Strategic Studies Quarterly

Abstract The purpose of this study is the pathology of conversion in Khuzestan province. The research method is qualitative analysis with inductive strategy. University and Howzeh professors, cultural experts in Khuzestan province and individuals are subject to cultural identity change are Statistical population. Using intentional and judgmental sampling method, 25 members of the statistical population were selected as the sample size of the study. Data collection is free (in-depth) interview. Excerpts from interviews were analyzed using MAXQDA2018 software. Finally, 9 main categories and 39 sub-categories were identified from the analysis of the findings. The most important causes of the occurrence and prevalence of this emerging phenomenon are the underlying factors (Such as unemployment, poverty, poor transmission of religious teachings, rural-urban migration, marginal growth), Structural factors (such as weakness and inefficiency of cultural management models and quality of performance of influential institutions) and intervening factors (such as the role and influence of dissidents including foreigners and opposing currents in creating and fueling this phenomenon). The possibility of exploiting and abusing of the people who are inclined to Wahhabism in Khuzestan by separatist, takfiri and terrorist counter-revolutionary currents (like ISIL) In persecuting and subversive acts, will be one of the most important threats.
 
 

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.