Strategic Studies Quarterly

Abstract This paper, by studying the nature of "cultural security", will explain this concept theoretically from the perspective of the conceptual relationship between culture and security. The assumption of the article is that cultural security cannot be understood as a concept or even a phenomenon, unless you recognize and represent the different layers of the conceptual relationship between "culture" and "security". In response to this main question, the conceptual processing of this article shows that the elements and components that form and constitute security are mainly cultural. Elements and components such as mental, linguistic, semantic, discursive, conceptual, perceptual, emotional, psychological and moral aspects of security are among these and without them, the development, change and continuation of security will be impossible. In this article, after defining the concepts of culture and security in the introduction, the author will discuss the different aspects of the conceptual relationship between culture and security with an emphasis on culture as an independent variable. As a result of this processing, the author, as the hypothesis of the article, in four specific proportions; like "culture as one of the dimensions and parts of security"; "Culture as a referential subject of security"; "Culture as the shape of the security environment" and "Culture as a source of security threats" have been mentioned.

Abstract Turkey's increasing tendency to pursue strategies independent of Western its allies and its proximity to Eastern powers in securing and defensive goals, as well as its active regional involvement in challenging the security preferences of Western powers, has raised the question of whether Turkey's international orientations are on a pivotal path or just looking to rebuild its foreign policy in a new international and regional environment? This paper, by conceptualizing Turkey's strategic attitudes and providing a framed picture of the new developments in the country's strategic culture and national security doctrine, rethinks the prevailing ideas of a pivotal turn in Turkey's macro-foreign policy orientation. In this regard, the new strategic culture of Turkey, with emphasis on the principle of self-help and national capabilities, increasingly seeks to ensure strategic independence from Western allies in the context of the international system transition. This does not necessarily mean leaving the transatlantic alliance, but rather balancing relations with the West and the East in order to consolidate Turkey's strategic position as an independent international actor.

Abstract Experience shows that countries with similar international status but different cultural traditions do not make decisions in the same manner as each other in the face of new developments. The reason is strategic culture provides a system of values in the field of decision-making, which affects a country's foreign policy. This article is an attempt to answer how strategic culture influences foreign policy decisions of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The authors assume that the Islamic Republic's strategic culture influences its foreign policy decisions through defining an Iranian-Islamic identity and specific national roles.
 
 

Abstract Although the geopolitical and security concerns have a great importance to diplomatic action and strategic decision making, the Saudi politicians have recently acted in a way that mare than these concerns, it is their cultural norms and identity that affects those decisions and this shapes their strategic culture. Given the importance of the said fact, the paper attempts to provide a clear picture of the Saudis strategic culture and in this way the main question is that what those elements and their influences are in this strategic culture. To answer these questions first a theoretical framework is offered to explain the strategic culture and then the elements and foundation of the Saudi strategic culture are identified and finally their influence on this culture will be discussed.

Abstract Strategic culture affects statesmen, elite attitudes and even the whole public perception and has the capacity to determine behaviors and actions of them in different areas. So knowing the constituting elements of state identity, among them the strategic culture, has a good role in understanding state actions, especially great powers like china and U.S.A. This article tries to distinguish constitutive components of strategic culture of U.S. and china and claim that U.S culture is offensive and Chinese one has defensive character. Authors try to compare tow cases and describe similarities and differences of them; at last they explain these cultures impacts on U.S. and china Middle East policy.  

Abstract Strategic culture is a key factor in efficiency of defence policies and plans. This article emphasizes on importance of strategic culture in national defence and argues that victory in war requires an intelligent application of strategic culture potentials. For instance, provoking the aggressive aspects of culture, as we see in Germany and japan behavior in 2^nd world war, while may bring some tactical gains, but would not guarantee the total victory.   This article argues that intelligent application of strategic cultures potentials by Iranian politicians, facilitate the final victory in war.

Abstract Abstract: what are the most influential and constructive factors in shaping strategic culture of I.R.I? What are the criteria of strategic culture under the influence of these factors?  It seems that the most influential factors on strategic culture are Shiite Islam, economic factors, historical memory, geopolitical situation, 8years of war experience, and perception of international realities. Meanwhile, xenophobia, resistance and stability, strategic distrust, strategic uncertainty, pragmatism, self reliance, and deterrence are among criteria of I.R.I strategic culture. This article tries to analyze and identify affirmative and constructive contexts and principles of Iran strategic culture. Certainly, analysis of strategic culture will be helpful in understanding military doctrine and defense style of I.R.I.

Abstract The purpose of paper does explore approaches of three generations of thinkers as three discourses in strategic culture. The strategic culture is used as an independent variable for explanting strategic behaviors at first. Appearing this conception in strategic behaviors has been meaning the acceptance of non- material and structural factors in analyzing it. In three decades made three discourses that all emphases on relationship between strategic culture and behavior, albeit reached the different conclusion from it.It is impossible in the first discourse analyzing the behavior without strategic culture, second one introduces the strategic culture as a means and instrument of running the strategy, the relationship between culture and strategic behavior in the third one does discuss strategic culture role in the context of strategic behavior.