By the numbers: The de-dollarization of global trade

Data suggests that US dollar reserves in central banks are dwindling, as is the influence of the US on the world economy. This presents a unique opportunity for regional currencies and alternative payment systems to enter the vacuum.

Russia and its national Arctic passage: Pushing trade frontiers eastward

Ice-free Arctic routes created by climate change have opened up the first new global shipping route in a century. The Russian-developed water passage is bound to disrupt the lengthier Atlantic-centric routes for global commerce.

Russian-Turkish ‘co-opetition’ from Syria to Nagorno-Karabakh

At a time when conflicts are increasingly interconnected, and provide tactical levers to assert pressure elsewhere, the competition between Russia-Iran and Turkiye in Syria and the South Caucasus is destined to overlap.

The Valdai meeting: Where West Asia meets multipolarity

At Russia's Valdai Club meeting - the east's answer to Davos - intellectuals and influencers gathered to frame West Asia's current and future developments.

Saudi Arabia intends to open Red Sea islands to Israeli tourists

Although two islands were purchased from Egypt in 2016, Saudi Arabia is planning to build a bridge linking the islands to Egypt

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.

Why India is arming Armenia against Azerbaijan

Trade routes and national security interests in the South Caucasus are central to New Delhi’s decision to arm Armenia

Can Iran push Russia to action in the South Caucasus?

Moscow and Tehran’s mutual ally, Armenia, is feeling the pressure of NATO-backed Azerbaijan’s assault on its sovereignty. It is in both countries' geopolitical and security interests not to allow Yerevan to fall

Samarkand at the crossroads: from Timur to the BRI and SCO

From its ancient Silk Road role to China’s BRI project, Uzbekistan is set to remain an important geoeconomic hub in Central Asia

Russia, Turkey launch new economic ‘roadmap’

The Putin-Erdogan meeting in Sochi has rapidly accelerated Russian-Turkish economic initiatives and financial ties. These include bypassing western sanctions, integrating money transfers, and trading outside the dollar.

Why China seeks an Iran nuclear deal

Beijing has compelling reasons to prevent the Iran nuclear deal from collapse, and they mainly concern China's need for stability in the Persian Gulf

Iran repairing planes of foreign airliners despite western sanctions

The CEO of the Civil Aviation Organization of Iran did not disclose the names of the four countries who send their national carriers to be repaired

In Eurasia, the War of Economic Corridors is in full swing

Mega Eurasian organizations and their respective projects are now converging at record speed, with one global pole way ahead of the other.

Iran in South Caucasus: Turning losses into wins

Determined not to be cut out of the South Caucasus, Iran is forging strategic ties with both Baku and Yerevan

Juggling grenades: To contain China, the US will ignore Russia in India

Divergent policies on Moscow will not get in the way of Indo-US efforts to counter Beijing’s regional influence.

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

Defying US Caesar Act, China admits Syria into BRI

Syria’s entry into China's Belt and Road Initiative is to support its economic integration into West Asia and fortify its post-conflict recovery

From Panjshir to Baku: Iran’s search for a new hard-power strategy in Eurasia

Iran may be a late comer to Caucasus geopolitics, but it plans to deliver a powerful opening gambit with some new allies in its corner

Upgrade in Iran-Pakistan relations critical to regional security

There's no two ways about it. Iran and Pakistan must forge closer ties in order for regional security, economy and trade routes to thrive.

Putin’s ‘civilizational’ speech frames conflict between east and west

In his Federal Assembly address, President Putin emphasized that Russia is not only an independent nation-state but also a distinct civilization with its own identity, which is in conflict and actively opposes the values of 'western civilization.'

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.

Predictions for 2023? Annus horribilis with some surprising upsides

The Cradle's writers offer up their predictions for 2023. The common theme is massive global shifts, some good, some bad.

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.

Syria boosts grain imports from Russia-annexed Crimea

Ukraine claims that the grain headed for the war-torn country has been ‘stolen’ from Crimea by Russia

Stolen Syrian oil: The fuel for Syria’s partition

The role of the US military in stealing Syria’s oil runs deeper than mere petty theft. The funds are used to prop up Kurdish self-rule and ensure Syria's geographic division.

Xi Jinping’s Visit to Saudi Arabia and the overthrow of Atlanticism

The historic China-Arab Summit currently underway in Riyadh symbolizes the emerging Eurasianism in the Persian Gulf.

Iran to increase cargo transit between Russia and India to record high

Iran's contribution to the INSTC will reduce transit costs by 30 percent and lower transportation time to just 25 days

The Gray Wolf returns to Central Asia: Turkey’s ambitions for the region

As a proponent of Pan-Turkism, Ankara is keen on expanding its influence across Central Asia, yet this foreign policy shift is likely to be checked by much bigger regional powers like China, Russia, and Iran.

Iran signs transit co-op transit agreement with five central Asian nations

The agreement aims to facilitate the transport of some 20 million tons of commodities each year