The mutual defense pact signed on September 17, 2025, between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is more than a symbolic gesture of friendship between two long-time partners. It marks a turning point in the security architecture of the Middle East and South Asia, signaling that old assumptions about dependence on external protectors, sectarian divisions, and regional alliances are Read more
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Abstract This article explores the historical rise and multifaceted dominance of the US dollar, tracing its evolution from a national currency to a global economic and political instrument. Backed by America’s economic might, military power, institutional stability, and technological leadership, the dollar has long stood at the center of the international financial system. It examines Read more
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The recent remarks by Iran’s Supreme Leader, who described uranium enrichment as an “inviolable right,” have drawn a clear line. This position highlights the fundamental dilemma in the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States: either the U.S. acknowledges Iran’s sovereign right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes — which could introduce a new Read more
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The recent developments surrounding former jihadist Ahmed al-Sharaa—formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani—and his transformation from a wanted terrorist leader into a sitting president welcomed by the President of the United States illustrate a deeply troubling fact in international relations: the arbitrary use of the “terrorism” label and economic sanctions as tools of political convenience Read more
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Syria, long plagued by civil war, foreign interventions, and deep sectarian divides, is entering a new and uncertain chapter. Recent statements by key actors in the country underscore the growing fragmentation of authority and the crystallization of competing visions for Syria’s future. From the Druze-led resistance in Suwayda to the Kurdish push for federalism in Read more
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What happens in SWANA will not Stay in SWANA by Ahmed Souaiaia Abstract: The ongoing crises in Syria and Turkey are deeply intertwined with broader regional dynamics, including the ongoing instability in the Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) region. This article analyzes these events through the lens of the Systems Thinking Framework (STF), which Read more
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The fall of the Assad government marked a turning point in Syria’s long and turbulent history, but rather than ushering in a period of stability, it has plunged the country into a new phase of political strife. The transition has been marred by power struggles, ideological clashes, and deepening divisions among key factions. At the Read more
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The Alawites, an ethno-religious group primarily residing in the coastal mountains of Syria, have a long and complex history marked by migration, persecution, and political transformations. Originating from Iraq, they eventually settled in the mountainous regions of Syria, where they faced economic hardship and social marginalization. Over the centuries, they endured massacres and conflicts while Read more
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The crisis in Syria has evolved into a multifaceted conflict with significant implications for the country’s territorial integrity. The ongoing violence, driven by internal power struggles and exacerbated by external interventions, raises concerns about the potential fragmentation of Syria along sectarian and ethnic fault lines. Unless regional players adopt a more strategic and long-term vision, Read more
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The Crisis in Syria and Al Jazeera’s Bias: A Case Study of Media Framing and Sectarian Narratives The Syrian conflict, spanning more than a decade, has been a focal point for global media coverage. Among the most prominent news networks reporting on Syria is Aljazeera (Aljazeera.net), a Qatari state-owned media outlet that has been repeatedly Read more
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