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.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With regard to Russia’s active role playing in the 2020 dispute between Baku and Yerevan over Karabakh, European mediation in this case is an important point that needs to be carefully considered.
Mehdi Khorsand – Expert on China and Eurasia affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Caucasus and Turkey affairs, referring to the reports that Armenia has filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice, accusing the Republic of Azerbaijan of putting Armenians under racial discrimination “for decades” and this is contrary to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which both countries have signed and said: This move by Armenia will not be of much benefit to the country in the short term. This is because the procedure in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is such that after a complaint is filed by Armenia, the Court must approve its jurisdiction by a majority of votes, and if no such majority is formed, the Court will refuse to continue the proceedings.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A researcher of the Caucasus region says the opposition of some political parties in the Republic of Azerbaijan to the ceasefire deal with the Republic of Armenia can play a significant role given the Caucasus conflict has not yet been finished.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: The Security Council of the United Nations has issued four resolutions so far on the Karabakh issue, asking Armenia to evacuate seven cities of the Republic of Azerbaijan; however, Yerevan has refused to withdraw. Therefore, the Security Council should convince Armenia, perhaps through the current mechanisms such as Chapter Seven of the Charter of the United Nations, to return these cities to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Mohsen Pak-Aeen – Former ambassador of Iran to the Republic of Azerbaijan
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.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With regard to Russia’s active role playing in the 2020 dispute between Baku and Yerevan over Karabakh, European mediation in this case is an important point that needs to be carefully considered.
Mehdi Khorsand – Expert on China and Eurasia affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Caucasus and Turkey affairs, referring to the reports that Armenia has filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice, accusing the Republic of Azerbaijan of putting Armenians under racial discrimination “for decades” and this is contrary to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which both countries have signed and said: This move by Armenia will not be of much benefit to the country in the short term. This is because the procedure in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is such that after a complaint is filed by Armenia, the Court must approve its jurisdiction by a majority of votes, and if no such majority is formed, the Court will refuse to continue the proceedings.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A researcher of the Caucasus region says the opposition of some political parties in the Republic of Azerbaijan to the ceasefire deal with the Republic of Armenia can play a significant role given the Caucasus conflict has not yet been finished.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: The Security Council of the United Nations has issued four resolutions so far on the Karabakh issue, asking Armenia to evacuate seven cities of the Republic of Azerbaijan; however, Yerevan has refused to withdraw. Therefore, the Security Council should convince Armenia, perhaps through the current mechanisms such as Chapter Seven of the Charter of the United Nations, to return these cities to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Mohsen Pak-Aeen – Former ambassador of Iran to the Republic of Azerbaijan
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With regard to Russia’s active role playing in the 2020 dispute between Baku and Yerevan over Karabakh, European mediation in this case is an important point that needs to be carefully considered.
Mehdi Khorsand – Expert on China and Eurasia affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Caucasus and Turkey affairs, referring to the reports that Armenia has filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice, accusing the Republic of Azerbaijan of putting Armenians under racial discrimination “for decades” and this is contrary to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which both countries have signed and said: This move by Armenia will not be of much benefit to the country in the short term. This is because the procedure in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is such that after a complaint is filed by Armenia, the Court must approve its jurisdiction by a majority of votes, and if no such majority is formed, the Court will refuse to continue the proceedings.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A researcher of the Caucasus region says the opposition of some political parties in the Republic of Azerbaijan to the ceasefire deal with the Republic of Armenia can play a significant role given the Caucasus conflict has not yet been finished.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: The Security Council of the United Nations has issued four resolutions so far on the Karabakh issue, asking Armenia to evacuate seven cities of the Republic of Azerbaijan; however, Yerevan has refused to withdraw. Therefore, the Security Council should convince Armenia, perhaps through the current mechanisms such as Chapter Seven of the Charter of the United Nations, to return these cities to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Mohsen Pak-Aeen – Former ambassador of Iran to the Republic of Azerbaijan
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.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With regard to Russia’s active role playing in the 2020 dispute between Baku and Yerevan over Karabakh, European mediation in this case is an important point that needs to be carefully considered.
Mehdi Khorsand – Expert on China and Eurasia affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Caucasus and Turkey affairs, referring to the reports that Armenia has filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice, accusing the Republic of Azerbaijan of putting Armenians under racial discrimination “for decades” and this is contrary to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which both countries have signed and said: This move by Armenia will not be of much benefit to the country in the short term. This is because the procedure in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is such that after a complaint is filed by Armenia, the Court must approve its jurisdiction by a majority of votes, and if no such majority is formed, the Court will refuse to continue the proceedings.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A researcher of the Caucasus region says the opposition of some political parties in the Republic of Azerbaijan to the ceasefire deal with the Republic of Armenia can play a significant role given the Caucasus conflict has not yet been finished.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: The Security Council of the United Nations has issued four resolutions so far on the Karabakh issue, asking Armenia to evacuate seven cities of the Republic of Azerbaijan; however, Yerevan has refused to withdraw. Therefore, the Security Council should convince Armenia, perhaps through the current mechanisms such as Chapter Seven of the Charter of the United Nations, to return these cities to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Mohsen Pak-Aeen – Former ambassador of Iran to the Republic of Azerbaijan
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.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With regard to Russia’s active role playing in the 2020 dispute between Baku and Yerevan over Karabakh, European mediation in this case is an important point that needs to be carefully considered.
Mehdi Khorsand – Expert on China and Eurasia affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Caucasus and Turkey affairs, referring to the reports that Armenia has filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice, accusing the Republic of Azerbaijan of putting Armenians under racial discrimination “for decades” and this is contrary to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which both countries have signed and said: This move by Armenia will not be of much benefit to the country in the short term. This is because the procedure in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is such that after a complaint is filed by Armenia, the Court must approve its jurisdiction by a majority of votes, and if no such majority is formed, the Court will refuse to continue the proceedings.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A researcher of the Caucasus region says the opposition of some political parties in the Republic of Azerbaijan to the ceasefire deal with the Republic of Armenia can play a significant role given the Caucasus conflict has not yet been finished.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: The Security Council of the United Nations has issued four resolutions so far on the Karabakh issue, asking Armenia to evacuate seven cities of the Republic of Azerbaijan; however, Yerevan has refused to withdraw. Therefore, the Security Council should convince Armenia, perhaps through the current mechanisms such as Chapter Seven of the Charter of the United Nations, to return these cities to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Mohsen Pak-Aeen – Former ambassador of Iran to the Republic of Azerbaijan
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.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With regard to Russia’s active role playing in the 2020 dispute between Baku and Yerevan over Karabakh, European mediation in this case is an important point that needs to be carefully considered.
Mehdi Khorsand – Expert on China and Eurasia affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Caucasus and Turkey affairs, referring to the reports that Armenia has filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice, accusing the Republic of Azerbaijan of putting Armenians under racial discrimination “for decades” and this is contrary to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which both countries have signed and said: This move by Armenia will not be of much benefit to the country in the short term. This is because the procedure in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is such that after a complaint is filed by Armenia, the Court must approve its jurisdiction by a majority of votes, and if no such majority is formed, the Court will refuse to continue the proceedings.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A researcher of the Caucasus region says the opposition of some political parties in the Republic of Azerbaijan to the ceasefire deal with the Republic of Armenia can play a significant role given the Caucasus conflict has not yet been finished.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: The Security Council of the United Nations has issued four resolutions so far on the Karabakh issue, asking Armenia to evacuate seven cities of the Republic of Azerbaijan; however, Yerevan has refused to withdraw. Therefore, the Security Council should convince Armenia, perhaps through the current mechanisms such as Chapter Seven of the Charter of the United Nations, to return these cities to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Mohsen Pak-Aeen – Former ambassador of Iran to the Republic of Azerbaijan
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.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With regard to Russia’s active role playing in the 2020 dispute between Baku and Yerevan over Karabakh, European mediation in this case is an important point that needs to be carefully considered.
Mehdi Khorsand – Expert on China and Eurasia affairs
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Caucasus and Turkey affairs, referring to the reports that Armenia has filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice, accusing the Republic of Azerbaijan of putting Armenians under racial discrimination “for decades” and this is contrary to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which both countries have signed and said: This move by Armenia will not be of much benefit to the country in the short term. This is because the procedure in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is such that after a complaint is filed by Armenia, the Court must approve its jurisdiction by a majority of votes, and if no such majority is formed, the Court will refuse to continue the proceedings.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A researcher of the Caucasus region says the opposition of some political parties in the Republic of Azerbaijan to the ceasefire deal with the Republic of Armenia can play a significant role given the Caucasus conflict has not yet been finished.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: The Security Council of the United Nations has issued four resolutions so far on the Karabakh issue, asking Armenia to evacuate seven cities of the Republic of Azerbaijan; however, Yerevan has refused to withdraw. Therefore, the Security Council should convince Armenia, perhaps through the current mechanisms such as Chapter Seven of the Charter of the United Nations, to return these cities to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Mohsen Pak-Aeen – Former ambassador of Iran to the Republic of Azerbaijan
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.