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Israel’s Role in Weakening Ankara - by Dr. Babak Shafiee

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  Source: en.globes.co Containing Turkey After Syria: Geopolitical Rivalry and Israel’s Role in Weakening Ankara Dr. Babak Shafiee PhD in Geopolitics, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran The geopolitical landscape of the Middle East has undergone a dramatic transformation following the erosion of the Syrian government's control. This event not only marked a turning point in Syria’s internal dynamics but also triggered significant shifts in the broader regional balance of power. With Iran reducing its direct military footprint and Russia scaling back its involvement due to its war in Ukraine, a power vacuum has emerged, attracting regional and international actors seeking to expand their influence. A significant consequence of this power shift has been Turkey's increased presence in northern Syria, including its alleged support for certain armed factions, such as Tahrir al-Sham, led by Ahmad al-Sahara. Concurrently, Israel has intensified its military activities near Damascus, ai...
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The South Caucasus in the Current Geopolitical Framework - by Nina Miholjcic-Ivkovic

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  Source: aze.media The South Caucasus in the Current Geopolitical Framework Nina Miholjcic-Ivkovic Independent International Relations Researcher The South Caucasus, comprising three independent states, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia, is a strategically significant region at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The region has remained an important place for the contesting interests of regional and global powers. In the evolving geopolitical landscape on a global and regional level, including Trump`s return and the recalibration of the US foreign policy, the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, and the interests of Turkey and Iran in the region, assessing the South Caucasus' position is a simultaneously fascinating and complex topic.  Examining the U.S. policy toward this region is crucial due to the recent shift in American foreign policy under Trump, which could have wide-reaching consequences for regional stability and the global balance of power. Trump’s oft...
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What's behind the mass protests across Turkey? - by Barın Kayaoğlu

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  Source:  cfr.org What's behind the mass protests across Turkey?  Barın Kayaoğlu  Independent Analyst & Consultant One could read current events in Türkiye from several angles: (1) Trying to fix long-term judicial independence and rule of law issues, but breaking them further and further like in a “Mr. Bean” movie. You know the scene—Mr. Bean accidentally touches something, then breaks or messes it up, and his every attempt to fix the problem worsens it. Back in 2010, to lessen the staunchly secularist influence over the judiciary (that had almost closed down the ruling AK Party in 2008), the AK Party expanded the number of judges in the upper courts and packed them with judges and prosecutors it thought were loyal to it. However, those cadres turned out to be more loyal to the network of Fethullah Gulen.  It was those Gulenist judges and prosecutors and their fellow Gulenists in the national police force who released wiretaps involving (then Prime Minister...
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The Last President of “Great America” - by Mohammad Hossein Emadi

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  Source: France24 Trump Through China’s Eyes: The Last President of “Great America” Mohammad Hossein Emadi In the autumn of 2016, during the height of Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign, I spoke with a university professor and prominent member of the Chinese Communist Party. When I asked about the possibility and implications of Trump’s victory, he replied with confidence: “We welcome this event. With his characteristics, he will be the last president of a mighty America!” Five years later, after Joe Biden’s win, I reminded him that his prediction seemed off. He responded, “The game isn’t over yet; the second half depends on the players’ stamina and the coaches’ strategies.” At the time, Trump’s return to power appeared improbable. Now, the question is: What strategy does China have in mind for facing Trump in this next phase?  Chinese political tradition, rooted in deep reflection and long-term planning, views “the weaknesses and mistakes of the enemy” as the path to...
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Trump, China, and Taiwan - by Dr. Babak Shafiee

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  Source: The Guardian Dr. Babak Shafiee PhD in Geopolitics, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran Trump, China, and Taiwan:  The Power Game in the South China Sea and the Future of Regional Security Introduction In recent years, the South China Sea and Taiwan have emerged as focal points of escalating tensions in global geopolitics, carrying significant implications for international security. The increasing militarization of the region by China and the growing complexity of U.S.-China relations have drawn the attention of policymakers and scholars worldwide. The policies of former and current U.S. President Donald Trump, particularly his "America First" approach, have exacerbated these tensions. Trump's aggressive stance toward China and Taiwan, especially since his return to the presidency in 2024, has intensified economic and military pressures in the region. This article examines the consequences of Trump’s policies, focusing on the role of the South China Sea, Taiwan, a...
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The Caspian: A Forgotten Strategic Depth - by Dr. Babak Shafiee

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  Source: Marine Insight Dr. Babak Shafiee The Caspian: A Forgotten Strategic Depth The Caspian Sea and its territorial waters were part of Iran until not so long ago. In 1813, 1828, and 1881, the Russian government separated these valuable lands from Iranian territory in the Golestan, Turkmenchay, and Akhal treaties. These Iranian-dominated regions were also governed by the Russians until 30 years ago, but after the collapse of the Red Alliance, Iran had a fiery opportunity to once again take a special look at its civilizational sphere and strategic depth. However, the situation has developed in such a way that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Iranian governments have been involved in other issues instead of analyzing and making policies in the geographical environments and strategic regions surrounding Iran, especially the countries of the Caspian Sea.  Currently, when we take a close look at the performance of newly established countries and regional and extra-region...
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Iraq’s Dilemma in Today’s Middle East - by Alia Yasmin Jawad

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  Source: thetimes.com  Alia Yasmin Jawad   Geopolitical analyst and Senior Research Associate at the Middle East Institute Switzerland After decades of tumult, brutal conflicts, deep division, and instability, it was only after December 2017 that Iraq managed to start rebuilding itself and experience peace. Its geographic positioning, however, as well as the division between Shiia and Sunnis, Arabs and Kurds, and all the external interests involved, have kept Iraq susceptible to strife. Thus, the most recent developments in the Middle East have provoked general concern not only among the country’s leaders but also among a large proportion of Iraqi civilians. On the one hand, although the Iraqi state – despite its clear positioning on the matter - had not taken any particular official action against Israel since the latter started its war on Gaza in October of 2023, tensions spiked as the risk of a war between Iran and Israel intensified, and especially as Iranian-backed ...
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