21st Century: The Terror Era

The number of civilians who have lost their lives or got injured in the war against terror is indeed no less than the victims of terrorism itself. 
The strategy of Clinton administration in dealing with the terrorist regime of Taliban in Afghanistan was more realistic and less harmful than ‘War on Terror' doctrine of Bush Jr. All the extremist and violent groups or factions would create a terror era in their first and immature power stage. And in this regard, there's no difference between rituals and ideologies; from the Soviet Union and Maoist China to the revolutionary regime of Iran. 
If only corrupt and mischievous leaders are considered the origin of this violence, war could be an option but if the violence and extremist actions arise from a belief or culture like 'Salafism' or 'white supremacy', declaring war would lead them to remain at their immature power stage and therefore, terror era would continue. But if they are given the chance of completing their first stage of power, the world would be granted of the gradual collapse of the terror era. 
The acceleration and containment strategy could be the most convenient response to the current threat of Salafi terrorist groups. The purpose of the strategy is guiding them in a way to make the adult power stage accessible in the shortest time, meanwhile, the level and domain of their threats should be managed.

Russia and the Realpolitik

The deathliest weapon of modern Russia is no ideology or atomic bombs but the ability to take advantage of the realpolitik. 
In plain language, realpolitik means pursuing the ultimate goals without considering any manmade and abstractive redlines such as national pride, religion, ideology, custom, ethics or even personal arrogant and social credibility. 
The Russian realpolitik has provided a significant velocity and flexibility in political planning and engineering for Moscow, though the arrogant of the Kremlin leadership has made some unnecessary obstacles for the Russian government. 
In contrast, the system has also tried to boost its efficiency by crossing the line to obtain the absolute freedom in the game of politics, like Abraham, the prophet who sacrificed every manmade objective and subjective limiting elements of his era. 
It is evident, constant monitoring and analyzing the Russian realpolitik must be a routine agenda.

Libya: Plan B

The current situation in Libya is evidently a threat to the security of Libyan people and a crisis for the world community especially over human smuggling and the energy flow. 
It would not be a smart decision to give another chance to diplomacy as a failed option, in this critical moment. The world community has to be ready for sacrificing and preparing a decisive approach toward Libya. Keep this logic in mind, Libya is no like Yemen; keeping European security and balance of energy flow significantly depend on stability in Libya. 
As human rights is a secondary issue for Afghanistan, 'democracy' is no more in question over Libya. The world community should support any actions, groups or even person that are able to restore stability in the country as soon as possible.

Syria: The Second Step

Regional and geopolitical objectives of Tehran have way greater positions before the government than its economy. The Iranian economy is an internal player that does not play for domestic games. If one wants to know about the current economic performance of the Islamic Republic, the financial situation of the Hezbollah must be checked over, and not the Tehran stock market.
In a typical 'unbalanced defense' strategy, small players would increasingly rise and fall in order to protect national security. But ironically, the Iranian national security including economic and even political security is going to be sacrificed for saving that very little pawns. Syria, Hezbollah, and Hamas are in fact 'pawns' that act as 'queens' for Tehran. Therefore, the regime's existence is relying on them. 
The national security strategy of the Islamic Republic is not merely unbalanced but it is a sick strategy just like the strategic vision of Mussolini in the World War II as it was evidently affected by his personal obsessions. 
Syria and Hezbollah cannot be considered threatening actors of the region but they are definitely the morphine of Tehran.

Russia: Trojan Horse

All who experience a sunrise are doomed to admit a sunset unless those who depart the day for the light before that turns into darkness. 
Kremlin's ambition for taking over the world leadership position is the essence of its politics and political patriarchy of Russian society. Russian people are typically not seeking for the true democracy but a 'father of the nation'. In such a situation, there is a faint chance that a progressive leader may arise and in contrast, all the pillars are directly or indirectly in the service of Moscow. Even the literature and arts become the 'Trojan Horse' and play a role alternative to Russian Intelligence. 
Therefore, first, all of the Russian pillars and not merely its 'Intelligence Service' should be widely identified as a threat or potential threat. Secondly, parameters of the balance of power would not be solid in the current altering world order; the political, economic and social situations of states in the east of Europe need more concentration. Needless to say, updating NATO's functions, guideline and objectives are required.

The 'Middle East Plus Israel' VS. the Middle East's Israel

For years, the Israeli government has pursued an isolationist policy in its both foreign and domestic affairs. Militarism, extremist nationalism and partially discrimination against Israeli Arabs are among consequences of such an approach. Also, growing anti-Israeli sentiment (and not anti-semitism) in the world and even among educated and academic societies cannot be denied. In short, it is not easy to be an Israeli and live abroad; it is a fact that neither Israeli government nor the world public opinion does care about it. 
Although adopting an isolationist policy could be in harmony with the national security of the country for the early decades of its existence but a revision of the policy in the right time would bring extraordinary benefits for about Israel and the region. 
Israel has lost the previous chance of a safe peace in the 1990s i.e. the peace that would not lead to a secondary conflict carrying out by extremist groups. However, a similar opportunity has already been formed. Today, on the one hand, the so-called "Axis of Resistance" including Tehran, Damascus, Hezbollah, and Hamas are utterly weak and fragile and on the other hand, Riyadh desires a permanent peace between Tel Aviv and Ramallah. Netanyahu is also aware of the fact but his new foreign policy of the 'Middle East plus Israel' is not enough. Today is the day of a great leap for Israel; the time of joining the Middle East family and the moment of the birth of a new Middle East.

Venezuela and Russia: Side Effects

Sometimes a critical situation is not an opportunity but a test of values and commitments. 
Venezuela has been under the influence of sphere of Moscow for over two decades, thus any fundamental change in the state entails decisive will of people or closing a kind of deal with Russians.
Therefore, it should be noted that first, today’s situation of Venezuela and, political and economic instability in the country could be a serious warning to leftist parties in the Latin American states; so that the political weight of this message is way more valuable than the possible fall of the so-called "Bolivarian Republic". Secondly, since the economic body of the country is almost collapsed, its economic reconstruction would be time-consuming, costly and uncertain, so it is not recommended for the White House to risk its face over investment on any of the right-wing party or pro-Washington politician in Venezuela. Thirdly, interfering in the domestic affairs of Venezuela can give an excuse to Kremlin to retaliate, which is against the system’s top priority of security at home.