From Bukhara to BRICS, Searching for Light in the Darkness of Insanity

From Bukhara to BRICS, Searching for Light in the Darkness of Insanity

On the SCO, Russia, China, India, Iran and Pakistan sit at the same table, writes Pepe Escobar. Bukhara The Noble, the “Dome of Islam”, with a history stretching back 2.500 years, bears too many marvels to mention: from the two-millennia-old Ark, a fortress around which the city developed, to the 48-meter high Kalon minaret, built…

Pakistan Risks Losing Much More Than Affordable Gas If It Abandons Its Iranian Pipeline Plans

Pakistan Risks Losing Much More Than Affordable Gas If It Abandons Its Iranian Pipeline Plans

Pakistan’s capitulation to US sanctions pressure and resultant decision to pull out of its pipeline deal with Iran will make its energy security much more dependent on its already close Qatari industry partner. The emerging triangle between those two and the US could therefore lead to Pakistan entering into dual-vassalhood status vis-a-vis its “senior” partners,…

The Russian-Iranian Disagreement Over Some Gulf Islands Is Manageable

The Russian-Iranian Disagreement Over Some Gulf Islands Is Manageable

Iran takes issue with anyone simply acknowledging the Emirates’ claims like China and Russia did in their joint statements with the GCC since it believes that this lends credence to the latter’s position that Tehran’s control over those islands is illegitimate. Russian Ambassador to Iran Alexey Dedov was summoned by his hosts to hear their…

What Is Behind the Current Tension in Turkish-Iranian Relations?

What Is Behind the Current Tension in Turkish-Iranian Relations?

Turkey and Iran continue to be important Middle Eastern nations. Due to their geographical proximity, imperial past, violent rivalry, theological tensions (between Sunnism and Shiism), and, of course, the continuous divergence of geopolitical interests, both nations have a rich history of relations. There were multiple Turkish-Persian clashes and wars, with various interruptions and varying degrees…