Strategic Council Online – Opinion: While Washington’s new strategic documents focus on competition with China and Russia, they also seek to transform West Asia into an arena for containing Iran through regional powers and asymmetric deterrence.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The agreement being formed between the European Union and India, aimed at creating a vast two-billion-person trade zone, will have geopolitical and economic consequences extending beyond mere trade.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With a people-centric, low-cost model, India has opened a new path in artificial intelligence development that could inspire developing countries.
Strategic Council Online – Report: While the second phase of the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire has begun, the establishment of the “Peace Board” chaired by Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Davos meeting (22 January 2026) has become more than a technical mechanism for reconstruction and has turned into a test for the future of the international order.
Despite the signing of the charter by 22 out of 60 invited countries, the limited presence of global leaders at the Davos ceremony and the non-acceptance of this body by the European Union and key Western countries indicate a deep divide in global perceptions of the legitimacy of this mechanism.
In this report, drawing on the analysis of Hadi Borhani, a regional affairs expert, and international data, three strategic questions are addressed: Is the Peace Board an instrument for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2803 or a substitute for the United Nations? How does the hierarchical architecture of this committee intensify executive challenges in Gaza? And finally, can this body create sustainable peace without the cooperation of Palestinians and with the concentration of power in the hands of a single individual?
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.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Relations between some countries in the Asia-Pacific region, such as China and Japan or China and Australia, which were previously relatively normal, are trending towards deterioration, and the primary reason for this is the aggressive policies of the United States of America.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the decline of the liberal international order began in 2008. Although the liberal international order still governs international relations, an order is emerging to replace it, based on competition among major powers.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The Ukraine war has become a new turning point in the political, security, and even commercial relations of allies on both sides of the Atlantic. While this war is nearing its fourth year, many questions still remain regarding its future and its consequences; among them, will the continuation of the Ukraine war lead to the collapse of the European security illusion?
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 analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
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 senior international affairs analyst stated that the current geopolitical situation has created an unprecedented space for strategic changes in Europe, adding that the recommendation letter from France’s parliament is essentially a strategic response to these conditions. The release of the French parliament’s 153-page report—dubbed by Arnaud Bertrand (French journalist) as “the most prominent geopolitical document of the century”—has sparked a wave of debate and reactions in global political and intellectual circles. This document describes the European Union’s strategic dependence on the United States as a catastrophic failure and, through 50 practical recommendations, proposes a new path to escape Atlanticist hegemony and move towards equal partnership with China. If the contents and recommendations of this document are taken seriously in Europe, the consequences will extend beyond the geography of the Green Continent and directly impact relations among emerging powers, financial markets, and even international security equations. Furthermore, the document goes beyond “defense independence” to address “economic and monetary independence”—an area hitherto under the shadow of the US dollar and Washington’s policies. From this perspective, the present moment may mark the beginning of a new chapter in international politics, where Europe defines itself as an independent actor in the future multipolar order.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: In recent years, with the expansion of international sanctions and the intensification of economic pressures on specific countries, many have turned their attention to new financial technologies. Among these technologies, cryptocurrencies have garnered more attention than others. Media, economic actors, and even some politicians have referred to cryptocurrency as a potential tool for bypassing sanctions, as if these cryptocurrencies are the very keyword that unlocks the closed doors of the global banking system.
Strategic Council Online in – Interview: A senior Arab world analyst stated: When 61 thousand people are killed in Gaza and the Security Council is not even willing to issue a simple resolution in condemnation of the Zionist regime, it means the international structure is entirely dysfunctional. In such a situation, it is the nations that must cry out and awaken the global conscience.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated: “The final week of summer 2025 marks a sensitive test for international relations and the future of the Ukraine war. The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska was merely seven months after Trump’s return to the White House, as the Ukraine war rages on relentlessly.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, has preemptively rejected Trump’s proposed peace plan—likely based on territorial concessions to Russia—warning that any agreement without Kyiv’s presence and consent would be a “dead solution.” Observers view the clash of interests among Moscow, Washington, Kyiv, and Europe as the intersection of four conflicting logics: Washington’s deal-driven logic, Moscow’s consolidationist logic, and Kyiv’s and Europe’s survivalist logic. While scenarios range from a minimal agreement to tacit Putin-Trump collusion solidifying current frontlines, each carries profound implications for European security and global power balances. Zelenskyy’s absence from Alaska could heighten risks of a deal that not only weakens Ukraine’s position but also undermines the legitimacy of fundamental international law.
Strategy Council Online – Opinion: At the recent summit of European Union leaders and China, held in Beijing to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the parties once again sought to redefine their relationship in an atmosphere filled with mutual opportunities and threats. While the European Union emphasized the need to deepen cooperation with China, particularly in combating climate change and removing trade barriers, the heavy shadow of the Ukraine crisis and the escalating geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing pushed the talks to an unprecedented level of prudence and caution.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Arab world affairs said: One of the Zionist regime’s primary motives for insisting on disarming Hezbollah is to create a security vacuum in Lebanon so that, if needed, the possibility of attacking it again is provided. Today, Lebanon is witnessing one of its most sensitive political junctures in recent years; the Lebanese cabinet, in its recent session chaired by Najib Mikati, the country’s Prime Minister, approved the content of the US proposal for disarming Hezbollah and monopolizing weapons in the hands of the army, despite opposition from some ministers. The US proposal, which has faced firm opposition from the Hezbollah, was brought to Beirut by Thomas Barrack, the US Special Envoy, and with a paternalistic approach, considers disarming the Hezbollah a precondition for starting any dialogue and border demarcation, explicitly stating that this plan must either be entirely accepted or Lebanon must accept the consequences of its rejection.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: While Washington’s new strategic documents focus on competition with China and Russia, they also seek to transform West Asia into an arena for containing Iran through regional powers and asymmetric deterrence.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The agreement being formed between the European Union and India, aimed at creating a vast two-billion-person trade zone, will have geopolitical and economic consequences extending beyond mere trade.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With a people-centric, low-cost model, India has opened a new path in artificial intelligence development that could inspire developing countries.
Strategic Council Online – Report: While the second phase of the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire has begun, the establishment of the “Peace Board” chaired by Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Davos meeting (22 January 2026) has become more than a technical mechanism for reconstruction and has turned into a test for the future of the international order.
Despite the signing of the charter by 22 out of 60 invited countries, the limited presence of global leaders at the Davos ceremony and the non-acceptance of this body by the European Union and key Western countries indicate a deep divide in global perceptions of the legitimacy of this mechanism.
In this report, drawing on the analysis of Hadi Borhani, a regional affairs expert, and international data, three strategic questions are addressed: Is the Peace Board an instrument for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2803 or a substitute for the United Nations? How does the hierarchical architecture of this committee intensify executive challenges in Gaza? And finally, can this body create sustainable peace without the cooperation of Palestinians and with the concentration of power in the hands of a single individual?
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.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Relations between some countries in the Asia-Pacific region, such as China and Japan or China and Australia, which were previously relatively normal, are trending towards deterioration, and the primary reason for this is the aggressive policies of the United States of America.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the decline of the liberal international order began in 2008. Although the liberal international order still governs international relations, an order is emerging to replace it, based on competition among major powers.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The Ukraine war has become a new turning point in the political, security, and even commercial relations of allies on both sides of the Atlantic. While this war is nearing its fourth year, many questions still remain regarding its future and its consequences; among them, will the continuation of the Ukraine war lead to the collapse of the European security illusion?
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 analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
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 senior international affairs analyst stated that the current geopolitical situation has created an unprecedented space for strategic changes in Europe, adding that the recommendation letter from France’s parliament is essentially a strategic response to these conditions. The release of the French parliament’s 153-page report—dubbed by Arnaud Bertrand (French journalist) as “the most prominent geopolitical document of the century”—has sparked a wave of debate and reactions in global political and intellectual circles. This document describes the European Union’s strategic dependence on the United States as a catastrophic failure and, through 50 practical recommendations, proposes a new path to escape Atlanticist hegemony and move towards equal partnership with China. If the contents and recommendations of this document are taken seriously in Europe, the consequences will extend beyond the geography of the Green Continent and directly impact relations among emerging powers, financial markets, and even international security equations. Furthermore, the document goes beyond “defense independence” to address “economic and monetary independence”—an area hitherto under the shadow of the US dollar and Washington’s policies. From this perspective, the present moment may mark the beginning of a new chapter in international politics, where Europe defines itself as an independent actor in the future multipolar order.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: In recent years, with the expansion of international sanctions and the intensification of economic pressures on specific countries, many have turned their attention to new financial technologies. Among these technologies, cryptocurrencies have garnered more attention than others. Media, economic actors, and even some politicians have referred to cryptocurrency as a potential tool for bypassing sanctions, as if these cryptocurrencies are the very keyword that unlocks the closed doors of the global banking system.
Strategic Council Online in – Interview: A senior Arab world analyst stated: When 61 thousand people are killed in Gaza and the Security Council is not even willing to issue a simple resolution in condemnation of the Zionist regime, it means the international structure is entirely dysfunctional. In such a situation, it is the nations that must cry out and awaken the global conscience.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated: “The final week of summer 2025 marks a sensitive test for international relations and the future of the Ukraine war. The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska was merely seven months after Trump’s return to the White House, as the Ukraine war rages on relentlessly.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, has preemptively rejected Trump’s proposed peace plan—likely based on territorial concessions to Russia—warning that any agreement without Kyiv’s presence and consent would be a “dead solution.” Observers view the clash of interests among Moscow, Washington, Kyiv, and Europe as the intersection of four conflicting logics: Washington’s deal-driven logic, Moscow’s consolidationist logic, and Kyiv’s and Europe’s survivalist logic. While scenarios range from a minimal agreement to tacit Putin-Trump collusion solidifying current frontlines, each carries profound implications for European security and global power balances. Zelenskyy’s absence from Alaska could heighten risks of a deal that not only weakens Ukraine’s position but also undermines the legitimacy of fundamental international law.
Strategy Council Online – Opinion: At the recent summit of European Union leaders and China, held in Beijing to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the parties once again sought to redefine their relationship in an atmosphere filled with mutual opportunities and threats. While the European Union emphasized the need to deepen cooperation with China, particularly in combating climate change and removing trade barriers, the heavy shadow of the Ukraine crisis and the escalating geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing pushed the talks to an unprecedented level of prudence and caution.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Arab world affairs said: One of the Zionist regime’s primary motives for insisting on disarming Hezbollah is to create a security vacuum in Lebanon so that, if needed, the possibility of attacking it again is provided. Today, Lebanon is witnessing one of its most sensitive political junctures in recent years; the Lebanese cabinet, in its recent session chaired by Najib Mikati, the country’s Prime Minister, approved the content of the US proposal for disarming Hezbollah and monopolizing weapons in the hands of the army, despite opposition from some ministers. The US proposal, which has faced firm opposition from the Hezbollah, was brought to Beirut by Thomas Barrack, the US Special Envoy, and with a paternalistic approach, considers disarming the Hezbollah a precondition for starting any dialogue and border demarcation, explicitly stating that this plan must either be entirely accepted or Lebanon must accept the consequences of its rejection.
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 analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
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 senior international affairs analyst stated that the current geopolitical situation has created an unprecedented space for strategic changes in Europe, adding that the recommendation letter from France’s parliament is essentially a strategic response to these conditions. The release of the French parliament’s 153-page report—dubbed by Arnaud Bertrand (French journalist) as “the most prominent geopolitical document of the century”—has sparked a wave of debate and reactions in global political and intellectual circles. This document describes the European Union’s strategic dependence on the United States as a catastrophic failure and, through 50 practical recommendations, proposes a new path to escape Atlanticist hegemony and move towards equal partnership with China. If the contents and recommendations of this document are taken seriously in Europe, the consequences will extend beyond the geography of the Green Continent and directly impact relations among emerging powers, financial markets, and even international security equations. Furthermore, the document goes beyond “defense independence” to address “economic and monetary independence”—an area hitherto under the shadow of the US dollar and Washington’s policies. From this perspective, the present moment may mark the beginning of a new chapter in international politics, where Europe defines itself as an independent actor in the future multipolar order.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: In recent years, with the expansion of international sanctions and the intensification of economic pressures on specific countries, many have turned their attention to new financial technologies. Among these technologies, cryptocurrencies have garnered more attention than others. Media, economic actors, and even some politicians have referred to cryptocurrency as a potential tool for bypassing sanctions, as if these cryptocurrencies are the very keyword that unlocks the closed doors of the global banking system.
Strategic Council Online in – Interview: A senior Arab world analyst stated: When 61 thousand people are killed in Gaza and the Security Council is not even willing to issue a simple resolution in condemnation of the Zionist regime, it means the international structure is entirely dysfunctional. In such a situation, it is the nations that must cry out and awaken the global conscience.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated: “The final week of summer 2025 marks a sensitive test for international relations and the future of the Ukraine war. The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska was merely seven months after Trump’s return to the White House, as the Ukraine war rages on relentlessly.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, has preemptively rejected Trump’s proposed peace plan—likely based on territorial concessions to Russia—warning that any agreement without Kyiv’s presence and consent would be a “dead solution.” Observers view the clash of interests among Moscow, Washington, Kyiv, and Europe as the intersection of four conflicting logics: Washington’s deal-driven logic, Moscow’s consolidationist logic, and Kyiv’s and Europe’s survivalist logic. While scenarios range from a minimal agreement to tacit Putin-Trump collusion solidifying current frontlines, each carries profound implications for European security and global power balances. Zelenskyy’s absence from Alaska could heighten risks of a deal that not only weakens Ukraine’s position but also undermines the legitimacy of fundamental international law.
Strategy Council Online – Opinion: At the recent summit of European Union leaders and China, held in Beijing to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the parties once again sought to redefine their relationship in an atmosphere filled with mutual opportunities and threats. While the European Union emphasized the need to deepen cooperation with China, particularly in combating climate change and removing trade barriers, the heavy shadow of the Ukraine crisis and the escalating geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing pushed the talks to an unprecedented level of prudence and caution.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Arab world affairs said: One of the Zionist regime’s primary motives for insisting on disarming Hezbollah is to create a security vacuum in Lebanon so that, if needed, the possibility of attacking it again is provided. Today, Lebanon is witnessing one of its most sensitive political junctures in recent years; the Lebanese cabinet, in its recent session chaired by Najib Mikati, the country’s Prime Minister, approved the content of the US proposal for disarming Hezbollah and monopolizing weapons in the hands of the army, despite opposition from some ministers. The US proposal, which has faced firm opposition from the Hezbollah, was brought to Beirut by Thomas Barrack, the US Special Envoy, and with a paternalistic approach, considers disarming the Hezbollah a precondition for starting any dialogue and border demarcation, explicitly stating that this plan must either be entirely accepted or Lebanon must accept the consequences of its rejection.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: While Washington’s new strategic documents focus on competition with China and Russia, they also seek to transform West Asia into an arena for containing Iran through regional powers and asymmetric deterrence.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The agreement being formed between the European Union and India, aimed at creating a vast two-billion-person trade zone, will have geopolitical and economic consequences extending beyond mere trade.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With a people-centric, low-cost model, India has opened a new path in artificial intelligence development that could inspire developing countries.
Strategic Council Online – Report: While the second phase of the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire has begun, the establishment of the “Peace Board” chaired by Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Davos meeting (22 January 2026) has become more than a technical mechanism for reconstruction and has turned into a test for the future of the international order.
Despite the signing of the charter by 22 out of 60 invited countries, the limited presence of global leaders at the Davos ceremony and the non-acceptance of this body by the European Union and key Western countries indicate a deep divide in global perceptions of the legitimacy of this mechanism.
In this report, drawing on the analysis of Hadi Borhani, a regional affairs expert, and international data, three strategic questions are addressed: Is the Peace Board an instrument for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2803 or a substitute for the United Nations? How does the hierarchical architecture of this committee intensify executive challenges in Gaza? And finally, can this body create sustainable peace without the cooperation of Palestinians and with the concentration of power in the hands of a single individual?
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.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Relations between some countries in the Asia-Pacific region, such as China and Japan or China and Australia, which were previously relatively normal, are trending towards deterioration, and the primary reason for this is the aggressive policies of the United States of America.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the decline of the liberal international order began in 2008. Although the liberal international order still governs international relations, an order is emerging to replace it, based on competition among major powers.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The Ukraine war has become a new turning point in the political, security, and even commercial relations of allies on both sides of the Atlantic. While this war is nearing its fourth year, many questions still remain regarding its future and its consequences; among them, will the continuation of the Ukraine war lead to the collapse of the European security illusion?
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 analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
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 senior international affairs analyst stated that the current geopolitical situation has created an unprecedented space for strategic changes in Europe, adding that the recommendation letter from France’s parliament is essentially a strategic response to these conditions. The release of the French parliament’s 153-page report—dubbed by Arnaud Bertrand (French journalist) as “the most prominent geopolitical document of the century”—has sparked a wave of debate and reactions in global political and intellectual circles. This document describes the European Union’s strategic dependence on the United States as a catastrophic failure and, through 50 practical recommendations, proposes a new path to escape Atlanticist hegemony and move towards equal partnership with China. If the contents and recommendations of this document are taken seriously in Europe, the consequences will extend beyond the geography of the Green Continent and directly impact relations among emerging powers, financial markets, and even international security equations. Furthermore, the document goes beyond “defense independence” to address “economic and monetary independence”—an area hitherto under the shadow of the US dollar and Washington’s policies. From this perspective, the present moment may mark the beginning of a new chapter in international politics, where Europe defines itself as an independent actor in the future multipolar order.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: In recent years, with the expansion of international sanctions and the intensification of economic pressures on specific countries, many have turned their attention to new financial technologies. Among these technologies, cryptocurrencies have garnered more attention than others. Media, economic actors, and even some politicians have referred to cryptocurrency as a potential tool for bypassing sanctions, as if these cryptocurrencies are the very keyword that unlocks the closed doors of the global banking system.
Strategic Council Online in – Interview: A senior Arab world analyst stated: When 61 thousand people are killed in Gaza and the Security Council is not even willing to issue a simple resolution in condemnation of the Zionist regime, it means the international structure is entirely dysfunctional. In such a situation, it is the nations that must cry out and awaken the global conscience.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated: “The final week of summer 2025 marks a sensitive test for international relations and the future of the Ukraine war. The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska was merely seven months after Trump’s return to the White House, as the Ukraine war rages on relentlessly.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, has preemptively rejected Trump’s proposed peace plan—likely based on territorial concessions to Russia—warning that any agreement without Kyiv’s presence and consent would be a “dead solution.” Observers view the clash of interests among Moscow, Washington, Kyiv, and Europe as the intersection of four conflicting logics: Washington’s deal-driven logic, Moscow’s consolidationist logic, and Kyiv’s and Europe’s survivalist logic. While scenarios range from a minimal agreement to tacit Putin-Trump collusion solidifying current frontlines, each carries profound implications for European security and global power balances. Zelenskyy’s absence from Alaska could heighten risks of a deal that not only weakens Ukraine’s position but also undermines the legitimacy of fundamental international law.
Strategy Council Online – Opinion: At the recent summit of European Union leaders and China, held in Beijing to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the parties once again sought to redefine their relationship in an atmosphere filled with mutual opportunities and threats. While the European Union emphasized the need to deepen cooperation with China, particularly in combating climate change and removing trade barriers, the heavy shadow of the Ukraine crisis and the escalating geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing pushed the talks to an unprecedented level of prudence and caution.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Arab world affairs said: One of the Zionist regime’s primary motives for insisting on disarming Hezbollah is to create a security vacuum in Lebanon so that, if needed, the possibility of attacking it again is provided. Today, Lebanon is witnessing one of its most sensitive political junctures in recent years; the Lebanese cabinet, in its recent session chaired by Najib Mikati, the country’s Prime Minister, approved the content of the US proposal for disarming Hezbollah and monopolizing weapons in the hands of the army, despite opposition from some ministers. The US proposal, which has faced firm opposition from the Hezbollah, was brought to Beirut by Thomas Barrack, the US Special Envoy, and with a paternalistic approach, considers disarming the Hezbollah a precondition for starting any dialogue and border demarcation, explicitly stating that this plan must either be entirely accepted or Lebanon must accept the consequences of its rejection.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: While Washington’s new strategic documents focus on competition with China and Russia, they also seek to transform West Asia into an arena for containing Iran through regional powers and asymmetric deterrence.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The agreement being formed between the European Union and India, aimed at creating a vast two-billion-person trade zone, will have geopolitical and economic consequences extending beyond mere trade.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With a people-centric, low-cost model, India has opened a new path in artificial intelligence development that could inspire developing countries.
Strategic Council Online – Report: While the second phase of the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire has begun, the establishment of the “Peace Board” chaired by Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Davos meeting (22 January 2026) has become more than a technical mechanism for reconstruction and has turned into a test for the future of the international order.
Despite the signing of the charter by 22 out of 60 invited countries, the limited presence of global leaders at the Davos ceremony and the non-acceptance of this body by the European Union and key Western countries indicate a deep divide in global perceptions of the legitimacy of this mechanism.
In this report, drawing on the analysis of Hadi Borhani, a regional affairs expert, and international data, three strategic questions are addressed: Is the Peace Board an instrument for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2803 or a substitute for the United Nations? How does the hierarchical architecture of this committee intensify executive challenges in Gaza? And finally, can this body create sustainable peace without the cooperation of Palestinians and with the concentration of power in the hands of a single individual?
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.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Relations between some countries in the Asia-Pacific region, such as China and Japan or China and Australia, which were previously relatively normal, are trending towards deterioration, and the primary reason for this is the aggressive policies of the United States of America.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the decline of the liberal international order began in 2008. Although the liberal international order still governs international relations, an order is emerging to replace it, based on competition among major powers.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The Ukraine war has become a new turning point in the political, security, and even commercial relations of allies on both sides of the Atlantic. While this war is nearing its fourth year, many questions still remain regarding its future and its consequences; among them, will the continuation of the Ukraine war lead to the collapse of the European security illusion?
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 analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
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 senior international affairs analyst stated that the current geopolitical situation has created an unprecedented space for strategic changes in Europe, adding that the recommendation letter from France’s parliament is essentially a strategic response to these conditions. The release of the French parliament’s 153-page report—dubbed by Arnaud Bertrand (French journalist) as “the most prominent geopolitical document of the century”—has sparked a wave of debate and reactions in global political and intellectual circles. This document describes the European Union’s strategic dependence on the United States as a catastrophic failure and, through 50 practical recommendations, proposes a new path to escape Atlanticist hegemony and move towards equal partnership with China. If the contents and recommendations of this document are taken seriously in Europe, the consequences will extend beyond the geography of the Green Continent and directly impact relations among emerging powers, financial markets, and even international security equations. Furthermore, the document goes beyond “defense independence” to address “economic and monetary independence”—an area hitherto under the shadow of the US dollar and Washington’s policies. From this perspective, the present moment may mark the beginning of a new chapter in international politics, where Europe defines itself as an independent actor in the future multipolar order.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: In recent years, with the expansion of international sanctions and the intensification of economic pressures on specific countries, many have turned their attention to new financial technologies. Among these technologies, cryptocurrencies have garnered more attention than others. Media, economic actors, and even some politicians have referred to cryptocurrency as a potential tool for bypassing sanctions, as if these cryptocurrencies are the very keyword that unlocks the closed doors of the global banking system.
Strategic Council Online in – Interview: A senior Arab world analyst stated: When 61 thousand people are killed in Gaza and the Security Council is not even willing to issue a simple resolution in condemnation of the Zionist regime, it means the international structure is entirely dysfunctional. In such a situation, it is the nations that must cry out and awaken the global conscience.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated: “The final week of summer 2025 marks a sensitive test for international relations and the future of the Ukraine war. The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska was merely seven months after Trump’s return to the White House, as the Ukraine war rages on relentlessly.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, has preemptively rejected Trump’s proposed peace plan—likely based on territorial concessions to Russia—warning that any agreement without Kyiv’s presence and consent would be a “dead solution.” Observers view the clash of interests among Moscow, Washington, Kyiv, and Europe as the intersection of four conflicting logics: Washington’s deal-driven logic, Moscow’s consolidationist logic, and Kyiv’s and Europe’s survivalist logic. While scenarios range from a minimal agreement to tacit Putin-Trump collusion solidifying current frontlines, each carries profound implications for European security and global power balances. Zelenskyy’s absence from Alaska could heighten risks of a deal that not only weakens Ukraine’s position but also undermines the legitimacy of fundamental international law.
Strategy Council Online – Opinion: At the recent summit of European Union leaders and China, held in Beijing to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the parties once again sought to redefine their relationship in an atmosphere filled with mutual opportunities and threats. While the European Union emphasized the need to deepen cooperation with China, particularly in combating climate change and removing trade barriers, the heavy shadow of the Ukraine crisis and the escalating geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing pushed the talks to an unprecedented level of prudence and caution.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Arab world affairs said: One of the Zionist regime’s primary motives for insisting on disarming Hezbollah is to create a security vacuum in Lebanon so that, if needed, the possibility of attacking it again is provided. Today, Lebanon is witnessing one of its most sensitive political junctures in recent years; the Lebanese cabinet, in its recent session chaired by Najib Mikati, the country’s Prime Minister, approved the content of the US proposal for disarming Hezbollah and monopolizing weapons in the hands of the army, despite opposition from some ministers. The US proposal, which has faced firm opposition from the Hezbollah, was brought to Beirut by Thomas Barrack, the US Special Envoy, and with a paternalistic approach, considers disarming the Hezbollah a precondition for starting any dialogue and border demarcation, explicitly stating that this plan must either be entirely accepted or Lebanon must accept the consequences of its rejection.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: While Washington’s new strategic documents focus on competition with China and Russia, they also seek to transform West Asia into an arena for containing Iran through regional powers and asymmetric deterrence.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The agreement being formed between the European Union and India, aimed at creating a vast two-billion-person trade zone, will have geopolitical and economic consequences extending beyond mere trade.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With a people-centric, low-cost model, India has opened a new path in artificial intelligence development that could inspire developing countries.
Strategic Council Online – Report: While the second phase of the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire has begun, the establishment of the “Peace Board” chaired by Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Davos meeting (22 January 2026) has become more than a technical mechanism for reconstruction and has turned into a test for the future of the international order.
Despite the signing of the charter by 22 out of 60 invited countries, the limited presence of global leaders at the Davos ceremony and the non-acceptance of this body by the European Union and key Western countries indicate a deep divide in global perceptions of the legitimacy of this mechanism.
In this report, drawing on the analysis of Hadi Borhani, a regional affairs expert, and international data, three strategic questions are addressed: Is the Peace Board an instrument for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2803 or a substitute for the United Nations? How does the hierarchical architecture of this committee intensify executive challenges in Gaza? And finally, can this body create sustainable peace without the cooperation of Palestinians and with the concentration of power in the hands of a single individual?
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.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Relations between some countries in the Asia-Pacific region, such as China and Japan or China and Australia, which were previously relatively normal, are trending towards deterioration, and the primary reason for this is the aggressive policies of the United States of America.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the decline of the liberal international order began in 2008. Although the liberal international order still governs international relations, an order is emerging to replace it, based on competition among major powers.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The Ukraine war has become a new turning point in the political, security, and even commercial relations of allies on both sides of the Atlantic. While this war is nearing its fourth year, many questions still remain regarding its future and its consequences; among them, will the continuation of the Ukraine war lead to the collapse of the European security illusion?
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 analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
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 senior international affairs analyst stated that the current geopolitical situation has created an unprecedented space for strategic changes in Europe, adding that the recommendation letter from France’s parliament is essentially a strategic response to these conditions. The release of the French parliament’s 153-page report—dubbed by Arnaud Bertrand (French journalist) as “the most prominent geopolitical document of the century”—has sparked a wave of debate and reactions in global political and intellectual circles. This document describes the European Union’s strategic dependence on the United States as a catastrophic failure and, through 50 practical recommendations, proposes a new path to escape Atlanticist hegemony and move towards equal partnership with China. If the contents and recommendations of this document are taken seriously in Europe, the consequences will extend beyond the geography of the Green Continent and directly impact relations among emerging powers, financial markets, and even international security equations. Furthermore, the document goes beyond “defense independence” to address “economic and monetary independence”—an area hitherto under the shadow of the US dollar and Washington’s policies. From this perspective, the present moment may mark the beginning of a new chapter in international politics, where Europe defines itself as an independent actor in the future multipolar order.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: In recent years, with the expansion of international sanctions and the intensification of economic pressures on specific countries, many have turned their attention to new financial technologies. Among these technologies, cryptocurrencies have garnered more attention than others. Media, economic actors, and even some politicians have referred to cryptocurrency as a potential tool for bypassing sanctions, as if these cryptocurrencies are the very keyword that unlocks the closed doors of the global banking system.
Strategic Council Online in – Interview: A senior Arab world analyst stated: When 61 thousand people are killed in Gaza and the Security Council is not even willing to issue a simple resolution in condemnation of the Zionist regime, it means the international structure is entirely dysfunctional. In such a situation, it is the nations that must cry out and awaken the global conscience.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated: “The final week of summer 2025 marks a sensitive test for international relations and the future of the Ukraine war. The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska was merely seven months after Trump’s return to the White House, as the Ukraine war rages on relentlessly.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, has preemptively rejected Trump’s proposed peace plan—likely based on territorial concessions to Russia—warning that any agreement without Kyiv’s presence and consent would be a “dead solution.” Observers view the clash of interests among Moscow, Washington, Kyiv, and Europe as the intersection of four conflicting logics: Washington’s deal-driven logic, Moscow’s consolidationist logic, and Kyiv’s and Europe’s survivalist logic. While scenarios range from a minimal agreement to tacit Putin-Trump collusion solidifying current frontlines, each carries profound implications for European security and global power balances. Zelenskyy’s absence from Alaska could heighten risks of a deal that not only weakens Ukraine’s position but also undermines the legitimacy of fundamental international law.
Strategy Council Online – Opinion: At the recent summit of European Union leaders and China, held in Beijing to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the parties once again sought to redefine their relationship in an atmosphere filled with mutual opportunities and threats. While the European Union emphasized the need to deepen cooperation with China, particularly in combating climate change and removing trade barriers, the heavy shadow of the Ukraine crisis and the escalating geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing pushed the talks to an unprecedented level of prudence and caution.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Arab world affairs said: One of the Zionist regime’s primary motives for insisting on disarming Hezbollah is to create a security vacuum in Lebanon so that, if needed, the possibility of attacking it again is provided. Today, Lebanon is witnessing one of its most sensitive political junctures in recent years; the Lebanese cabinet, in its recent session chaired by Najib Mikati, the country’s Prime Minister, approved the content of the US proposal for disarming Hezbollah and monopolizing weapons in the hands of the army, despite opposition from some ministers. The US proposal, which has faced firm opposition from the Hezbollah, was brought to Beirut by Thomas Barrack, the US Special Envoy, and with a paternalistic approach, considers disarming the Hezbollah a precondition for starting any dialogue and border demarcation, explicitly stating that this plan must either be entirely accepted or Lebanon must accept the consequences of its rejection.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: While Washington’s new strategic documents focus on competition with China and Russia, they also seek to transform West Asia into an arena for containing Iran through regional powers and asymmetric deterrence.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The agreement being formed between the European Union and India, aimed at creating a vast two-billion-person trade zone, will have geopolitical and economic consequences extending beyond mere trade.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With a people-centric, low-cost model, India has opened a new path in artificial intelligence development that could inspire developing countries.
Strategic Council Online – Report: While the second phase of the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire has begun, the establishment of the “Peace Board” chaired by Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Davos meeting (22 January 2026) has become more than a technical mechanism for reconstruction and has turned into a test for the future of the international order.
Despite the signing of the charter by 22 out of 60 invited countries, the limited presence of global leaders at the Davos ceremony and the non-acceptance of this body by the European Union and key Western countries indicate a deep divide in global perceptions of the legitimacy of this mechanism.
In this report, drawing on the analysis of Hadi Borhani, a regional affairs expert, and international data, three strategic questions are addressed: Is the Peace Board an instrument for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2803 or a substitute for the United Nations? How does the hierarchical architecture of this committee intensify executive challenges in Gaza? And finally, can this body create sustainable peace without the cooperation of Palestinians and with the concentration of power in the hands of a single individual?
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.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Relations between some countries in the Asia-Pacific region, such as China and Japan or China and Australia, which were previously relatively normal, are trending towards deterioration, and the primary reason for this is the aggressive policies of the United States of America.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the decline of the liberal international order began in 2008. Although the liberal international order still governs international relations, an order is emerging to replace it, based on competition among major powers.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The Ukraine war has become a new turning point in the political, security, and even commercial relations of allies on both sides of the Atlantic. While this war is nearing its fourth year, many questions still remain regarding its future and its consequences; among them, will the continuation of the Ukraine war lead to the collapse of the European security illusion?
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 analyst on West Asian affairs stated that under the current circumstances, discussing the disarmament of the Resistance is not only unfeasible but could also lead to an escalation of tensions. Following the 12-day aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, efforts in another layer to disarm Resistance groups, including Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi), and Hamas, have intensified as part of a coordinated project pursued to weaken the Axis of Resistance and impose American regional dominance. The U.S. proposal for Lebanon, which includes disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025 and the withdrawal of the Israeli regime from border positions, is an attempt to transform an external conflict into an internal one. Hezbollah has firmly rejected this proposal, deeming it a violation of national sovereignty and a service to the interests of the Israeli regime, while emphasizing its defensive role. In Iraq, pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces has been accompanied by accusations and economic sanctions, yet this group continues to stand as a popular force against external threats. Hamas, despite heavy attacks by the Israeli regime, has continued its resistance and rejected a recent ceasefire proposal in exchange for disarmament. These plans, supported by U.S. and allied diplomatic and economic backing, seek to alter the balance of power in the region. Still, the resistance of the groups and popular support have prevented the realization of these objectives.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A researcher on Lebanese affairs stated: Under intense US pressure, Lebanon’s current government is hastily finalizing the gas dossier in the Eastern Mediterranean; an action that benefits the US, the Israeli regime, and their allies, and may result in Lebanon losing approximately five thousand square kilometers of area containing its gas and oil wealth. In this regard, the Al-Akhbar newspaper wrote: What is happening today is not merely a maritime negotiation, but a battle over sovereignty and survival that is feared will end unilaterally at a bargaining table where there is no room for national interests.
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 senior international affairs analyst stated that the current geopolitical situation has created an unprecedented space for strategic changes in Europe, adding that the recommendation letter from France’s parliament is essentially a strategic response to these conditions. The release of the French parliament’s 153-page report—dubbed by Arnaud Bertrand (French journalist) as “the most prominent geopolitical document of the century”—has sparked a wave of debate and reactions in global political and intellectual circles. This document describes the European Union’s strategic dependence on the United States as a catastrophic failure and, through 50 practical recommendations, proposes a new path to escape Atlanticist hegemony and move towards equal partnership with China. If the contents and recommendations of this document are taken seriously in Europe, the consequences will extend beyond the geography of the Green Continent and directly impact relations among emerging powers, financial markets, and even international security equations. Furthermore, the document goes beyond “defense independence” to address “economic and monetary independence”—an area hitherto under the shadow of the US dollar and Washington’s policies. From this perspective, the present moment may mark the beginning of a new chapter in international politics, where Europe defines itself as an independent actor in the future multipolar order.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: In recent years, with the expansion of international sanctions and the intensification of economic pressures on specific countries, many have turned their attention to new financial technologies. Among these technologies, cryptocurrencies have garnered more attention than others. Media, economic actors, and even some politicians have referred to cryptocurrency as a potential tool for bypassing sanctions, as if these cryptocurrencies are the very keyword that unlocks the closed doors of the global banking system.
Strategic Council Online in – Interview: A senior Arab world analyst stated: When 61 thousand people are killed in Gaza and the Security Council is not even willing to issue a simple resolution in condemnation of the Zionist regime, it means the international structure is entirely dysfunctional. In such a situation, it is the nations that must cry out and awaken the global conscience.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: A senior international affairs analyst stated: “The final week of summer 2025 marks a sensitive test for international relations and the future of the Ukraine war. The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska was merely seven months after Trump’s return to the White House, as the Ukraine war rages on relentlessly.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, has preemptively rejected Trump’s proposed peace plan—likely based on territorial concessions to Russia—warning that any agreement without Kyiv’s presence and consent would be a “dead solution.” Observers view the clash of interests among Moscow, Washington, Kyiv, and Europe as the intersection of four conflicting logics: Washington’s deal-driven logic, Moscow’s consolidationist logic, and Kyiv’s and Europe’s survivalist logic. While scenarios range from a minimal agreement to tacit Putin-Trump collusion solidifying current frontlines, each carries profound implications for European security and global power balances. Zelenskyy’s absence from Alaska could heighten risks of a deal that not only weakens Ukraine’s position but also undermines the legitimacy of fundamental international law.
Strategy Council Online – Opinion: At the recent summit of European Union leaders and China, held in Beijing to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the parties once again sought to redefine their relationship in an atmosphere filled with mutual opportunities and threats. While the European Union emphasized the need to deepen cooperation with China, particularly in combating climate change and removing trade barriers, the heavy shadow of the Ukraine crisis and the escalating geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing pushed the talks to an unprecedented level of prudence and caution.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An expert on Arab world affairs said: One of the Zionist regime’s primary motives for insisting on disarming Hezbollah is to create a security vacuum in Lebanon so that, if needed, the possibility of attacking it again is provided. Today, Lebanon is witnessing one of its most sensitive political junctures in recent years; the Lebanese cabinet, in its recent session chaired by Najib Mikati, the country’s Prime Minister, approved the content of the US proposal for disarming Hezbollah and monopolizing weapons in the hands of the army, despite opposition from some ministers. The US proposal, which has faced firm opposition from the Hezbollah, was brought to Beirut by Thomas Barrack, the US Special Envoy, and with a paternalistic approach, considers disarming the Hezbollah a precondition for starting any dialogue and border demarcation, explicitly stating that this plan must either be entirely accepted or Lebanon must accept the consequences of its rejection.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: While Washington’s new strategic documents focus on competition with China and Russia, they also seek to transform West Asia into an arena for containing Iran through regional powers and asymmetric deterrence.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The agreement being formed between the European Union and India, aimed at creating a vast two-billion-person trade zone, will have geopolitical and economic consequences extending beyond mere trade.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: With a people-centric, low-cost model, India has opened a new path in artificial intelligence development that could inspire developing countries.
Strategic Council Online – Report: While the second phase of the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire has begun, the establishment of the “Peace Board” chaired by Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Davos meeting (22 January 2026) has become more than a technical mechanism for reconstruction and has turned into a test for the future of the international order.
Despite the signing of the charter by 22 out of 60 invited countries, the limited presence of global leaders at the Davos ceremony and the non-acceptance of this body by the European Union and key Western countries indicate a deep divide in global perceptions of the legitimacy of this mechanism.
In this report, drawing on the analysis of Hadi Borhani, a regional affairs expert, and international data, three strategic questions are addressed: Is the Peace Board an instrument for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2803 or a substitute for the United Nations? How does the hierarchical architecture of this committee intensify executive challenges in Gaza? And finally, can this body create sustainable peace without the cooperation of Palestinians and with the concentration of power in the hands of a single individual?
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.
Strategic Council Online – Opinion: Relations between some countries in the Asia-Pacific region, such as China and Japan or China and Australia, which were previously relatively normal, are trending towards deterioration, and the primary reason for this is the aggressive policies of the United States of America.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the decline of the liberal international order began in 2008. Although the liberal international order still governs international relations, an order is emerging to replace it, based on competition among major powers.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: The Ukraine war has become a new turning point in the political, security, and even commercial relations of allies on both sides of the Atlantic. While this war is nearing its fourth year, many questions still remain regarding its future and its consequences; among them, will the continuation of the Ukraine war lead to the collapse of the European security illusion?