On 7 August 2024, Turkish defense firm Aselsan’s CEO Ahmet Akyol unveiled on his X/twitter account the “Steel Dome” concept to build a network-centric, AI-assisted, layered air defense system that would protect the nation’s entire air space at all altitudes/ranges, against all types of airborne threats.[1] Although the concept resembles Israel’s …
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The fall of Assad marks a pivotal blow to Iran’s regional strategy, reshaping its influence in the Middle East. Radical shifts in the regional balance of power have forced Iran to reconsider its long-held foreign policy of propping up anti-U.S. and anti-Israel forces—the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” a strong network of proxy …
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The U.S.-Turkey relationship faces considerable challenges and opportunities during Trump’s second term, emphasizing defense cooperation, economic ties, and regional security. Observers in Ankara are cautiously optimistic that Trump’s transactional diplomacy could help resolve contentious issues, leveraging common interests in this crucial bilateral relationship despite the complex geopolitical environment.[1] The personal …
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Rival transit corridor projects have centered on the South Caucasus as it becomes more and more important in connecting Europe and Asia. These corridors serve as hubs for international trade integration, regional stability, and economic progress in addition to being routes for transit. The Zangezur Corridor is unique among these …
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The following article is based on research conducted under the State Department’s Title VIII Fellowship, for the Black Sea Program at MEI. During summer 2024, the author traveled to Baku and Karabakh and interviewed 15 policymakers from various government ministries, the private sector, academia, the parliament, and energy agencies. Azerbaijan …
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On July 21, 2024, Baghdad inaugurated a new power line connecting Turkey and Iraq to handle Turkish electricity imports. This 115-kilometer (71-mile) transmission line is expected to deliver 300 megawatts of energy to a power station west of Mosul with the aim of supplying northern Iraq, including the regions of Nineveh, Salahuddin, and …
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Dr. Umud Shokri,Dr. Serhat Suha Cubukcuoglu,Sultan AlRubaei Amidst rising tensions and disruptions to maritime trade along the Mediterranean-Indian Ocean route, another trade corridor that roughly coincides with the ancient Silk Road has once again heightened in importance: The Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), is …
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To advance its ambitious Development Road project, Iraq must navigate several obstacles, including inadequate infrastructure, corruption, security concerns, and a delicate geopolitical position. Last month, after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Baghdad, Iraq announced that it would join the region-wide “Development Road” project, which will link the country with Qatar, the UAE, and …
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Beset by an unprecedented domestic energy crisis, Iran has sought to cement foreign energy deals and investment, to varied success. Though the country faces a raft of international sanctions and several major geopolitical hurdles, Iran’s oil and gas sector has seen a significant expansion in recent months—a period of growth marked by …
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Turkey and Iran have expressed a clear interest in improving their bilateral economic relations, but remain divided over a range of geopolitical and security issues, to which answers remain elusive. EmailPrintFriendlyPaylaş Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, left, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan leave after a joint news conference following their …
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