SCFR Online – Opinion: In the war between Iran and the United States, the main battlefield was not defined solely in the military domain; rather, the battle of narratives in cyberspace—particularly through memes—reached a decisive level.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Only one month after the beginning of the Ramadan War, maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz decreased dramatically, with Bloomberg announcing a reduction of 103 vessels; Brent oil prices rose by more than 50 percent, and gasoline prices in the United States increased by 31.4 percent. Additionally, benchmark gas prices in Europe showed a 73.4 percent increase.
SCFR Online – Note: After approximately five months of political deadlock and institutional confusion, Ali al-Zaydi has finally been selected as Iraq’s Prime Minister. Al-Zaydi’s selection as Prime Minister represents a positive sign of the completion of the government formation process and the beginning of a new phase in Iraqi politics and governance. The emergence of a young, technocratic figure from the third generation of politicians—in a context where the country has been administered by traditional figures for decades—revives hope that Iraq may perhaps distance itself from the repetitive cycle of crises and experience a new path of stability, efficiency, and regional convergence.
SCFR Online – Note: Europe’s refusal to align with the United States in the war against Iran is not a temporary tactic, but rather a sign of strategic divergence and a move toward forced autonomy.
SCFR Online – Note: The militarization of artificial intelligence has eroded the boundaries of ethics and responsibility in warfare, transforming contemporary conflicts into arenas where human decision-making has become increasingly marginalized.
SCFR Online – Note: Over recent decades, support for the Zionist regime has been one of the few issues commanding bipartisan consensus in US foreign policy. Since the Cold War era, Republicans and Democrats have generally agreed on the necessity of preserving the security and survival of the Zionist regime as Washington’s most strategic ally in West Asia—and indeed, globally. However, developments in recent years—particularly the Gaza war, escalating regional conflicts, the expansion of tensions into Lebanon, and this regime’s recent warmongering against Iran—have caused this traditional consensus, especially within the Democratic Party, to face significant fractures.
SCFR Online – Note: Following the resumption of the US and Israeli regime’s war against Iran on February 28, certain divisions have emerged within the United States regarding this issue, both among the public and among political factions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The internal situation of the Israeli regime during the 40-day war can be analyzed from several perspectives. The popularity levels of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Likud Party, and the ruling coalition led by Netanyahu until February 28, 2026, remained approximately the same as during the preceding year. The most recent factor that had somewhat increased Netanyahu’s popularity was the advancement of the 2024 war with Hezbollah Lebanon. Subsequently, his popularity temporarily increased during the 12-day war with Iran, but after the war, it returned to its previous state.
Online Strategic Council – Interview: An international law expert said: Although there are appropriate laws and regulations regarding the non-sending of arms to countries that violate human rights and humanitarian law, the recent proposal of the UN Special Rapporteur, considering the crimes committed in Gaza and occupied Palestine by the Israeli regime, can complement and improve the current laws and help them in terms of implementation.
Strategic Council Online: An international affairs expert said that Europe and the United States will definitely put pressure on various ruling groups to change their approach towards minorities, women, and different ethnic groups in Syria in order to normalize political and economic relations with Syria domestically, regionally, and internationally. Only then can the lifting of sanctions be justified for Europe and the United States.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: It is noteworthy that Bashar al-Assad’s government was an ally of the Islamic Resistance Front and that his fall from power is a challenge to this front. However, for various reasons, such an event can never be considered a “defeat” for the Resistance Front in the region.
Strategic Council Online: Dr. Seyed Kamal Kharrazi stated that the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria was part of an American-Israeli plot, with the most compelling evidence being the immediate visit of a U.S. Deputy Secretary of State to Damascus and the withdrawal of the $10 million bounty for the capture of Golani.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The second round of the Iran-Saudi-China trilateral meeting, hosted by Riyadh, signals the development of relations in an atmosphere of increasing regional and international tensions and uncertainties. The meeting also confirmed China’s role beyond facilitating the revived relations between Tehran and Riyadh and related to China’s political economy perspective in the Middle East, which has significant implications for the Beijing-Washington macro-rivalry.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior energy expert considered the increase in gas extraction from the joint field with Iran to be in line with Qatar’s maximum exploitation of hydrocarbon resources and greater connection to international markets.
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: Although some observers view the QUAD Security Dialogue as a fledgling military alliance focused solely on China’s growing regional influence and the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region, its four members, the United States, India, Australia, and Japan, have stated their goal to deepen economic, diplomatic, and military ties among the four countries.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: According to what the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia authorities officially announce these days, the two South Caucasus countries are taking the last steps to reach a peace treaty.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said, “While Europe, especially France, is very willing to promote the European Union as a power independent from America and NATO, it should be seen to what extent the Europeans can get united and maintain their position and power with Trump’s return.”
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Saudi Arabia last Wednesday hosted the first meeting of a global alliance to push for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. An expert on regional issues called the Saudi move an attempt to justify and compensate for the country’s weak position regarding the developments in Gaza.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the war between Iran and the United States, the main battlefield was not defined solely in the military domain; rather, the battle of narratives in cyberspace—particularly through memes—reached a decisive level.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Only one month after the beginning of the Ramadan War, maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz decreased dramatically, with Bloomberg announcing a reduction of 103 vessels; Brent oil prices rose by more than 50 percent, and gasoline prices in the United States increased by 31.4 percent. Additionally, benchmark gas prices in Europe showed a 73.4 percent increase.
SCFR Online – Note: After approximately five months of political deadlock and institutional confusion, Ali al-Zaydi has finally been selected as Iraq’s Prime Minister. Al-Zaydi’s selection as Prime Minister represents a positive sign of the completion of the government formation process and the beginning of a new phase in Iraqi politics and governance. The emergence of a young, technocratic figure from the third generation of politicians—in a context where the country has been administered by traditional figures for decades—revives hope that Iraq may perhaps distance itself from the repetitive cycle of crises and experience a new path of stability, efficiency, and regional convergence.
SCFR Online – Note: Europe’s refusal to align with the United States in the war against Iran is not a temporary tactic, but rather a sign of strategic divergence and a move toward forced autonomy.
SCFR Online – Note: The militarization of artificial intelligence has eroded the boundaries of ethics and responsibility in warfare, transforming contemporary conflicts into arenas where human decision-making has become increasingly marginalized.
SCFR Online – Note: Over recent decades, support for the Zionist regime has been one of the few issues commanding bipartisan consensus in US foreign policy. Since the Cold War era, Republicans and Democrats have generally agreed on the necessity of preserving the security and survival of the Zionist regime as Washington’s most strategic ally in West Asia—and indeed, globally. However, developments in recent years—particularly the Gaza war, escalating regional conflicts, the expansion of tensions into Lebanon, and this regime’s recent warmongering against Iran—have caused this traditional consensus, especially within the Democratic Party, to face significant fractures.
SCFR Online – Note: Following the resumption of the US and Israeli regime’s war against Iran on February 28, certain divisions have emerged within the United States regarding this issue, both among the public and among political factions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The internal situation of the Israeli regime during the 40-day war can be analyzed from several perspectives. The popularity levels of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Likud Party, and the ruling coalition led by Netanyahu until February 28, 2026, remained approximately the same as during the preceding year. The most recent factor that had somewhat increased Netanyahu’s popularity was the advancement of the 2024 war with Hezbollah Lebanon. Subsequently, his popularity temporarily increased during the 12-day war with Iran, but after the war, it returned to its previous state.
Online Strategic Council – Interview: An international law expert said: Although there are appropriate laws and regulations regarding the non-sending of arms to countries that violate human rights and humanitarian law, the recent proposal of the UN Special Rapporteur, considering the crimes committed in Gaza and occupied Palestine by the Israeli regime, can complement and improve the current laws and help them in terms of implementation.
Strategic Council Online: An international affairs expert said that Europe and the United States will definitely put pressure on various ruling groups to change their approach towards minorities, women, and different ethnic groups in Syria in order to normalize political and economic relations with Syria domestically, regionally, and internationally. Only then can the lifting of sanctions be justified for Europe and the United States.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: It is noteworthy that Bashar al-Assad’s government was an ally of the Islamic Resistance Front and that his fall from power is a challenge to this front. However, for various reasons, such an event can never be considered a “defeat” for the Resistance Front in the region.
Strategic Council Online: Dr. Seyed Kamal Kharrazi stated that the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria was part of an American-Israeli plot, with the most compelling evidence being the immediate visit of a U.S. Deputy Secretary of State to Damascus and the withdrawal of the $10 million bounty for the capture of Golani.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The second round of the Iran-Saudi-China trilateral meeting, hosted by Riyadh, signals the development of relations in an atmosphere of increasing regional and international tensions and uncertainties. The meeting also confirmed China’s role beyond facilitating the revived relations between Tehran and Riyadh and related to China’s political economy perspective in the Middle East, which has significant implications for the Beijing-Washington macro-rivalry.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior energy expert considered the increase in gas extraction from the joint field with Iran to be in line with Qatar’s maximum exploitation of hydrocarbon resources and greater connection to international markets.
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: Although some observers view the QUAD Security Dialogue as a fledgling military alliance focused solely on China’s growing regional influence and the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region, its four members, the United States, India, Australia, and Japan, have stated their goal to deepen economic, diplomatic, and military ties among the four countries.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: According to what the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia authorities officially announce these days, the two South Caucasus countries are taking the last steps to reach a peace treaty.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said, “While Europe, especially France, is very willing to promote the European Union as a power independent from America and NATO, it should be seen to what extent the Europeans can get united and maintain their position and power with Trump’s return.”
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Saudi Arabia last Wednesday hosted the first meeting of a global alliance to push for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. An expert on regional issues called the Saudi move an attempt to justify and compensate for the country’s weak position regarding the developments in Gaza.
Online Strategic Council – Interview: An international law expert said: Although there are appropriate laws and regulations regarding the non-sending of arms to countries that violate human rights and humanitarian law, the recent proposal of the UN Special Rapporteur, considering the crimes committed in Gaza and occupied Palestine by the Israeli regime, can complement and improve the current laws and help them in terms of implementation.
Strategic Council Online: An international affairs expert said that Europe and the United States will definitely put pressure on various ruling groups to change their approach towards minorities, women, and different ethnic groups in Syria in order to normalize political and economic relations with Syria domestically, regionally, and internationally. Only then can the lifting of sanctions be justified for Europe and the United States.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: It is noteworthy that Bashar al-Assad’s government was an ally of the Islamic Resistance Front and that his fall from power is a challenge to this front. However, for various reasons, such an event can never be considered a “defeat” for the Resistance Front in the region.
Strategic Council Online: Dr. Seyed Kamal Kharrazi stated that the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria was part of an American-Israeli plot, with the most compelling evidence being the immediate visit of a U.S. Deputy Secretary of State to Damascus and the withdrawal of the $10 million bounty for the capture of Golani.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The second round of the Iran-Saudi-China trilateral meeting, hosted by Riyadh, signals the development of relations in an atmosphere of increasing regional and international tensions and uncertainties. The meeting also confirmed China’s role beyond facilitating the revived relations between Tehran and Riyadh and related to China’s political economy perspective in the Middle East, which has significant implications for the Beijing-Washington macro-rivalry.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior energy expert considered the increase in gas extraction from the joint field with Iran to be in line with Qatar’s maximum exploitation of hydrocarbon resources and greater connection to international markets.
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: Although some observers view the QUAD Security Dialogue as a fledgling military alliance focused solely on China’s growing regional influence and the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region, its four members, the United States, India, Australia, and Japan, have stated their goal to deepen economic, diplomatic, and military ties among the four countries.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: According to what the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia authorities officially announce these days, the two South Caucasus countries are taking the last steps to reach a peace treaty.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said, “While Europe, especially France, is very willing to promote the European Union as a power independent from America and NATO, it should be seen to what extent the Europeans can get united and maintain their position and power with Trump’s return.”
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Saudi Arabia last Wednesday hosted the first meeting of a global alliance to push for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. An expert on regional issues called the Saudi move an attempt to justify and compensate for the country’s weak position regarding the developments in Gaza.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the war between Iran and the United States, the main battlefield was not defined solely in the military domain; rather, the battle of narratives in cyberspace—particularly through memes—reached a decisive level.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Only one month after the beginning of the Ramadan War, maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz decreased dramatically, with Bloomberg announcing a reduction of 103 vessels; Brent oil prices rose by more than 50 percent, and gasoline prices in the United States increased by 31.4 percent. Additionally, benchmark gas prices in Europe showed a 73.4 percent increase.
SCFR Online – Note: After approximately five months of political deadlock and institutional confusion, Ali al-Zaydi has finally been selected as Iraq’s Prime Minister. Al-Zaydi’s selection as Prime Minister represents a positive sign of the completion of the government formation process and the beginning of a new phase in Iraqi politics and governance. The emergence of a young, technocratic figure from the third generation of politicians—in a context where the country has been administered by traditional figures for decades—revives hope that Iraq may perhaps distance itself from the repetitive cycle of crises and experience a new path of stability, efficiency, and regional convergence.
SCFR Online – Note: Europe’s refusal to align with the United States in the war against Iran is not a temporary tactic, but rather a sign of strategic divergence and a move toward forced autonomy.
SCFR Online – Note: The militarization of artificial intelligence has eroded the boundaries of ethics and responsibility in warfare, transforming contemporary conflicts into arenas where human decision-making has become increasingly marginalized.
SCFR Online – Note: Over recent decades, support for the Zionist regime has been one of the few issues commanding bipartisan consensus in US foreign policy. Since the Cold War era, Republicans and Democrats have generally agreed on the necessity of preserving the security and survival of the Zionist regime as Washington’s most strategic ally in West Asia—and indeed, globally. However, developments in recent years—particularly the Gaza war, escalating regional conflicts, the expansion of tensions into Lebanon, and this regime’s recent warmongering against Iran—have caused this traditional consensus, especially within the Democratic Party, to face significant fractures.
SCFR Online – Note: Following the resumption of the US and Israeli regime’s war against Iran on February 28, certain divisions have emerged within the United States regarding this issue, both among the public and among political factions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The internal situation of the Israeli regime during the 40-day war can be analyzed from several perspectives. The popularity levels of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Likud Party, and the ruling coalition led by Netanyahu until February 28, 2026, remained approximately the same as during the preceding year. The most recent factor that had somewhat increased Netanyahu’s popularity was the advancement of the 2024 war with Hezbollah Lebanon. Subsequently, his popularity temporarily increased during the 12-day war with Iran, but after the war, it returned to its previous state.
Online Strategic Council – Interview: An international law expert said: Although there are appropriate laws and regulations regarding the non-sending of arms to countries that violate human rights and humanitarian law, the recent proposal of the UN Special Rapporteur, considering the crimes committed in Gaza and occupied Palestine by the Israeli regime, can complement and improve the current laws and help them in terms of implementation.
Strategic Council Online: An international affairs expert said that Europe and the United States will definitely put pressure on various ruling groups to change their approach towards minorities, women, and different ethnic groups in Syria in order to normalize political and economic relations with Syria domestically, regionally, and internationally. Only then can the lifting of sanctions be justified for Europe and the United States.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: It is noteworthy that Bashar al-Assad’s government was an ally of the Islamic Resistance Front and that his fall from power is a challenge to this front. However, for various reasons, such an event can never be considered a “defeat” for the Resistance Front in the region.
Strategic Council Online: Dr. Seyed Kamal Kharrazi stated that the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria was part of an American-Israeli plot, with the most compelling evidence being the immediate visit of a U.S. Deputy Secretary of State to Damascus and the withdrawal of the $10 million bounty for the capture of Golani.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The second round of the Iran-Saudi-China trilateral meeting, hosted by Riyadh, signals the development of relations in an atmosphere of increasing regional and international tensions and uncertainties. The meeting also confirmed China’s role beyond facilitating the revived relations between Tehran and Riyadh and related to China’s political economy perspective in the Middle East, which has significant implications for the Beijing-Washington macro-rivalry.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior energy expert considered the increase in gas extraction from the joint field with Iran to be in line with Qatar’s maximum exploitation of hydrocarbon resources and greater connection to international markets.
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: Although some observers view the QUAD Security Dialogue as a fledgling military alliance focused solely on China’s growing regional influence and the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region, its four members, the United States, India, Australia, and Japan, have stated their goal to deepen economic, diplomatic, and military ties among the four countries.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: According to what the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia authorities officially announce these days, the two South Caucasus countries are taking the last steps to reach a peace treaty.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said, “While Europe, especially France, is very willing to promote the European Union as a power independent from America and NATO, it should be seen to what extent the Europeans can get united and maintain their position and power with Trump’s return.”
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Saudi Arabia last Wednesday hosted the first meeting of a global alliance to push for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. An expert on regional issues called the Saudi move an attempt to justify and compensate for the country’s weak position regarding the developments in Gaza.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the war between Iran and the United States, the main battlefield was not defined solely in the military domain; rather, the battle of narratives in cyberspace—particularly through memes—reached a decisive level.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Only one month after the beginning of the Ramadan War, maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz decreased dramatically, with Bloomberg announcing a reduction of 103 vessels; Brent oil prices rose by more than 50 percent, and gasoline prices in the United States increased by 31.4 percent. Additionally, benchmark gas prices in Europe showed a 73.4 percent increase.
SCFR Online – Note: After approximately five months of political deadlock and institutional confusion, Ali al-Zaydi has finally been selected as Iraq’s Prime Minister. Al-Zaydi’s selection as Prime Minister represents a positive sign of the completion of the government formation process and the beginning of a new phase in Iraqi politics and governance. The emergence of a young, technocratic figure from the third generation of politicians—in a context where the country has been administered by traditional figures for decades—revives hope that Iraq may perhaps distance itself from the repetitive cycle of crises and experience a new path of stability, efficiency, and regional convergence.
SCFR Online – Note: Europe’s refusal to align with the United States in the war against Iran is not a temporary tactic, but rather a sign of strategic divergence and a move toward forced autonomy.
SCFR Online – Note: The militarization of artificial intelligence has eroded the boundaries of ethics and responsibility in warfare, transforming contemporary conflicts into arenas where human decision-making has become increasingly marginalized.
SCFR Online – Note: Over recent decades, support for the Zionist regime has been one of the few issues commanding bipartisan consensus in US foreign policy. Since the Cold War era, Republicans and Democrats have generally agreed on the necessity of preserving the security and survival of the Zionist regime as Washington’s most strategic ally in West Asia—and indeed, globally. However, developments in recent years—particularly the Gaza war, escalating regional conflicts, the expansion of tensions into Lebanon, and this regime’s recent warmongering against Iran—have caused this traditional consensus, especially within the Democratic Party, to face significant fractures.
SCFR Online – Note: Following the resumption of the US and Israeli regime’s war against Iran on February 28, certain divisions have emerged within the United States regarding this issue, both among the public and among political factions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The internal situation of the Israeli regime during the 40-day war can be analyzed from several perspectives. The popularity levels of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Likud Party, and the ruling coalition led by Netanyahu until February 28, 2026, remained approximately the same as during the preceding year. The most recent factor that had somewhat increased Netanyahu’s popularity was the advancement of the 2024 war with Hezbollah Lebanon. Subsequently, his popularity temporarily increased during the 12-day war with Iran, but after the war, it returned to its previous state.
Online Strategic Council – Interview: An international law expert said: Although there are appropriate laws and regulations regarding the non-sending of arms to countries that violate human rights and humanitarian law, the recent proposal of the UN Special Rapporteur, considering the crimes committed in Gaza and occupied Palestine by the Israeli regime, can complement and improve the current laws and help them in terms of implementation.
Strategic Council Online: An international affairs expert said that Europe and the United States will definitely put pressure on various ruling groups to change their approach towards minorities, women, and different ethnic groups in Syria in order to normalize political and economic relations with Syria domestically, regionally, and internationally. Only then can the lifting of sanctions be justified for Europe and the United States.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: It is noteworthy that Bashar al-Assad’s government was an ally of the Islamic Resistance Front and that his fall from power is a challenge to this front. However, for various reasons, such an event can never be considered a “defeat” for the Resistance Front in the region.
Strategic Council Online: Dr. Seyed Kamal Kharrazi stated that the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria was part of an American-Israeli plot, with the most compelling evidence being the immediate visit of a U.S. Deputy Secretary of State to Damascus and the withdrawal of the $10 million bounty for the capture of Golani.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The second round of the Iran-Saudi-China trilateral meeting, hosted by Riyadh, signals the development of relations in an atmosphere of increasing regional and international tensions and uncertainties. The meeting also confirmed China’s role beyond facilitating the revived relations between Tehran and Riyadh and related to China’s political economy perspective in the Middle East, which has significant implications for the Beijing-Washington macro-rivalry.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior energy expert considered the increase in gas extraction from the joint field with Iran to be in line with Qatar’s maximum exploitation of hydrocarbon resources and greater connection to international markets.
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: Although some observers view the QUAD Security Dialogue as a fledgling military alliance focused solely on China’s growing regional influence and the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region, its four members, the United States, India, Australia, and Japan, have stated their goal to deepen economic, diplomatic, and military ties among the four countries.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: According to what the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia authorities officially announce these days, the two South Caucasus countries are taking the last steps to reach a peace treaty.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said, “While Europe, especially France, is very willing to promote the European Union as a power independent from America and NATO, it should be seen to what extent the Europeans can get united and maintain their position and power with Trump’s return.”
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Saudi Arabia last Wednesday hosted the first meeting of a global alliance to push for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. An expert on regional issues called the Saudi move an attempt to justify and compensate for the country’s weak position regarding the developments in Gaza.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the war between Iran and the United States, the main battlefield was not defined solely in the military domain; rather, the battle of narratives in cyberspace—particularly through memes—reached a decisive level.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Only one month after the beginning of the Ramadan War, maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz decreased dramatically, with Bloomberg announcing a reduction of 103 vessels; Brent oil prices rose by more than 50 percent, and gasoline prices in the United States increased by 31.4 percent. Additionally, benchmark gas prices in Europe showed a 73.4 percent increase.
SCFR Online – Note: After approximately five months of political deadlock and institutional confusion, Ali al-Zaydi has finally been selected as Iraq’s Prime Minister. Al-Zaydi’s selection as Prime Minister represents a positive sign of the completion of the government formation process and the beginning of a new phase in Iraqi politics and governance. The emergence of a young, technocratic figure from the third generation of politicians—in a context where the country has been administered by traditional figures for decades—revives hope that Iraq may perhaps distance itself from the repetitive cycle of crises and experience a new path of stability, efficiency, and regional convergence.
SCFR Online – Note: Europe’s refusal to align with the United States in the war against Iran is not a temporary tactic, but rather a sign of strategic divergence and a move toward forced autonomy.
SCFR Online – Note: The militarization of artificial intelligence has eroded the boundaries of ethics and responsibility in warfare, transforming contemporary conflicts into arenas where human decision-making has become increasingly marginalized.
SCFR Online – Note: Over recent decades, support for the Zionist regime has been one of the few issues commanding bipartisan consensus in US foreign policy. Since the Cold War era, Republicans and Democrats have generally agreed on the necessity of preserving the security and survival of the Zionist regime as Washington’s most strategic ally in West Asia—and indeed, globally. However, developments in recent years—particularly the Gaza war, escalating regional conflicts, the expansion of tensions into Lebanon, and this regime’s recent warmongering against Iran—have caused this traditional consensus, especially within the Democratic Party, to face significant fractures.
SCFR Online – Note: Following the resumption of the US and Israeli regime’s war against Iran on February 28, certain divisions have emerged within the United States regarding this issue, both among the public and among political factions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The internal situation of the Israeli regime during the 40-day war can be analyzed from several perspectives. The popularity levels of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Likud Party, and the ruling coalition led by Netanyahu until February 28, 2026, remained approximately the same as during the preceding year. The most recent factor that had somewhat increased Netanyahu’s popularity was the advancement of the 2024 war with Hezbollah Lebanon. Subsequently, his popularity temporarily increased during the 12-day war with Iran, but after the war, it returned to its previous state.
Online Strategic Council – Interview: An international law expert said: Although there are appropriate laws and regulations regarding the non-sending of arms to countries that violate human rights and humanitarian law, the recent proposal of the UN Special Rapporteur, considering the crimes committed in Gaza and occupied Palestine by the Israeli regime, can complement and improve the current laws and help them in terms of implementation.
Strategic Council Online: An international affairs expert said that Europe and the United States will definitely put pressure on various ruling groups to change their approach towards minorities, women, and different ethnic groups in Syria in order to normalize political and economic relations with Syria domestically, regionally, and internationally. Only then can the lifting of sanctions be justified for Europe and the United States.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: It is noteworthy that Bashar al-Assad’s government was an ally of the Islamic Resistance Front and that his fall from power is a challenge to this front. However, for various reasons, such an event can never be considered a “defeat” for the Resistance Front in the region.
Strategic Council Online: Dr. Seyed Kamal Kharrazi stated that the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria was part of an American-Israeli plot, with the most compelling evidence being the immediate visit of a U.S. Deputy Secretary of State to Damascus and the withdrawal of the $10 million bounty for the capture of Golani.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The second round of the Iran-Saudi-China trilateral meeting, hosted by Riyadh, signals the development of relations in an atmosphere of increasing regional and international tensions and uncertainties. The meeting also confirmed China’s role beyond facilitating the revived relations between Tehran and Riyadh and related to China’s political economy perspective in the Middle East, which has significant implications for the Beijing-Washington macro-rivalry.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior energy expert considered the increase in gas extraction from the joint field with Iran to be in line with Qatar’s maximum exploitation of hydrocarbon resources and greater connection to international markets.
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: Although some observers view the QUAD Security Dialogue as a fledgling military alliance focused solely on China’s growing regional influence and the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region, its four members, the United States, India, Australia, and Japan, have stated their goal to deepen economic, diplomatic, and military ties among the four countries.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: According to what the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia authorities officially announce these days, the two South Caucasus countries are taking the last steps to reach a peace treaty.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said, “While Europe, especially France, is very willing to promote the European Union as a power independent from America and NATO, it should be seen to what extent the Europeans can get united and maintain their position and power with Trump’s return.”
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Saudi Arabia last Wednesday hosted the first meeting of a global alliance to push for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. An expert on regional issues called the Saudi move an attempt to justify and compensate for the country’s weak position regarding the developments in Gaza.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the war between Iran and the United States, the main battlefield was not defined solely in the military domain; rather, the battle of narratives in cyberspace—particularly through memes—reached a decisive level.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Only one month after the beginning of the Ramadan War, maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz decreased dramatically, with Bloomberg announcing a reduction of 103 vessels; Brent oil prices rose by more than 50 percent, and gasoline prices in the United States increased by 31.4 percent. Additionally, benchmark gas prices in Europe showed a 73.4 percent increase.
SCFR Online – Note: After approximately five months of political deadlock and institutional confusion, Ali al-Zaydi has finally been selected as Iraq’s Prime Minister. Al-Zaydi’s selection as Prime Minister represents a positive sign of the completion of the government formation process and the beginning of a new phase in Iraqi politics and governance. The emergence of a young, technocratic figure from the third generation of politicians—in a context where the country has been administered by traditional figures for decades—revives hope that Iraq may perhaps distance itself from the repetitive cycle of crises and experience a new path of stability, efficiency, and regional convergence.
SCFR Online – Note: Europe’s refusal to align with the United States in the war against Iran is not a temporary tactic, but rather a sign of strategic divergence and a move toward forced autonomy.
SCFR Online – Note: The militarization of artificial intelligence has eroded the boundaries of ethics and responsibility in warfare, transforming contemporary conflicts into arenas where human decision-making has become increasingly marginalized.
SCFR Online – Note: Over recent decades, support for the Zionist regime has been one of the few issues commanding bipartisan consensus in US foreign policy. Since the Cold War era, Republicans and Democrats have generally agreed on the necessity of preserving the security and survival of the Zionist regime as Washington’s most strategic ally in West Asia—and indeed, globally. However, developments in recent years—particularly the Gaza war, escalating regional conflicts, the expansion of tensions into Lebanon, and this regime’s recent warmongering against Iran—have caused this traditional consensus, especially within the Democratic Party, to face significant fractures.
SCFR Online – Note: Following the resumption of the US and Israeli regime’s war against Iran on February 28, certain divisions have emerged within the United States regarding this issue, both among the public and among political factions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The internal situation of the Israeli regime during the 40-day war can be analyzed from several perspectives. The popularity levels of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Likud Party, and the ruling coalition led by Netanyahu until February 28, 2026, remained approximately the same as during the preceding year. The most recent factor that had somewhat increased Netanyahu’s popularity was the advancement of the 2024 war with Hezbollah Lebanon. Subsequently, his popularity temporarily increased during the 12-day war with Iran, but after the war, it returned to its previous state.
Online Strategic Council – Interview: An international law expert said: Although there are appropriate laws and regulations regarding the non-sending of arms to countries that violate human rights and humanitarian law, the recent proposal of the UN Special Rapporteur, considering the crimes committed in Gaza and occupied Palestine by the Israeli regime, can complement and improve the current laws and help them in terms of implementation.
Strategic Council Online: An international affairs expert said that Europe and the United States will definitely put pressure on various ruling groups to change their approach towards minorities, women, and different ethnic groups in Syria in order to normalize political and economic relations with Syria domestically, regionally, and internationally. Only then can the lifting of sanctions be justified for Europe and the United States.
Strategic Council Online—Opinion: It is noteworthy that Bashar al-Assad’s government was an ally of the Islamic Resistance Front and that his fall from power is a challenge to this front. However, for various reasons, such an event can never be considered a “defeat” for the Resistance Front in the region.
Strategic Council Online: Dr. Seyed Kamal Kharrazi stated that the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria was part of an American-Israeli plot, with the most compelling evidence being the immediate visit of a U.S. Deputy Secretary of State to Damascus and the withdrawal of the $10 million bounty for the capture of Golani.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The second round of the Iran-Saudi-China trilateral meeting, hosted by Riyadh, signals the development of relations in an atmosphere of increasing regional and international tensions and uncertainties. The meeting also confirmed China’s role beyond facilitating the revived relations between Tehran and Riyadh and related to China’s political economy perspective in the Middle East, which has significant implications for the Beijing-Washington macro-rivalry.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior energy expert considered the increase in gas extraction from the joint field with Iran to be in line with Qatar’s maximum exploitation of hydrocarbon resources and greater connection to international markets.
Strategic Council Online – Guest Opinion: Although some observers view the QUAD Security Dialogue as a fledgling military alliance focused solely on China’s growing regional influence and the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region, its four members, the United States, India, Australia, and Japan, have stated their goal to deepen economic, diplomatic, and military ties among the four countries.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: According to what the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia authorities officially announce these days, the two South Caucasus countries are taking the last steps to reach a peace treaty.
Strategic Council Online—Interview: A former Iranian diplomat said, “While Europe, especially France, is very willing to promote the European Union as a power independent from America and NATO, it should be seen to what extent the Europeans can get united and maintain their position and power with Trump’s return.”
Strategic Council Online – Interview: Saudi Arabia last Wednesday hosted the first meeting of a global alliance to push for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. An expert on regional issues called the Saudi move an attempt to justify and compensate for the country’s weak position regarding the developments in Gaza.
SCFR Online – Opinion: In the war between Iran and the United States, the main battlefield was not defined solely in the military domain; rather, the battle of narratives in cyberspace—particularly through memes—reached a decisive level.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Only one month after the beginning of the Ramadan War, maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz decreased dramatically, with Bloomberg announcing a reduction of 103 vessels; Brent oil prices rose by more than 50 percent, and gasoline prices in the United States increased by 31.4 percent. Additionally, benchmark gas prices in Europe showed a 73.4 percent increase.
SCFR Online – Note: After approximately five months of political deadlock and institutional confusion, Ali al-Zaydi has finally been selected as Iraq’s Prime Minister. Al-Zaydi’s selection as Prime Minister represents a positive sign of the completion of the government formation process and the beginning of a new phase in Iraqi politics and governance. The emergence of a young, technocratic figure from the third generation of politicians—in a context where the country has been administered by traditional figures for decades—revives hope that Iraq may perhaps distance itself from the repetitive cycle of crises and experience a new path of stability, efficiency, and regional convergence.
SCFR Online – Note: Europe’s refusal to align with the United States in the war against Iran is not a temporary tactic, but rather a sign of strategic divergence and a move toward forced autonomy.
SCFR Online – Note: The militarization of artificial intelligence has eroded the boundaries of ethics and responsibility in warfare, transforming contemporary conflicts into arenas where human decision-making has become increasingly marginalized.
SCFR Online – Note: Over recent decades, support for the Zionist regime has been one of the few issues commanding bipartisan consensus in US foreign policy. Since the Cold War era, Republicans and Democrats have generally agreed on the necessity of preserving the security and survival of the Zionist regime as Washington’s most strategic ally in West Asia—and indeed, globally. However, developments in recent years—particularly the Gaza war, escalating regional conflicts, the expansion of tensions into Lebanon, and this regime’s recent warmongering against Iran—have caused this traditional consensus, especially within the Democratic Party, to face significant fractures.
SCFR Online – Note: Following the resumption of the US and Israeli regime’s war against Iran on February 28, certain divisions have emerged within the United States regarding this issue, both among the public and among political factions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The internal situation of the Israeli regime during the 40-day war can be analyzed from several perspectives. The popularity levels of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Likud Party, and the ruling coalition led by Netanyahu until February 28, 2026, remained approximately the same as during the preceding year. The most recent factor that had somewhat increased Netanyahu’s popularity was the advancement of the 2024 war with Hezbollah Lebanon. Subsequently, his popularity temporarily increased during the 12-day war with Iran, but after the war, it returned to its previous state.