Strategic Studies Quarterly

Abstract Middle East and Arab world observers and analysts have been confused by rapid and chainlike spread of Arab world revolutions. This article argues that neo-patrimonialism, as Hisham Sharabi says, is the forming factor behind these events. Meanwhile, despite similarities among Arab governments, we see some differences in factors like presence of civil society institutions, global links and communications of regimes, personality of Arab autocrat leaders, intervention or non-intervention of great powers and social formation (tribal or non-tribal) of countries. These differences are among determining factors of state interaction with people and protestors. Authors claim that the less patrimonial and the more democratic   state will decrease   violent and rough interactions between state and people.

Abstract By Occurrence of a/11/u. s put the Reform in middle east countries in its Agenda in the form of Greater middle east plan. This plan Was applied in us foreign policy in 2002 with a Social appearance but a deep political & security reality, Ignorance of the Planners of greater middle east policy about Societal factors in the region, had a great part in its failure Recent upheaval's in middle east Which are caused by Islamic awakening in Arabic region, are outcomes of that failure one of the Causes of success & continuity of people's presence in the scene of protests, is the indigenous & original Nature of middle eastern developments & non – involvement of international forces in this upheavals.Bahrainis one of the main fronts of Islamic Awakening & this article tries to focus on it.

Abstract Ted Robert Ger is one of the prominent researchers in ethnical studies that unlike modernist researchers don’t use only from one factor in explaining ethnical conflicts, but sees it as multilateral and multidimensional phenomena. In this article, after studing the main concepts of ethnical issues and different attitudes on it, varios ethinical groups in Ger's view have been discussed and then the main effective factors in shaping ethnical conflicts including prominence and importance of ethnical – cultural identity, motivations of ethnical – political action (Past grievances, fear from the future and hope for gain privilege), capacity of ethnical – political action and options and apportunities (apportunity structure) have been detailed and analyzed.    

Abstract At the world level and in general trends regarding attention to ethnic affairs, two general courses can be identified. The first is a course that pay attention to the  cultural diversity and supports it and the second is a course to which the idea of a single state, a single nation and a single language is still attractive. Previous ideas and notions to the effect that diversities will fade out in the process of industrialization and modernization were refuted and even in some  cases the demographic proportion of minority groups increased. The conjunction of the aforementioned trends along with postmodern thoughts that have questioned the foundations of the modern thinking and its meta-narratives such as nationhood led to the rise of the idea of cultural rights of minorities and ethnicities. However, in the Third World countries and such regions as Eastern Europe, certain factors have caused the negation of such rights and violent treatment of advocates of cultural diversity rights. These factors include the persistent attractiveness of a coherent and homogenous nation, the prevalence of conspiracy theory, regional problems, and a misperception of the globalization process.

Abstract This article aims to extrapolate the contents and essence of the Greater Middle East Plan ad to analyze the causes, motivations and objectives thereof in order to discover its impact on the Islamic Republic of Iran’s national security. In other words, the author intends to answer the following main and secondary questions: What are the US reasons, motivations and objectives in proposing this plan? What is the place of this plan in the US national security strategy, Middle East policy and national role? Why does the democratization process begin in the Middle East under the international conditions governing the post-September 11^th period? Which are the theoretical foundations underlying the Greater Middle East Plan? What are the security repercussions and effects of this plan for the Middle Eastern countries and societies? Finally, what security challenges and opportunities will the materialization and implementation of this plan bring about for the Islamic Republic of Iran?The probable answer to these questions will be studied within the following hypothesis: “The Greater Middle East Plan as one of the central directives and measures in the US preemptive strategy and the focal point of its grand national security strategy which is intended to counter asymmetrical threats while creating various security threats and challenges, will provide opportunities for the preservation and consolidation of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s national security.”

Abstract Universal expansion of transnational and international regimes including the human rights standards and democratic arrangements along with the broad interpretation of the UN Charter regarding the maintenance of world peace and security are among the most important consequences of globalization in the late decades of the 20^th Century. These are able to pose serious threats to and create opportunities for ethnic movements and multi-ethnic states.   On this basis, world regimes have gradually turned out into competitors for the basic rights and domestic systems remaining from the Westphalian model. More than to be an instrument for the execution of power and regulation of relations by the states, they are groundwork for the future identity coherence and proliferation of demands on part of the sub-national groups and ethnic movements.   This change can also indicate the weakening of the will to suppress ethnic minorities thus promoting the status of ethnic movements in the national and international milieus.   Such change in status is realized through intermediary variables such as the theoretical strength of identities, impact of the audience’s beliefs, emotional appeal of identities as well as the shift in power equations. This provides the grounds for ethnic movements to wield more appropriate and balanced theoretical leverage and practical opportunities in comparison to nation-states. This implies that the transnational globalized regimes have changed the status of ethnic movements and their identity-building sources in the early third millennium.