(at the outset of November 2025)
The world stage has been marked by the summit of Presidents Trump and Xi in Busan,
South Korea. Adversaries know well that they have to directly communicate and
regulate their rivalry. Their trade deal has been a sign of mature statesmanship. Both
sides realize their limits.
China will not reduce the quantities of oil and gas imported from Russia (and India
alike), nor will change its policies of folding Taiwan into the one China frame. Yet, to
be sure they will not fall into the trap of crossing the Rubicon of armed intervention.
US will energetically pursue their quest for mining other sources of rare earths and
critical materials, no matter the sectoral understanding with China, for the
foreseeable future remaining by far the foremost source of rare earths.
India represents a pressing foreign policy challenge for Washington. New Delhi will
not bow to American clumsy strong man approach. The signing last week of a defence
cooperation agreement is a sign of thaw. For the rest, legendary diplomat Thomas
Pickering might be able to offer a piece of advice. India’s rapprochement with
Afghanistan is to be noted.
The Near and the Middle East
STRAVON has followed the distinctive approach of Saudi Arabia, led by MBS, with
regard to the Gaza cease fire. Riyadh intends to keep the high ground and supervise
developments, given their transactions with the Administration, their disregard for
Qatar and misgivings vis a vis Turkey, beneficiary of Qatari magnanimity.
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Greece are worried by Turkey’s meddling in Sudan, favouring the
Moslem Brotherhood and thus putting from the south pressure upon a struggling
Egypt. There should be no doubt that Turkey s strategy aims at mining into the human
and natural resources of Africa through the Red Sea and the Horn. Thus, referring to
the 21t century’s “Scramble for Africa”, Turkey methodically has been building its
precarious niche.
Libya
A dim light of hope emerges in the horizon. Pragmatically, the functioning of the
Central Bank and the National Oil Corporation, as overarching institutions, benefits
both constituent parts of Libya, Tripolitania and Cyrenaica. STRAVON does not expect
though an early and smooth relaunching of the electoral process as long as the
Gaddafis remain out of the game. In the meantime, it is important that both halves
of Libya conduct their affairs in a responsible manner in the Mediterranean and in
Sudan.
Syria
There cannot be a centralized Syria, under the current ruling regime in Damascus.
Instead, a de centralized administrative and constitutional system, reflects properly
the existing interethnic and interfaith fault lines within the actual borders of Syria;
Rojava, a democratically governed territorial entity east of the river Euphrates, an
Alawite Land on the Mediterranean coast and a Druze Land just south of the capital
Damascus, bordering Lebanon, Israel and Jordan may be a solution by necessity. A big
question mark hovers though, how to accommodate the historic and still sizable
Christian communities scattered across Syria including the Rum Orthodox majority
among them, under the Patriarch of Antioch Ioannis.
We note the day of joy in Egypt for yesterday’s (November 1, 2025) inauguration of
the majestic Grand Egyptian Museum on the sands of Giza. The opening of the
Museum coincides with the enthroning the day before of Archbishop Symeon of Sinai,
Faran and Raitho, the new Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Sainte Katarina in Sinai, a
day of relief for Christendom worldwide, an event showcasing the enduring geo
cultural legacy of the Greeks and their state.
STRAVON of Amaseia,
Attica,
02 November 2025
