Strategic Council Online – A faculty member of Tarbiat Modares University, stating that Turkey seeks to revive its soft power with the idea of regional convergence, said: Details of this plan, its common interests and threats are not clear and there is an ambiguity that basically to what extent bringing those countries together can be realistic and practical.
Strategic Council Online – An expert on Turkey’s affairs referred to some contradictory policies of Turkey and the European Union, especially on energy which has led to escalation of tensions and sanctions threats and said: The language of threats and sanctions cannot deter Turkey from its activities in the Eastern Mediterranean region; moreover, the militarization of the Mediterranean is neither in the interest of Turkey nor the European Union.
Strategic Council Online –An expert on international affairs referred to the reciprocal sanctions between Russia and the European Union and said: In addition to the Crimea issue, espionage and anti-espionage activities have prevented Europe from approaching Russia, although Russia was trying to improve its relations with Europe but was not successful and still the relations are faced with serious challenges.
Strategic Council Online – Despite warnings, Ronald Trump intends to reduce the number of American troops from Afghanistan and Iraq ahead of the deadline. He wants to be still influential in foreign and security policy, and intends to constrain his successor, Joe Biden. Withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, without coordination and acceptance of the responsibility, could have dangerous consequences for the region as well as for the European allies of the US.
Mahmoud Fazeli – Expert on International Affairs
Strategic Council Online: An expert on American affairs believes that although there are meaningful differences between the viewpoints of Trump’s team with Biden’s team towards foreign policy, in some cases, the next US administration may continue the path of the previous administration. As an example, Biden’s United States is likely to continue its pressures on NATO members to increase their share of the NATO military spending.