Tariq Saeedi As I watch the conflict grind into its second week, it becomes clearer every day that this war was launched without the kind of planning that history demands. There was no widely accepted justification that could withstand scrutiny, and no set of measurable objectives that could be ticked off as achieved or abandoned. In their absence, what accumulates is … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Six – Avoiding the Traps of History
Tariq Saeedi As I reflect on the unfolding conflict, it strikes me that this war on Iran defies all reason and logic. There was no compelling justification presented for launching the strikes—no imminent threat that couldn't have been addressed through diplomacy or existing sanctions. And without clear, measurable objectives, what we're left with is a cycle of mindless death … [Read more...]
Iraqi Embassy Begins Operations in Ashgabat
On 9 March 2026, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan S. Mukhammetdurdyyev met with Jassim Mohammed Al-Attar, the Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Turkmenistan, according to the foreign ministry of Turkmenistan. At the beginning of the meeting, the Deputy Foreign Minister expressed gratitude to the Iraqi side for the decision to open … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Five – A Catalogue of Strategic Missteps
Tariq Saeedi As the conflict enters its second week, the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran—intended to neutralize threats from its nuclear program and leadership—have evolved into a broader confrontation. While the operation has achieved some tactical aims, such as the elimination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and damage to key military sites, it has also … [Read more...]
Unlocking Value from Midstream Infrastructure: A Strategic Approach for Oil-Producing Nations
Tariq Saeedi In the energy sector, midstream infrastructure—encompassing pipelines, storage facilities, and processing plants—plays a crucial role in bridging upstream extraction and downstream refining or distribution. These assets are essential for transporting hydrocarbons efficiently but often represent underutilized capital tied up in long-term, low-yield … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Three – Secondary and Tertiary Repercussions
Tariq Saeedi The initial phase of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, followed by Tehran's counterattacks, has produced immediate and visible primary effects: widespread death and destruction across targeted sites. Among the most tragic incidents was the bombing of a girls' school in Minab, southern Iran, where reports indicate at least 165 students aged 7 to 12 and school staff … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part Two – Debris of Expectations
Tariq Saeedi As I reflect on the events unfolding since the strikes began on 28 February 2026, the conflict with Iran is now entering its third day, a point that feels like the early midpoint in what was anticipated to be a swift operation. The initial decapitation of Iran's leadership, including the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been followed by extensive … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Holds Phone Talks with Central Asian Colleagues – Thanks Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan for Evacuation Assistance
On 2 March 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Ermek Kosherbaev, held a series of telephone conversations with his counterparts from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the ministers engaged in a detailed exchange of views regarding the unfolding military and political … [Read more...]
Central Asian Nations Respond to Middle East Escalation; Turkmenistan Opens Sarakhs Border Crossing for Evacuations of Foreign Citizens
Ashgabat, Tashkent, Astana, Bishkek, Dushanbe, 2 March 2026 — The states of Central Asia have issued official statements regarding the sharp escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The situation, triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliatory attacks on American military bases in Arab nations, has drawn a unified regional … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Voices Grave Concern Over Middle East Escalation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan releases a statement for the media: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan expresses its concern due to the aggravation of the situation in the Middle East and stresses that the fact that this escalation occurred amid diplomatic efforts on the settlement of the situation in the region is regrettable. Turkmenistan … [Read more...]
War on Iran – Part One – Martyrdom of Khamenei
Tariq Saeedi On 28 February 2026, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the initial wave of strikes launched by US-Israeli forces on his compound in central Tehran. This event marked a pivotal moment in the escalating conflict, drawing immediate reactions from across the political spectrum. While the strikes were framed by the attackers as a … [Read more...]
Airspace of Iran
nCa Report Key Points Overview of Traffic and Revenue Iran's airspace serves as a vital link for global aviation, but the 2025 conflict introduced uncertainties. Current estimates indicate recovery toward pre-conflict levels, with fees supporting infrastructure. For details, see sources like Safe Airspace and OPS Group. Diversion Implications Diversions during … [Read more...]
Authentic Outcomes of Neutrality Conference in Ashgabat – Part Three
The Conversation Heard Around the World: What Ashgabat Promises Generation Beta Tariq Saeedi and Elvira Kadyrova As the final echoes of speeches faded in Ashgabat on December 12, 2025, what lingered was not merely diplomatic courtesy but something far more significant: the dawning recognition that active, dynamic neutrality is not a relic of 20th-century idealism but a … [Read more...]
Authentic Outcomes of Neutrality Conference in Ashgabat – Part Two
Turkmenistan's Neutrality as a Catalyst for Regional and Global Integration Tariq Saeedi and Elvira Kadyrova The Neutrality Advantage: A Unique Convening Power Turkmenistan's 30-year commitment to permanent neutrality, internationally recognized by the UN in 1995, 2015, and 2025, has created a distinctive diplomatic asset: the ability to bring together nations that … [Read more...]
Russia will transport gas to Iran through Azerbaijan, though the price remains undetermined
Russia and Iran have agreed to transport Russian gas to Iran through Azerbaijan. While the route has been set, negotiations on the supply cost are ongoing. This was announced by Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev following the summit talks between the Presidents of Russia and Iran at the Kremlin on 17 January. "The route through Azerbaijan has been agreed upon," … [Read more...]
Brinkmanship in Middle East may backfire with consequences for Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi The currently escalating round of brinkmanship in the Middle East is potentially more devastating than anything seen during the Cold War era. The fluctuating numbers of players, their varying thresholds of restraint, and their clashing perceptions of national interests have contributed to the creation of unquantifiable trigger points. This is irresponsible … [Read more...]
Балансирование на грани войны на Ближнем Востоке может иметь последствия для Центральной Азии
Тарик Саиди В настоящее время эскалация конфликта на Ближнем Востоке потенциально более разрушительна, чем что-либо происходившее в эпоху Холодной войны. Колеблющееся число игроков, их различные пороги сдержанности и их противоречивое восприятие национальных интересов способствовали созданию не поддающихся количественной оценке опасных провоцирующих моментов. Это … [Read more...]
The Meaning of Operation Olive Branch
Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Turkey The gloomy portrait of the Middle East today should not obscure that peace is achievable. The basic premise for any such peace must be to preserve the territorial integrity of states. This means countering all forces that exist only to pursue their dystopias at the expense of others and with the help of outsiders, including … [Read more...]