Strategic Studies Quarterly

Abstract Intertwining is one of the interdisciplinary topics in strategic literature. Intersection of institutions in assigned tasks, intervention of institutions in each other's affairs and lack of coordination between executive authorities are areas of functional intertwining and interference. The emergence of this situation in the field of national security, causes inefficiency and incurs exorbitant costs. The main question of this article is what are the effects and consequences of intertwining on national security governance in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Four hypotheses of increasing public expenses, decreasing political stability, increasing security holes and filling the functional gap of national security institutions have been presented in response to the above question. This paper by using descriptive method and using case study, analyzes the findings. The results of the article show that if the issue of intertwining is not paid attention to, there is a possibility of increasing public expenses for the political system, increasing security holes and increasing political instability. At the end, some recommendations have been provided to treat this situation in the country's governance system.

Abstract The experience of the last few decades has shown that the Islamic Republic of Iran has not performed well in the field of human rights, managing the reflection of internal protests, and justifying its regional policies. Part of this problem is due to external factors and the efforts of the anti-Iranian front; but the role and influence of internal factors cannot be ignored. Lack of common understanding of national interests among policymakers and those responsible for managing the international image of the Islamic Republic, security-oriented foreign policy and cultural exchanges, lack of an independent and responsible national institution in the field of national image, lack of institutionalized and defined communication/ division of work between active institutions in the field of public diplomacy and Iran's international image and not having a long-term plan in the field of public diplomacy and managing Iran's international image have been one of the most important internal obstacles and challenges in creating a favorable image of Iran in the world. Institutionalizing, national branding, actualizing the capacity of Iranians abroad, appropriate and targeted management of cultural agencies, accurate geographical/cultural/political target audience, optimal use of virtual space and management of daily messages are some of the solutions presented in this article to improve Iran's international image management.

Abstract This study deals with the reasons of historiography of intelligence organization in political systems, a history in which much of it has been hidden from view either because of covert secrecy in intelligence activities or because of political considerations or neglect. In this study, we seek to answer the question, "How does writing and recording the history of intelligence services help national security?" The purpose of this study is to clarify the dimensions of historiography of intelligence organizations and its impact on national security. The required data were collected through secondary sources and then interviews with six experts on the subject were conducted. Data were also analyzed by thematic analysis using open coding, axial coding and selective coding. For this purpose, first the role of intelligence organizations in state craft is discussed and then the seven reasons for the historiography of intelligence organizations that are the result of research are introduced under three main dimensions.

Abstract During the last decade, a lot of university disciplines, especially strategic and security studies, have acknowledged necessity of paying due attention to the issue of environment. However, these new studies are struggling with weaknesses in the field of methodology. So in order to fill the gap, the current paper reviews the concept of environment and its place within the academic disciplines and tries to offer an illustrative framework for the sake of studying environment in those fields. Therefore, the main purpose of the paper is to offering a methodological framework for environment studies. The general presumption of the paper is that realizing this purpose is possible and by combination of several approaches, including social science and concerns of security studies, one can establish the needed bases for methodological framework of environment studies.  

Abstract This article focusing on intelligence role in the process of economic development, tries to answer this question: what are the roles of intelligence agencies in promoting process of economic development? Authors argue that intelligence agencies by production of economic intelligence, securing national economic intelligence and monitoring the development process, make the economic competition capability, assure the continuity of that capability and guarantee the economic security. Authors also claim that intelligence has cognitive, monitoring and executive role in economic development.    

Abstract What is the role of intelligence organizations in foreign policy? And how is the relation of intelligence and foreign policy? Author in response to these questions numerates cognitive and executive roles of intelligence in foreign policy making and mutual relations between them. Author believes that type of foreign policy and requirements of foreign policy makers determine intelligence agenda and on the other hand, intelligence organizations by their cognitive products effect policy maker’s perception of issues and problems of foreign policy.