Analyzing the Role of Border Markets in Increasing the Security of Border Regions Case study: MahyroodBorder Markets of Sarbishecity in South Khorasan province

One of the major and lifelong concerns of humanity throughout history has been security, particularly security of the country borders. Nowadays, establishing security is not a detached phenomenon that could be obtained by only using military power, but is also affected by political, economic, military and cultural factors. In this context, securing the borders requires designing and developing plans and policies for economic, social and cultural issues. Taking economic approach and focusing on improving livelihood and economic conditions of frontiersmen is one of these solutions and a clear example of this solution, is establishing border markets in these areas. Improving Activities in these border markets causes people to turn to healthy economic activities and leave aside illegal and false jobs such as smuggling, drug trafficking etc. besides, the activity of these markets causes’ cross-border relations to improve and paves the way for international cooperation. This article uses a descriptive-analytical method and relies on library and field findings to study the effects of establishing the Mahyrood border market, located in Sarbishe County, on the security of borders in this area. The Results of this study showed that the activity of the Sarbishe Mahyrood border market has caused fuel and goods smuggling, and drug trafficking to be reduced dramatically. On the other hand, the activity of the market, has strengthened the political, economic, and security relations between Iranian province of South Khorasan and Afghan province of Farah, and ultimately has led to improved development and security in the border areas of the province.