Dead on arrival: The west’s B3W initiative to rival China’s BRI

While Washington is focused on establishing rival 'global' projects to Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, most of these drive profits and benefits right back to the United States.

Iran’s pursuit of soft power in the Balkans

The Balkans presents a crucial junction for Tehran as an access point to Western Europe and an avenue for advancing its regional political and economic interests.

The Big Stiff: Russia-Iran dump the dollar

News of Russian banks connecting to Iran’s financial messaging system strengthens the resistance against US-imposed sanctions on both countries and accelerates global de-dollarization.  

Iraq’s Silk Road: Port and canal project set to transform Baghdad’s geopolitical clout

Iraq’s two ambitious trade corridor projects present an opportunity for a beleaguered Baghdad to enhance its geopolitical status and establish economic independence.

A Moscow meeting shatters fantasies of a Syrian ‘confederation’

Russian-brokered Syrian-Turkish rapprochement will bury prospects of a divided Syria, with the potential for opposition factions to be co-opted into the armed forces.

Eurasia’s Middle Corridor: An Atlanticist frenzy to stifle Europe-Asia integration

Geopolitical interests between the Anglo-American establishment and the Sino-Russian-led axis will clash over the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

Can Hungary act as a bridge between Iran and Europe?

As Budapest actively implements its own “Look to the East” policy, Tehran will find a potentially useful partner in Europe.

Turkey in Yemen: An evolving foreign policy

Throughout the eight years of war in Yemen, Ankara has seen its policies towards the country shift several times due to Turkey’s own changing political and economic situation.

Asia’s future takes shape in Vladivostok, the Russian Pacific

Sixty-eight countries gathered on Russia's far eastern coast to listen to Moscow's economic and political vision for the Asia-Pacific

Russia in Africa: Connecting continents with soft power

Rather than continental, Russian and Chinese-led infrastructural development in Africa should be seen as part of a grander project of Afro-Asiatic integration

West Asia transforms: Twenty Arab states in China’s BRI sights

‘A crisis is an opportunity riding the dangerous wind.’ So says a Chinese proverb, and nowhere is this truer than in crisis-ridden West Asia, now a major focus of Beijing’s BRI vision to bring infrastructure, connectivity and economic growth to this struggling region

The Iran-Azerbaijan gas swap deal: Has Tehran’s tough posturing paid off?

The Turkish-supported gas swap deal is not so much a capitulation as a calculated concession from Azerbaijan, which now acknowledges its relationship with Israel as an Iranian red line.

Assad, Syria and China’s new Silk Road

Count on Syria becoming an important West Asian hub in China's Belt and Road Initiative

Afghanistan: between pipelines and ISIS-K, the Americans are still in play

US trained and armed Afghan security forces are joining ISIS-K, which makes the US 'withdrawal' from Afghanistan look more like an American 'repositioning' to keep chaos humming

As Turkey spars with its western bride, the east nudges closer

Turkey averted yet another clash with western allies last weekend, but for how long can it endure the abuse before it makes a sharp turn east?

Turkey’s existential choice: BRI or bust

Turkey may be where east meets west, but it can no longer afford to straddle two opposing geoeconomic agendas vying to define West and Central Asia's development. Ankara must choose, and soon.

If the Taliban plays smart, Afghanistan can transform West Asia’s Silk Road story

Once the 'proud pearl' of the ancient Silk Road, Afghanistan is today in tatters. But if the Taliban plays smart, the Asian Silk Road can utterly transform the war-torn country's fortunes.