In 2016, Iran proposed a regional initiative to develop the Persian Gulf-Black Sea International Transport and Transit Corridor (ITC), which would include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bulgaria, and Greece. This multi-modal corridor will begin in Iran at Bandar Abbas, head north through the country, and continue into Armenia or Azerbaijan, connecting four key …
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In recent years, Iraq has become one of the leading destinations for Chinese investments in the Middle East and a crucial link in Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). To capitalize on its geostrategic location and central position within the Chinese BRI, Iraq is seeking to develop a sprawling new 54-square-kilometer port …
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Introduction In a breakthrough deal, brokered by China, Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed on the resumption of diplomatic relations and the mutual opening of embassies, a move that could change the balance of power in the Middle East and restore stability in the region. Under the agreement reached, the …
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As a “neutral” power seeking to distance itself from the Middle East’s various geopolitical rivalries, China has supported reconciliation and peace to stabilize its access to the region’s resources. The relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia has been fraught with tension for decades, with each side accusing the other of interference in …
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The Russian invasion of Ukraine has given Oman’s natural gas industry, long handicapped by relatively modest reserves and high extraction costs, a new lease on life. The global energy crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine one year ago has underlined the centrality of LNG to Europe’s energy security. Since …
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Driven by its desire for economic gain and the threat posed by Iran, Saudi Arabia has relied heavily on China to develop its domestic drone program—much to Washington’s chagrin. In recent years, many Middle Eastern states have devoted growing sums to research in cutting-edge defense technology—particularly drone warfare, a crucial …
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Turkey aims to establish a completely independent foreign policy that will be supported by its own national defense powers, so that Turkey will not be dictated to by external international forces, but rather make free, independent strategic moves. By the year 2018, Turkey had already made noticeable progress in the area of …
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Becoming one of the countries with richest energy resources, Turkey can easily meet its domestic needs and play the role of Europe’s natural energy bridge as the European Union is one of the world’s top energy consumer. The discovery of new natural gas resources by Turkey in the Black Sea, …
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In recent months, Turkey and Iran seized an opportunity to try to reduce their long-running multifaceted tensions. Despite geopolitical and security-related frictions, the bilateral relationship is rosier when it comes to business and people-to-people ties. Iran is among the highest sources of tourists to Turkey every year (Sabah, September 11). …
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n the short term, Turkey’s economic situation is a good incentive for Ankara to reach an agreement with Abu Dhabi, which could greatly alleviate Turkey’s economic problems; in return, a retreat from the ideological foreign policy can do much to alleviate tensions in relations between the two countries in the …
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