Middle East Press On: Teknofest, Cyprus, Hezbollah, Climate, AI: New Age Islam's Selection, 9 May 2025
By New Age Islam Edit Desk
9 May 2025
President Trump, Do Not Empower Our Mutual Enemy, Iran
Türkiye In 'The Three Seas'!
Teknofest Brings Türkiye's Innovation Agenda To Cyprus
Hezbollah Should No Longer Be Above Lebanese Law
Fighting Climate Change With The Power Of AI
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President Trump, Do Not Empower Our Mutual Enemy, Iran
By Jpost Editorial
May 9, 2025
Over two days this weekend, be it Saturday and Sunday, or Sunday and Monday, American and Iranian negotiating teams will once again descend on Muscat for the fourth round of nuclear talks between the nations.
The talks, which were originally scheduled for earlier this month, were postponed due to what the Omanis termed “logistical reasons.”
However, the gap in talks has allowed the Houthis, the Iranian proxy army in Yemen, to escalate their attacks on Israel and even strike close to Ben-Gurion Airport on Sunday.
The Iranians have been angry about perceived changes in the White House’s approach to the talks. The US has appeared to harden its stance, demanding Iran’s nuclear program be dismantled completely.
Western countries say Iran’s nuclear program is geared towards producing weapons, whereas Iran insists it is purely for civilian purposes.
US President Donald Trump, who withdrew the US from the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, has threatened to bomb Iran if no agreement is reached with his administration to resolve the long-standing dispute.
“This is a very important time for Iran,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday.
“They can’t have a nuclear weapon, and if they choose to go a different route, it’s going to be a very sad thing, and it’s something we don’t want to have to do, but we have no choice,” he said.
Trump has a habit sometimes of overstating the US’s capabilities – remember “all hell will break loose”? This time, the US needs to stand strong and support its regional ally, Israel.
There are already whispers of discontent among the Israeli establishment that the Americans’ deal with the Houthis does not include halting their attacks on Israel.
US must remain firm and tough
America has to remain firm and tough in its dealings with the Iranians.
The United States has a marvellous habit of unwittingly aiding people who despise its very existence, all as part of the great game of global geopolitics. It has never been shy about making deals with devils when the strategic stakes are high.
In the 1980s, the US threw its support behind Saddam Hussein as he waged a brutal war against Iran, turning a blind eye to his use of chemical weapons, only to facilitate his removal from power two decades later.
At the same time, Washington was funnelling weapons to the Afghan mujahideen in their fight against the Soviets, only to see some of those fighters later morph into al-Qaeda.
And in a less-remembered but equally stark example, the Americans quietly backed remnants of the Khmer Rouge because Vietnam, backed by Moscow, had become the new common enemy.
In this case, however, the threat is right there, staring the US in the face as it has been since 1979. For 45 years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has waged an ideological battle against the country it determines is “The Great Satan” and all those who side with America.
This is the country that held over 50 Americans hostage inside Tehran for 444 days.
This is the country that attacked Israel with hundreds of missiles and rockets twice last year.
This is the country that denies that the Holocaust took place.
This is the country that has seen seven of its citizens, with allegedly close ties to the regime, arrested in London this week for plotting terror attacks against the UK.
This is the country that bombs Jewish centers halfway across the world simply to kill Jews.
This is the country that has siphoned billions of its oil wealth from the people to support terror groups across the Middle East.
his is the country that has supported Hamas for years. The same Hamas that on October 7, 2023, carried out the worst atrocity against Jews since the Holocaust.
As the US sits across the table from the Iranians, it should remember who is responsible for the instability in the Middle East, and which regime helped Hamas to murder 46 Americans on October 7, taking seven US citizens hostage.
This is not just “a very important time for Iran,” as the president states. On these talks could rest the future of peace in the region, and the diminishing of Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
It’s a very important time for us all, and the US should remember that when it’s making its deals.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-853259
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Türkiye In 'The Three Seas'!
By Cüneyd Er
May 09, 2025
It was a cloudy morning in Warsaw. The Royal Castle stood quietly at the edge of the city’s old stone square. Inside, beneath high ceilings and fading portraits, leaders and diplomats gathered for the opening of the Three Seas Initiative’s (3SI) 10th summit. There was no dramatic speech, but Türkiye’s presence said enough.
A few streets away, at the Hilton Warsaw City Hotel, business leaders and policymakers convened for the Three Seas Business Forum. It offered a practical space for regional dialogue on transport, energy and digital infrastructure. The atmosphere was more focused than festive; still, its meaning was unmistakable.
Sometimes, history does not speak loudly. It simply takes its seat.
The 3SI, also known as Trimarium, was launched in 2015 by Poland and Croatia. It brought together 13 EU member states between the Baltic, Adriatic and Black Seas. Its original purpose was to accelerate North-South infrastructure in energy, transport and digital connectivity. Since 2016, the initiative has held annual summits, each accompanied by a business forum where public and private actors coordinate major regional projects.
What began as a regional infrastructure initiative has grown into a geopolitical platform. By promoting strategic autonomy, diversifying energy sources, and enhancing digital resilience, the initiative has become a symbol of alignment, orientation and momentum. Türkiye’s new role is part of that transformation.
From crossroads to coordinator
For centuries, the land between the Balkans and Anatolia served as a passage. Soldiers, traders and messengers moved across it. Türkiye was seen as the place in between. However, in recent years, Türkiye has not only invested in strategic corridors, but it has also shaped their direction. The Southern Gas Corridor, the Middle Corridor rail link, deep-sea ports along the Black Sea and Mediterranean, and the Development Road from the Gulf to Europe are not isolated ventures. They form the backbone of a coordinated regional vision.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu attended the Warsaw summit not as an observer, but as a counterpart. Türkiye no longer stands between others; it connects them.
Türkiye was officially accepted as a strategic partner at the very recent Warsaw summit on April 29, 2025. This was not a gesture, but a recognition. It reflected accumulated presence, shared vision and demonstrated value.
Legal meaning of partnership
This new role carries legal and political meaning, even without a formal treaty. The 3SI is a platform rather than an institution. Still, Türkiye’s acceptance required consensus, and consensus brings expectations.
Under international law, especially in light of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, even informal partnerships generate mutual obligations. Türkiye is now involved in consultations, project planning and strategic discussions. These are not honorary roles; they express shared direction.
From a domestic perspective, the partnership aligns with Türkiye’s broader policy goals. The 2024-2028 Foreign Policy Strategy Document of the Turkish Foreign Ministry supports regional cooperation frameworks. No constitutional or legislative amendment was needed. However, future agreements on infrastructure or investment may involve formal ratification or public funding processes, depending on their content.
Memory built in stone and rails
In the lively days of 1906 Istanbul, ships crossed the Bosporus under the fading sky. At the waterfront, engineers stood watching as Haydarpaşa Station rose from stone and steel. It was not just a terminal. It was the beginning of a route into Anatolia and beyond. That memory endures. Today, the Marmaray Railway Tunnel runs beneath the sea, linking Europe and Asia in both directions.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway stretches eastward. Fiber lines follow the contours of ancient trade paths. The material has changed. The direction has not.
Projects like Rail Baltica and Via Carpatia are no longer remote prospects: Rail Baltica is the high-speed rail line linking Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, uniting the Baltics with the European rail network. Via Carpatia is the transnational highway from Klaipeda on the Baltic Sea to Thessaloniki on the Aegean. It crosses Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria before reaching Türkiye.
Türkiye’s ports, highways and digital links already connect to these corridors. Via Carpatia, in particular, is expected to become the spine of north-south movement, reaching from the Baltic coast to Istanbul’s Bosphorus.
For Europe, it deepens connectivity toward the southeast. For Türkiye, it affirms its place as the natural bridge for goods, data and energy flowing between the neighboring Middle East and the continent. And if the Caspian Sea and Gulf routes are added, the initiative’s three seas can gradually expand into “five seas,” joined through routes, law and shared purpose.
Why the 3SI matters
Türkiye had already appeared at the previous summit in Vilnius. Its shift from guest to strategic partner was steady. Türkiye had always been there. What changed was the recognition of its capabilities. With Türkiye's regional connectivity, economic, digital or political aims can be achieved more effectively.
Some member states remain cautious. That is natural in multilateral settings. Türkiye’s next steps must be careful, grounded in principle and aimed at inclusion rather than influence. Discussions on joint funding frameworks, corridor standards and governance structures are likely to follow. These will define Türkiye’s operational contribution.
Handled wisely, these developments could broaden the initiative beyond its original EU-oriented framework. It may evolve into a more inclusive and pragmatic mechanism. Türkiye will have played a central part in that evolution.
As the summit concluded and the square beside the Royal Castle emptied under a silver sky, something had shifted. Türkiye did not wait at the door; it entered through a corridor it had already helped shape. This was not a guest’s arrival: It was the affirmation of a role earned by geography, by policy, and over time. Türkiye, now at the table, helps shape what comes next.
https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-ed/turkiye-in-the-three-seas
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Teknofest Brings Türkiye's Innovation Agenda To Cyprus
By Nazmelis Zengin
May 09, 2025
In recent years, Türkiye has stood out not only for its remarkable progress in defence technology but also for how it has systematically built the human capital to sustain that momentum. Behind the development of strategic systems – from UAVs to satellite programs, from AI-powered defense solutions to the National Combat Aircraft – lies a profound societal shift: what I call "Red-Tech Revolution." Inspired by the iconic red jackets worn at Teknofest, I use this term to refer to Türkiye’s youth-led innovation movement within its National Technology Initiative.
This revolution is not merely about producing hardware, but about involving young people at every stage of innovation. Teknofest, the flagship festival of Türkiye’s National Technology Initiative, is the most visible engine of this movement. In 2025, it was held for the first time in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), drawing over 225,000 visitors, with 47,000-plus applications from 22 countries and 268 finalist teams comprising 1,083 young participants.
But more importantly, this event wasn’t just technical – it was deeply political and symbolic. Hosting Teknofest in the TRNC marked a new phase in Türkiye’s science diplomacy and regional influence. Unsurprisingly, this did not go unnoticed. Greek media outlets such as Kathimerini and Proto Thema characterized the event as “a soft-power show of strength” by Ankara in the Eastern Mediterranean. For Türkiye, however, this was more than symbolism. It declared that the country's technological vision has regional reach and growing resonance. And while Teknofest has become a bridge connecting small-town ingenuity with national-scale transformation.
In 2019, an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) team from Teknofest became a partner in a local defense R&D initiative. In 2021, a smart energy project from Gümüşhane University was commercialized through Teknopark Istanbul. High school students from Samsun won global acclaim at the Regeneron ISEF in the U.S. with a biosensor prototype born at Teknofest. In Hatay, local municipalities and private industry adopted an environmental monitoring project. A student rocketry team from Ankara transformed its project into a high-altitude testing platform now used by universities. Even a search-and-rescue robot built in Gümüşhane was successfully field-tested by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), Türkiye’s disaster response agency.
These are not isolated cases – they are the natural outcomes of a growing innovation ecosystem that now includes millions of students. Since 2018, Teknofest has received more than 1.5 million individual applications, leading to over 750,000 projects, 30-plus patents and over 100 start-ups. These young innovators are not only launching ventures, but also being absorbed into Türkiye’s key institutions: Baykar, Aselsan, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), Roketsan, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBITAK) and others.
Unlike many global youth competitions, which often end with certificates and photos, Teknofest is an end-to-end system that links innovation with industry, strategy and real-world application. While the U.S.-based FIRST Robotics, the EU’s EUCYS or China’s Maker Carnival provide valuable exposure, they rarely feed directly into national development pipelines. Türkiye’s model does. At Teknofest, student projects evolve into prototypes, which integrate into the defence, energy, space and logistics sectors.
In this context, holding the event in the TRNC was not merely a logistical decision – it was a strategic signal. Thousands of Turkish students currently study STEM disciplines in the TRNC. Teknofest gave them a platform not just to observe, but to contribute. A finalist team from Near East University demonstrated that the island is not just a passive recipient of Türkiye’s science diplomacy – it is becoming an active node.
So yes, Türkiye is building drones, aircraft, satellites and rockets. But it is also building something far more powerful: a generation. A generation that doesn’t just follow global technology trends but defines its own. A generation that codes, designs, builds and delivers often from the heart of Anatolia.
This is why the Red-Tech Revolution is not just a metaphor. It is the name of the century Türkiye is writing with science, strategy and its youth.
https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-ed/teknofest-brings-turkiyes-innovation-agenda-to-cyprus
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Hezbollah Should No Longer Be Above Lebanese Law
Khaled Abou Zahr
May 08, 2025
Lebanon, which was once considered the Switzerland of the Middle East, held on to banking secrecy long after the Helvetic country gave it up. Despite the 2019 crisis and the freeze on bank deposits — with all the implications we know — the system maintained this secrecy until the end of April. Then, Lebanon’s parliament finally passed a key reform granting regulatory bodies expanded access to bank account information. This was one of the main conditions set by the International Monetary Fund before it would dispatch its promised financial package. The reform allows government entities such as the central bank to audit customer accounts, including retroactively for up to 10 years, without needing a specific reason.
On paper, this sounds like a positive step for Lebanon. Yet, if we look into the Lebanese model, how the banks have operated and how parallel financial systems are spread, we might want to say: let us wait and see. One cannot forget that the freezing of deposit accounts and the system of “fresh” dollars — US dollars in the Lebanese banking system either in cash or received via international bank transfer after October 2019 — was unilaterally decided by the banks, not by another authority. This system allowed Lebanese banks to distinguish between newly deposited foreign currency and “lollars,” the pre-crisis dollar deposits that are effectively trapped in the system, with access to them heavily restricted.
Even worse, Hezbollah has developed a complete financial system that is unregulated and unsupervised. Will the government apply this expanded capacity to scrutinize Hezbollah and its financial dealings? This also should be a priority.
Just as these banking reforms were achieved through international pressure, one can imagine that the same will apply to requests for information. I have little hope that this will uncover any corruption schemes or lead to anyone being seriously questioned. Even though Prime Minister Nawaf Salam hailed the move as essential to restoring public and international trust and addressing decades of financial opacity, only time will tell.
Nevertheless, it is a necessary step toward meeting the reform requirements for the $3 billion IMF bailout agreement. For now, this might be the main goal. It is undeniable that the new Lebanese leadership is asking the right questions and setting the right agenda. Whether it has the capacity and will to implement reforms while promoting an economic relaunch remains to be seen.
While the question of Hezbollah’s surrender of its arsenal is stalling, its parallel financial system should be the target of an official investigation. Any entity conducting regulated financial activities without the proper licenses should be sanctioned and shut down. It is very clear that Hezbollah has a sophisticated business and financial network. This network operates with total impunity, outside of Lebanon’s official banking regulations. It has allowed the Iranian proxy to funnel funds for its military, political and social activities — all despite the country’s economic collapse and international sanctions. The nerve center is the Al-Qard Al-Hasan Association, which has been sanctioned by the US but continues to operate undisturbed by the Lebanese authorities. It clearly falls under the scope of regulated activities, as it offers loans and microfinance to Hezbollah loyalists.
The new leadership in Lebanon must be aware that this system includes illicit revenue from illegal activities. There have been numerous press reports on Hezbollah’s role in global drug trafficking, money laundering and smuggling. This extends beyond Lebanon’s borders, reaching as far as South America and Africa, where Hezbollah has maintained a key role in the illegal diamond trade. These activities have generated billions and, as the merchandise moves one way, cash moves the other through couriers and “hawala” networks.
Scrutiny should also include tracking the financial flows corresponding to goods and cash provided by Iran. These flows have enabled Hezbollah to develop informal markets in many sectors, such as real estate, pharmaceuticals and smuggled convenience and household goods.
In short, Hezbollah should no longer be allowed to operate above state law. This privileged status is the greatest source of corruption. It is a remnant of the Syrian occupation. This must be stopped, as one cannot expect a genuine tougher stance on banking impunity (despite the new laws) if the state is unable to rein in Hezbollah’s illicit financial activities. This is the breach that must be addressed.
This also means that Hezbollah’s social activities, which act as a main lever, must come under state supervision. Clinics, schools and low-cost stores should become a point of focus. This entire parallel system cannot be allowed to continue, as it marks the end of Lebanon. Within the new geopolitical landscape, if the state fails to reimpose its authority, then chaos will soon ensue.
There is no doubt that change will be difficult to implement. Hence, we may fall back into a system that looks positive on paper but is entirely negative in reality. This is why a complete overhaul of the country is needed. The construction of a new Lebanon faces many challenges and probably calls for a new political system that empowers the country’s will.
Yet, for now, the new leadership must find ways to re-establish the country’s sovereignty. This means that the steps taken should not be imposed by the international community, but led and decided from within, for the good of the country. Bringing banks and Hezbollah under the rule of law will be a clear indicator of what is to come.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2600005
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Fighting Climate Change With The Power Of Ai
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh
May 08, 2025
As the effects of climate change accelerate across the globe, threatening ecosystems, economies and communities, it becomes increasingly clear that every available tool must be brought to bear in the effort to confront this crisis. From policy shifts and lifestyle changes to technological innovation, the solutions must be as varied and dynamic as the problems they seek to address. One of the most promising and fast-evolving tools in our arsenal today is artificial intelligence.
While AI has often been more associated with advancements in productivity, robotics and automation, it is also uniquely suited to tackle the multifaceted and data-heavy challenges posed by climate change. AI is not a silver bullet, but it is a potent weapon in the global climate arsenal — capable of revolutionizing how we model, understand and mitigate climate impacts. Ignoring its potential would be a grave oversight.
AI offers unmatched capabilities in terms of processing vast amounts of complex data, identifying patterns, making predictions and continuously improving outcomes based on feedback loops. In the context of climate change, where variables are numerous and interrelated — ranging from atmospheric conditions to energy systems and agricultural cycles — AI can provide insights that are often inaccessible through traditional means. As governments and organizations around the world search for scalable and effective responses to the climate emergency, integrating AI into climate strategy is not just an option, it is a necessity.
One of the most significant contributions AI can make in the fight against climate change is in enhancing climate modeling and forecasting. Traditional climate models are powerful but often limited by the sheer volume and variability of environmental data. AI algorithms, especially machine learning and deep learning models, can sift through terabytes of satellite imagery, weather station data and oceanographic information to detect trends, anomalies and potential future scenarios with unprecedented accuracy.
These capabilities are already being harnessed, with agencies such as the US’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration incorporating AI into their climate prediction systems. More accurate forecasting means better preparation for climate-induced disasters such as hurricanes, droughts and floods — ultimately saving lives, reducing economic losses and informing more effective policy decisions.
In the energy sector, AI is proving instrumental in accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources. By predicting energy demand, analyzing weather patterns for optimal solar and wind output and managing energy storage systems, AI ensures that renewable energy is delivered more efficiently and reliably. This has been particularly valuable in Brazil, where hydropower and wind energy make up a significant share of the country’s electricity production. AI tools help balance the grid, reduce energy waste and anticipate fluctuations in supply and demand. By integrating AI into its energy infrastructure, Brazil is not only lowering emissions but also improving energy access and stability for millions of people.
Agriculture is another domain where AI can dramatically reduce environmental impact. Agricultural activities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions through livestock, fertilizer use and land conversion. AI-driven precision agriculture tools can optimize water usage, reduce pesticide application and increase crop yields without expanding land use. In India, a country with a vast and diverse farming population, AI applications are being deployed to guide farmers on optimal planting times, crop rotation and irrigation schedules based on real-time weather and soil data. These interventions not only boost productivity but also promote sustainable practices that align with climate goals.
In the realm of waste management, AI is facilitating smarter and more efficient recycling systems. Traditional recycling processes are labor-intensive and often inaccurate in sorting materials. AI-powered systems, equipped with computer vision and robotics, can sort waste more accurately and at a much faster pace. In the UK, some companies are deploying AI to analyze and categorize waste on conveyor belts in recycling facilities. This not only increases the recycling rate but also ensures that fewer materials end up in landfills, where they can produce methane, a greenhouse gas many times more potent than carbon dioxide. Improved waste management also reduces the burden on municipal systems and contributes to a circular economy.
AI is also playing a critical role in environmental monitoring and conservation. From tracking deforestation and biodiversity loss to detecting illegal fishing and monitoring glacier retreat, AI systems provide timely and actionable data. For example, in the Netherlands, an AI-driven algorithm is being used to map concentrations of plastic in oceans and determine the most efficient paths for cleanup vessels. This targeted approach maximizes the effectiveness of cleanup efforts while minimizing fuel use and operational costs. These technologies can be replicated in other regions facing marine pollution crises, improving global ocean health and mitigating the broader environmental impact of plastic waste.
In many vulnerable regions, particularly in the Global South, AI is enhancing climate resilience by supporting adaptation strategies tailored to local conditions. In several African nations, AI-driven platforms are helping communities better understand and prepare for climate risks such as desertification, water scarcity and extreme weather. These platforms analyze environmental and socioeconomic data to recommend sustainable farming practices, early warning systems and water management strategies.
In countries like Kenya and Ethiopia, where climate variability threatens food security and livelihoods, these AI interventions are empowering local populations with knowledge and tools to adapt effectively. This not only enhances resilience but also promotes equitable access to climate solutions in historically underserved regions.
In conclusion, if harnessed thoughtfully, AI can be a cornerstone of global climate strategy — one that empowers both developed and developing nations to build a more sustainable and resilient future. AI offers powerful and multifaceted tools that can significantly enhance our ability to combat climate change, from improving climate forecasts and optimizing renewable energy systems to transforming agriculture and waste management.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2599999
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