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 – Opinion: After several years of calm and immediately after the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the Syrian city of Aleppo has become the scene of clashes between opposition and armed groups led by Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) and the Syrian army and government.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on the Middle East affairs, commenting on the telephone contact of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi and King Abdullah II of Jordan with Syrian President Bashar Assad and the new strategy of the Arab countries towards Damascus, said: The failure in military strategies in Syria and the strong role of the Axis of Resistance and the Russians in that country have caused a profound transformation in the policies of Arab countries, including the UAE, Jordan and even Saudi Arabia, towards Syria.
Strategic Council Online – An analyst of West Asia affairs said that Saudi Arabia is the cradle of ISIS line of thinking and that Mohammed bin Salman’s approach to social reform is contradictory, adding: There is potentials for great socio-political changes in Saudi Arabia, but they have forcefully prevented this by spending huge money and through false propaganda.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert of West Asia affairs says efforts and measures taken by General Soleimani would be recorded in history as an utter fiasco for the United States as he played a significant role in establishing security and stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online: An expert on Middle East affairs said Turkey was in a state of unprecedented strategic confusion, especially in Idlib, adding that if Ankara fails to use these tools and is unable to come out of the strategic confusion in Idlib and gain field achievements there would remain no other way for Erdogan than negotiation.
Strategic Council Online: A West Asia affairs expert said the reading of Russia, Iran and Syria of the Sochi deal appear to be different from what Turkey thinks of the deal. Mr Erdogan is making his own personal interpretation of the Sochi deal, which is tantamount to turning the negotiating table upside down and disturb the rules of the game.
Strategic Council Online: An Asian affairs expert has described a security conference between heads of Turkish and Syrian intelligence agencies in Russia after long years an important and eye-catching development. “Considering its field victories Syria seems to have sent a strong message to the Turkish authorities about complete withdrawal from Syrian lands and the decision to fight terrorism and return all occupied Syrian lands.
Strategic Council Online: An expert on regional issues said that the liberation of Khan Sheikhun shows that the Syrian government has the potential to liberate Idlib as well, stressing: “Turkey exercises double standards in this conflict. In terms of stance-taking, it is opposed to these forces but is associated with and supports the Takfiri forces.”
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 – Opinion: After several years of calm and immediately after the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the Syrian city of Aleppo has become the scene of clashes between opposition and armed groups led by Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) and the Syrian army and government.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on the Middle East affairs, commenting on the telephone contact of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi and King Abdullah II of Jordan with Syrian President Bashar Assad and the new strategy of the Arab countries towards Damascus, said: The failure in military strategies in Syria and the strong role of the Axis of Resistance and the Russians in that country have caused a profound transformation in the policies of Arab countries, including the UAE, Jordan and even Saudi Arabia, towards Syria.
Strategic Council Online – An analyst of West Asia affairs said that Saudi Arabia is the cradle of ISIS line of thinking and that Mohammed bin Salman’s approach to social reform is contradictory, adding: There is potentials for great socio-political changes in Saudi Arabia, but they have forcefully prevented this by spending huge money and through false propaganda.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert of West Asia affairs says efforts and measures taken by General Soleimani would be recorded in history as an utter fiasco for the United States as he played a significant role in establishing security and stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online: An expert on Middle East affairs said Turkey was in a state of unprecedented strategic confusion, especially in Idlib, adding that if Ankara fails to use these tools and is unable to come out of the strategic confusion in Idlib and gain field achievements there would remain no other way for Erdogan than negotiation.
Strategic Council Online: A West Asia affairs expert said the reading of Russia, Iran and Syria of the Sochi deal appear to be different from what Turkey thinks of the deal. Mr Erdogan is making his own personal interpretation of the Sochi deal, which is tantamount to turning the negotiating table upside down and disturb the rules of the game.
Strategic Council Online: An Asian affairs expert has described a security conference between heads of Turkish and Syrian intelligence agencies in Russia after long years an important and eye-catching development. “Considering its field victories Syria seems to have sent a strong message to the Turkish authorities about complete withdrawal from Syrian lands and the decision to fight terrorism and return all occupied Syrian lands.
Strategic Council Online: An expert on regional issues said that the liberation of Khan Sheikhun shows that the Syrian government has the potential to liberate Idlib as well, stressing: “Turkey exercises double standards in this conflict. In terms of stance-taking, it is opposed to these forces but is associated with and supports the Takfiri forces.”
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: After several years of calm and immediately after the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the Syrian city of Aleppo has become the scene of clashes between opposition and armed groups led by Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) and the Syrian army and government.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on the Middle East affairs, commenting on the telephone contact of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi and King Abdullah II of Jordan with Syrian President Bashar Assad and the new strategy of the Arab countries towards Damascus, said: The failure in military strategies in Syria and the strong role of the Axis of Resistance and the Russians in that country have caused a profound transformation in the policies of Arab countries, including the UAE, Jordan and even Saudi Arabia, towards Syria.
Strategic Council Online – An analyst of West Asia affairs said that Saudi Arabia is the cradle of ISIS line of thinking and that Mohammed bin Salman’s approach to social reform is contradictory, adding: There is potentials for great socio-political changes in Saudi Arabia, but they have forcefully prevented this by spending huge money and through false propaganda.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert of West Asia affairs says efforts and measures taken by General Soleimani would be recorded in history as an utter fiasco for the United States as he played a significant role in establishing security and stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online: An expert on Middle East affairs said Turkey was in a state of unprecedented strategic confusion, especially in Idlib, adding that if Ankara fails to use these tools and is unable to come out of the strategic confusion in Idlib and gain field achievements there would remain no other way for Erdogan than negotiation.
Strategic Council Online: A West Asia affairs expert said the reading of Russia, Iran and Syria of the Sochi deal appear to be different from what Turkey thinks of the deal. Mr Erdogan is making his own personal interpretation of the Sochi deal, which is tantamount to turning the negotiating table upside down and disturb the rules of the game.
Strategic Council Online: An Asian affairs expert has described a security conference between heads of Turkish and Syrian intelligence agencies in Russia after long years an important and eye-catching development. “Considering its field victories Syria seems to have sent a strong message to the Turkish authorities about complete withdrawal from Syrian lands and the decision to fight terrorism and return all occupied Syrian lands.
Strategic Council Online: An expert on regional issues said that the liberation of Khan Sheikhun shows that the Syrian government has the potential to liberate Idlib as well, stressing: “Turkey exercises double standards in this conflict. In terms of stance-taking, it is opposed to these forces but is associated with and supports the Takfiri forces.”
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 – Opinion: After several years of calm and immediately after the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the Syrian city of Aleppo has become the scene of clashes between opposition and armed groups led by Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) and the Syrian army and government.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on the Middle East affairs, commenting on the telephone contact of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi and King Abdullah II of Jordan with Syrian President Bashar Assad and the new strategy of the Arab countries towards Damascus, said: The failure in military strategies in Syria and the strong role of the Axis of Resistance and the Russians in that country have caused a profound transformation in the policies of Arab countries, including the UAE, Jordan and even Saudi Arabia, towards Syria.
Strategic Council Online – An analyst of West Asia affairs said that Saudi Arabia is the cradle of ISIS line of thinking and that Mohammed bin Salman’s approach to social reform is contradictory, adding: There is potentials for great socio-political changes in Saudi Arabia, but they have forcefully prevented this by spending huge money and through false propaganda.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert of West Asia affairs says efforts and measures taken by General Soleimani would be recorded in history as an utter fiasco for the United States as he played a significant role in establishing security and stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online: An expert on Middle East affairs said Turkey was in a state of unprecedented strategic confusion, especially in Idlib, adding that if Ankara fails to use these tools and is unable to come out of the strategic confusion in Idlib and gain field achievements there would remain no other way for Erdogan than negotiation.
Strategic Council Online: A West Asia affairs expert said the reading of Russia, Iran and Syria of the Sochi deal appear to be different from what Turkey thinks of the deal. Mr Erdogan is making his own personal interpretation of the Sochi deal, which is tantamount to turning the negotiating table upside down and disturb the rules of the game.
Strategic Council Online: An Asian affairs expert has described a security conference between heads of Turkish and Syrian intelligence agencies in Russia after long years an important and eye-catching development. “Considering its field victories Syria seems to have sent a strong message to the Turkish authorities about complete withdrawal from Syrian lands and the decision to fight terrorism and return all occupied Syrian lands.
Strategic Council Online: An expert on regional issues said that the liberation of Khan Sheikhun shows that the Syrian government has the potential to liberate Idlib as well, stressing: “Turkey exercises double standards in this conflict. In terms of stance-taking, it is opposed to these forces but is associated with and supports the Takfiri forces.”
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 – Opinion: After several years of calm and immediately after the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the Syrian city of Aleppo has become the scene of clashes between opposition and armed groups led by Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) and the Syrian army and government.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on the Middle East affairs, commenting on the telephone contact of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi and King Abdullah II of Jordan with Syrian President Bashar Assad and the new strategy of the Arab countries towards Damascus, said: The failure in military strategies in Syria and the strong role of the Axis of Resistance and the Russians in that country have caused a profound transformation in the policies of Arab countries, including the UAE, Jordan and even Saudi Arabia, towards Syria.
Strategic Council Online – An analyst of West Asia affairs said that Saudi Arabia is the cradle of ISIS line of thinking and that Mohammed bin Salman’s approach to social reform is contradictory, adding: There is potentials for great socio-political changes in Saudi Arabia, but they have forcefully prevented this by spending huge money and through false propaganda.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert of West Asia affairs says efforts and measures taken by General Soleimani would be recorded in history as an utter fiasco for the United States as he played a significant role in establishing security and stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online: An expert on Middle East affairs said Turkey was in a state of unprecedented strategic confusion, especially in Idlib, adding that if Ankara fails to use these tools and is unable to come out of the strategic confusion in Idlib and gain field achievements there would remain no other way for Erdogan than negotiation.
Strategic Council Online: A West Asia affairs expert said the reading of Russia, Iran and Syria of the Sochi deal appear to be different from what Turkey thinks of the deal. Mr Erdogan is making his own personal interpretation of the Sochi deal, which is tantamount to turning the negotiating table upside down and disturb the rules of the game.
Strategic Council Online: An Asian affairs expert has described a security conference between heads of Turkish and Syrian intelligence agencies in Russia after long years an important and eye-catching development. “Considering its field victories Syria seems to have sent a strong message to the Turkish authorities about complete withdrawal from Syrian lands and the decision to fight terrorism and return all occupied Syrian lands.
Strategic Council Online: An expert on regional issues said that the liberation of Khan Sheikhun shows that the Syrian government has the potential to liberate Idlib as well, stressing: “Turkey exercises double standards in this conflict. In terms of stance-taking, it is opposed to these forces but is associated with and supports the Takfiri forces.”
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 – Opinion: After several years of calm and immediately after the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the Syrian city of Aleppo has become the scene of clashes between opposition and armed groups led by Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) and the Syrian army and government.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on the Middle East affairs, commenting on the telephone contact of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi and King Abdullah II of Jordan with Syrian President Bashar Assad and the new strategy of the Arab countries towards Damascus, said: The failure in military strategies in Syria and the strong role of the Axis of Resistance and the Russians in that country have caused a profound transformation in the policies of Arab countries, including the UAE, Jordan and even Saudi Arabia, towards Syria.
Strategic Council Online – An analyst of West Asia affairs said that Saudi Arabia is the cradle of ISIS line of thinking and that Mohammed bin Salman’s approach to social reform is contradictory, adding: There is potentials for great socio-political changes in Saudi Arabia, but they have forcefully prevented this by spending huge money and through false propaganda.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert of West Asia affairs says efforts and measures taken by General Soleimani would be recorded in history as an utter fiasco for the United States as he played a significant role in establishing security and stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online: An expert on Middle East affairs said Turkey was in a state of unprecedented strategic confusion, especially in Idlib, adding that if Ankara fails to use these tools and is unable to come out of the strategic confusion in Idlib and gain field achievements there would remain no other way for Erdogan than negotiation.
Strategic Council Online: A West Asia affairs expert said the reading of Russia, Iran and Syria of the Sochi deal appear to be different from what Turkey thinks of the deal. Mr Erdogan is making his own personal interpretation of the Sochi deal, which is tantamount to turning the negotiating table upside down and disturb the rules of the game.
Strategic Council Online: An Asian affairs expert has described a security conference between heads of Turkish and Syrian intelligence agencies in Russia after long years an important and eye-catching development. “Considering its field victories Syria seems to have sent a strong message to the Turkish authorities about complete withdrawal from Syrian lands and the decision to fight terrorism and return all occupied Syrian lands.
Strategic Council Online: An expert on regional issues said that the liberation of Khan Sheikhun shows that the Syrian government has the potential to liberate Idlib as well, stressing: “Turkey exercises double standards in this conflict. In terms of stance-taking, it is opposed to these forces but is associated with and supports the Takfiri forces.”
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 – Opinion: After several years of calm and immediately after the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the Syrian city of Aleppo has become the scene of clashes between opposition and armed groups led by Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) and the Syrian army and government.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on the Middle East affairs, commenting on the telephone contact of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi and King Abdullah II of Jordan with Syrian President Bashar Assad and the new strategy of the Arab countries towards Damascus, said: The failure in military strategies in Syria and the strong role of the Axis of Resistance and the Russians in that country have caused a profound transformation in the policies of Arab countries, including the UAE, Jordan and even Saudi Arabia, towards Syria.
Strategic Council Online – An analyst of West Asia affairs said that Saudi Arabia is the cradle of ISIS line of thinking and that Mohammed bin Salman’s approach to social reform is contradictory, adding: There is potentials for great socio-political changes in Saudi Arabia, but they have forcefully prevented this by spending huge money and through false propaganda.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: An expert of West Asia affairs says efforts and measures taken by General Soleimani would be recorded in history as an utter fiasco for the United States as he played a significant role in establishing security and stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online: An expert on Middle East affairs said Turkey was in a state of unprecedented strategic confusion, especially in Idlib, adding that if Ankara fails to use these tools and is unable to come out of the strategic confusion in Idlib and gain field achievements there would remain no other way for Erdogan than negotiation.
Strategic Council Online: A West Asia affairs expert said the reading of Russia, Iran and Syria of the Sochi deal appear to be different from what Turkey thinks of the deal. Mr Erdogan is making his own personal interpretation of the Sochi deal, which is tantamount to turning the negotiating table upside down and disturb the rules of the game.
Strategic Council Online: An Asian affairs expert has described a security conference between heads of Turkish and Syrian intelligence agencies in Russia after long years an important and eye-catching development. “Considering its field victories Syria seems to have sent a strong message to the Turkish authorities about complete withdrawal from Syrian lands and the decision to fight terrorism and return all occupied Syrian lands.
Strategic Council Online: An expert on regional issues said that the liberation of Khan Sheikhun shows that the Syrian government has the potential to liberate Idlib as well, stressing: “Turkey exercises double standards in this conflict. In terms of stance-taking, it is opposed to these forces but is associated with and supports the Takfiri forces.”
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.