An Analysis of the Makkah Defense Pact
SCFR Online – Opinion: On Friday, August 7, the heads of state of three countries – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan – signed a text under the title “Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.”
جدیدترین مطالب
Dimensions and challenges of the initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway
Strategic Council Online – Note: The initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway, beyond being a transportation project, constitutes an attempt to redefine geopolitics, the economy, and Turkey’s regional position; however, its realization appears to face significant financial, security, and institutional challenges.
Hormuz after the War; Transition from the Liberal Maritime Order to Multipolar Energy Geopolitics
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz crisis is no longer merely the consequence of a military confrontation, but rather a sign of the transition from the US-centered maritime order to a new energy security structure involving the participation of emerging and influential powers.
The Emergence of Divergence in US and Israeli Regime Interests Following the War Against Iran
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s active deterrence strategy, while increasing the costs of US intervention, has increasingly exposed the hidden rifts between Washington’s interests and those of the Israeli regime.
A Look at the Dimensions and Outlook of Tensions in Turkey-Israeli Regime Relations
SCFR Online – Opinion: The escalation of verbal and strategic tensions between Turkey and the Israeli regime, although not increasing the likelihood of direct war, indicates the formation of a new order in West Asian geopolitical rivalries.
Balancing in the chain of chokepoints; from sea-based deterrence to pluralistic diplomacy
Strategic Council Online – Note: Recent developments in the political geography of West Asia, from rising tensions in the Persian Gulf to missile and drone activities in the Red Sea and the recent warning by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, regarding the threat to freedom of navigation, indicate a key pattern shift; the US-Iran war has moved beyond the scope of a regional and local confrontation and has linked two vital passageways for the global economy: the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Impact of the Ukraine War on the Rearrangement of the Global Balance of Power
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Ukraine war was not merely a European crisis, but rather the starting point for the rearrangement of the global balance of power and a shift in the strategic behavior of great powers.
Geoeconomics as the Most Important Arena of Great Power Competition
SCFR Online – Opinion: Great power competition is now pursued more in trade, currency, technology, and global supply chains than on the battlefields of military confrontation.
Iraq
Al-Zaydi’s Selection as Prime Minister, The Beginning of a New Chapter in Iraq
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.
America’s Zero-Sum Game in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Memoir: The swift selection of Nouri al-Maliki for the premiership constitutes a new phase in Iraq’s political sphere. Multiple factors have played a role in this process, the most important being the prevailing situation in Iraq and the region. Under such circumstances, Iraq requires a powerful and experienced prime minister who can keep the country away from the dangers of wars and crises.
The Axis of Resistance and Regional Developments
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert said: More than two years after the Al-Aqsa Storm, the question today is: What is the status of the Axis of Resistance, and has it collapsed?
The Importance of Rebuilding the Axis of Resistance in Line with New Regional Conditions
Strategic Council Online – Interview: While West Asia faced numerous challenges in 2025, rebuilding the Axis of Resistance has become a necessity. Evidence and indications suggest that the rebuilding of this axis is proceeding through more flexible patterns.
The Strategic Consequences of Iraq’s Recent Elections
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An Iraqi affairs analyst stated: Selecting Iraq’s future prime minister, determining foreign policy, and managing the new Baghdad government’s relations with regional countries and the world require internal political consensus following the recent parliamentary elections.
Türkiye’s Strategic Goals for Continuing Its Military Presence and Movements in the Region
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The presence of Turkish forces in over 60 military positions in northern Iraq and repeated attacks on mountainous areas indicate Ankara’s long-term plan to expand its geopolitical influence in West Asia.
Redefining the Discourse of Resistance After the 12-Day War
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: After the 12-day war, Iran, by redefining the discourse of resistance and utilizing media diplomacy, strengthened its soft and regional legitimacy against the Western narrative.
Objectives of the Zionist Regime in a Potential Adventure in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Note: The recent movements by the Zionist regime to open a new front in Iraq indicate the continuation of this regime’s policy of creating crises and an effort to restore its lost deterrence in the region.
The Impact of the Baghdad-Erbil Agreement on the Balance of Power in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that oil exports from the Kurdistan Region have resumed after a halt of over two years, following a tripartite agreement between Baghdad, Erbil, and oil companies. These exports had been suspended since March 2023 due to a ruling by the Paris arbitration court against Turkey. The court stated that Ankara had violated the 1973 pipeline agreement with Baghdad by allowing Erbil to export oil independently since 2014. The Iraqi Ministry of Oil announced that oil exports have commenced at full capacity and are continuing without any technical issues. The ministry described the recent move as a significant step toward strengthening the management of national wealth. Officials of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) also described this event as historic and a significant achievement for the whole of Iraq. On the other hand, the Baghdad government announced that the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region could add between $ 400 million and $ 500 million monthly to the federal budget and play a significant role in boosting national revenues.
An Analysis of Iraq’s Vision 2050 Plan: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Online Strategic Council – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that the unveiling of Iraq’s Vision 2050 plan by its Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, is assessed as a turning point on the path of economic development and reducing the country’s dependence on oil revenues. This plan is designed to create a diversified economy, develop infrastructure, and position Iraq at the heart of Asia-Europe trade corridors. If realized, it could alter the region’s geopolitical equations. In this plan, Al-Sudani has emphasized diverting 20 percent of the Asia-Europe trade through Iraq, which, if successful, will make the country a key player in global trade. On the other hand, environmental crises, security challenges, and the necessity of reforming governance structures in Iraq have made this plan a multidimensional and complex issue. For Iran, the implementation of Vision 2050 not only creates economic opportunities in the fields of energy and transit but also provides the possibility of enhancing political and security cooperation. However, the success of this plan is contingent upon resolving internal obstacles and Baghdad’s smart management of foreign relations, an issue that could improve the future of Iran-Iraq interactions and the regional standing of both countries in the coming decades.
أحدث الوظائف
An Analysis of the Makkah Defense Pact
SCFR Online – Opinion: On Friday, August 7, the heads of state of three countries – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan – signed a text under the title “Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.”
Dimensions and challenges of the initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway
Strategic Council Online – Note: The initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway, beyond being a transportation project, constitutes an attempt to redefine geopolitics, the economy, and Turkey’s regional position; however, its realization appears to face significant financial, security, and institutional challenges.
Hormuz after the War; Transition from the Liberal Maritime Order to Multipolar Energy Geopolitics
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz crisis is no longer merely the consequence of a military confrontation, but rather a sign of the transition from the US-centered maritime order to a new energy security structure involving the participation of emerging and influential powers.
The Emergence of Divergence in US and Israeli Regime Interests Following the War Against Iran
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s active deterrence strategy, while increasing the costs of US intervention, has increasingly exposed the hidden rifts between Washington’s interests and those of the Israeli regime.
A Look at the Dimensions and Outlook of Tensions in Turkey-Israeli Regime Relations
SCFR Online – Opinion: The escalation of verbal and strategic tensions between Turkey and the Israeli regime, although not increasing the likelihood of direct war, indicates the formation of a new order in West Asian geopolitical rivalries.
Balancing in the chain of chokepoints; from sea-based deterrence to pluralistic diplomacy
Strategic Council Online – Note: Recent developments in the political geography of West Asia, from rising tensions in the Persian Gulf to missile and drone activities in the Red Sea and the recent warning by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, regarding the threat to freedom of navigation, indicate a key pattern shift; the US-Iran war has moved beyond the scope of a regional and local confrontation and has linked two vital passageways for the global economy: the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Impact of the Ukraine War on the Rearrangement of the Global Balance of Power
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Ukraine war was not merely a European crisis, but rather the starting point for the rearrangement of the global balance of power and a shift in the strategic behavior of great powers.
Geoeconomics as the Most Important Arena of Great Power Competition
SCFR Online – Opinion: Great power competition is now pursued more in trade, currency, technology, and global supply chains than on the battlefields of military confrontation.
Iraq
Al-Zaydi’s Selection as Prime Minister, The Beginning of a New Chapter in Iraq
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.
America’s Zero-Sum Game in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Memoir: The swift selection of Nouri al-Maliki for the premiership constitutes a new phase in Iraq’s political sphere. Multiple factors have played a role in this process, the most important being the prevailing situation in Iraq and the region. Under such circumstances, Iraq requires a powerful and experienced prime minister who can keep the country away from the dangers of wars and crises.
The Axis of Resistance and Regional Developments
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert said: More than two years after the Al-Aqsa Storm, the question today is: What is the status of the Axis of Resistance, and has it collapsed?
The Importance of Rebuilding the Axis of Resistance in Line with New Regional Conditions
Strategic Council Online – Interview: While West Asia faced numerous challenges in 2025, rebuilding the Axis of Resistance has become a necessity. Evidence and indications suggest that the rebuilding of this axis is proceeding through more flexible patterns.
The Strategic Consequences of Iraq’s Recent Elections
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An Iraqi affairs analyst stated: Selecting Iraq’s future prime minister, determining foreign policy, and managing the new Baghdad government’s relations with regional countries and the world require internal political consensus following the recent parliamentary elections.
Türkiye’s Strategic Goals for Continuing Its Military Presence and Movements in the Region
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The presence of Turkish forces in over 60 military positions in northern Iraq and repeated attacks on mountainous areas indicate Ankara’s long-term plan to expand its geopolitical influence in West Asia.
Redefining the Discourse of Resistance After the 12-Day War
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: After the 12-day war, Iran, by redefining the discourse of resistance and utilizing media diplomacy, strengthened its soft and regional legitimacy against the Western narrative.
Objectives of the Zionist Regime in a Potential Adventure in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Note: The recent movements by the Zionist regime to open a new front in Iraq indicate the continuation of this regime’s policy of creating crises and an effort to restore its lost deterrence in the region.
The Impact of the Baghdad-Erbil Agreement on the Balance of Power in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that oil exports from the Kurdistan Region have resumed after a halt of over two years, following a tripartite agreement between Baghdad, Erbil, and oil companies. These exports had been suspended since March 2023 due to a ruling by the Paris arbitration court against Turkey. The court stated that Ankara had violated the 1973 pipeline agreement with Baghdad by allowing Erbil to export oil independently since 2014. The Iraqi Ministry of Oil announced that oil exports have commenced at full capacity and are continuing without any technical issues. The ministry described the recent move as a significant step toward strengthening the management of national wealth. Officials of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) also described this event as historic and a significant achievement for the whole of Iraq. On the other hand, the Baghdad government announced that the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region could add between $ 400 million and $ 500 million monthly to the federal budget and play a significant role in boosting national revenues.
An Analysis of Iraq’s Vision 2050 Plan: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Online Strategic Council – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that the unveiling of Iraq’s Vision 2050 plan by its Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, is assessed as a turning point on the path of economic development and reducing the country’s dependence on oil revenues. This plan is designed to create a diversified economy, develop infrastructure, and position Iraq at the heart of Asia-Europe trade corridors. If realized, it could alter the region’s geopolitical equations. In this plan, Al-Sudani has emphasized diverting 20 percent of the Asia-Europe trade through Iraq, which, if successful, will make the country a key player in global trade. On the other hand, environmental crises, security challenges, and the necessity of reforming governance structures in Iraq have made this plan a multidimensional and complex issue. For Iran, the implementation of Vision 2050 not only creates economic opportunities in the fields of energy and transit but also provides the possibility of enhancing political and security cooperation. However, the success of this plan is contingent upon resolving internal obstacles and Baghdad’s smart management of foreign relations, an issue that could improve the future of Iran-Iraq interactions and the regional standing of both countries in the coming decades.
Iraq
Al-Zaydi’s Selection as Prime Minister, The Beginning of a New Chapter in Iraq
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.
America’s Zero-Sum Game in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Memoir: The swift selection of Nouri al-Maliki for the premiership constitutes a new phase in Iraq’s political sphere. Multiple factors have played a role in this process, the most important being the prevailing situation in Iraq and the region. Under such circumstances, Iraq requires a powerful and experienced prime minister who can keep the country away from the dangers of wars and crises.
The Axis of Resistance and Regional Developments
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert said: More than two years after the Al-Aqsa Storm, the question today is: What is the status of the Axis of Resistance, and has it collapsed?
The Importance of Rebuilding the Axis of Resistance in Line with New Regional Conditions
Strategic Council Online – Interview: While West Asia faced numerous challenges in 2025, rebuilding the Axis of Resistance has become a necessity. Evidence and indications suggest that the rebuilding of this axis is proceeding through more flexible patterns.
The Strategic Consequences of Iraq’s Recent Elections
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An Iraqi affairs analyst stated: Selecting Iraq’s future prime minister, determining foreign policy, and managing the new Baghdad government’s relations with regional countries and the world require internal political consensus following the recent parliamentary elections.
Türkiye’s Strategic Goals for Continuing Its Military Presence and Movements in the Region
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The presence of Turkish forces in over 60 military positions in northern Iraq and repeated attacks on mountainous areas indicate Ankara’s long-term plan to expand its geopolitical influence in West Asia.
Redefining the Discourse of Resistance After the 12-Day War
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: After the 12-day war, Iran, by redefining the discourse of resistance and utilizing media diplomacy, strengthened its soft and regional legitimacy against the Western narrative.
Objectives of the Zionist Regime in a Potential Adventure in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Note: The recent movements by the Zionist regime to open a new front in Iraq indicate the continuation of this regime’s policy of creating crises and an effort to restore its lost deterrence in the region.
The Impact of the Baghdad-Erbil Agreement on the Balance of Power in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that oil exports from the Kurdistan Region have resumed after a halt of over two years, following a tripartite agreement between Baghdad, Erbil, and oil companies. These exports had been suspended since March 2023 due to a ruling by the Paris arbitration court against Turkey. The court stated that Ankara had violated the 1973 pipeline agreement with Baghdad by allowing Erbil to export oil independently since 2014. The Iraqi Ministry of Oil announced that oil exports have commenced at full capacity and are continuing without any technical issues. The ministry described the recent move as a significant step toward strengthening the management of national wealth. Officials of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) also described this event as historic and a significant achievement for the whole of Iraq. On the other hand, the Baghdad government announced that the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region could add between $ 400 million and $ 500 million monthly to the federal budget and play a significant role in boosting national revenues.
An Analysis of Iraq’s Vision 2050 Plan: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Online Strategic Council – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that the unveiling of Iraq’s Vision 2050 plan by its Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, is assessed as a turning point on the path of economic development and reducing the country’s dependence on oil revenues. This plan is designed to create a diversified economy, develop infrastructure, and position Iraq at the heart of Asia-Europe trade corridors. If realized, it could alter the region’s geopolitical equations. In this plan, Al-Sudani has emphasized diverting 20 percent of the Asia-Europe trade through Iraq, which, if successful, will make the country a key player in global trade. On the other hand, environmental crises, security challenges, and the necessity of reforming governance structures in Iraq have made this plan a multidimensional and complex issue. For Iran, the implementation of Vision 2050 not only creates economic opportunities in the fields of energy and transit but also provides the possibility of enhancing political and security cooperation. However, the success of this plan is contingent upon resolving internal obstacles and Baghdad’s smart management of foreign relations, an issue that could improve the future of Iran-Iraq interactions and the regional standing of both countries in the coming decades.
LATEST CONTENT
An Analysis of the Makkah Defense Pact
SCFR Online – Opinion: On Friday, August 7, the heads of state of three countries – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan – signed a text under the title “Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.”
Dimensions and challenges of the initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway
Strategic Council Online – Note: The initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway, beyond being a transportation project, constitutes an attempt to redefine geopolitics, the economy, and Turkey’s regional position; however, its realization appears to face significant financial, security, and institutional challenges.
Hormuz after the War; Transition from the Liberal Maritime Order to Multipolar Energy Geopolitics
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz crisis is no longer merely the consequence of a military confrontation, but rather a sign of the transition from the US-centered maritime order to a new energy security structure involving the participation of emerging and influential powers.
The Emergence of Divergence in US and Israeli Regime Interests Following the War Against Iran
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s active deterrence strategy, while increasing the costs of US intervention, has increasingly exposed the hidden rifts between Washington’s interests and those of the Israeli regime.
A Look at the Dimensions and Outlook of Tensions in Turkey-Israeli Regime Relations
SCFR Online – Opinion: The escalation of verbal and strategic tensions between Turkey and the Israeli regime, although not increasing the likelihood of direct war, indicates the formation of a new order in West Asian geopolitical rivalries.
Balancing in the chain of chokepoints; from sea-based deterrence to pluralistic diplomacy
Strategic Council Online – Note: Recent developments in the political geography of West Asia, from rising tensions in the Persian Gulf to missile and drone activities in the Red Sea and the recent warning by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, regarding the threat to freedom of navigation, indicate a key pattern shift; the US-Iran war has moved beyond the scope of a regional and local confrontation and has linked two vital passageways for the global economy: the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Impact of the Ukraine War on the Rearrangement of the Global Balance of Power
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Ukraine war was not merely a European crisis, but rather the starting point for the rearrangement of the global balance of power and a shift in the strategic behavior of great powers.
Geoeconomics as the Most Important Arena of Great Power Competition
SCFR Online – Opinion: Great power competition is now pursued more in trade, currency, technology, and global supply chains than on the battlefields of military confrontation.
Iraq
Al-Zaydi’s Selection as Prime Minister, The Beginning of a New Chapter in Iraq
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.
America’s Zero-Sum Game in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Memoir: The swift selection of Nouri al-Maliki for the premiership constitutes a new phase in Iraq’s political sphere. Multiple factors have played a role in this process, the most important being the prevailing situation in Iraq and the region. Under such circumstances, Iraq requires a powerful and experienced prime minister who can keep the country away from the dangers of wars and crises.
The Axis of Resistance and Regional Developments
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert said: More than two years after the Al-Aqsa Storm, the question today is: What is the status of the Axis of Resistance, and has it collapsed?
The Importance of Rebuilding the Axis of Resistance in Line with New Regional Conditions
Strategic Council Online – Interview: While West Asia faced numerous challenges in 2025, rebuilding the Axis of Resistance has become a necessity. Evidence and indications suggest that the rebuilding of this axis is proceeding through more flexible patterns.
The Strategic Consequences of Iraq’s Recent Elections
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An Iraqi affairs analyst stated: Selecting Iraq’s future prime minister, determining foreign policy, and managing the new Baghdad government’s relations with regional countries and the world require internal political consensus following the recent parliamentary elections.
Türkiye’s Strategic Goals for Continuing Its Military Presence and Movements in the Region
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The presence of Turkish forces in over 60 military positions in northern Iraq and repeated attacks on mountainous areas indicate Ankara’s long-term plan to expand its geopolitical influence in West Asia.
Redefining the Discourse of Resistance After the 12-Day War
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: After the 12-day war, Iran, by redefining the discourse of resistance and utilizing media diplomacy, strengthened its soft and regional legitimacy against the Western narrative.
Objectives of the Zionist Regime in a Potential Adventure in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Note: The recent movements by the Zionist regime to open a new front in Iraq indicate the continuation of this regime’s policy of creating crises and an effort to restore its lost deterrence in the region.
The Impact of the Baghdad-Erbil Agreement on the Balance of Power in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that oil exports from the Kurdistan Region have resumed after a halt of over two years, following a tripartite agreement between Baghdad, Erbil, and oil companies. These exports had been suspended since March 2023 due to a ruling by the Paris arbitration court against Turkey. The court stated that Ankara had violated the 1973 pipeline agreement with Baghdad by allowing Erbil to export oil independently since 2014. The Iraqi Ministry of Oil announced that oil exports have commenced at full capacity and are continuing without any technical issues. The ministry described the recent move as a significant step toward strengthening the management of national wealth. Officials of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) also described this event as historic and a significant achievement for the whole of Iraq. On the other hand, the Baghdad government announced that the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region could add between $ 400 million and $ 500 million monthly to the federal budget and play a significant role in boosting national revenues.
An Analysis of Iraq’s Vision 2050 Plan: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Online Strategic Council – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that the unveiling of Iraq’s Vision 2050 plan by its Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, is assessed as a turning point on the path of economic development and reducing the country’s dependence on oil revenues. This plan is designed to create a diversified economy, develop infrastructure, and position Iraq at the heart of Asia-Europe trade corridors. If realized, it could alter the region’s geopolitical equations. In this plan, Al-Sudani has emphasized diverting 20 percent of the Asia-Europe trade through Iraq, which, if successful, will make the country a key player in global trade. On the other hand, environmental crises, security challenges, and the necessity of reforming governance structures in Iraq have made this plan a multidimensional and complex issue. For Iran, the implementation of Vision 2050 not only creates economic opportunities in the fields of energy and transit but also provides the possibility of enhancing political and security cooperation. However, the success of this plan is contingent upon resolving internal obstacles and Baghdad’s smart management of foreign relations, an issue that could improve the future of Iran-Iraq interactions and the regional standing of both countries in the coming decades.
ÚLTIMAS PUBLICACIONES
An Analysis of the Makkah Defense Pact
SCFR Online – Opinion: On Friday, August 7, the heads of state of three countries – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan – signed a text under the title “Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.”
Dimensions and challenges of the initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway
Strategic Council Online – Note: The initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway, beyond being a transportation project, constitutes an attempt to redefine geopolitics, the economy, and Turkey’s regional position; however, its realization appears to face significant financial, security, and institutional challenges.
Hormuz after the War; Transition from the Liberal Maritime Order to Multipolar Energy Geopolitics
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz crisis is no longer merely the consequence of a military confrontation, but rather a sign of the transition from the US-centered maritime order to a new energy security structure involving the participation of emerging and influential powers.
The Emergence of Divergence in US and Israeli Regime Interests Following the War Against Iran
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s active deterrence strategy, while increasing the costs of US intervention, has increasingly exposed the hidden rifts between Washington’s interests and those of the Israeli regime.
A Look at the Dimensions and Outlook of Tensions in Turkey-Israeli Regime Relations
SCFR Online – Opinion: The escalation of verbal and strategic tensions between Turkey and the Israeli regime, although not increasing the likelihood of direct war, indicates the formation of a new order in West Asian geopolitical rivalries.
Balancing in the chain of chokepoints; from sea-based deterrence to pluralistic diplomacy
Strategic Council Online – Note: Recent developments in the political geography of West Asia, from rising tensions in the Persian Gulf to missile and drone activities in the Red Sea and the recent warning by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, regarding the threat to freedom of navigation, indicate a key pattern shift; the US-Iran war has moved beyond the scope of a regional and local confrontation and has linked two vital passageways for the global economy: the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Impact of the Ukraine War on the Rearrangement of the Global Balance of Power
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Ukraine war was not merely a European crisis, but rather the starting point for the rearrangement of the global balance of power and a shift in the strategic behavior of great powers.
Geoeconomics as the Most Important Arena of Great Power Competition
SCFR Online – Opinion: Great power competition is now pursued more in trade, currency, technology, and global supply chains than on the battlefields of military confrontation.
Iraq
Al-Zaydi’s Selection as Prime Minister, The Beginning of a New Chapter in Iraq
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.
America’s Zero-Sum Game in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Memoir: The swift selection of Nouri al-Maliki for the premiership constitutes a new phase in Iraq’s political sphere. Multiple factors have played a role in this process, the most important being the prevailing situation in Iraq and the region. Under such circumstances, Iraq requires a powerful and experienced prime minister who can keep the country away from the dangers of wars and crises.
The Axis of Resistance and Regional Developments
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert said: More than two years after the Al-Aqsa Storm, the question today is: What is the status of the Axis of Resistance, and has it collapsed?
The Importance of Rebuilding the Axis of Resistance in Line with New Regional Conditions
Strategic Council Online – Interview: While West Asia faced numerous challenges in 2025, rebuilding the Axis of Resistance has become a necessity. Evidence and indications suggest that the rebuilding of this axis is proceeding through more flexible patterns.
The Strategic Consequences of Iraq’s Recent Elections
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An Iraqi affairs analyst stated: Selecting Iraq’s future prime minister, determining foreign policy, and managing the new Baghdad government’s relations with regional countries and the world require internal political consensus following the recent parliamentary elections.
Türkiye’s Strategic Goals for Continuing Its Military Presence and Movements in the Region
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The presence of Turkish forces in over 60 military positions in northern Iraq and repeated attacks on mountainous areas indicate Ankara’s long-term plan to expand its geopolitical influence in West Asia.
Redefining the Discourse of Resistance After the 12-Day War
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: After the 12-day war, Iran, by redefining the discourse of resistance and utilizing media diplomacy, strengthened its soft and regional legitimacy against the Western narrative.
Objectives of the Zionist Regime in a Potential Adventure in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Note: The recent movements by the Zionist regime to open a new front in Iraq indicate the continuation of this regime’s policy of creating crises and an effort to restore its lost deterrence in the region.
The Impact of the Baghdad-Erbil Agreement on the Balance of Power in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that oil exports from the Kurdistan Region have resumed after a halt of over two years, following a tripartite agreement between Baghdad, Erbil, and oil companies. These exports had been suspended since March 2023 due to a ruling by the Paris arbitration court against Turkey. The court stated that Ankara had violated the 1973 pipeline agreement with Baghdad by allowing Erbil to export oil independently since 2014. The Iraqi Ministry of Oil announced that oil exports have commenced at full capacity and are continuing without any technical issues. The ministry described the recent move as a significant step toward strengthening the management of national wealth. Officials of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) also described this event as historic and a significant achievement for the whole of Iraq. On the other hand, the Baghdad government announced that the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region could add between $ 400 million and $ 500 million monthly to the federal budget and play a significant role in boosting national revenues.
An Analysis of Iraq’s Vision 2050 Plan: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Online Strategic Council – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that the unveiling of Iraq’s Vision 2050 plan by its Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, is assessed as a turning point on the path of economic development and reducing the country’s dependence on oil revenues. This plan is designed to create a diversified economy, develop infrastructure, and position Iraq at the heart of Asia-Europe trade corridors. If realized, it could alter the region’s geopolitical equations. In this plan, Al-Sudani has emphasized diverting 20 percent of the Asia-Europe trade through Iraq, which, if successful, will make the country a key player in global trade. On the other hand, environmental crises, security challenges, and the necessity of reforming governance structures in Iraq have made this plan a multidimensional and complex issue. For Iran, the implementation of Vision 2050 not only creates economic opportunities in the fields of energy and transit but also provides the possibility of enhancing political and security cooperation. However, the success of this plan is contingent upon resolving internal obstacles and Baghdad’s smart management of foreign relations, an issue that could improve the future of Iran-Iraq interactions and the regional standing of both countries in the coming decades.
ÚLTIMAS PUBLICACIONES
An Analysis of the Makkah Defense Pact
SCFR Online – Opinion: On Friday, August 7, the heads of state of three countries – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan – signed a text under the title “Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.”
Dimensions and challenges of the initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway
Strategic Council Online – Note: The initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway, beyond being a transportation project, constitutes an attempt to redefine geopolitics, the economy, and Turkey’s regional position; however, its realization appears to face significant financial, security, and institutional challenges.
Hormuz after the War; Transition from the Liberal Maritime Order to Multipolar Energy Geopolitics
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz crisis is no longer merely the consequence of a military confrontation, but rather a sign of the transition from the US-centered maritime order to a new energy security structure involving the participation of emerging and influential powers.
The Emergence of Divergence in US and Israeli Regime Interests Following the War Against Iran
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s active deterrence strategy, while increasing the costs of US intervention, has increasingly exposed the hidden rifts between Washington’s interests and those of the Israeli regime.
A Look at the Dimensions and Outlook of Tensions in Turkey-Israeli Regime Relations
SCFR Online – Opinion: The escalation of verbal and strategic tensions between Turkey and the Israeli regime, although not increasing the likelihood of direct war, indicates the formation of a new order in West Asian geopolitical rivalries.
Balancing in the chain of chokepoints; from sea-based deterrence to pluralistic diplomacy
Strategic Council Online – Note: Recent developments in the political geography of West Asia, from rising tensions in the Persian Gulf to missile and drone activities in the Red Sea and the recent warning by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, regarding the threat to freedom of navigation, indicate a key pattern shift; the US-Iran war has moved beyond the scope of a regional and local confrontation and has linked two vital passageways for the global economy: the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Impact of the Ukraine War on the Rearrangement of the Global Balance of Power
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Ukraine war was not merely a European crisis, but rather the starting point for the rearrangement of the global balance of power and a shift in the strategic behavior of great powers.
Geoeconomics as the Most Important Arena of Great Power Competition
SCFR Online – Opinion: Great power competition is now pursued more in trade, currency, technology, and global supply chains than on the battlefields of military confrontation.
Iraq
Al-Zaydi’s Selection as Prime Minister, The Beginning of a New Chapter in Iraq
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.
America’s Zero-Sum Game in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Memoir: The swift selection of Nouri al-Maliki for the premiership constitutes a new phase in Iraq’s political sphere. Multiple factors have played a role in this process, the most important being the prevailing situation in Iraq and the region. Under such circumstances, Iraq requires a powerful and experienced prime minister who can keep the country away from the dangers of wars and crises.
The Axis of Resistance and Regional Developments
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert said: More than two years after the Al-Aqsa Storm, the question today is: What is the status of the Axis of Resistance, and has it collapsed?
The Importance of Rebuilding the Axis of Resistance in Line with New Regional Conditions
Strategic Council Online – Interview: While West Asia faced numerous challenges in 2025, rebuilding the Axis of Resistance has become a necessity. Evidence and indications suggest that the rebuilding of this axis is proceeding through more flexible patterns.
The Strategic Consequences of Iraq’s Recent Elections
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An Iraqi affairs analyst stated: Selecting Iraq’s future prime minister, determining foreign policy, and managing the new Baghdad government’s relations with regional countries and the world require internal political consensus following the recent parliamentary elections.
Türkiye’s Strategic Goals for Continuing Its Military Presence and Movements in the Region
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The presence of Turkish forces in over 60 military positions in northern Iraq and repeated attacks on mountainous areas indicate Ankara’s long-term plan to expand its geopolitical influence in West Asia.
Redefining the Discourse of Resistance After the 12-Day War
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: After the 12-day war, Iran, by redefining the discourse of resistance and utilizing media diplomacy, strengthened its soft and regional legitimacy against the Western narrative.
Objectives of the Zionist Regime in a Potential Adventure in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Note: The recent movements by the Zionist regime to open a new front in Iraq indicate the continuation of this regime’s policy of creating crises and an effort to restore its lost deterrence in the region.
The Impact of the Baghdad-Erbil Agreement on the Balance of Power in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that oil exports from the Kurdistan Region have resumed after a halt of over two years, following a tripartite agreement between Baghdad, Erbil, and oil companies. These exports had been suspended since March 2023 due to a ruling by the Paris arbitration court against Turkey. The court stated that Ankara had violated the 1973 pipeline agreement with Baghdad by allowing Erbil to export oil independently since 2014. The Iraqi Ministry of Oil announced that oil exports have commenced at full capacity and are continuing without any technical issues. The ministry described the recent move as a significant step toward strengthening the management of national wealth. Officials of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) also described this event as historic and a significant achievement for the whole of Iraq. On the other hand, the Baghdad government announced that the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region could add between $ 400 million and $ 500 million monthly to the federal budget and play a significant role in boosting national revenues.
An Analysis of Iraq’s Vision 2050 Plan: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Online Strategic Council – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that the unveiling of Iraq’s Vision 2050 plan by its Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, is assessed as a turning point on the path of economic development and reducing the country’s dependence on oil revenues. This plan is designed to create a diversified economy, develop infrastructure, and position Iraq at the heart of Asia-Europe trade corridors. If realized, it could alter the region’s geopolitical equations. In this plan, Al-Sudani has emphasized diverting 20 percent of the Asia-Europe trade through Iraq, which, if successful, will make the country a key player in global trade. On the other hand, environmental crises, security challenges, and the necessity of reforming governance structures in Iraq have made this plan a multidimensional and complex issue. For Iran, the implementation of Vision 2050 not only creates economic opportunities in the fields of energy and transit but also provides the possibility of enhancing political and security cooperation. However, the success of this plan is contingent upon resolving internal obstacles and Baghdad’s smart management of foreign relations, an issue that could improve the future of Iran-Iraq interactions and the regional standing of both countries in the coming decades.
ÚLTIMAS PUBLICACIONES
An Analysis of the Makkah Defense Pact
SCFR Online – Opinion: On Friday, August 7, the heads of state of three countries – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan – signed a text under the title “Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.”
Dimensions and challenges of the initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway
Strategic Council Online – Note: The initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway, beyond being a transportation project, constitutes an attempt to redefine geopolitics, the economy, and Turkey’s regional position; however, its realization appears to face significant financial, security, and institutional challenges.
Hormuz after the War; Transition from the Liberal Maritime Order to Multipolar Energy Geopolitics
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz crisis is no longer merely the consequence of a military confrontation, but rather a sign of the transition from the US-centered maritime order to a new energy security structure involving the participation of emerging and influential powers.
The Emergence of Divergence in US and Israeli Regime Interests Following the War Against Iran
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s active deterrence strategy, while increasing the costs of US intervention, has increasingly exposed the hidden rifts between Washington’s interests and those of the Israeli regime.
A Look at the Dimensions and Outlook of Tensions in Turkey-Israeli Regime Relations
SCFR Online – Opinion: The escalation of verbal and strategic tensions between Turkey and the Israeli regime, although not increasing the likelihood of direct war, indicates the formation of a new order in West Asian geopolitical rivalries.
Balancing in the chain of chokepoints; from sea-based deterrence to pluralistic diplomacy
Strategic Council Online – Note: Recent developments in the political geography of West Asia, from rising tensions in the Persian Gulf to missile and drone activities in the Red Sea and the recent warning by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, regarding the threat to freedom of navigation, indicate a key pattern shift; the US-Iran war has moved beyond the scope of a regional and local confrontation and has linked two vital passageways for the global economy: the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Impact of the Ukraine War on the Rearrangement of the Global Balance of Power
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Ukraine war was not merely a European crisis, but rather the starting point for the rearrangement of the global balance of power and a shift in the strategic behavior of great powers.
Geoeconomics as the Most Important Arena of Great Power Competition
SCFR Online – Opinion: Great power competition is now pursued more in trade, currency, technology, and global supply chains than on the battlefields of military confrontation.
Iraq
Al-Zaydi’s Selection as Prime Minister, The Beginning of a New Chapter in Iraq
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.
America’s Zero-Sum Game in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Memoir: The swift selection of Nouri al-Maliki for the premiership constitutes a new phase in Iraq’s political sphere. Multiple factors have played a role in this process, the most important being the prevailing situation in Iraq and the region. Under such circumstances, Iraq requires a powerful and experienced prime minister who can keep the country away from the dangers of wars and crises.
The Axis of Resistance and Regional Developments
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert said: More than two years after the Al-Aqsa Storm, the question today is: What is the status of the Axis of Resistance, and has it collapsed?
The Importance of Rebuilding the Axis of Resistance in Line with New Regional Conditions
Strategic Council Online – Interview: While West Asia faced numerous challenges in 2025, rebuilding the Axis of Resistance has become a necessity. Evidence and indications suggest that the rebuilding of this axis is proceeding through more flexible patterns.
The Strategic Consequences of Iraq’s Recent Elections
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An Iraqi affairs analyst stated: Selecting Iraq’s future prime minister, determining foreign policy, and managing the new Baghdad government’s relations with regional countries and the world require internal political consensus following the recent parliamentary elections.
Türkiye’s Strategic Goals for Continuing Its Military Presence and Movements in the Region
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst stated: The presence of Turkish forces in over 60 military positions in northern Iraq and repeated attacks on mountainous areas indicate Ankara’s long-term plan to expand its geopolitical influence in West Asia.
Redefining the Discourse of Resistance After the 12-Day War
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A West Asia affairs analyst said: After the 12-day war, Iran, by redefining the discourse of resistance and utilizing media diplomacy, strengthened its soft and regional legitimacy against the Western narrative.
Objectives of the Zionist Regime in a Potential Adventure in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Note: The recent movements by the Zionist regime to open a new front in Iraq indicate the continuation of this regime’s policy of creating crises and an effort to restore its lost deterrence in the region.
The Impact of the Baghdad-Erbil Agreement on the Balance of Power in Iraq
Online Strategic Council – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that oil exports from the Kurdistan Region have resumed after a halt of over two years, following a tripartite agreement between Baghdad, Erbil, and oil companies. These exports had been suspended since March 2023 due to a ruling by the Paris arbitration court against Turkey. The court stated that Ankara had violated the 1973 pipeline agreement with Baghdad by allowing Erbil to export oil independently since 2014. The Iraqi Ministry of Oil announced that oil exports have commenced at full capacity and are continuing without any technical issues. The ministry described the recent move as a significant step toward strengthening the management of national wealth. Officials of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) also described this event as historic and a significant achievement for the whole of Iraq. On the other hand, the Baghdad government announced that the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region could add between $ 400 million and $ 500 million monthly to the federal budget and play a significant role in boosting national revenues.
An Analysis of Iraq’s Vision 2050 Plan: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Online Strategic Council – Interview: A West Asia affairs expert stated that the unveiling of Iraq’s Vision 2050 plan by its Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, is assessed as a turning point on the path of economic development and reducing the country’s dependence on oil revenues. This plan is designed to create a diversified economy, develop infrastructure, and position Iraq at the heart of Asia-Europe trade corridors. If realized, it could alter the region’s geopolitical equations. In this plan, Al-Sudani has emphasized diverting 20 percent of the Asia-Europe trade through Iraq, which, if successful, will make the country a key player in global trade. On the other hand, environmental crises, security challenges, and the necessity of reforming governance structures in Iraq have made this plan a multidimensional and complex issue. For Iran, the implementation of Vision 2050 not only creates economic opportunities in the fields of energy and transit but also provides the possibility of enhancing political and security cooperation. However, the success of this plan is contingent upon resolving internal obstacles and Baghdad’s smart management of foreign relations, an issue that could improve the future of Iran-Iraq interactions and the regional standing of both countries in the coming decades.
ÚLTIMAS PUBLICACIONES
An Analysis of the Makkah Defense Pact
SCFR Online – Opinion: On Friday, August 7, the heads of state of three countries – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan – signed a text under the title “Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.”
Dimensions and challenges of the initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway
Strategic Council Online – Note: The initiative to revive the Hejaz Railway, beyond being a transportation project, constitutes an attempt to redefine geopolitics, the economy, and Turkey’s regional position; however, its realization appears to face significant financial, security, and institutional challenges.
Hormuz after the War; Transition from the Liberal Maritime Order to Multipolar Energy Geopolitics
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Strait of Hormuz crisis is no longer merely the consequence of a military confrontation, but rather a sign of the transition from the US-centered maritime order to a new energy security structure involving the participation of emerging and influential powers.
The Emergence of Divergence in US and Israeli Regime Interests Following the War Against Iran
SCFR Online – Opinion: Iran’s active deterrence strategy, while increasing the costs of US intervention, has increasingly exposed the hidden rifts between Washington’s interests and those of the Israeli regime.
A Look at the Dimensions and Outlook of Tensions in Turkey-Israeli Regime Relations
SCFR Online – Opinion: The escalation of verbal and strategic tensions between Turkey and the Israeli regime, although not increasing the likelihood of direct war, indicates the formation of a new order in West Asian geopolitical rivalries.
Balancing in the chain of chokepoints; from sea-based deterrence to pluralistic diplomacy
Strategic Council Online – Note: Recent developments in the political geography of West Asia, from rising tensions in the Persian Gulf to missile and drone activities in the Red Sea and the recent warning by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, regarding the threat to freedom of navigation, indicate a key pattern shift; the US-Iran war has moved beyond the scope of a regional and local confrontation and has linked two vital passageways for the global economy: the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Impact of the Ukraine War on the Rearrangement of the Global Balance of Power
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Ukraine war was not merely a European crisis, but rather the starting point for the rearrangement of the global balance of power and a shift in the strategic behavior of great powers.
Geoeconomics as the Most Important Arena of Great Power Competition
SCFR Online – Opinion: Great power competition is now pursued more in trade, currency, technology, and global supply chains than on the battlefields of military confrontation.