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Iran’s interests and strategy in Central Asia
Over the years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has consolidated its relations with the countries of Central Asia, exploiting either the Persian common ethnic-cultural element or proposing itself as a logistic hub for the energy sector and trade corridors.
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Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan: will the United States reinforce the Pivot to Asia policy?
Nanci Pelosi’s visit to Taipei and the U.S. military manoeuvres in the region confirmed Washington’s interests in the Asia-Pacific and the United States’ attempt to achieve political-strategic goals in an area which has experienced the rise of Chinese military and political presence.
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The Kazakhstan energy politics: is oil diversification a geopolitical conundrum?
In a world of growing polarity, Kazakhstan has been attempting to portray itself as a bridge connecting the East and the West. However, the so-called Russian “special operation” in Ukraine has forced the Central Asian nation to distance itself gradually from Moscow.
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The Sino-Japanese dispute over energy resources in the East China Sea
China and Japan are competing in the East China Sea on the local energy resources considered fundamental in Beijing’s economic and foreign policy and Tokyo’s strategic approach to the Asia-Pacific.
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Rimpac 2022: the most important U.S. manoeuvre in the Pacific
Among the framework of Rimpac 2022, Washington has organised several training activities to enhance interoperability between the U.S. Navy, Amy, Marines and Airforce and the armed forces of allied countries part of the Asia-Pacific region and contrast the rising Chinese threat in the area.
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Vietnam: a disputed land between the United States and the People’s Republic of China.
The People’s Republic of China and the United States have embarked on a foreign policy aimed at influencing political and economic dynamics in Vietnam, a republic in the Asia-Pacific which plays a strategic role thanks to its geographical position.
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Russia and Iran: boosting strategic partnership to counter Western pressure
Although Russian – Iranian ties date back to the Islamic Revolution, Moscow’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine (or special military operation as the Kremlin has always declared) and Tehran’s nuclear ambitions have strengthened the cooperation and pushed these Western adversaries together.
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Tension between Greece and Turkey reaches new heights
Over the past two months, the tension in Greek-Turkish relations has reached new heights. What triggered it seemed to have been the age-old Turkish claims concerning the continental shelf delimitation and the total demilitarisation of the Greek Islands in the Eastern Aegean.
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The US Valiant Shield 22 exercise: a warning to Beijing
US Indo-Pacific Command coordinated the Valiant Shield exercise conducted near the second island chain and in the Philippine Sea to counter the Chinese presence in the Asia-Pacific.
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Uncertainty and instability in contemporary Afghanistan
Since the U.S. troops’ withdrawal and the Taliban’s rise to power, Afghanistan has witnessed huge uncertainty, instability and destabilisation due to the terrorist threat and criminal activities, economic problems, interethnic confrontation aggravated by the Taliban interim government, and regional and international geopolitical interests.
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The Iraqi crisis: between energy disputes and political stalemate
The ongoing political crisis is not the only issue affecting Iraq. Fight against terrorism, extreme drought, frequent sandstorms, demonstrations against rampant corruption, and a dispute with Iraqi Kurdistan to manage the hydrocarbon fields in the north are challenging the central Government of Baghdad.
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Astana Peace Talks, Syrian refugees and Turkish new military operation
On June 15th, 2022, the 18th international meeting of Astana Peace Talks kicked off in Nur Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan. As guarantor countries, delegations from Russia, Turkey and Iran (which launched the Astana peace process in January 2017) will meet the Syrian government and opposition forces during the two-day talks.
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Hong Kong: The Fall of ‘One Country, Two Systems’
This analysis attempts to understand the Xi Jinping administration’s geopolitical vision for Hong Kong by examining the National security law and the economic-financial interaction between the PRC economy and Fragrant Harbour.
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Bahrain, energy market and media: a meeting with Rashid Al-Hamer and Sara Najeeb
SpecialEurasia investigated contemporary Bahrein, its energy market and media situation with Rashid Al-Hamer, the Secretary-General of the Bahrain Journalists Association, and Sara Najeeb, board member and Head of the Media Committee of the Bahrain Journalists Association.
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Kurdistan politics and media: a conversation with Dr Nazakat Hussein
Kurdistan is experiencing severe internal complications due to the relationship with the central government in Baghdad and the recent Turkish military operation in the region in which Ankara planned to eliminate PKK members defined by Turkish authorities as “terrorists”.