Dr Loqman Radpey, an expert on Kurdistan and the Middle East, is a fellow at the Middle East Forum with over a decade of experience analyzing the international legal and political dimensions of the right to self-determination for peoples and nations, including the case of Kurdistan. He is the author of ‘Towards an Independent Kurdistan: Self-Determination in International Law’ (published by Routledge, 2023), the first comprehensive historico-legal account of Kurdish aspirations for statehood from a Middle Eastern perspective within post-World War I peace agreements and the broader discourse of self-determination in international law literature over time. His upcoming work, ‘Self-Determination during the Cold War’ will appear in ‘The Cambridge History of International Law’(Volume XI).
Dr Loqman Radpey, an expert on Kurdistan and the Middle East, is a fellow at the Middle East Forum with over a decade of experience analyzing the international legal and political dimensions of the right to self-determination for peoples and nations, including the case of Kurdistan. He is the author of ‘Towards an Independent Kurdistan: Self-Determination in International Law’ (published by Routledge, 2023), the first comprehensive historico-legal account of Kurdish aspirations for statehood from a Middle Eastern perspective within post-World War I peace agreements and the broader discourse of self-determination in international law literature over time. His upcoming work, ‘Self-Determination during the Cold War’ will appear in ‘The Cambridge History of International Law’(Volume XI).
Dr Loqman Radpey, an expert on Kurdistan and the Middle East, is a fellow at the Middle East Forum with over a decade of experience analyzing the international legal and political dimensions of the right to self-determination for peoples and nations, including the case of Kurdistan. He is the author of ‘Towards an Independent Kurdistan: Self-Determination in International Law’ (published by Routledge, 2023), the first comprehensive historico-legal account of Kurdish aspirations for statehood from a Middle Eastern perspective within post-World War I peace agreements and the broader discourse of self-determination in international law literature over time. His upcoming work, ‘Self-Determination during the Cold War’ will appear in ‘The Cambridge History of International Law’(Volume XI).
Is Turkey building an Islamic-leftist bloc to counter Western influence? A look at Ankara’s neo-Ottoman ambitions, Kurdish geopolitics, and shifting alliances in the Middle East.
Israel’s June 13 blitz on Iran wasn’t self-defense—it was a ruthless display of unchecked power. Civilians, scientists, sovereignty—all burned. With U.S. cover and global silence, Israel now bombs with impunity. Who’s the real threat?
Israel’s strike on Iran brazenly defies international law. Without UN approval or evidence of imminent threat, it likely violates Article 2(4) of the UN Charter—normalizing illegal aggression under the guise of self-defense.
Israel's deep strikes in Iran mark a shift—from dialogue to dominance. As diplomacy collapses and double standards prevail, the global order teeters on the edge of irreversible crisis.
Iran and Russia have ratified a 20-year strategic pact covering trade, energy, and security. Quietly, it signals a challenge to Western influence and a blueprint for a multipolar world order.
Trump’s America First weakened U.S. global leadership. China expanded its influence through the BRI and education initiatives. But despite economic gains, it still struggles to improve its image and build real soft power.
