Strategic Studies Quarterly

Abstract Introduction Although the concept of sustainable security was explicitly introduced for the first time in the General Policies of the Fifth Development Plan of the Islamic Republic of Iran, its underlying principles had long been reflected in the country's constitutional, legal, and policy frameworks. This study examines the conceptualization of sustainable security across Iran’s major policy documents, including the Constitution, the Iran Vision 1404 Document, the First through Fifth Development Plans, and the General Policies of the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Development Plans. Drawing on the theoretical and empirical literature, the study identifies the components, indicators, and security reference objects associated with sustainable security and classifies them into four dimensions: political-social, economic, security-defense, and environmental. In this context, security reference objects encompass both human beings and other human-centered entities that become subjects of security concerns, as well as the conditions and environments in which they exist. The study seeks to answer the following question: How do the macro-level documents of the Islamic Republic of Iran conceptualize sustainable security and the measures required to sustain it? Methodology This research adopts an exploratory qualitative approach. The content, themes, security reference objects, components, and indicators of sustainable security embedded in accessible macro-level documents were examined through textual and content analysis. Following their identification, the extracted concepts and categories were systematically classified according to their structural and substantive similarities. The resulting framework organizes sustainable security into four principal dimensions: political-social, economic, security-defense, and environmental. The concepts of security and sustainability were further interpreted through thematic analysis. Findings and Discussion The findings indicate that although the term sustainable security appears explicitly only in the General Policies of the Fifth Development Plan, its core themes are evident throughout other major policy documents. The analysis reveals that the political-social dimension receives the greatest emphasis, followed by the economic and security-defense dimensions, while environmental considerations receive comparatively limited attention. A similar pattern is observed regarding the situational aspects of sustainable security. Although the documents contain references to sustaining conditions and managing their interrelationships, this dimension remains insufficiently developed. Furthermore, the dominant perspective underlying security-sustaining measures appears to assume relatively stable conditions rather than dynamic, evolving, and potentially turbulent environments. Given the increasing complexity and uncertainty of contemporary security challenges, this assumption may limit the effectiveness of long-term security policies. Conclusion The sustainability of security has become an increasingly strategic concern in light of wars, social unrest, rapid technological transformations, and the emergence of new forms of political and social change. While Iran’s macro-level policy documents acknowledge the importance of sustainable security, their treatment of the concept lacks sufficient conceptual clarity and comprehensiveness. A more systematic understanding of sustainable security can help address existing shortcomings in policymaking and implementation. Moreover, the continuous adaptation of policies and programs to changing security conditions is essential for maintaining and enhancing sustainable security.

Abstract Following the artificial intelligence revolution, which brought fundamental transformations across multiple dimensions of national security, the “genomic revolution,” emerging through the convergence of artificial intelligence advances and the formation of the “precision public health” platform, is presented as the next phase of this paradigmatic shift. Precision public health refers to the use of advanced technologies for targeted disease prevention and health promotion through the precise assessment of pathogens, environmental conditions, behaviors, and population vulnerabilities. This concept extends beyond health and carries profound implications for national security.
Employing a descriptive–analytical approach and documentary research methods, this article examines the precision public health platform and its role in transforming genomic data collection and utilization, as well as its impact on national security. The central research question is how, through this platform, the human body becomes a new domain of warfare and genomics emerges as a new reference framework for national security. Biological warfare shifts from limited attacks to a dominant model of conflict, bringing the zero point of biological wars closer than ever. Within this paradigm, a “genomic order” is established, and the axis of security and power shifts from individuals and states to the genome. Humans are redefined as biological data, and protecting genomic data equates to safeguarding national security. Finally, by examining Iran’s situation in this field, the study emphasizes the necessity of acknowledging these global transformations and developing a new geometry of national security.
Keywords: National Security, Artificial Intelligence, Precision Public Health, Genome, Genomics

Abstract Economic corruption is a phenomenon that holds an important position in political and economic literature, and governments have consistently placed the promise of reducing it on their agendas. This phenomenon has always been sensitive and provocative for the public, to the extent that the occurrence of its instances is regarded as a sign of managerial incompetence and fuels public anger. Therefore, policymakers have continually sought to identify the factors influencing the emergence of this phenomenon in order to prevent the formation of corruption and economic scandals through preventive measures.

An examination of corruption cases shows that quasi-governmental companies, due to their dual public–private nature, create areas that facilitate the occurrence of corruption. Recognizing the significant role of quasi-governmental companies in the development of economic corruption, this research seeks to answer the question of what deficiencies exist within the structure of these companies that lead to the formation of economic corruption. Addressing this question enables a deeper understanding of the corruption phenomenon through a detailed and pragmatic perspective and provides insights for those responsible for corruption prevention.

The study adopts a qualitative approach and, based on thematic analysis of the text of 20 case files and 8 interviews, seeks to discover and identify patterns and themes emerging from the experiences of managers of quasi-governmental companies and the corruption cases related to them. The findings indicate that weak corporate governance, a destructive organizational culture, and flawed oversight are the three main factors and conditions for the occurrence of corruption in quasi-governmental companies.

Abstract Water, a critical natural resource, has become a significant geopolitical factor in today's world. Population growth, economic development, and climate change are intensifying competition and potential conflicts over water resources. With over 60% of the world's freshwater resources crossing national borders, international tensions are rising due to unbalanced distribution and management challenges.

Hydro-politics is the systematic study of relations between countries concerning the use of international waters. These relationships can manifest as cooperation, competition, or conflict, influenced by broader geopolitical and economic ties. Almost half of the Earth's surface lies within international river basins, which are home to 2.8 billion people across 286 basins, covering 42% of the total land area. The growing demand for shared resources in these basins exacerbates tensions.

Disputes over water often arise from differing interests and can escalate into conflicts, leading to environmental problems like desertification. As water scarcity increases, so does the risk of high-tension scenarios in transboundary basins. Understanding the causes of these conflicts is crucial for effective management and prevention.

This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the root causes of water conflicts and to propose appropriate categories for their systematic analysis.

Abstract Conflict and tension have played significant roles in the relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia in recent decades. Despite numerous attempts to alleviate tensions, these efforts have not successfully led to the establishment of stable and cooperative relations between the two countries. This article aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the causes of tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia using Causal Layered Analysis. The research findings suggest that multiple factors at various levels contribute to the continuation of tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia. At the litany level, the positions and actions of leaders indicate the level of tension and its fluctuations in different periods. In the second layer, systemic factors such as disparities in political and economic systems, regional geopolitical rivalries, and variations in policies and interactions with the international system need to be considered. In the third layer, conflicts in identity and discourse between Iran and Saudi Arabia play a role in escalating tensions. These conflicts arise from differences in worldview attitudes among leaders, as well as religious and ethnic divisions. In the deeper layer, there are general metaphors such as Ajam, Rafezi, primitive Arab, as well as political metaphors like the Safavid Empire, American Islam, and the Wahhabi state. These metaphors reflect varying degrees of Iranophobia or Arabophobia, ultimately perpetuating a state of mistrust in relationships.

Abstract This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms of "Pragmatic Multilateralism" in Saudi Arabia's foreign policy by examining the continuity of its strategic-security alliance with the United States alongside the deepening economic cooperation with China and Russia within the context of an emerging pluralistic order. The theoretical framework employs a hybrid approach: Neoclassical Realism is utilized to explain the structural drivers and the "why" behind this strategy, while Complex Interdependence Theory addresses the "how" and its operational mechanisms. Adopting a qualitative, explanatory-analytical method, the research focuses on Saudi Arabia as a case study from 2014 to 2024. The central research question explores how Saudi foreign policy has shifted toward pragmatic multilateralism through the interaction of systemic and domestic variables amidst the global geopolitical transition. The primary hypothesis posits that Saudi pragmatic multilateralism serves as a mechanism to sustain the traditional alliance with the U.S. while simultaneously expanding economic ties with the East via Positive Balancing; a strategy designed to avoid both divergence from the West and new dependencies on the East. Findings indicate that Riyadh has successfully transformed its security alliance with Washington from the traditional "oil-for-security" model into a balanced partnership based on mutual interests. Simultaneously, by attracting capital and technology from the East, the Kingdom has paved the way for its Strategic Autonomy.