... Yemeni Houthis
[4]
. In their view, the construct itself contributed far more to the development of Sana’a’s relations with Iran and the “Axis of Resistance” during the years of the armed conflict than did any a priori assumption that the movement ... ... the roots of Houthism lie both in Yemen’s history and traditions and in the bleak contemporary political situation in the Middle East following the attacks of September 11, a situation which—according to Sayyid Hussein al-Houthi and his successor,...
... landscape. The attacks have called into question the fundamental strategic presumptions that have served as the foundation for Gulf Arab state security doctrines for the past fifty years. With unpredicted consequences, such as divergent views of Israel and Iran, this is also compelling introspection at a challenging moment for the larger region.
Entanglement or Empowerment? New Security Paradigm for Gulf States
Extra-Regional Actors in the Middle East. RIAC Report
For decades, the fundamental strategic presumption among the Arab states of the Gulf has been that the United States is the ultimate guarantor. Washington has been seen as
key
to the security of the Gulf. The U.S. military presence ...
... calling on all parties to take a step back, get back to the negotiating table, and stop the situation from getting worse. This cautious attitude highlights Europe's efforts to balance its alliance with Israel and continue to play a mediating role in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
The European-Iranian contradiction over Tehran's missile and nuclear programs seems to be more important than the Israeli-European contradiction that has surfaced in recent weeks, a result of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, according to ...
... to the treaty. However, it is not too late trying to convince the Iranian leadership that in terms of long-term strategic interests of the Islamic Republic it would be better not to rush into decisions that would have many negative implications for Iran, as well as for the Middle East region at large. The Kremlin can make this pitch—a final decision to exit the NPT would have to be made by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with whom Vladimir Putin has good personal relations.
...
The recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure mark a notable recalibration of Washington’s Middle East policy
The recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure mark a notable recalibration of Washington’s Middle East policy. In recent years, the United States has sought to avoid direct involvement in armed conflicts. While maintaining a military presence and alliances with most ...
... isolation or defeat.
A case for a nuclear Iran
Kenneth Waltz, one of the most influential realist thinkers in international relations, argued in a controversial 2012 Foreign Affairs article titled “
Why Iran Should Get the Bomb
” that a nuclear-armed Iran might actually stabilize the Middle East, rather than destabilize it.
Waltz’s theory is rooted in neorealism (or structural realism), which sees the international system as anarchic, and posits that states act primarily to ensure their own survival. From this perspective, nuclear ...
... the role of the extra-regional actors, the position of the “Axis of Resistance”, and the prospects for the development of Iran's nuclear program.
Speakers at the roundtable included: Andrey Kortunov, RIAC member; Viktor Smirnov, Ambassador Extraordinary ... ... Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS); Vladimir Sazhin, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies of the Institute of Oriental Studies, RAS; and Ivan Bocharov, Program Manager at RIAC.
On May 18–19, 2025, the “Tehran Dialogue Forum — 2025” was held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI)
On May 18–19, 2025, the “Tehran Dialogue Forum — 2025” was held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI). The event was organized by the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS). The forum focused on current political and economic developments in the Middle East and their global implications. Particular attention was paid to the formation of a regional security architecture and the promotion of economic integration. The forum brought together government officials and leading experts from the Middle ...
... incorporating federalism in certain regions. In light of recent events—particularly the situation in Damascus and Trump's new Middle East strategy—discussions about a Shiite federation have gained momentum. The strategic location of southern Iraq, which ... ... establishing a Shiite federalist structure is more than just a pressure card this time around. In the face of U.S. sanctions, Iran can receive economic relief through a powerful Shiite federal organization instead of going through a central authority in ...
... regime was weak and exhausted by war, rendering it incapable of posing a real threat to Israel. However, after Assad's fall, Israel's stance shifted. In a press conference on Dec. 9, 2024, Netanyahu described the event as a "historic day in the Middle East," emphasizing that the regime's collapse dealt a significant blow to Iran's regional influence.
In reality, Israel does not appear ready to open a new front in Syria in the near future. Despite its efforts to portray itself as a protector of minorities, particularly the Druze, to gain local support, military and political ...
