Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Europe has spoken of “strategic autonomy” for years, but each new crisis reveals that the gap between its aspiration for self-reliance and the reality of its security dependence on the United States remains significantly unbridged.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The Arctic is no longer a frozen, remote periphery; it has become a live theater of great-power competition, where sea routes, port infrastructure, the law of the sea, and military deterrence are intertwined, shaping the future of maritime security.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: On the threshold of a new era of space competition between Beijing and Washington, the sky is no longer considered merely an arena for great-power conflict but has become a potential platform for the development of civilian defense applications for countries.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A Latin American affairs expert believes that, although the United States of America is trying to impose “new colonialism” on the Latin American region, a new form of resistance, protest, and nationwide uprisings will likely emerge.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: In the midst of America’s military deployment to West Asia and the Persian Gulf, which has increased tensions at the regional and global levels, the Zionist regime has seized the opportunity and accelerated the advancement of its ambitious projects, including the process of the illegal annexation of the West Bank to the occupied territories.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The tariff war and currency competition have propelled the global financial order into a phase where each shock can represent both a threat to the dollar and an opportunity for the rearrangement of global trade.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Water is gradually transforming from the source of life into a lever of power in West Asia and could rewrite the region’s security map.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With the collapse of the last pillar of nuclear arms control between Washington and Moscow, the world stands on the threshold of a ruleless order that both carries the scent of unlimited competition and conceals within itself the possibility of new forms of bargaining.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asian affairs expert said: One of the main objectives of the recent attacks by the Israeli regime on Syria is to prevent the establishment of a strong central authority or government in Syria. Therefore, it is trying to prevent the comprehensive rule of the new government under the name of Ahmad al-Sharaa or al-Julani by attacking and invading southern Syria and various regions of the country, even Damascus.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that recently, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, by announcing his country’s mediating role between the Israeli regime and Syria, attempted to turn Baku into one of the active regional players. In an interview, Aliyev emphasized that the primary goal of this action is to strengthen peace and stability in the Middle East. Furthermore, Aliyev spoke of Azerbaijan’s readiness to support the restoration of relations between Turkey and the Israeli regime and elaborated on his country’s humanitarian and energy assistance to Syria, including the export of gas to Syria based on a quadrilateral agreement with Turkey and Qatar, which began on August 2nd and may increase in the future. However, regional analysts view this mediation with skepticism, seeing it as being in line with Tel Aviv’s interests and the improvement of Baku’s geopolitical standing.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated that the recent meeting of the foreign minister of Syria’s interim government with a delegation from the Zionist regime in Paris marks a turning point in the regional equations; an event that, beyond a simple diplomatic meeting, signifies a redefinition of strategies regarding Syria’s future. These talks, which were mediated by the United States and focused on reducing tensions in southern Syria, monitoring the ceasefire, and reactivating the 1974 agreement, clearly indicate that the Syria file can no longer be analyzed solely within the framework of an internal crisis or field conflicts. Instead, Damascus today is caught in a complex duality: on one hand, it faces the occupation of part of its territory by the Israeli regime and increasing pressures on its strategic geography, and on the other hand, it feels the necessity of utilizing diplomacy to break out of political isolation. Meanwhile, the Israeli regime seeks to consolidate its position in the region, an issue that links to the long-standing project of “Greater Israel” and efforts to dismantle the traditional structures of the Middle East.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
Strategic Council Online– Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that despite the internationally brokered ceasefire agreement reached a few days ago in Al-Suwayda, the Israeli regime’s movements in southern Syria continue. In this context, an important issue that has drawn public attention is Turkey’s reaction to these developments. By supporting Ahmed al-Shara (also known as Abu Muhammad al-Julene), Turkey managed to lay the groundwork for the fall of Bashar al-Assad and, in its view, solidify its foothold in the country. However, over the past few weeks, with the Zionist regime’s attacks on positions held by Julani’s forces in Syria and other areas, Ankara’s calculations in Syria have been significantly disrupted.
Strategic Council Online Opinion: After the outbreak of clashes between the Druze and Bedouin tribes in As-Suwayda Governorate, the Israeli regime intervened in favor of the Druze and launched airstrikes against Syria, which lasted for three days. Although this tension ultimately led to a fragile ceasefire, what lies behind this escalation and the confrontation between the Zionist regime and the interim government of Ahmad al-Shara (also known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani)?
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A faculty member of International Relations at the Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies stated: The 34th Arab League Summit was held in Baghdad on Saturday, May 17. 2024). In their final statement, Arab leaders called on the international community to pressure the Zionist regime to stop the bloodshed and massacres in Gaza. The summit’s final statement focused on the centrality of the Palestinian issue and the demand for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. However, the question remains: Why has this body, aside from issuing a series of ineffective statements, failed to play a role in regional matters?
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The invitation to Ahmed Al-Sharaa, head of Syria’s interim government, to attend the Arab Summit in Baghdad sends a message from the Iraqi government to the Arab world that Baghdad seeks to play a central role in rebuilding Arab relations and reducing regional tensions. However, the path ahead for Baghdad does not appear straightforward. The invitation to Syria’s interim President, facilitated by the mediation of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, and Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani’s initial meeting with Al-Sharaa in Doha in February 2025, demonstrates Iraq’s determination to mediate regional conflicts.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: On April 18, 2025, the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced a review of the deployment of its military forces in Syria codenamed “Operation Inherent Resolve”. This plan, designed in line with Donald Trump’s policies to reduce US military presence in the Middle East, will reduce the number of US troops from 10,000 to 1,000 within two months. Although this measure was announced under the pretext of success in weakening ISIS, it is part of a broader US strategy to redefine its mission in the region. However, numerous political and security complexities accompany this decision, the consequences of which will be significant for Syria, the entire region, and even the international system.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Europe has spoken of “strategic autonomy” for years, but each new crisis reveals that the gap between its aspiration for self-reliance and the reality of its security dependence on the United States remains significantly unbridged.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The Arctic is no longer a frozen, remote periphery; it has become a live theater of great-power competition, where sea routes, port infrastructure, the law of the sea, and military deterrence are intertwined, shaping the future of maritime security.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: On the threshold of a new era of space competition between Beijing and Washington, the sky is no longer considered merely an arena for great-power conflict but has become a potential platform for the development of civilian defense applications for countries.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A Latin American affairs expert believes that, although the United States of America is trying to impose “new colonialism” on the Latin American region, a new form of resistance, protest, and nationwide uprisings will likely emerge.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: In the midst of America’s military deployment to West Asia and the Persian Gulf, which has increased tensions at the regional and global levels, the Zionist regime has seized the opportunity and accelerated the advancement of its ambitious projects, including the process of the illegal annexation of the West Bank to the occupied territories.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The tariff war and currency competition have propelled the global financial order into a phase where each shock can represent both a threat to the dollar and an opportunity for the rearrangement of global trade.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Water is gradually transforming from the source of life into a lever of power in West Asia and could rewrite the region’s security map.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With the collapse of the last pillar of nuclear arms control between Washington and Moscow, the world stands on the threshold of a ruleless order that both carries the scent of unlimited competition and conceals within itself the possibility of new forms of bargaining.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asian affairs expert said: One of the main objectives of the recent attacks by the Israeli regime on Syria is to prevent the establishment of a strong central authority or government in Syria. Therefore, it is trying to prevent the comprehensive rule of the new government under the name of Ahmad al-Sharaa or al-Julani by attacking and invading southern Syria and various regions of the country, even Damascus.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that recently, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, by announcing his country’s mediating role between the Israeli regime and Syria, attempted to turn Baku into one of the active regional players. In an interview, Aliyev emphasized that the primary goal of this action is to strengthen peace and stability in the Middle East. Furthermore, Aliyev spoke of Azerbaijan’s readiness to support the restoration of relations between Turkey and the Israeli regime and elaborated on his country’s humanitarian and energy assistance to Syria, including the export of gas to Syria based on a quadrilateral agreement with Turkey and Qatar, which began on August 2nd and may increase in the future. However, regional analysts view this mediation with skepticism, seeing it as being in line with Tel Aviv’s interests and the improvement of Baku’s geopolitical standing.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated that the recent meeting of the foreign minister of Syria’s interim government with a delegation from the Zionist regime in Paris marks a turning point in the regional equations; an event that, beyond a simple diplomatic meeting, signifies a redefinition of strategies regarding Syria’s future. These talks, which were mediated by the United States and focused on reducing tensions in southern Syria, monitoring the ceasefire, and reactivating the 1974 agreement, clearly indicate that the Syria file can no longer be analyzed solely within the framework of an internal crisis or field conflicts. Instead, Damascus today is caught in a complex duality: on one hand, it faces the occupation of part of its territory by the Israeli regime and increasing pressures on its strategic geography, and on the other hand, it feels the necessity of utilizing diplomacy to break out of political isolation. Meanwhile, the Israeli regime seeks to consolidate its position in the region, an issue that links to the long-standing project of “Greater Israel” and efforts to dismantle the traditional structures of the Middle East.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
Strategic Council Online– Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that despite the internationally brokered ceasefire agreement reached a few days ago in Al-Suwayda, the Israeli regime’s movements in southern Syria continue. In this context, an important issue that has drawn public attention is Turkey’s reaction to these developments. By supporting Ahmed al-Shara (also known as Abu Muhammad al-Julene), Turkey managed to lay the groundwork for the fall of Bashar al-Assad and, in its view, solidify its foothold in the country. However, over the past few weeks, with the Zionist regime’s attacks on positions held by Julani’s forces in Syria and other areas, Ankara’s calculations in Syria have been significantly disrupted.
Strategic Council Online Opinion: After the outbreak of clashes between the Druze and Bedouin tribes in As-Suwayda Governorate, the Israeli regime intervened in favor of the Druze and launched airstrikes against Syria, which lasted for three days. Although this tension ultimately led to a fragile ceasefire, what lies behind this escalation and the confrontation between the Zionist regime and the interim government of Ahmad al-Shara (also known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani)?
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A faculty member of International Relations at the Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies stated: The 34th Arab League Summit was held in Baghdad on Saturday, May 17. 2024). In their final statement, Arab leaders called on the international community to pressure the Zionist regime to stop the bloodshed and massacres in Gaza. The summit’s final statement focused on the centrality of the Palestinian issue and the demand for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. However, the question remains: Why has this body, aside from issuing a series of ineffective statements, failed to play a role in regional matters?
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The invitation to Ahmed Al-Sharaa, head of Syria’s interim government, to attend the Arab Summit in Baghdad sends a message from the Iraqi government to the Arab world that Baghdad seeks to play a central role in rebuilding Arab relations and reducing regional tensions. However, the path ahead for Baghdad does not appear straightforward. The invitation to Syria’s interim President, facilitated by the mediation of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, and Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani’s initial meeting with Al-Sharaa in Doha in February 2025, demonstrates Iraq’s determination to mediate regional conflicts.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: On April 18, 2025, the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced a review of the deployment of its military forces in Syria codenamed “Operation Inherent Resolve”. This plan, designed in line with Donald Trump’s policies to reduce US military presence in the Middle East, will reduce the number of US troops from 10,000 to 1,000 within two months. Although this measure was announced under the pretext of success in weakening ISIS, it is part of a broader US strategy to redefine its mission in the region. However, numerous political and security complexities accompany this decision, the consequences of which will be significant for Syria, the entire region, and even the international system.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asian affairs expert said: One of the main objectives of the recent attacks by the Israeli regime on Syria is to prevent the establishment of a strong central authority or government in Syria. Therefore, it is trying to prevent the comprehensive rule of the new government under the name of Ahmad al-Sharaa or al-Julani by attacking and invading southern Syria and various regions of the country, even Damascus.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that recently, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, by announcing his country’s mediating role between the Israeli regime and Syria, attempted to turn Baku into one of the active regional players. In an interview, Aliyev emphasized that the primary goal of this action is to strengthen peace and stability in the Middle East. Furthermore, Aliyev spoke of Azerbaijan’s readiness to support the restoration of relations between Turkey and the Israeli regime and elaborated on his country’s humanitarian and energy assistance to Syria, including the export of gas to Syria based on a quadrilateral agreement with Turkey and Qatar, which began on August 2nd and may increase in the future. However, regional analysts view this mediation with skepticism, seeing it as being in line with Tel Aviv’s interests and the improvement of Baku’s geopolitical standing.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated that the recent meeting of the foreign minister of Syria’s interim government with a delegation from the Zionist regime in Paris marks a turning point in the regional equations; an event that, beyond a simple diplomatic meeting, signifies a redefinition of strategies regarding Syria’s future. These talks, which were mediated by the United States and focused on reducing tensions in southern Syria, monitoring the ceasefire, and reactivating the 1974 agreement, clearly indicate that the Syria file can no longer be analyzed solely within the framework of an internal crisis or field conflicts. Instead, Damascus today is caught in a complex duality: on one hand, it faces the occupation of part of its territory by the Israeli regime and increasing pressures on its strategic geography, and on the other hand, it feels the necessity of utilizing diplomacy to break out of political isolation. Meanwhile, the Israeli regime seeks to consolidate its position in the region, an issue that links to the long-standing project of “Greater Israel” and efforts to dismantle the traditional structures of the Middle East.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
Strategic Council Online– Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that despite the internationally brokered ceasefire agreement reached a few days ago in Al-Suwayda, the Israeli regime’s movements in southern Syria continue. In this context, an important issue that has drawn public attention is Turkey’s reaction to these developments. By supporting Ahmed al-Shara (also known as Abu Muhammad al-Julene), Turkey managed to lay the groundwork for the fall of Bashar al-Assad and, in its view, solidify its foothold in the country. However, over the past few weeks, with the Zionist regime’s attacks on positions held by Julani’s forces in Syria and other areas, Ankara’s calculations in Syria have been significantly disrupted.
Strategic Council Online Opinion: After the outbreak of clashes between the Druze and Bedouin tribes in As-Suwayda Governorate, the Israeli regime intervened in favor of the Druze and launched airstrikes against Syria, which lasted for three days. Although this tension ultimately led to a fragile ceasefire, what lies behind this escalation and the confrontation between the Zionist regime and the interim government of Ahmad al-Shara (also known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani)?
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A faculty member of International Relations at the Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies stated: The 34th Arab League Summit was held in Baghdad on Saturday, May 17. 2024). In their final statement, Arab leaders called on the international community to pressure the Zionist regime to stop the bloodshed and massacres in Gaza. The summit’s final statement focused on the centrality of the Palestinian issue and the demand for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. However, the question remains: Why has this body, aside from issuing a series of ineffective statements, failed to play a role in regional matters?
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The invitation to Ahmed Al-Sharaa, head of Syria’s interim government, to attend the Arab Summit in Baghdad sends a message from the Iraqi government to the Arab world that Baghdad seeks to play a central role in rebuilding Arab relations and reducing regional tensions. However, the path ahead for Baghdad does not appear straightforward. The invitation to Syria’s interim President, facilitated by the mediation of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, and Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani’s initial meeting with Al-Sharaa in Doha in February 2025, demonstrates Iraq’s determination to mediate regional conflicts.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: On April 18, 2025, the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced a review of the deployment of its military forces in Syria codenamed “Operation Inherent Resolve”. This plan, designed in line with Donald Trump’s policies to reduce US military presence in the Middle East, will reduce the number of US troops from 10,000 to 1,000 within two months. Although this measure was announced under the pretext of success in weakening ISIS, it is part of a broader US strategy to redefine its mission in the region. However, numerous political and security complexities accompany this decision, the consequences of which will be significant for Syria, the entire region, and even the international system.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Europe has spoken of “strategic autonomy” for years, but each new crisis reveals that the gap between its aspiration for self-reliance and the reality of its security dependence on the United States remains significantly unbridged.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The Arctic is no longer a frozen, remote periphery; it has become a live theater of great-power competition, where sea routes, port infrastructure, the law of the sea, and military deterrence are intertwined, shaping the future of maritime security.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: On the threshold of a new era of space competition between Beijing and Washington, the sky is no longer considered merely an arena for great-power conflict but has become a potential platform for the development of civilian defense applications for countries.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A Latin American affairs expert believes that, although the United States of America is trying to impose “new colonialism” on the Latin American region, a new form of resistance, protest, and nationwide uprisings will likely emerge.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: In the midst of America’s military deployment to West Asia and the Persian Gulf, which has increased tensions at the regional and global levels, the Zionist regime has seized the opportunity and accelerated the advancement of its ambitious projects, including the process of the illegal annexation of the West Bank to the occupied territories.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The tariff war and currency competition have propelled the global financial order into a phase where each shock can represent both a threat to the dollar and an opportunity for the rearrangement of global trade.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Water is gradually transforming from the source of life into a lever of power in West Asia and could rewrite the region’s security map.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With the collapse of the last pillar of nuclear arms control between Washington and Moscow, the world stands on the threshold of a ruleless order that both carries the scent of unlimited competition and conceals within itself the possibility of new forms of bargaining.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asian affairs expert said: One of the main objectives of the recent attacks by the Israeli regime on Syria is to prevent the establishment of a strong central authority or government in Syria. Therefore, it is trying to prevent the comprehensive rule of the new government under the name of Ahmad al-Sharaa or al-Julani by attacking and invading southern Syria and various regions of the country, even Damascus.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that recently, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, by announcing his country’s mediating role between the Israeli regime and Syria, attempted to turn Baku into one of the active regional players. In an interview, Aliyev emphasized that the primary goal of this action is to strengthen peace and stability in the Middle East. Furthermore, Aliyev spoke of Azerbaijan’s readiness to support the restoration of relations between Turkey and the Israeli regime and elaborated on his country’s humanitarian and energy assistance to Syria, including the export of gas to Syria based on a quadrilateral agreement with Turkey and Qatar, which began on August 2nd and may increase in the future. However, regional analysts view this mediation with skepticism, seeing it as being in line with Tel Aviv’s interests and the improvement of Baku’s geopolitical standing.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated that the recent meeting of the foreign minister of Syria’s interim government with a delegation from the Zionist regime in Paris marks a turning point in the regional equations; an event that, beyond a simple diplomatic meeting, signifies a redefinition of strategies regarding Syria’s future. These talks, which were mediated by the United States and focused on reducing tensions in southern Syria, monitoring the ceasefire, and reactivating the 1974 agreement, clearly indicate that the Syria file can no longer be analyzed solely within the framework of an internal crisis or field conflicts. Instead, Damascus today is caught in a complex duality: on one hand, it faces the occupation of part of its territory by the Israeli regime and increasing pressures on its strategic geography, and on the other hand, it feels the necessity of utilizing diplomacy to break out of political isolation. Meanwhile, the Israeli regime seeks to consolidate its position in the region, an issue that links to the long-standing project of “Greater Israel” and efforts to dismantle the traditional structures of the Middle East.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
Strategic Council Online– Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that despite the internationally brokered ceasefire agreement reached a few days ago in Al-Suwayda, the Israeli regime’s movements in southern Syria continue. In this context, an important issue that has drawn public attention is Turkey’s reaction to these developments. By supporting Ahmed al-Shara (also known as Abu Muhammad al-Julene), Turkey managed to lay the groundwork for the fall of Bashar al-Assad and, in its view, solidify its foothold in the country. However, over the past few weeks, with the Zionist regime’s attacks on positions held by Julani’s forces in Syria and other areas, Ankara’s calculations in Syria have been significantly disrupted.
Strategic Council Online Opinion: After the outbreak of clashes between the Druze and Bedouin tribes in As-Suwayda Governorate, the Israeli regime intervened in favor of the Druze and launched airstrikes against Syria, which lasted for three days. Although this tension ultimately led to a fragile ceasefire, what lies behind this escalation and the confrontation between the Zionist regime and the interim government of Ahmad al-Shara (also known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani)?
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A faculty member of International Relations at the Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies stated: The 34th Arab League Summit was held in Baghdad on Saturday, May 17. 2024). In their final statement, Arab leaders called on the international community to pressure the Zionist regime to stop the bloodshed and massacres in Gaza. The summit’s final statement focused on the centrality of the Palestinian issue and the demand for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. However, the question remains: Why has this body, aside from issuing a series of ineffective statements, failed to play a role in regional matters?
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The invitation to Ahmed Al-Sharaa, head of Syria’s interim government, to attend the Arab Summit in Baghdad sends a message from the Iraqi government to the Arab world that Baghdad seeks to play a central role in rebuilding Arab relations and reducing regional tensions. However, the path ahead for Baghdad does not appear straightforward. The invitation to Syria’s interim President, facilitated by the mediation of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, and Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani’s initial meeting with Al-Sharaa in Doha in February 2025, demonstrates Iraq’s determination to mediate regional conflicts.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: On April 18, 2025, the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced a review of the deployment of its military forces in Syria codenamed “Operation Inherent Resolve”. This plan, designed in line with Donald Trump’s policies to reduce US military presence in the Middle East, will reduce the number of US troops from 10,000 to 1,000 within two months. Although this measure was announced under the pretext of success in weakening ISIS, it is part of a broader US strategy to redefine its mission in the region. However, numerous political and security complexities accompany this decision, the consequences of which will be significant for Syria, the entire region, and even the international system.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Europe has spoken of “strategic autonomy” for years, but each new crisis reveals that the gap between its aspiration for self-reliance and the reality of its security dependence on the United States remains significantly unbridged.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The Arctic is no longer a frozen, remote periphery; it has become a live theater of great-power competition, where sea routes, port infrastructure, the law of the sea, and military deterrence are intertwined, shaping the future of maritime security.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: On the threshold of a new era of space competition between Beijing and Washington, the sky is no longer considered merely an arena for great-power conflict but has become a potential platform for the development of civilian defense applications for countries.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A Latin American affairs expert believes that, although the United States of America is trying to impose “new colonialism” on the Latin American region, a new form of resistance, protest, and nationwide uprisings will likely emerge.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: In the midst of America’s military deployment to West Asia and the Persian Gulf, which has increased tensions at the regional and global levels, the Zionist regime has seized the opportunity and accelerated the advancement of its ambitious projects, including the process of the illegal annexation of the West Bank to the occupied territories.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The tariff war and currency competition have propelled the global financial order into a phase where each shock can represent both a threat to the dollar and an opportunity for the rearrangement of global trade.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Water is gradually transforming from the source of life into a lever of power in West Asia and could rewrite the region’s security map.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With the collapse of the last pillar of nuclear arms control between Washington and Moscow, the world stands on the threshold of a ruleless order that both carries the scent of unlimited competition and conceals within itself the possibility of new forms of bargaining.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asian affairs expert said: One of the main objectives of the recent attacks by the Israeli regime on Syria is to prevent the establishment of a strong central authority or government in Syria. Therefore, it is trying to prevent the comprehensive rule of the new government under the name of Ahmad al-Sharaa or al-Julani by attacking and invading southern Syria and various regions of the country, even Damascus.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that recently, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, by announcing his country’s mediating role between the Israeli regime and Syria, attempted to turn Baku into one of the active regional players. In an interview, Aliyev emphasized that the primary goal of this action is to strengthen peace and stability in the Middle East. Furthermore, Aliyev spoke of Azerbaijan’s readiness to support the restoration of relations between Turkey and the Israeli regime and elaborated on his country’s humanitarian and energy assistance to Syria, including the export of gas to Syria based on a quadrilateral agreement with Turkey and Qatar, which began on August 2nd and may increase in the future. However, regional analysts view this mediation with skepticism, seeing it as being in line with Tel Aviv’s interests and the improvement of Baku’s geopolitical standing.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated that the recent meeting of the foreign minister of Syria’s interim government with a delegation from the Zionist regime in Paris marks a turning point in the regional equations; an event that, beyond a simple diplomatic meeting, signifies a redefinition of strategies regarding Syria’s future. These talks, which were mediated by the United States and focused on reducing tensions in southern Syria, monitoring the ceasefire, and reactivating the 1974 agreement, clearly indicate that the Syria file can no longer be analyzed solely within the framework of an internal crisis or field conflicts. Instead, Damascus today is caught in a complex duality: on one hand, it faces the occupation of part of its territory by the Israeli regime and increasing pressures on its strategic geography, and on the other hand, it feels the necessity of utilizing diplomacy to break out of political isolation. Meanwhile, the Israeli regime seeks to consolidate its position in the region, an issue that links to the long-standing project of “Greater Israel” and efforts to dismantle the traditional structures of the Middle East.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
Strategic Council Online– Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that despite the internationally brokered ceasefire agreement reached a few days ago in Al-Suwayda, the Israeli regime’s movements in southern Syria continue. In this context, an important issue that has drawn public attention is Turkey’s reaction to these developments. By supporting Ahmed al-Shara (also known as Abu Muhammad al-Julene), Turkey managed to lay the groundwork for the fall of Bashar al-Assad and, in its view, solidify its foothold in the country. However, over the past few weeks, with the Zionist regime’s attacks on positions held by Julani’s forces in Syria and other areas, Ankara’s calculations in Syria have been significantly disrupted.
Strategic Council Online Opinion: After the outbreak of clashes between the Druze and Bedouin tribes in As-Suwayda Governorate, the Israeli regime intervened in favor of the Druze and launched airstrikes against Syria, which lasted for three days. Although this tension ultimately led to a fragile ceasefire, what lies behind this escalation and the confrontation between the Zionist regime and the interim government of Ahmad al-Shara (also known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani)?
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A faculty member of International Relations at the Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies stated: The 34th Arab League Summit was held in Baghdad on Saturday, May 17. 2024). In their final statement, Arab leaders called on the international community to pressure the Zionist regime to stop the bloodshed and massacres in Gaza. The summit’s final statement focused on the centrality of the Palestinian issue and the demand for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. However, the question remains: Why has this body, aside from issuing a series of ineffective statements, failed to play a role in regional matters?
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The invitation to Ahmed Al-Sharaa, head of Syria’s interim government, to attend the Arab Summit in Baghdad sends a message from the Iraqi government to the Arab world that Baghdad seeks to play a central role in rebuilding Arab relations and reducing regional tensions. However, the path ahead for Baghdad does not appear straightforward. The invitation to Syria’s interim President, facilitated by the mediation of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, and Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani’s initial meeting with Al-Sharaa in Doha in February 2025, demonstrates Iraq’s determination to mediate regional conflicts.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: On April 18, 2025, the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced a review of the deployment of its military forces in Syria codenamed “Operation Inherent Resolve”. This plan, designed in line with Donald Trump’s policies to reduce US military presence in the Middle East, will reduce the number of US troops from 10,000 to 1,000 within two months. Although this measure was announced under the pretext of success in weakening ISIS, it is part of a broader US strategy to redefine its mission in the region. However, numerous political and security complexities accompany this decision, the consequences of which will be significant for Syria, the entire region, and even the international system.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Europe has spoken of “strategic autonomy” for years, but each new crisis reveals that the gap between its aspiration for self-reliance and the reality of its security dependence on the United States remains significantly unbridged.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The Arctic is no longer a frozen, remote periphery; it has become a live theater of great-power competition, where sea routes, port infrastructure, the law of the sea, and military deterrence are intertwined, shaping the future of maritime security.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: On the threshold of a new era of space competition between Beijing and Washington, the sky is no longer considered merely an arena for great-power conflict but has become a potential platform for the development of civilian defense applications for countries.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A Latin American affairs expert believes that, although the United States of America is trying to impose “new colonialism” on the Latin American region, a new form of resistance, protest, and nationwide uprisings will likely emerge.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: In the midst of America’s military deployment to West Asia and the Persian Gulf, which has increased tensions at the regional and global levels, the Zionist regime has seized the opportunity and accelerated the advancement of its ambitious projects, including the process of the illegal annexation of the West Bank to the occupied territories.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The tariff war and currency competition have propelled the global financial order into a phase where each shock can represent both a threat to the dollar and an opportunity for the rearrangement of global trade.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Water is gradually transforming from the source of life into a lever of power in West Asia and could rewrite the region’s security map.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With the collapse of the last pillar of nuclear arms control between Washington and Moscow, the world stands on the threshold of a ruleless order that both carries the scent of unlimited competition and conceals within itself the possibility of new forms of bargaining.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asian affairs expert said: One of the main objectives of the recent attacks by the Israeli regime on Syria is to prevent the establishment of a strong central authority or government in Syria. Therefore, it is trying to prevent the comprehensive rule of the new government under the name of Ahmad al-Sharaa or al-Julani by attacking and invading southern Syria and various regions of the country, even Damascus.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that recently, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, by announcing his country’s mediating role between the Israeli regime and Syria, attempted to turn Baku into one of the active regional players. In an interview, Aliyev emphasized that the primary goal of this action is to strengthen peace and stability in the Middle East. Furthermore, Aliyev spoke of Azerbaijan’s readiness to support the restoration of relations between Turkey and the Israeli regime and elaborated on his country’s humanitarian and energy assistance to Syria, including the export of gas to Syria based on a quadrilateral agreement with Turkey and Qatar, which began on August 2nd and may increase in the future. However, regional analysts view this mediation with skepticism, seeing it as being in line with Tel Aviv’s interests and the improvement of Baku’s geopolitical standing.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated that the recent meeting of the foreign minister of Syria’s interim government with a delegation from the Zionist regime in Paris marks a turning point in the regional equations; an event that, beyond a simple diplomatic meeting, signifies a redefinition of strategies regarding Syria’s future. These talks, which were mediated by the United States and focused on reducing tensions in southern Syria, monitoring the ceasefire, and reactivating the 1974 agreement, clearly indicate that the Syria file can no longer be analyzed solely within the framework of an internal crisis or field conflicts. Instead, Damascus today is caught in a complex duality: on one hand, it faces the occupation of part of its territory by the Israeli regime and increasing pressures on its strategic geography, and on the other hand, it feels the necessity of utilizing diplomacy to break out of political isolation. Meanwhile, the Israeli regime seeks to consolidate its position in the region, an issue that links to the long-standing project of “Greater Israel” and efforts to dismantle the traditional structures of the Middle East.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
Strategic Council Online– Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that despite the internationally brokered ceasefire agreement reached a few days ago in Al-Suwayda, the Israeli regime’s movements in southern Syria continue. In this context, an important issue that has drawn public attention is Turkey’s reaction to these developments. By supporting Ahmed al-Shara (also known as Abu Muhammad al-Julene), Turkey managed to lay the groundwork for the fall of Bashar al-Assad and, in its view, solidify its foothold in the country. However, over the past few weeks, with the Zionist regime’s attacks on positions held by Julani’s forces in Syria and other areas, Ankara’s calculations in Syria have been significantly disrupted.
Strategic Council Online Opinion: After the outbreak of clashes between the Druze and Bedouin tribes in As-Suwayda Governorate, the Israeli regime intervened in favor of the Druze and launched airstrikes against Syria, which lasted for three days. Although this tension ultimately led to a fragile ceasefire, what lies behind this escalation and the confrontation between the Zionist regime and the interim government of Ahmad al-Shara (also known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani)?
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A faculty member of International Relations at the Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies stated: The 34th Arab League Summit was held in Baghdad on Saturday, May 17. 2024). In their final statement, Arab leaders called on the international community to pressure the Zionist regime to stop the bloodshed and massacres in Gaza. The summit’s final statement focused on the centrality of the Palestinian issue and the demand for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. However, the question remains: Why has this body, aside from issuing a series of ineffective statements, failed to play a role in regional matters?
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The invitation to Ahmed Al-Sharaa, head of Syria’s interim government, to attend the Arab Summit in Baghdad sends a message from the Iraqi government to the Arab world that Baghdad seeks to play a central role in rebuilding Arab relations and reducing regional tensions. However, the path ahead for Baghdad does not appear straightforward. The invitation to Syria’s interim President, facilitated by the mediation of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, and Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani’s initial meeting with Al-Sharaa in Doha in February 2025, demonstrates Iraq’s determination to mediate regional conflicts.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: On April 18, 2025, the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced a review of the deployment of its military forces in Syria codenamed “Operation Inherent Resolve”. This plan, designed in line with Donald Trump’s policies to reduce US military presence in the Middle East, will reduce the number of US troops from 10,000 to 1,000 within two months. Although this measure was announced under the pretext of success in weakening ISIS, it is part of a broader US strategy to redefine its mission in the region. However, numerous political and security complexities accompany this decision, the consequences of which will be significant for Syria, the entire region, and even the international system.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Europe has spoken of “strategic autonomy” for years, but each new crisis reveals that the gap between its aspiration for self-reliance and the reality of its security dependence on the United States remains significantly unbridged.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The Arctic is no longer a frozen, remote periphery; it has become a live theater of great-power competition, where sea routes, port infrastructure, the law of the sea, and military deterrence are intertwined, shaping the future of maritime security.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: On the threshold of a new era of space competition between Beijing and Washington, the sky is no longer considered merely an arena for great-power conflict but has become a potential platform for the development of civilian defense applications for countries.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A Latin American affairs expert believes that, although the United States of America is trying to impose “new colonialism” on the Latin American region, a new form of resistance, protest, and nationwide uprisings will likely emerge.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: In the midst of America’s military deployment to West Asia and the Persian Gulf, which has increased tensions at the regional and global levels, the Zionist regime has seized the opportunity and accelerated the advancement of its ambitious projects, including the process of the illegal annexation of the West Bank to the occupied territories.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The tariff war and currency competition have propelled the global financial order into a phase where each shock can represent both a threat to the dollar and an opportunity for the rearrangement of global trade.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Water is gradually transforming from the source of life into a lever of power in West Asia and could rewrite the region’s security map.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With the collapse of the last pillar of nuclear arms control between Washington and Moscow, the world stands on the threshold of a ruleless order that both carries the scent of unlimited competition and conceals within itself the possibility of new forms of bargaining.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asian affairs expert said: One of the main objectives of the recent attacks by the Israeli regime on Syria is to prevent the establishment of a strong central authority or government in Syria. Therefore, it is trying to prevent the comprehensive rule of the new government under the name of Ahmad al-Sharaa or al-Julani by attacking and invading southern Syria and various regions of the country, even Damascus.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that recently, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, by announcing his country’s mediating role between the Israeli regime and Syria, attempted to turn Baku into one of the active regional players. In an interview, Aliyev emphasized that the primary goal of this action is to strengthen peace and stability in the Middle East. Furthermore, Aliyev spoke of Azerbaijan’s readiness to support the restoration of relations between Turkey and the Israeli regime and elaborated on his country’s humanitarian and energy assistance to Syria, including the export of gas to Syria based on a quadrilateral agreement with Turkey and Qatar, which began on August 2nd and may increase in the future. However, regional analysts view this mediation with skepticism, seeing it as being in line with Tel Aviv’s interests and the improvement of Baku’s geopolitical standing.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated that the recent meeting of the foreign minister of Syria’s interim government with a delegation from the Zionist regime in Paris marks a turning point in the regional equations; an event that, beyond a simple diplomatic meeting, signifies a redefinition of strategies regarding Syria’s future. These talks, which were mediated by the United States and focused on reducing tensions in southern Syria, monitoring the ceasefire, and reactivating the 1974 agreement, clearly indicate that the Syria file can no longer be analyzed solely within the framework of an internal crisis or field conflicts. Instead, Damascus today is caught in a complex duality: on one hand, it faces the occupation of part of its territory by the Israeli regime and increasing pressures on its strategic geography, and on the other hand, it feels the necessity of utilizing diplomacy to break out of political isolation. Meanwhile, the Israeli regime seeks to consolidate its position in the region, an issue that links to the long-standing project of “Greater Israel” and efforts to dismantle the traditional structures of the Middle East.
Strategic Council Online Interview: A senior Turkish affairs analyst stated: The signing of a military memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria on August 13, 2025, in Ankara marks a turning point in the defense relations of the two neighboring countries, which have grappled with years of political and military tensions. This agreement, signed after intensive negotiations between the two countries’ defense ministers, Yaşar Güler and Merif Abu Qasrah, provides a framework for educational and advisory cooperation and the exchange of military personnel. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army, rebuild its defense structures according to international standards, and reduce the threats posed by non-professional armed groups. This move, within the context of recent regional developments, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, signifies a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Syria and an effort to establish stability along their shared borders. This agreement not only helps redefine the defense relations between Damascus and Ankara but could also lead to a reduction in border tensions and counter common threats, including the activities of Kurdish groups such as the “People’s Defense Units” [YPG]. Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Esad Hasan eş-Şibani, criticized the interventions of the Zionist regime in the Suwayda conflicts and emphasized the necessity of establishing an inclusive government in Syria. These statements reflect Turkey’s concern over the role of external actors in regional instability. However, some analysts believe this memorandum might imply a tacit acceptance of Turkish influence within the military structures of Syria’s new government. At the same time, internal challenges, including ethnic and religious tensions, continue to pose obstacles to sustainable stability in the region.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A regional affairs expert stated that at present, it is impossible to have an accurate prediction whether Syria will move towards stability or another civil war will occur in the country in the next six months to a year.
Strategic Council Online– Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that despite the internationally brokered ceasefire agreement reached a few days ago in Al-Suwayda, the Israeli regime’s movements in southern Syria continue. In this context, an important issue that has drawn public attention is Turkey’s reaction to these developments. By supporting Ahmed al-Shara (also known as Abu Muhammad al-Julene), Turkey managed to lay the groundwork for the fall of Bashar al-Assad and, in its view, solidify its foothold in the country. However, over the past few weeks, with the Zionist regime’s attacks on positions held by Julani’s forces in Syria and other areas, Ankara’s calculations in Syria have been significantly disrupted.
Strategic Council Online Opinion: After the outbreak of clashes between the Druze and Bedouin tribes in As-Suwayda Governorate, the Israeli regime intervened in favor of the Druze and launched airstrikes against Syria, which lasted for three days. Although this tension ultimately led to a fragile ceasefire, what lies behind this escalation and the confrontation between the Zionist regime and the interim government of Ahmad al-Shara (also known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani)?
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A faculty member of International Relations at the Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies stated: The 34th Arab League Summit was held in Baghdad on Saturday, May 17. 2024). In their final statement, Arab leaders called on the international community to pressure the Zionist regime to stop the bloodshed and massacres in Gaza. The summit’s final statement focused on the centrality of the Palestinian issue and the demand for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. However, the question remains: Why has this body, aside from issuing a series of ineffective statements, failed to play a role in regional matters?
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The invitation to Ahmed Al-Sharaa, head of Syria’s interim government, to attend the Arab Summit in Baghdad sends a message from the Iraqi government to the Arab world that Baghdad seeks to play a central role in rebuilding Arab relations and reducing regional tensions. However, the path ahead for Baghdad does not appear straightforward. The invitation to Syria’s interim President, facilitated by the mediation of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, and Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani’s initial meeting with Al-Sharaa in Doha in February 2025, demonstrates Iraq’s determination to mediate regional conflicts.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: On April 18, 2025, the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced a review of the deployment of its military forces in Syria codenamed “Operation Inherent Resolve”. This plan, designed in line with Donald Trump’s policies to reduce US military presence in the Middle East, will reduce the number of US troops from 10,000 to 1,000 within two months. Although this measure was announced under the pretext of success in weakening ISIS, it is part of a broader US strategy to redefine its mission in the region. However, numerous political and security complexities accompany this decision, the consequences of which will be significant for Syria, the entire region, and even the international system.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Europe has spoken of “strategic autonomy” for years, but each new crisis reveals that the gap between its aspiration for self-reliance and the reality of its security dependence on the United States remains significantly unbridged.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The Arctic is no longer a frozen, remote periphery; it has become a live theater of great-power competition, where sea routes, port infrastructure, the law of the sea, and military deterrence are intertwined, shaping the future of maritime security.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: On the threshold of a new era of space competition between Beijing and Washington, the sky is no longer considered merely an arena for great-power conflict but has become a potential platform for the development of civilian defense applications for countries.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A Latin American affairs expert believes that, although the United States of America is trying to impose “new colonialism” on the Latin American region, a new form of resistance, protest, and nationwide uprisings will likely emerge.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: In the midst of America’s military deployment to West Asia and the Persian Gulf, which has increased tensions at the regional and global levels, the Zionist regime has seized the opportunity and accelerated the advancement of its ambitious projects, including the process of the illegal annexation of the West Bank to the occupied territories.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The tariff war and currency competition have propelled the global financial order into a phase where each shock can represent both a threat to the dollar and an opportunity for the rearrangement of global trade.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Water is gradually transforming from the source of life into a lever of power in West Asia and could rewrite the region’s security map.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With the collapse of the last pillar of nuclear arms control between Washington and Moscow, the world stands on the threshold of a ruleless order that both carries the scent of unlimited competition and conceals within itself the possibility of new forms of bargaining.