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: Iran cannot remain indifferent to the future of Afghanistan, its neighbor, and at the same time, a just and lasting peace cannot be achieved without Iranian cooperation. Iran’s strategy vis-à-vis Afghanistan appears to be continued negotiations with the Afghan government and the Taliban, taking into account the views of other influential groups.
Mohsen Pakaeen – Former Director of Afghanistan Department at IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Strategic Council Online: Former Director of Afghanistan Affairs Department at IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the US President’s unannounced visit to Afghanistan and presence at Bagram military base was an unusual act contrary to the independence of an independent state. He added: Although the US claims that talks to reach a peace deal are on track, but they are unlikely to have a tangible outcome in the current situation, and after Trump’s trip to Afghanistan, Taliban officials have said they are not ready for peace talks unless an agreement is signed.
Strategic Council Online: Former Head of the Department in Charge of Afghan Affairs at the IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not optimistic the US-Taliban talks would lead to a breakthrough. “Due to the developments in Afghanistan, the elections scheduled for October may be delayed.” But, he says, it seems the Afghan government will be able to hold the election by the end of the current Christian year.
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: Iran cannot remain indifferent to the future of Afghanistan, its neighbor, and at the same time, a just and lasting peace cannot be achieved without Iranian cooperation. Iran’s strategy vis-à-vis Afghanistan appears to be continued negotiations with the Afghan government and the Taliban, taking into account the views of other influential groups.
Mohsen Pakaeen – Former Director of Afghanistan Department at IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Strategic Council Online: Former Director of Afghanistan Affairs Department at IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the US President’s unannounced visit to Afghanistan and presence at Bagram military base was an unusual act contrary to the independence of an independent state. He added: Although the US claims that talks to reach a peace deal are on track, but they are unlikely to have a tangible outcome in the current situation, and after Trump’s trip to Afghanistan, Taliban officials have said they are not ready for peace talks unless an agreement is signed.
Strategic Council Online: Former Head of the Department in Charge of Afghan Affairs at the IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not optimistic the US-Taliban talks would lead to a breakthrough. “Due to the developments in Afghanistan, the elections scheduled for October may be delayed.” But, he says, it seems the Afghan government will be able to hold the election by the end of the current Christian year.
Strategic Council Online: Iran cannot remain indifferent to the future of Afghanistan, its neighbor, and at the same time, a just and lasting peace cannot be achieved without Iranian cooperation. Iran’s strategy vis-à-vis Afghanistan appears to be continued negotiations with the Afghan government and the Taliban, taking into account the views of other influential groups.
Mohsen Pakaeen – Former Director of Afghanistan Department at IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Strategic Council Online: Former Director of Afghanistan Affairs Department at IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the US President’s unannounced visit to Afghanistan and presence at Bagram military base was an unusual act contrary to the independence of an independent state. He added: Although the US claims that talks to reach a peace deal are on track, but they are unlikely to have a tangible outcome in the current situation, and after Trump’s trip to Afghanistan, Taliban officials have said they are not ready for peace talks unless an agreement is signed.
Strategic Council Online: Former Head of the Department in Charge of Afghan Affairs at the IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not optimistic the US-Taliban talks would lead to a breakthrough. “Due to the developments in Afghanistan, the elections scheduled for October may be delayed.” But, he says, it seems the Afghan government will be able to hold the election by the end of the current Christian year.
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: Iran cannot remain indifferent to the future of Afghanistan, its neighbor, and at the same time, a just and lasting peace cannot be achieved without Iranian cooperation. Iran’s strategy vis-à-vis Afghanistan appears to be continued negotiations with the Afghan government and the Taliban, taking into account the views of other influential groups.
Mohsen Pakaeen – Former Director of Afghanistan Department at IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Strategic Council Online: Former Director of Afghanistan Affairs Department at IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the US President’s unannounced visit to Afghanistan and presence at Bagram military base was an unusual act contrary to the independence of an independent state. He added: Although the US claims that talks to reach a peace deal are on track, but they are unlikely to have a tangible outcome in the current situation, and after Trump’s trip to Afghanistan, Taliban officials have said they are not ready for peace talks unless an agreement is signed.
Strategic Council Online: Former Head of the Department in Charge of Afghan Affairs at the IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not optimistic the US-Taliban talks would lead to a breakthrough. “Due to the developments in Afghanistan, the elections scheduled for October may be delayed.” But, he says, it seems the Afghan government will be able to hold the election by the end of the current Christian year.
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: Iran cannot remain indifferent to the future of Afghanistan, its neighbor, and at the same time, a just and lasting peace cannot be achieved without Iranian cooperation. Iran’s strategy vis-à-vis Afghanistan appears to be continued negotiations with the Afghan government and the Taliban, taking into account the views of other influential groups.
Mohsen Pakaeen – Former Director of Afghanistan Department at IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Strategic Council Online: Former Director of Afghanistan Affairs Department at IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the US President’s unannounced visit to Afghanistan and presence at Bagram military base was an unusual act contrary to the independence of an independent state. He added: Although the US claims that talks to reach a peace deal are on track, but they are unlikely to have a tangible outcome in the current situation, and after Trump’s trip to Afghanistan, Taliban officials have said they are not ready for peace talks unless an agreement is signed.
Strategic Council Online: Former Head of the Department in Charge of Afghan Affairs at the IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not optimistic the US-Taliban talks would lead to a breakthrough. “Due to the developments in Afghanistan, the elections scheduled for October may be delayed.” But, he says, it seems the Afghan government will be able to hold the election by the end of the current Christian year.
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: Iran cannot remain indifferent to the future of Afghanistan, its neighbor, and at the same time, a just and lasting peace cannot be achieved without Iranian cooperation. Iran’s strategy vis-à-vis Afghanistan appears to be continued negotiations with the Afghan government and the Taliban, taking into account the views of other influential groups.
Mohsen Pakaeen – Former Director of Afghanistan Department at IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Strategic Council Online: Former Director of Afghanistan Affairs Department at IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the US President’s unannounced visit to Afghanistan and presence at Bagram military base was an unusual act contrary to the independence of an independent state. He added: Although the US claims that talks to reach a peace deal are on track, but they are unlikely to have a tangible outcome in the current situation, and after Trump’s trip to Afghanistan, Taliban officials have said they are not ready for peace talks unless an agreement is signed.
Strategic Council Online: Former Head of the Department in Charge of Afghan Affairs at the IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not optimistic the US-Taliban talks would lead to a breakthrough. “Due to the developments in Afghanistan, the elections scheduled for October may be delayed.” But, he says, it seems the Afghan government will be able to hold the election by the end of the current Christian year.
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: Iran cannot remain indifferent to the future of Afghanistan, its neighbor, and at the same time, a just and lasting peace cannot be achieved without Iranian cooperation. Iran’s strategy vis-à-vis Afghanistan appears to be continued negotiations with the Afghan government and the Taliban, taking into account the views of other influential groups.
Mohsen Pakaeen – Former Director of Afghanistan Department at IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Strategic Council Online: Former Director of Afghanistan Affairs Department at IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the US President’s unannounced visit to Afghanistan and presence at Bagram military base was an unusual act contrary to the independence of an independent state. He added: Although the US claims that talks to reach a peace deal are on track, but they are unlikely to have a tangible outcome in the current situation, and after Trump’s trip to Afghanistan, Taliban officials have said they are not ready for peace talks unless an agreement is signed.
Strategic Council Online: Former Head of the Department in Charge of Afghan Affairs at the IRI Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not optimistic the US-Taliban talks would lead to a breakthrough. “Due to the developments in Afghanistan, the elections scheduled for October may be delayed.” But, he says, it seems the Afghan government will be able to hold the election by the end of the current Christian year.
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.