Report No. 99 / 2025
Report No. 99 / 2025
The following report focuses on the Middle Eastern policies of extra-regional actors and their transformation in changing conditions. It concentrates on studying the strategies pursued by Russia, the U.S., the EU, China and India in the Middle East. The report also examines how Middle Eastern countries perceive extra-regional actors as they aspire to build pragmatic and balanced relationships with external partners.
Extra-Regional Actors in the Middle East...
... to rejuvenate its workforce and global connections. For India, it provides opportunities for its youth while reinforcing strategic bonds with a trusted ally. Moving forward, collaborative efforts by policymakers, educational institutions, and civil society are essential to nurture and expand this dynamic partnership for decades to come.
First published in the
NatStrat
.
The creation of a Shiite southern region is a powerful negotiating tool in the “Greater Middle East” mapping movements, as well as internal, regional, and even international political processes
Discussions on federalism in Iraq have long been entwined with
political rivalry and conflicting interests
. Federal regions have proposed reforms, as well as ways to exert political pressure to consider incorporating federalism in certain regions. In light of recent events—particularly the situation in...
... artificial intelligence (AI), which is massively changing not only our working world, but also our lives.
Our reality is determined by trade wars, tariff increases, new borders, the expansion of old border fortifications and numerous divisions in our society.
Globalization has reached its boiling point. Ever more, ever higher and ever further. When will enough finally be enough?
Jacques Ancel or the identity of the heart
One vision, an approach that is becoming more relevant today than ever before,...
The situation around Iran has reached a critical juncture
From war threats to negotiations
In the early months of 2025, Iran and the United States
stood
on the brink of open military conflict. The escalation was driven by several factors that coincided in time, heightening the effect of instability. It was one of the most dangerous periods in the history of their relations. Until very recently, Iran lived under a cloud of anxious expectation: would war erupt, or could the situation be contained?...
... drastic internal reforms, including the liberation of Ocalan, genuine and long-term opening to the Kurdistan Freedom Movement, and constitutional amendments to protect Kurdish rights. This approach would help Turkey avoid danger and rebuild the state and society using democratic principles. However, such an approach may prove difficult given the opposition from some nationalist parties. Therefore, the resolution of the Kurdish crisis should be linked to the adoption of a new constitution by leveraging ...
The expansion in the Northern direction offered the nation a variety of unique opportunities, but it also created numerous challenges that other Europeans never confronted
Russia is a distinctly Nordic country. Its Arctic coastline stretches for twenty-four thousand kilometers, and almost two thirds of Russia’s territory is covered by permafrost. Among all Arctic states, Russia has by far the most numerous resident communities in the region in total exceeding two million people (approximately a...
... the most radical supporters have managed to destabilize the system. While some tightening of the existing order under wartime conditions was inevitable, the system has avoided sliding into a totalitarian model with excessive and demotivating control. Society, too, has shown resilience to extreme conditions. Initial confusion quickly gave way to adaptation. The high human cost of military actions and economic challenges, including inflation, have not led to any disintegrative processes. Society remains ...
The current challenge Pakistan faces is dangerous and surrounded by concerns and risks
On the day of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Chief, General Faiz Hameed, was seen sipping coffee at the Serena Hotel in Kabul. A news channel reporter captured this moment on video and asked, “Will you be meeting with the senior leaders of the Taliban?” The then-Director General (DG) of ISI replied: “No, I am not sure,” pointing to then-Pakistan Ambassador to...
... Poroshenko and the 2014 revolutionaries. The inherent vulnerabilities of Ukraine’s political system, present since the country’s independence, may resurface with renewed intensity.
Andrey Kortunov:
A Failed Journey to the West
The state of Ukrainian society adds another layer of complexity. Fatigue from prolonged military action, frustration with losses, and disillusionment with Western partners are taking their toll. Society has yet to grapple with the full impact of post-traumatic stress disorder....
