Navigating Sanctions: Iran’s Partnerships and Negotiations

By Fatin

A few days ago, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a strategic partnership treaty in Moscow, formalising their countries’' close ties amid international sanctions. Despite being presented as a breakthrough, the pact does not really involve a military alliance and imposes no direct obligations on mutual defence, emphasising mainly a formal resistance to Western dominance. It builds on prior agreements in energy, transport, and regional cooperation, with few new developments. Nothing new: The treaty's security provisions mirror those of the 2001 agreement, highlighting little change in more than two decades.



IRI-Europe Diplomatic efforts still on the way. Meanwhile, Tehran remains engaged in discussions with Western countries about its nuclear program. Recently, Pezeshkian held talks in Geneva with British, French and German representatives. These negotiations aimed to address concerns about Iran’s nuclear activities, focusing on easing sanctions and potentially reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).



Playing on both sides. This approach underscores Iran's multifaceted strategy in navigating global dynamics. While the partnership with Russia offers immediate economic and military benefits, the semi-open approach toward the West shows Tehran’s interest in alleviating sanctions and reintegrating into the global economy. However, this balancing effort could pose challenges: the rising alliance between Russia and Iran could increase Western countries' suspicion of Iran's tactics, especially regarding the controversial nuclear dossier. These developments could complicate ongoing negotiations with European countries and potentially hinder efforts to reach a new agreement.





Egypt’s First Asylum Law: A Step Forward or a Setback for Refugee Rights?
By Alicia

Externalising migration… once again. In March 2024, the European Commission and Egypt signed a Joint Declaration on the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership to strengthen bilateral relations. “Migration and mobility” remains a key priority: the EU agrees to provide assistance to enhance Egyptian migration competencies, including border management and hosting refugees. As part of the deal, Egypt is set to receive €7.4 billion, something that has been criticised for enabling authoritarianism and repressive refugee policies.



Egypt’s first national asylum law. By late 2024, Egypt ratified its first asylum law, which transfers the responsibility for processing asylum claims from UNHCR to the government and established a Permanent Committee for Refugee Affairs. By regulating refugee status, the law protects refugee rights, including the right to access education and healthcare, and the right to obtain travel documents. However, human rights organisations fear that the law contains worrying restrictive provisions and lacks the necessary safeguards. For instance, the use of vague terms like “harming national security or public order” could allow for violations of refugee rights.



What is in it for refugees? Egypt has seen a surge in refugee arrivals from neighbours like Sudan, Syria, Gaza, and the Horn of Africa, with UNHCR registering 877,000 refugees, though actual numbers are likely higher. Amid economic stagnation, Egypt seems to have found a scapegoat and a potential fix. The rising online misinformation and hate speech have seen the accusations of refugees for Egyptians’ hardships. Crackdowns on migrants follow, including police sweeps, arbitrary arrests, and deportations. Simultaneously, Cairo seems to be having a good time with the sharp immigration fees and fines and the abundant foreign support.





Breaking Away: Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso Form the Alliance of Sahel States
By Francesco

An unprecedented move. The governments of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the formation of a new regional bloc, the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS). This decision shows growing dissatisfaction with ECOWAS’ policiesand reflects the evolving political realities in the Sahel region. After experiencing military takeovers in the past years, these three nations have grown increasingly estranged from traditional diplomatic mechanisms, favoring initiatives they perceive as more aligned with their immediate needs, which do not include the involvement of ECOWAS or other Western powers like France…



What is the goal? The newly established alliance is set to prioritize regional security and economic autonomy. Its stated goals include reinforcing sovereignty, promoting regional solidarity, and countering the spread of jihadist insurgencies. The decision to establish an alternative framework reflects frustrations with ECOWAS sanctions, often perceived as punitive rather than supportive. Questions remain about ASS capacity to address transnational threats effectively without broader continental and international cooperation.



Regional consequences

Instability at the horizon? ECOWAS has historically acted as a stabilizing force, coordinating economic integration and collective security responses. The formation of the Alliance may weaken this framework, particularly in counter-terrorism efforts and economic collaboration. Critics argue that dividing regional blocs risks duplicating efforts and reducing overall effectiveness in tackling shared challenges. Meanwhile, proponents of the move see it as a recalibration, allowing Sahelian countries to focus on their specific needs over a broader, sometimes unwieldy, regional agenda. For the European Union, this move surely means a significant restructuring of its programs in West Africa tackling counter-terrorism, development aid, and migration management, as a new leadership emerges.