Strategic Studies Quarterly

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 Any thinker's approach toward the issue of structure – agent and their interaction is one of the key elements in leading his/her perception and analysis about the social environment. It is the case especially in International Relations and Foreign Policy. Generally three approaches namely, Structure, Agent, Foundation can be identified in IR. With respect to the Islamic Republic of Iran also two different approaches focus on either Agent and its main role in leading to shape the international system or Structure and necessity of compatibility with the international system. The paper argues that while in the beginning the dominant approach in foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran was dominated by Agent approach, it was replaced by Structure approach in the later phases.