New Eastern Politics

2023-05-10 21:11:46 https://www.reuters.com/world/turkey-syria-russia-iran-hold-highest-level-talks-since-syrian-war-2023-05-10/ Open / Comment

2023-05-09 21:18:31 Dear friends, below is my article regarding the deteriorating political relations between #Iran and #Azerbaijan, the #Israeli factor in the "South Azerbaijan" issue. I argue that "As for Israel, by resolving the “Armenian issue” from Artsakh and having Russian forces removed, it could freely use the Azerbaijani military infrastructure in the bordering areas with Iran to launch future attacks against Tehran. Hence, the presence of Armenians in the region and the deployment of Russian troops are the only obstacles for Israel and its allies to launch coordinated attacks with Azerbaijan against Iran. " I also have interviewed Dr. Ehsan Movahedian from Tehran. on how Iran can respond to the Baku-Tel Aviv axis.
https://armenianweekly.com/2023/05/09/after-nagorno-karabakh-iran-may-be-next/ Open / Comment

2023-05-08 18:24:56 Dear Friends. Please, find enclosed the English translation on the AL’s resolution on Syria.

Part 1
THE LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES ADOPTS RESOLUTION 8914 ON SYRIA

The text of the resolution as follows:
The Council of the League of Arab States (LAS) at the ministerial level, chaired by the Arab Republic of Egypt at an extraordinary meeting held on Sunday, 7 May 2023, after getting acquainted with:
- a note from the Permanent Delegation of the Arab Republic of Egypt 1335 dated May 3, 2023;
- a note from the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States 484/5 dated 3 May 2023;
Following the interests of the LAS member states in the security and stability of the Syrian Arab Republic, its Arab affiliation, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, as well as the determination to contribute to the search for solutions to the Syrian crisis ending the sufferings of the brotherly Syrian people and ensuring their legitimate aspirations for the future. In order to put an end to the crisis that the country has been experiencing for a long time, as well as to stop both the interference of external forces in its affairs and the existing and growing challenges associated with terrorism, the problems of internally displaced persons and refugees, and other problems;
Following the resolutions of the Council of the LAS on the development of the situation in Syria, the latest of which was resolution 8863 of March 8, 2023, adopted at the 159th ordinary meeting of the Council of the LAS at the ministerial level;
Reminising the efforts made by Arab countries, in particular at the “Arab Reunification Summit” in Algeria,
Expressing full solidarity with the Syrian people in confronting the challenges which have been undermining their security and stability, as well as the dangers to which the Syrian people are exposed which have been threatening their existence, the lives of innocent citizens, unity, and territorial integrity,
Welcoming efforts to create appropriate conditions for promoting the process of a comprehensive political settlement in Syria; based on the determination to intensify the leading role of Arab countries in resolving the Syrian crisis with a view to eliminate all its humanitarian, security, and political consequences, along with aiming to establish necessary mechanisms to fulfil this role,

(IMPORTANT NOTICE: This unofficial translation of the LAS resolution has been made by Dr. Igor Matveev. In case of any full or partial use of this material, please, refer to him as an expert indicating his position as Senior Scholar at the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences). Open / Comment

2023-05-08 18:23:57 Dear Friends. I would like to briefly comment on the recent post from the SHARQ partner channel regarding the prospects for the development of economic cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Sultanate of Oman.
Along with the existing possibilities of expanding the bilateral Iran-Oman cooperation, there are real prospects for the implementation of multilateral projects in Syria. And with possible participation of Russia.
In particular, I am talking about geological exploration, development of oil and solid mineral deposits (including extraction of gold), as well as restoration and ensuring the increase of productivity of the existing deposits with technical and technological assistance of Russia. In turn, Iran could help with the engineering and physical protection of such projects, with the Omani side providing the necessary funding, including the investments from the Investment (Sovereign Wealth) Fund. If necessary, Moscow appears to be able to use the Russian “security matrix” in Syria (https://t.me/Remarks_of_Orientalist/423). Open / Comment

2023-05-07 22:33:21 https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-showdown-former-soviet-union-oil-azerbaijan-armenia-conflict-south-caucasus/ Open / Comment

2023-05-07 22:33:13 https://mediamax.am/en/column/121415/ Open / Comment

2023-05-07 18:26:14 Dear Friends. From my heart, I am congratulating the leadership of the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as the entire Syrian people on the long-awaited return of the “Arab family” to Syria!

Hereinafter, I would like to make a few expert comments regarding the adoption at today’s extraordinary meeting of the Arab Foreign Ministers in Cairo of a really historic decision. It is about the immediate restart of participation of the Syrian delegation in all activities of the Arab League.

1. Remarkably, various Syrian and foreign sources confirm that the relevant decision has been made unanimously. It means that those states that had been opposing this decision (see my post: https://t.me/Remarks_of_Orientalist/433) eventually lifted their objections. Such move has demonstrated Arab solidarity, illustrating the remaining AL’s capacities although increasingly questioned.

2. In fact, the consensus proves the existence of clear confidential arrangements between Syria, on the one hand, and the GCC member states, Egypt, and Jordan, on the other. The content of an agreement with each partner-country may vary. Meanwhile, presence of non-public agreements on the “Syrian issue” between Iran and, for instance, Saudi Arabia also cannot be ruled out. So far, the world media has been citing Egyptian diplomats characterizing the decision to restore Syria’s membership as “conditional.” (For example: https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/05/07/702925/Syria-Arab). If it is true or false, can be illustrated by the upcoming official publication of the AL Council’ resolution (today’s ministerial meeting was held in a closed mode).

3. What does this AL’s decision really mean for Russia? The intention of the Arab states to take the lead over the resolving the Syrian crisis under the slogan of an “Arab-led political path” (as reported by the Qatar-based international information channel Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/7/arab-league-agrees-to-bring-syria-back-into-its-fold), has already raised some concerns among Russian experts. Thus, they fear about future Russian participation in the Syrian peace process being put at risk (https://t.me/vostgo/531). Still I would like to ask a question: Even if such scenario happens, will Russia loose if the Arab brothers help the Syrians agree with each other (not by chance, the main slogan of the Ba’ath Party, ruling in Syria for decades, has been: “The Arab Nation is United, Its Mission Is Immortal”).
The main thing is that Russia, having made a decisive contribution to the military victory of the S.A.R. authorities over terrorism whereas the Russian martyrs had lost their lives on the Syrian soil, has become not just a friendly, but a brotherly country for the Syrians. Hardly anyone will be able to challenge our pol-mil presence in Syria - at the invitation and with the approval of the legitimate authorities of this country.

Once again, I am congratulating the leadership of the S.A.R. and the Syrian people on their large-scale diplomatic victory! Open / Comment

2023-05-07 13:54:50 #Breaking - Arab states agree on return of Syria to Arab League at foreign ministers’ meeting - Iraq foreign ministry spokesperson via state media. Open / Comment

2023-05-07 13:28:15 Finally, he mentions that this is not the "East nor the West way but the Turkish way". Hence, insisting on Turkey's central role in the trade routes in Eurasia.
source: https://twitter.com/kilicdarogluk/status/1654939104495255552 Open / Comment

2023-05-07 13:28:10 #Turkey's opposition candidate #Kemal_Kılıçdaroğlu proposed a trade map connecting Turkey to #China. Interestingly this map bypasses the #SouthCaucasus and instead goes through #Iran. Many Azerbaijanis expressed anger as they believe that this is the abandonment of the Ankara-backed Baku's "#Zangezour_corridor" project. Worth mentioning that #Azerbaijan's President #Ilham_Aliyev visited Turkey a few days ago and showed complete solidarity with #Erdogan.

Kılıçdaroğlu's map is a reflection of a highway and railway project that connects Turkey to the Turkic States of #Central_Asia and China.
However, his idea is also complex. He argued that the project will anger both the West and China. He says that this project's realization depends on China's treatment of #Uyghurs (he tries to attract the votes of the nationalists). He argues that the trade route will pass from "#Turkestan" (the region where the Uyghurs live). Open / Comment