Karel Valansi'nin kaleminden...

Ongoing conflicts and crises across various regions continue to underscore the intensifying power rivalries that define today’s international relations. The erosion of the post-1945 international order—and the weakening of the institutions that underpin it—has been further accelerated by the United States’ growing reluctance to maintain its traditional leadership role. As a result, uncertainty has become a defining feature of the current global landscape, marking a turbulent and complex period of transition.  Amid this shifting order, middle powers have begun to occupy a broader space in global affairs. These states, often positioned between global hegemons and smaller, less influential nations, act as stabilizers within the international system. Through mediation efforts, regional diplomacy, and strategic initiatives—sometimes beyond their material capabilities—they contribute meaningfully to international stability and governance. In times of heightened uncertainty, such states o...

“People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.”           - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, interview with  Al Jazeera Arabic  on 26 February 2025  Three months later, this strong warning looks less like a threat and more like a prediction.  A decade ago, Iran was the region’s shadow puppeteer, proudly proclaiming its control over  four Arab capitals . However, its projection of power through proxies backfired. Ironically, this helped facilitate the surprise offensive of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, backed by Tehran’s regional rival, Türkiye. Moreover, its archenemy, Israel, has steadily weakened Iran and Hezbollah’s military capabilities in both Lebanon and Syria, especially following Iran-backed Hamas’ deadly cross-border attack on  October 7, 2023,  which indirectly enabled HTS’ takeover of Syria, the indispensable “jewel in the crown” of Iran’s regional network.[Met...

Geopolitical earthquakes are redrawing trade routes across Eurasia. Russia’s war in Ukraine has awakened Central Asian countries, which have discovered their strength through cooperation to develop their economies and attain independence. Without the constant attention of Russia, this cooperation contributes to developing  the Middle Corridor , a key trade route linking China to Europe via Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, and the South Caucasus. It is an alternative to traditional east-west trade routes that bypasses Russia and Iran. The Middle Corridor is a  regional initiative , not an external, imposed idea. It boosts regional cooperation, flexibility, economic growth, and diplomatic dialogue. While Russia and China try to maneuver according to new geopolitical developments,  Iran   is ignored   in these initiatives. The Middle Corridor creates a strategic role for Turkey as a central energy hub connecting Europe to additional suppliers. The European Union (EU)...