Strategic Studies Quarterly

Abstract With the victory of the Islamic Revolution, many of the dominant discourses in various fields, including historical discourse, changed. Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei played a pivotal role in directing this discourse change as the leaders of the Islamic Republic. In the historical discourse of Iran after the revolution, talking about the historical understanding and insight of Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei is very important; especially since the insights, methods and values accepted in historiography as well as the historical thinking of some Iranian historians after the revolution have been greatly influenced by their views and approaches. Given the importance of this issue, the present article seeks to answer the question of what is the place of history and historiography in the historical discourse of Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei as the leaders of the Islamic Republic. And in the next step in the form of a comparative study, what are the similarities and differences between the historical discourse of these two leaders.

Abstract This article focuses on soft management of national defence or soft aspects of national defence in imam khomeini’s management during imposed war of Iraq against Iran. The main question of article is that: how did Imam Khomeini, as a leader of revolution and Islamic republic, managed imposed war which was the main hard threat against Islamic republic? Author claims that imam Khomeini managed the war in a soft approach through narration as a kind of speech act.  His religious and ideational narrative of imposed war changed this threat to an opportunity and an instrument for reproduction and estabilising Islamic republic.  

Abstract

The core issue in any security theory is the referent object of security. This is the case with respect to Imam Khomeini’s views on security too. Based on this assumption, the current paper is trying to recognize the nature of the referent object of security; in the mean time, it treats Imam Khomeini’s relevant views as a “speech act”. Because the author is of the view that not only Imam Khomeini was the security theorist of the Islamic Republic of Iran but he was its securitizing actor too.Within this framework, the author believes that the referent object of security in Imam Khomeini’s speech act is “Islamic Government” which comprises the followings: “Ideological Islam”, “Velayat Faqih” and the “People

Abstract

There are many approaches for national security studies and the leaders and the people view national security from different perspectives. A consideration of these views can indicate this difference and the concerned priorities in dealing with security problems. Looking at Imam Khomeini views and thinking on several aspects of security, this paper’s main question is as follows: what was the view of Imam Khomeini regarding aspects of security and which security approach is closer to this view? To answer this question, the paper focuses on Imam Khomeini’s speeches, messages, interviews as well as his practices. Lastly, the findings are indicating that rather than the mundane aspect of security, the otherworld aspect was more important for Imam Khomeini and even within the mundane aspect, political aspect was more important for him.

Abstract

This paper studies the political threat and vulnerability of national security from Imam Khomeini’s perspective. Enlisting a variety of political threats from the said perspective will show that his perception was so close to modern approaches rather than traditional ones. As for Imam Khomeini the domestic sources of insecurity was more important than external ones and also he did not believe that threats are only limited to  military invasion by other states but due to the role of religion and the people in either strengthening or weakening the national security, for Imam Khomeini domestic unrest, taking distance from Islam, lack of political participation, alienation and dependence of the think tanks to foreigners are the main political threats against national security.

Abstract

Idea and policy making with regard to resource and method of security practice is one of elements of any security theory. In this way, the national security strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is not an exception.Within the above framework, the paper is trying to comprehend the resource as well as security practices in Imam Khomeini’s thought; it attempts to illustrate his relevant approach too. Therefore, the author believes that the basic approach in Imam Khomeini’s spatial of thought is derived from his inside and is based on his anthropological deliberations. Thus, from Imam Khomeini’s view the pattern of security practice should be from inside to outside and from down to up for which the concrete and social- national translation is the “people centered pattern”.

Abstract

The principles of classification and the boundaries of Islamic thought and political jurisprudence is drawn based on belief and accordingly, the world is divided in two territories Darulislam (land of Islam) and Darulkufr (land of infidelity). On the other hand, in the contemporary world, the Islamic countries are divided into too many nations.  The way of compatibility between this division and the Islamic United Ummah has attracted the attention of many Muslim thinkers and they have offered some solutions to this dichotomy. Imam Khomeini believes that Islamic Unity is the solution for this problem. For him, if the Muslims throughout the world, inspired by the Islamic Revolution, are awaken (and acquire the Islamic truth) and put aside the minor and sectarian differences and establish an Islamic government, due to the proximity of their beliefs, rules and purposes such a close relationship will appear among them that a new entity will emerge as if only one government rules in the Muslim World.

Abstract The paper aims at analyzing the elements of national authority, in the field of foreign policy, based on Imam Khomeini’s doctrine and thinking. Utilizing documentary and descriptive methods, this paper examines the main hypothesis based on Imam Khomeini’s thinking. In fact, the paper shows how Imam Khomeini, as a politician and jurisprudent has raised the elements and general principals of national strength in the field of foreign policy.  Based on the main elements of Shite social thinking, namely, “God Oriented” and “Task Oriented”, Imam Khomeini’s views in the field of foreign policy comprises the following components: Nafy –e- sabil (Denial of Rule of Infidels), Anti-oppression, Islamic Dignity and Religious Lordship, and Invitation to Muslim Unity.

Abstract This article makes attempts to study and explore the reference of security in Imam Khomeini’s opinions and thinking. The author proposes three indicators for identifying the reference of security including the threat parameter, factors of acquiring security, and security goals and policy-making. Furthermore, five references in the national security literature including individual, regime, society, state and the world. Considering these parameters, this article holds that the reference of security is combined and multiple in Imam Khomeini’s viewpoint involving society, state and regime which have an interactive and dialectical relationship. In the heart of the society’s reference, two factors, Islam and people play a crucial part. In a nutshell, it can be indicated that without people’s satisfaction and their support for their government and state, the foundations of national security remain fragile. Therefore, in his attitude, the reference of society involving two paramount parameters of Islam and people takes precedence over the two other references.

Abstract Delving into Imam Khomeini’s views and thoughts, the author analyzes Imam Khomeini’s epistemological foundations which are either consistent or inconsistent with the territory-based concept of national security and the cognitive relationship between those two foundations. That is because it is of the utmost importance to explore the relationship between national security and the concept of territoriality that seeks to preserve society, population, citizens, and the political regime governing a specific territory, and universal religions and the thoughts of religious authorities who claim the management, direction and improvement of the world.   The author acknowledges that Imam Khomeini may not be simply regarded as a scholar of security studies, but he also believes that he still attracts the attention of political scientists, practitioners and intellectuals as a political leader as well as an intellectual reformer. Belief in his intellectual achievements and attachment to his political teachings continue to shine as an essential source in thinking and updated policy-making. Now the question raised here is what the place of territory-based concept of national security is in Imam Khomeini’s thought system. Furthermore, how can this concept be located in his viewpoints in a meaningful and justified way, and what are the epistemological bases of Ummah-centrist tendency and nationalism in his outlook?