Checkers Strategy: Iran’s Approach in the Geopolitical Game of the Middle East - by Dr. Babak Shafiee

Source: Pakistantoday Iran’s Approach in the Geopolitical Game of the Middle East Dr. Babak Shafiee PhD in Geopolitics, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran The Middle East has emerged as a complex checkers board in recent years, where Iran, leveraging a strategy rooted in its cultural and historical legacy, plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the grand game of power. Checkers, a strategic game possibly invented or refined during the era of Nader Shah Afshar (1688–1747), is far more than mere entertainment; it reflects the tactical brilliance of Iranians, emphasizing patience, precise calculation, and the exploitation of fleeting opportunities for decisive leaps. Recent developments—such as the activation of the snapback mechanism by European countries, Israel’s actions in the region, and the strengthening of alternative alliances like the India-UAE partnership and the Saudi Arabia-Pakistan mutual defense pact—are all components of a broader strategy aimed at undermining Iran’s geopolit...