen and it is regrettable that Tirana accepted hosting that terrorist group under the influence of the US pressure, enticement, and indoctrination; but it seems that the Albanian government as finally conclude that this decision was wrong and that it has lost good opportunities for cooperation with Iran due to the many problems that were created for that country by accepting the Munafiqeen after they were expelled from Iraq.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Middle East issues,l while referring to the arrival of new US troops and military equipment at Ain al-Asad Air Base, said that “recently, the commanders of Iraqi Popular Forces expressed their concern about the suspicious and hidden movements of American forces at Ein al-Asad Air Base in the city of Hit, Anbar Province, located in the west of Iraq. It is said that the US has recently reconstructed the destroyed parts of the Ain al-Assad base and increased its forces from 2,500 to 3,000.
Strategic Council Online-Opinion: After the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia created a wave of positive developments in the region and encouraged other Persian Gulf countries to resume or strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, now the news indicates that Iran and Egypt with the mediation of Iraq are trying to resume diplomatic relations.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri—University scholar
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: As the Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections on May 14, 2023, are approaching, the activities of the eligible candidates are expanding. In the Turkish presidential election, four candidates, and in the parliamentary election, 27 parties will compete. The upcoming elections will be the 13th presidential election in Türkiye’s history, the second presidential election since the beginning of the presidential term, and the 28th parliamentary election in this country. The presidency and parliamentary representation term is five years, and the number of people elected representatives is 600.
Mahmoud Fazeli—Analyst of international affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of Turkey affairs, saying that the victory of each of the candidates in the upcoming Turkish elections brings opportunities and threats in the field of foreign relations, emphasized: If the Nation Alliance wins the elections in Turkey, naturally Ankara’s regional ambitions will decrease, and this issue will leave its impacts on Iran-Turkey relations as well.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to resume bilateral relations is West Asia’s most important political and diplomatic event.
Barsam Mohammadi – International affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on West Asia affairs called the central message of the US defense secretary’s visit to Baghdad as the declaration of their desire to maintain the presence of their troops in Iraq and stressed: The United States still wants and insists that its forces remain in Iraq. Even though it declared policy, Iraq’s prime minister stated that Baghdad needed no presence of foreign troops, and this policy would only stay at the announcement level.
Strategic Council Online-Interview: An Iraqi affairs expert emphasized that the US wants to maintain a military presence in Iraq and the region, adding that the US presence has no consequences other than insecurity in the region and an impact on the independence of decision-making in the governments that host them.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: While preliminary agreements have been made regarding the export of oil and gas to Germany and Europe, Baghdad will face great challenges in realizing its ambitious goals.
Pouria Nabipour – PhD in political science and international relations
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A university professor, saying that definitely the dam building project in Turkey will, sooner or later, damage the country itself, underlined the need for regional diplomatic pursuit and serious talks with Turkey.
SCFR Online – Opinion: On Friday, August 7, the heads of state of three countries – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan – signed a text under the title “Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.”
Strategic Council Online – Note: The initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway, beyond being a transportation project, constitutes an attempt to redefine geopolitics, the economy, and Turkey’s regional position; however, its realization appears to face significant financial, security, and institutional challenges.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz crisis is no longer merely the consequence of a military confrontation, but rather a sign of the transition from the US-centered maritime order to a new energy security structure involving the participation of emerging and influential powers.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s active deterrence strategy, while increasing the costs of US intervention, has increasingly exposed the hidden rifts between Washington’s interests and those of the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The escalation of verbal and strategic tensions between Turkey and the Israeli regime, although not increasing the likelihood of direct war, indicates the formation of a new order in West Asian geopolitical rivalries.
Strategic Council Online – Note: Recent developments in the political geography of West Asia, from rising tensions in the Persian Gulf to missile and drone activities in the Red Sea and the recent warning by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, regarding the threat to freedom of navigation, indicate a key pattern shift; the US-Iran war has moved beyond the scope of a regional and local confrontation and has linked two vital passageways for the global economy: the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Ukraine war was not merely a European crisis, but rather the starting point for the rearrangement of the global balance of power and a shift in the strategic behavior of great powers.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Great power competition is now pursued more in trade, currency, technology, and global supply chains than on the battlefields of military confrontation.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The former Iranian ambassador to France says now, due to the clarification of the terrorist actions and plans of the MKO and their cyberattacks, the government of Albania is expected to cooperate with Iran in extraditing their leaders through the Interpol, and added: In recent years, Albania has been the main loser in hosting the Munafiqeen and it is regrettable that Tirana accepted hosting that terrorist group under the influence of the US pressure, enticement, and indoctrination; but it seems that the Albanian government as finally conclude that this decision was wrong and that it has lost good opportunities for cooperation with Iran due to the many problems that were created for that country by accepting the Munafiqeen after they were expelled from Iraq.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Middle East issues,l while referring to the arrival of new US troops and military equipment at Ain al-Asad Air Base, said that “recently, the commanders of Iraqi Popular Forces expressed their concern about the suspicious and hidden movements of American forces at Ein al-Asad Air Base in the city of Hit, Anbar Province, located in the west of Iraq. It is said that the US has recently reconstructed the destroyed parts of the Ain al-Assad base and increased its forces from 2,500 to 3,000.
Strategic Council Online-Opinion: After the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia created a wave of positive developments in the region and encouraged other Persian Gulf countries to resume or strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, now the news indicates that Iran and Egypt with the mediation of Iraq are trying to resume diplomatic relations.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri—University scholar
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: As the Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections on May 14, 2023, are approaching, the activities of the eligible candidates are expanding. In the Turkish presidential election, four candidates, and in the parliamentary election, 27 parties will compete. The upcoming elections will be the 13th presidential election in Türkiye’s history, the second presidential election since the beginning of the presidential term, and the 28th parliamentary election in this country. The presidency and parliamentary representation term is five years, and the number of people elected representatives is 600.
Mahmoud Fazeli—Analyst of international affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of Turkey affairs, saying that the victory of each of the candidates in the upcoming Turkish elections brings opportunities and threats in the field of foreign relations, emphasized: If the Nation Alliance wins the elections in Turkey, naturally Ankara’s regional ambitions will decrease, and this issue will leave its impacts on Iran-Turkey relations as well.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to resume bilateral relations is West Asia’s most important political and diplomatic event.
Barsam Mohammadi – International affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on West Asia affairs called the central message of the US defense secretary’s visit to Baghdad as the declaration of their desire to maintain the presence of their troops in Iraq and stressed: The United States still wants and insists that its forces remain in Iraq. Even though it declared policy, Iraq’s prime minister stated that Baghdad needed no presence of foreign troops, and this policy would only stay at the announcement level.
Strategic Council Online-Interview: An Iraqi affairs expert emphasized that the US wants to maintain a military presence in Iraq and the region, adding that the US presence has no consequences other than insecurity in the region and an impact on the independence of decision-making in the governments that host them.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: While preliminary agreements have been made regarding the export of oil and gas to Germany and Europe, Baghdad will face great challenges in realizing its ambitious goals.
Pouria Nabipour – PhD in political science and international relations
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A university professor, saying that definitely the dam building project in Turkey will, sooner or later, damage the country itself, underlined the need for regional diplomatic pursuit and serious talks with Turkey.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The former Iranian ambassador to France says now, due to the clarification of the terrorist actions and plans of the MKO and their cyberattacks, the government of Albania is expected to cooperate with Iran in extraditing their leaders through the Interpol, and added: In recent years, Albania has been the main loser in hosting the Munafiqeen and it is regrettable that Tirana accepted hosting that terrorist group under the influence of the US pressure, enticement, and indoctrination; but it seems that the Albanian government as finally conclude that this decision was wrong and that it has lost good opportunities for cooperation with Iran due to the many problems that were created for that country by accepting the Munafiqeen after they were expelled from Iraq.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Middle East issues,l while referring to the arrival of new US troops and military equipment at Ain al-Asad Air Base, said that “recently, the commanders of Iraqi Popular Forces expressed their concern about the suspicious and hidden movements of American forces at Ein al-Asad Air Base in the city of Hit, Anbar Province, located in the west of Iraq. It is said that the US has recently reconstructed the destroyed parts of the Ain al-Assad base and increased its forces from 2,500 to 3,000.
Strategic Council Online-Opinion: After the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia created a wave of positive developments in the region and encouraged other Persian Gulf countries to resume or strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, now the news indicates that Iran and Egypt with the mediation of Iraq are trying to resume diplomatic relations.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri—University scholar
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: As the Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections on May 14, 2023, are approaching, the activities of the eligible candidates are expanding. In the Turkish presidential election, four candidates, and in the parliamentary election, 27 parties will compete. The upcoming elections will be the 13th presidential election in Türkiye’s history, the second presidential election since the beginning of the presidential term, and the 28th parliamentary election in this country. The presidency and parliamentary representation term is five years, and the number of people elected representatives is 600.
Mahmoud Fazeli—Analyst of international affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of Turkey affairs, saying that the victory of each of the candidates in the upcoming Turkish elections brings opportunities and threats in the field of foreign relations, emphasized: If the Nation Alliance wins the elections in Turkey, naturally Ankara’s regional ambitions will decrease, and this issue will leave its impacts on Iran-Turkey relations as well.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to resume bilateral relations is West Asia’s most important political and diplomatic event.
Barsam Mohammadi – International affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on West Asia affairs called the central message of the US defense secretary’s visit to Baghdad as the declaration of their desire to maintain the presence of their troops in Iraq and stressed: The United States still wants and insists that its forces remain in Iraq. Even though it declared policy, Iraq’s prime minister stated that Baghdad needed no presence of foreign troops, and this policy would only stay at the announcement level.
Strategic Council Online-Interview: An Iraqi affairs expert emphasized that the US wants to maintain a military presence in Iraq and the region, adding that the US presence has no consequences other than insecurity in the region and an impact on the independence of decision-making in the governments that host them.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: While preliminary agreements have been made regarding the export of oil and gas to Germany and Europe, Baghdad will face great challenges in realizing its ambitious goals.
Pouria Nabipour – PhD in political science and international relations
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A university professor, saying that definitely the dam building project in Turkey will, sooner or later, damage the country itself, underlined the need for regional diplomatic pursuit and serious talks with Turkey.
SCFR Online – Opinion: On Friday, August 7, the heads of state of three countries – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan – signed a text under the title “Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.”
Strategic Council Online – Note: The initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway, beyond being a transportation project, constitutes an attempt to redefine geopolitics, the economy, and Turkey’s regional position; however, its realization appears to face significant financial, security, and institutional challenges.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz crisis is no longer merely the consequence of a military confrontation, but rather a sign of the transition from the US-centered maritime order to a new energy security structure involving the participation of emerging and influential powers.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s active deterrence strategy, while increasing the costs of US intervention, has increasingly exposed the hidden rifts between Washington’s interests and those of the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The escalation of verbal and strategic tensions between Turkey and the Israeli regime, although not increasing the likelihood of direct war, indicates the formation of a new order in West Asian geopolitical rivalries.
Strategic Council Online – Note: Recent developments in the political geography of West Asia, from rising tensions in the Persian Gulf to missile and drone activities in the Red Sea and the recent warning by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, regarding the threat to freedom of navigation, indicate a key pattern shift; the US-Iran war has moved beyond the scope of a regional and local confrontation and has linked two vital passageways for the global economy: the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Ukraine war was not merely a European crisis, but rather the starting point for the rearrangement of the global balance of power and a shift in the strategic behavior of great powers.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Great power competition is now pursued more in trade, currency, technology, and global supply chains than on the battlefields of military confrontation.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The former Iranian ambassador to France says now, due to the clarification of the terrorist actions and plans of the MKO and their cyberattacks, the government of Albania is expected to cooperate with Iran in extraditing their leaders through the Interpol, and added: In recent years, Albania has been the main loser in hosting the Munafiqeen and it is regrettable that Tirana accepted hosting that terrorist group under the influence of the US pressure, enticement, and indoctrination; but it seems that the Albanian government as finally conclude that this decision was wrong and that it has lost good opportunities for cooperation with Iran due to the many problems that were created for that country by accepting the Munafiqeen after they were expelled from Iraq.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Middle East issues,l while referring to the arrival of new US troops and military equipment at Ain al-Asad Air Base, said that “recently, the commanders of Iraqi Popular Forces expressed their concern about the suspicious and hidden movements of American forces at Ein al-Asad Air Base in the city of Hit, Anbar Province, located in the west of Iraq. It is said that the US has recently reconstructed the destroyed parts of the Ain al-Assad base and increased its forces from 2,500 to 3,000.
Strategic Council Online-Opinion: After the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia created a wave of positive developments in the region and encouraged other Persian Gulf countries to resume or strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, now the news indicates that Iran and Egypt with the mediation of Iraq are trying to resume diplomatic relations.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri—University scholar
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: As the Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections on May 14, 2023, are approaching, the activities of the eligible candidates are expanding. In the Turkish presidential election, four candidates, and in the parliamentary election, 27 parties will compete. The upcoming elections will be the 13th presidential election in Türkiye’s history, the second presidential election since the beginning of the presidential term, and the 28th parliamentary election in this country. The presidency and parliamentary representation term is five years, and the number of people elected representatives is 600.
Mahmoud Fazeli—Analyst of international affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of Turkey affairs, saying that the victory of each of the candidates in the upcoming Turkish elections brings opportunities and threats in the field of foreign relations, emphasized: If the Nation Alliance wins the elections in Turkey, naturally Ankara’s regional ambitions will decrease, and this issue will leave its impacts on Iran-Turkey relations as well.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to resume bilateral relations is West Asia’s most important political and diplomatic event.
Barsam Mohammadi – International affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on West Asia affairs called the central message of the US defense secretary’s visit to Baghdad as the declaration of their desire to maintain the presence of their troops in Iraq and stressed: The United States still wants and insists that its forces remain in Iraq. Even though it declared policy, Iraq’s prime minister stated that Baghdad needed no presence of foreign troops, and this policy would only stay at the announcement level.
Strategic Council Online-Interview: An Iraqi affairs expert emphasized that the US wants to maintain a military presence in Iraq and the region, adding that the US presence has no consequences other than insecurity in the region and an impact on the independence of decision-making in the governments that host them.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: While preliminary agreements have been made regarding the export of oil and gas to Germany and Europe, Baghdad will face great challenges in realizing its ambitious goals.
Pouria Nabipour – PhD in political science and international relations
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A university professor, saying that definitely the dam building project in Turkey will, sooner or later, damage the country itself, underlined the need for regional diplomatic pursuit and serious talks with Turkey.
SCFR Online – Opinion: On Friday, August 7, the heads of state of three countries – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan – signed a text under the title “Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.”
Strategic Council Online – Note: The initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway, beyond being a transportation project, constitutes an attempt to redefine geopolitics, the economy, and Turkey’s regional position; however, its realization appears to face significant financial, security, and institutional challenges.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz crisis is no longer merely the consequence of a military confrontation, but rather a sign of the transition from the US-centered maritime order to a new energy security structure involving the participation of emerging and influential powers.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s active deterrence strategy, while increasing the costs of US intervention, has increasingly exposed the hidden rifts between Washington’s interests and those of the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The escalation of verbal and strategic tensions between Turkey and the Israeli regime, although not increasing the likelihood of direct war, indicates the formation of a new order in West Asian geopolitical rivalries.
Strategic Council Online – Note: Recent developments in the political geography of West Asia, from rising tensions in the Persian Gulf to missile and drone activities in the Red Sea and the recent warning by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, regarding the threat to freedom of navigation, indicate a key pattern shift; the US-Iran war has moved beyond the scope of a regional and local confrontation and has linked two vital passageways for the global economy: the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Ukraine war was not merely a European crisis, but rather the starting point for the rearrangement of the global balance of power and a shift in the strategic behavior of great powers.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Great power competition is now pursued more in trade, currency, technology, and global supply chains than on the battlefields of military confrontation.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The former Iranian ambassador to France says now, due to the clarification of the terrorist actions and plans of the MKO and their cyberattacks, the government of Albania is expected to cooperate with Iran in extraditing their leaders through the Interpol, and added: In recent years, Albania has been the main loser in hosting the Munafiqeen and it is regrettable that Tirana accepted hosting that terrorist group under the influence of the US pressure, enticement, and indoctrination; but it seems that the Albanian government as finally conclude that this decision was wrong and that it has lost good opportunities for cooperation with Iran due to the many problems that were created for that country by accepting the Munafiqeen after they were expelled from Iraq.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Middle East issues,l while referring to the arrival of new US troops and military equipment at Ain al-Asad Air Base, said that “recently, the commanders of Iraqi Popular Forces expressed their concern about the suspicious and hidden movements of American forces at Ein al-Asad Air Base in the city of Hit, Anbar Province, located in the west of Iraq. It is said that the US has recently reconstructed the destroyed parts of the Ain al-Assad base and increased its forces from 2,500 to 3,000.
Strategic Council Online-Opinion: After the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia created a wave of positive developments in the region and encouraged other Persian Gulf countries to resume or strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, now the news indicates that Iran and Egypt with the mediation of Iraq are trying to resume diplomatic relations.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri—University scholar
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: As the Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections on May 14, 2023, are approaching, the activities of the eligible candidates are expanding. In the Turkish presidential election, four candidates, and in the parliamentary election, 27 parties will compete. The upcoming elections will be the 13th presidential election in Türkiye’s history, the second presidential election since the beginning of the presidential term, and the 28th parliamentary election in this country. The presidency and parliamentary representation term is five years, and the number of people elected representatives is 600.
Mahmoud Fazeli—Analyst of international affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of Turkey affairs, saying that the victory of each of the candidates in the upcoming Turkish elections brings opportunities and threats in the field of foreign relations, emphasized: If the Nation Alliance wins the elections in Turkey, naturally Ankara’s regional ambitions will decrease, and this issue will leave its impacts on Iran-Turkey relations as well.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to resume bilateral relations is West Asia’s most important political and diplomatic event.
Barsam Mohammadi – International affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on West Asia affairs called the central message of the US defense secretary’s visit to Baghdad as the declaration of their desire to maintain the presence of their troops in Iraq and stressed: The United States still wants and insists that its forces remain in Iraq. Even though it declared policy, Iraq’s prime minister stated that Baghdad needed no presence of foreign troops, and this policy would only stay at the announcement level.
Strategic Council Online-Interview: An Iraqi affairs expert emphasized that the US wants to maintain a military presence in Iraq and the region, adding that the US presence has no consequences other than insecurity in the region and an impact on the independence of decision-making in the governments that host them.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: While preliminary agreements have been made regarding the export of oil and gas to Germany and Europe, Baghdad will face great challenges in realizing its ambitious goals.
Pouria Nabipour – PhD in political science and international relations
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A university professor, saying that definitely the dam building project in Turkey will, sooner or later, damage the country itself, underlined the need for regional diplomatic pursuit and serious talks with Turkey.
SCFR Online – Opinion: On Friday, August 7, the heads of state of three countries – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan – signed a text under the title “Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.”
Strategic Council Online – Note: The initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway, beyond being a transportation project, constitutes an attempt to redefine geopolitics, the economy, and Turkey’s regional position; however, its realization appears to face significant financial, security, and institutional challenges.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz crisis is no longer merely the consequence of a military confrontation, but rather a sign of the transition from the US-centered maritime order to a new energy security structure involving the participation of emerging and influential powers.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s active deterrence strategy, while increasing the costs of US intervention, has increasingly exposed the hidden rifts between Washington’s interests and those of the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The escalation of verbal and strategic tensions between Turkey and the Israeli regime, although not increasing the likelihood of direct war, indicates the formation of a new order in West Asian geopolitical rivalries.
Strategic Council Online – Note: Recent developments in the political geography of West Asia, from rising tensions in the Persian Gulf to missile and drone activities in the Red Sea and the recent warning by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, regarding the threat to freedom of navigation, indicate a key pattern shift; the US-Iran war has moved beyond the scope of a regional and local confrontation and has linked two vital passageways for the global economy: the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Ukraine war was not merely a European crisis, but rather the starting point for the rearrangement of the global balance of power and a shift in the strategic behavior of great powers.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Great power competition is now pursued more in trade, currency, technology, and global supply chains than on the battlefields of military confrontation.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The former Iranian ambassador to France says now, due to the clarification of the terrorist actions and plans of the MKO and their cyberattacks, the government of Albania is expected to cooperate with Iran in extraditing their leaders through the Interpol, and added: In recent years, Albania has been the main loser in hosting the Munafiqeen and it is regrettable that Tirana accepted hosting that terrorist group under the influence of the US pressure, enticement, and indoctrination; but it seems that the Albanian government as finally conclude that this decision was wrong and that it has lost good opportunities for cooperation with Iran due to the many problems that were created for that country by accepting the Munafiqeen after they were expelled from Iraq.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Middle East issues,l while referring to the arrival of new US troops and military equipment at Ain al-Asad Air Base, said that “recently, the commanders of Iraqi Popular Forces expressed their concern about the suspicious and hidden movements of American forces at Ein al-Asad Air Base in the city of Hit, Anbar Province, located in the west of Iraq. It is said that the US has recently reconstructed the destroyed parts of the Ain al-Assad base and increased its forces from 2,500 to 3,000.
Strategic Council Online-Opinion: After the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia created a wave of positive developments in the region and encouraged other Persian Gulf countries to resume or strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, now the news indicates that Iran and Egypt with the mediation of Iraq are trying to resume diplomatic relations.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri—University scholar
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: As the Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections on May 14, 2023, are approaching, the activities of the eligible candidates are expanding. In the Turkish presidential election, four candidates, and in the parliamentary election, 27 parties will compete. The upcoming elections will be the 13th presidential election in Türkiye’s history, the second presidential election since the beginning of the presidential term, and the 28th parliamentary election in this country. The presidency and parliamentary representation term is five years, and the number of people elected representatives is 600.
Mahmoud Fazeli—Analyst of international affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of Turkey affairs, saying that the victory of each of the candidates in the upcoming Turkish elections brings opportunities and threats in the field of foreign relations, emphasized: If the Nation Alliance wins the elections in Turkey, naturally Ankara’s regional ambitions will decrease, and this issue will leave its impacts on Iran-Turkey relations as well.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to resume bilateral relations is West Asia’s most important political and diplomatic event.
Barsam Mohammadi – International affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on West Asia affairs called the central message of the US defense secretary’s visit to Baghdad as the declaration of their desire to maintain the presence of their troops in Iraq and stressed: The United States still wants and insists that its forces remain in Iraq. Even though it declared policy, Iraq’s prime minister stated that Baghdad needed no presence of foreign troops, and this policy would only stay at the announcement level.
Strategic Council Online-Interview: An Iraqi affairs expert emphasized that the US wants to maintain a military presence in Iraq and the region, adding that the US presence has no consequences other than insecurity in the region and an impact on the independence of decision-making in the governments that host them.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: While preliminary agreements have been made regarding the export of oil and gas to Germany and Europe, Baghdad will face great challenges in realizing its ambitious goals.
Pouria Nabipour – PhD in political science and international relations
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A university professor, saying that definitely the dam building project in Turkey will, sooner or later, damage the country itself, underlined the need for regional diplomatic pursuit and serious talks with Turkey.
SCFR Online – Opinion: On Friday, August 7, the heads of state of three countries – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan – signed a text under the title “Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.”
Strategic Council Online – Note: The initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway, beyond being a transportation project, constitutes an attempt to redefine geopolitics, the economy, and Turkey’s regional position; however, its realization appears to face significant financial, security, and institutional challenges.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz crisis is no longer merely the consequence of a military confrontation, but rather a sign of the transition from the US-centered maritime order to a new energy security structure involving the participation of emerging and influential powers.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s active deterrence strategy, while increasing the costs of US intervention, has increasingly exposed the hidden rifts between Washington’s interests and those of the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The escalation of verbal and strategic tensions between Turkey and the Israeli regime, although not increasing the likelihood of direct war, indicates the formation of a new order in West Asian geopolitical rivalries.
Strategic Council Online – Note: Recent developments in the political geography of West Asia, from rising tensions in the Persian Gulf to missile and drone activities in the Red Sea and the recent warning by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, regarding the threat to freedom of navigation, indicate a key pattern shift; the US-Iran war has moved beyond the scope of a regional and local confrontation and has linked two vital passageways for the global economy: the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Ukraine war was not merely a European crisis, but rather the starting point for the rearrangement of the global balance of power and a shift in the strategic behavior of great powers.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Great power competition is now pursued more in trade, currency, technology, and global supply chains than on the battlefields of military confrontation.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The former Iranian ambassador to France says now, due to the clarification of the terrorist actions and plans of the MKO and their cyberattacks, the government of Albania is expected to cooperate with Iran in extraditing their leaders through the Interpol, and added: In recent years, Albania has been the main loser in hosting the Munafiqeen and it is regrettable that Tirana accepted hosting that terrorist group under the influence of the US pressure, enticement, and indoctrination; but it seems that the Albanian government as finally conclude that this decision was wrong and that it has lost good opportunities for cooperation with Iran due to the many problems that were created for that country by accepting the Munafiqeen after they were expelled from Iraq.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert on Middle East issues,l while referring to the arrival of new US troops and military equipment at Ain al-Asad Air Base, said that “recently, the commanders of Iraqi Popular Forces expressed their concern about the suspicious and hidden movements of American forces at Ein al-Asad Air Base in the city of Hit, Anbar Province, located in the west of Iraq. It is said that the US has recently reconstructed the destroyed parts of the Ain al-Assad base and increased its forces from 2,500 to 3,000.
Strategic Council Online-Opinion: After the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia created a wave of positive developments in the region and encouraged other Persian Gulf countries to resume or strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, now the news indicates that Iran and Egypt with the mediation of Iraq are trying to resume diplomatic relations.
Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri—University scholar
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: As the Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections on May 14, 2023, are approaching, the activities of the eligible candidates are expanding. In the Turkish presidential election, four candidates, and in the parliamentary election, 27 parties will compete. The upcoming elections will be the 13th presidential election in Türkiye’s history, the second presidential election since the beginning of the presidential term, and the 28th parliamentary election in this country. The presidency and parliamentary representation term is five years, and the number of people elected representatives is 600.
Mahmoud Fazeli—Analyst of international affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An analyst of Turkey affairs, saying that the victory of each of the candidates in the upcoming Turkish elections brings opportunities and threats in the field of foreign relations, emphasized: If the Nation Alliance wins the elections in Turkey, naturally Ankara’s regional ambitions will decrease, and this issue will leave its impacts on Iran-Turkey relations as well.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to resume bilateral relations is West Asia’s most important political and diplomatic event.
Barsam Mohammadi – International affairs analyst
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on West Asia affairs called the central message of the US defense secretary’s visit to Baghdad as the declaration of their desire to maintain the presence of their troops in Iraq and stressed: The United States still wants and insists that its forces remain in Iraq. Even though it declared policy, Iraq’s prime minister stated that Baghdad needed no presence of foreign troops, and this policy would only stay at the announcement level.
Strategic Council Online-Interview: An Iraqi affairs expert emphasized that the US wants to maintain a military presence in Iraq and the region, adding that the US presence has no consequences other than insecurity in the region and an impact on the independence of decision-making in the governments that host them.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: While preliminary agreements have been made regarding the export of oil and gas to Germany and Europe, Baghdad will face great challenges in realizing its ambitious goals.
Pouria Nabipour – PhD in political science and international relations
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A university professor, saying that definitely the dam building project in Turkey will, sooner or later, damage the country itself, underlined the need for regional diplomatic pursuit and serious talks with Turkey.
SCFR Online – Opinion: On Friday, August 7, the heads of state of three countries – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan – signed a text under the title “Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.”
Strategic Council Online – Note: The initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway, beyond being a transportation project, constitutes an attempt to redefine geopolitics, the economy, and Turkey’s regional position; however, its realization appears to face significant financial, security, and institutional challenges.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz crisis is no longer merely the consequence of a military confrontation, but rather a sign of the transition from the US-centered maritime order to a new energy security structure involving the participation of emerging and influential powers.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s active deterrence strategy, while increasing the costs of US intervention, has increasingly exposed the hidden rifts between Washington’s interests and those of the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The escalation of verbal and strategic tensions between Turkey and the Israeli regime, although not increasing the likelihood of direct war, indicates the formation of a new order in West Asian geopolitical rivalries.
Strategic Council Online – Note: Recent developments in the political geography of West Asia, from rising tensions in the Persian Gulf to missile and drone activities in the Red Sea and the recent warning by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, regarding the threat to freedom of navigation, indicate a key pattern shift; the US-Iran war has moved beyond the scope of a regional and local confrontation and has linked two vital passageways for the global economy: the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Ukraine war was not merely a European crisis, but rather the starting point for the rearrangement of the global balance of power and a shift in the strategic behavior of great powers.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Great power competition is now pursued more in trade, currency, technology, and global supply chains than on the battlefields of military confrontation.