Strategic Studies Quarterly

Abstract This article is seeking to explain on how the United Nations Security Council has dealt with the problem of countering terrorism. The authors have the objective to provide the process on how the Security Council as the highest body responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security has taken comprehensive and consistent measures on fighting terrorism that has led to formation of international regime on counter terrorism. Such regime consists of two substantive and structural parts reflected in Security Council resolutions and decisions especially in 1373 resolution. Challenge of a consensual definition of terrorism, requirements for states for cooperation with each other for suppression of terrorism particularly financing of terrorism, prohibition of providing direct or indirect support to terrorism, obligation to implement Security Council sanctions against terrorists enlisted by the UN, and criminalization and prosecution of terrorism in internal legislation by states are main substantive elements of this regime. On the other hand, Counter Terrorism Committee and its Counter Terrorism Directorate as well as procedures under Financial Action Task Force and other international institutions like INTERPOL and ICAO which report to the Council are structural parts of this regime. This article endeavors to provide better knowledge on international regime of counter terrorism and its various aspects functioning in international relations.

Abstract In answer to the question of what factors and contexts cause people to incline to terrorist groups, five approaches including psychological, social, economic, cultural, and political can be identified in the existing literature that each of them provides part of the answer. In this article, first, different views and theories are examined and criticized in the form of the five approaches. Then, a framework for a comprehensive and more accurate understanding and analysis of the factors and contexts of the tendency towards terrorist groups is provided. The authors believe that for comprehensively and accurately identify of the factors and contexts of individuals' inclination towards terrorist groups, an integrated-comparative approach should be used and a framework based on interdisciplinary view and integration of all approaches should be considered. Accordingly, an alternative analytical framework based on the link between these approaches is presented at three levels: individual, national and transnational.
 
 

Abstract  
The United States is a world leader in economic sanctions. Since 2005, with the application of "financial sanctions" we have witnessed a "paradigm shift" in sanctions policy. This article seeks to answer the question: "What are the foundations of US financial sanctions?" The hypothesis of the article is that financial sanctions are based on two main pillars in which the United States has made it possible to exclusively use financial sanctions for its foreign policy: First, to create a legal regime to combat money laundering and its globalization, and secondly, the centrality of the dollar in the global financial system. The second question of the article is "What is the place of financial sanctions in US foreign policy?" The author argues that US policymakers' understanding of the effectiveness of financial sanctions has led to the promotion of this tool among foreign policy instruments and the transformation of the Treasury from a marginalized institution to a central one in guiding US foreign and security policy.
 
 

Abstract This article seeks to study the institutional and legal measures taken by the European Union in the fight against terrorism since the beginning of the third millennium as well as the effectiveness and prospects of cooperation among EU states in this area as security issues are considered the greatest challenge to future convergence among the bloc's members. The study identifies the anti-terrorism policies pursued by the EU so far and examines the prospects of cooperation and convergence among the union and the role it can play as an international player in the campaign against terrorism. The article assumes that combating terrorism and ensuring the safety of European citizens would remain one of the major security objectives of the EU and would remain high on its agenda. The EU would pursue more active policies to give transnational institutions more leeway in the fight against terrorism and the potential of European institutions for cooperation on this issue will be further utilized. 
 
 

Abstract  The author intends to offer an epistemological understanding of terrorism in the West Asia from the social constructivist theory point of view. The author argues that terrorism is a historical, social, economic and cultural phenomenon rather than a political and criminal phenomenon. And it is driven from modernity and affected by its foundations and agencies and therefore it has a weak attachment to the pre-modernity age. In fact, terrorism has a connotation that belongs to modernity and grown-up from it's foundations.  However, it is not a passive meaning against the set is chapter but it's connotation paves the way to strengthen that phenomenon. The constructive relationship between the structure and agency in creation of terrorism is a continuous one and Knack of that meaning prevents terrorism to a marriage.

Abstract Enjoying the Mactour method, tho paper provides an illustration on the effect of strategies of different actors involved in the issue of terrorism in the West Asia region and their interactions. As the results show with decrease of financial and logistics support of Takfiri terrorism and strengthening the will to fight against terrorism, those groups are not capable to act in a situation that the actors are competing or not cooperating with each other. However, it's obvious that as long as the countries intend to abuse those groups and pursue their strategic goals and to push the terrorist groups against their own rivals, the crises will continue in the coming future.

Abstract The end of the Cold War and termination of mutual support of the great powers from dear decedents, globalization, the fight against terrorism since 9/11 and decrease of support of terrorist groups by the states and etc. have led terrorist organizations to commence Mafia activities and to secure more financial resources for their own activities. Therefore, some new organizations have been established with a mixed feature, that is, mutual cooperation of mafia organizations and terror organizations. The paper offers an analysis about this development and focuses on the PKK as a case study. Since early 1990s PKK has been involved as a accomplice to mafia organizations but later it was involved directly with this kind of illegitimate activities and now it has a strong linkage we organized crimes. This linkage contributes to survival of this terror organization and therefore should be considered in developing strategies to contain terrorism.
 
 

Abstract This article will focus on the economic impact of terrorism in the Middle East and analysis the manner of terrorism affected on economic issues and trends in the region. The article main question is how terrorism has affected on economic situation in the Middle East? Terrorism is a destructive phenomenon and has negative effects and consequences on different functional sectors and spheres including economy. According to this Assumption, the article hypothesis is that terrorism has imposed a significant costs on the Middle East region by destruction the physical, humanitarian, social and cultural infrastructures and also increasing the uncertainty and created a security-oriented condition. That’s helped to continuity of backwardness in this region.