كل ما تود معرفته عن military alliance

Attendees applaud as North Korea and Russia open their first road bridge, a structure that spans the Tumen River, connecting the border cities of Rason and Khasan, on 7 September 2026.

First Russia-North Korea road link shows growing ties

The two countries were not always simpatico, but things changed after the war in Ukraine. Al Majalla tracks the evolution of their relationship and why it matters

Anton Mardasov 20 September 2026

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posing after signing the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on 7 August, 2026.

PAKISTAN PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE / AFP

Networked Middle East security

The Iran war exposed the risks of being too closely tied to US military posture, which is why some Gulf states are repositioning themselves not merely as consumers of security but as architects of it

Bilal Saab 27 August 2026

AFP / Al Majalla

The Iran war brought Russia both opportunity and risk

Moscow saw oil and gas revenue double in April and was happy to see US resources diverted away from Ukraine. But an extended war could have carried serious costs for the Kremlin.

Anton Mardasov 12 April 2026

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