Category: MIddle East

Afghan, Iranian defense delegations wrap up two days of talks

Two days of talks between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) defense ministry and Iran’s deputy chief of army staff Bahram Hussaini Mutlaq wrapped up in Kabul on Sunday. The ministry of defense said talks were held between the two sides on border issues and it was agreed that coordination was needed between the two neighboring countries. Mutlaq also met […]

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China and the Axis of the Sanctioned – How America’s Divide-and-Rule Strategy in the Middle East Backfired

A photo Beijing released on March 6th of Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a seismic shock in Washington. There was the Secretary-General of the Chinese Communist Party standing between Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, and Saudi National Security Adviser Musaad bin Mohammed al-Aiban. They were awkwardly shaking hands on an agreement to reestablish mutual diplomatic ties. […]

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China’s Response to Türkiye’s Volatile Authoritarianism

China has become a global power, but there is too little debate about how this has happened and what it means. Many argue that China exports its developmental model and imposes it on other countries. But Chinese players also extend their influence by working through local actors and institutions while adapting and assimilating local and traditional forms, norms, and practices. […]

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Bangladesh-Turkey 3rd Military Dialogue: Will It Boost Defense Cooperation? – OpEd

The 3rd Military Dialogue between Bangladesh and Türkiye was convened by Armed Forces Division, Dhaka Cantonment at the Multipurpose Hall, On April 12–14, 2023. Since their inception of bilateral relations, ties between Türkiye and Bangladesh have been cooperative and friendly; the most recent example is the recent security dialogue. This security dialogue will bolster defense and military cooperation in areas […]

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India And Iran: Is Creation Of Powerful Alliance Between Tehran And New Delhi On Horizon? – OpEd

India-Iran relations have a deep civilizational background and need to be viewed outside the framework of daily politics and current trends such as anti-government protests in Iran, India-Pakistan conflict and constant geopolitical realignments: India maintains good relations with both East and West, and Iran is under attack western sanctions. In many respects, Iran and India are special countries that have […]

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IEA’s minister of mines meets with Turkish envoy over investment opportunities

Minister of Mines and Petroleum Shahabuddin Delawar met with the Turkish Ambassador to Kabul, Cihad Erginay, on Thursday where they discussed a number of issues including investment opportunities. Also discussed was the Afghan-Tajik oil field project. The minister of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum said in a statement that due to improved security in Afghanistan, many investment opportunities are […]

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Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service detains eight ISIS members

The CTS also released figures on its operations conducted against ISIS militants. In April, 11 operations across Iraq were conducted against the terrorist group. The Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) announced on Sunday the detention of eight Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) members. The CTS also released figures on its operations conducted against ISIS militants. In April, 11 […]

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Mapping Iran’s Policy Towards A Taliban-Ruled Afghanistan – Analysis

On 26 February, the Islamic Republic of Iran joined a small but significant number of countries that allowed diplomats from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to take charge of the embassy of Afghanistan in Tehran. This development was a subtle shift from Iran’s earlier insistence on not handing over its embassy to a regime it doesn’t recognise, reiterating its […]

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China’s Sinopec acquires stake in Qatar gas project

Chinese energy firms are increasingly cooperating with their Qatari and Saudi counterparts as the People’s Republic makes further inroads into the region. The Chinese oil giant Sinopec acquired a stake in a field owned by Qatar’s state-owned energy firm on Wednesday as Beijing increases its influence in the region. The official Qatar News Agency reported that QatarEnergy will transfer a […]

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Can China Deliver In Middle East? – Analysis

As the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Iran met in China to commence a thaw in relations, Beijing has positioned itself as an ‘alternate’ power, keeping a policy of cooperation, consultation, and non-interventionism at the forefront. With serious discussions over the conflict in Yemen now underway, can China deliver as a mediator and peacemaker in West Asia? Beijing clearly […]

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