نشریه مطالعات منافع ملی
پیاپی 7 (بهار 1396)

Democracy in the Views of Religious SocialismDr.Abolghasem TaheriKhorshid Najafi JouybariAbstract:The Left movement has been a main political and social force since Constitutional Revolution. Since then, it has been engaged struggle with dominant social and political system. After the fall of Reza Shah, Muhammed Nakhshab formed the Movement of God-Worshipping Socialists. The youths, influenced by him, tried to free people from misery and suppression. The authors have chosen the theoretical framework of discourse analysis to explain the subject of research. The main question of the article is: what is the status of religious left thought in Iran? In order to answer the question, the authors would analyze the Left movements, the impact of religion on them and its role in the society. Moreover, the authors would analyze Muhammed Nakhshab’s point of view as a founder of Movement of God-Worshipping Socialists.Key Words: Democracy, Muhammed Nakhshab, the Left Thought, Religious Movement, Islamic Revolution

The Analysis of paradox in Foroughi’ Political ThoughtDr. Ebrahim AbbasiMahdi RahmaniAbstract:Pro-Western intellectuals had a key role in the promotion of modern political thought in Iran. However, they were unable to understand Iran’s developments and Iran's intellectual foundations. Therefore, there are a lot of ambiguities in the efficiency of these modern political concepts. Foroughi, as an elite of Pahlavi era, has been highly influential both in the field of thought and in the field of both practical and policy-making in Iran’s contemporary history. He, as an advocate of modernization, western culture, progress and advancement, entered politics in Pahlavi era. He tried to promote the ideas such as nationalism, Iranian identity, unity of the country, rule of law and democracy.Key words: Foroughi, the First Pahlavi, Nationalism, Modernism, Religious Identity

The Analysis of Saudi Arabia’s Strategy for Syrian Crisis (2011-2016)Dr. Hassan Shamsini GhaiasvandAbolfazl Soliman FallahAbstract:During the Syrian crisis, Saudi Arabia has supported the Syrian opposition especially Salafi groups. The goals of Saudi Arabia were to change Syrian regime, to weaken the resistance axis and to change the balance of power in the region. Saudi Arabia officials believe that the overthrow of Syrian regime would force Syria to distance itself from Iran and join an alliance with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has taken several measures to reach its aims in Syria, including: planning of sabotage acts, financial and logistical support of Salafi groups and exerting pressure on the Syrian government in regional and international institutions. In order to conduct their research, the authors have used offensive realism theory.Key Words:Bashar Assad, Syrian Government, Saudi Arabia, Iran, International Institutions

Religion and Politics in Mottahari’s ThoughtDr.Masoud MotalebiMehdi Agh BrariAbstract:According to Mottahari, Islam has high capacity to participate in politics. The religion plays a significant role in the life. To establish a government is part of the Prophet’s plan. The link between religion and politics is necessary. So it is essential to analyze the non- religious movements scientifically. In order to understand Mottahari’s thought, we should pay attention to the disorder, the diagnosis of pain, order and activities of Muslims. Mottahari describes Islamic government as a popular government, which could be compatible with present conditions and human progress. He believes that mechanisms like elections, parties’ competition are compatible with Islam.Key Words:Mottahari, Political Islam, Secularism, Islamic Republic, Legitimacy

Water Crisis, Running and trans-boundary Water of Turkey, National Security and Iran’s EnvironmentSayed Ali Ghaem MaghamiAbstract:The authors would investigate the water crisis between Iran and Turkey, including: Water crisis and Gap project, trans-boundary waters of Turkey, Tigris and Euphrates, Assi and Aras Zap, its impacts on the environment and pollution of the Tigris and Euphrates, and the EU rules on the environment and water policy of Turkey and the trans-boundary water treaty and its fair distribution, The need for Turkey to cooperate with Syria and Iraq, the issue of Arvand River and the drying up of oil and gas, investment by other countries in the Gap project, the rejection of Iran's policies on the damaging effects of the Ilisu dam in the environment of Iraq and Iran by the Turkish Minister, The completion of the Ilyosu dam and related dams and the security objectives of Turkey's dams.Key Words: Turkey, Water, Crisis, Environment, National Security

The Impact of oil revenues on political power in BahrainAli Reza BighiAbstract:The countries in which their economic structure is relied on oil, their political and economic structure is different from other countries’. These countries have one-product economy, especially oil and gas. Bahrain is among those countries who rely on oil and oil products. The main question of the article is: how does oil revenues lead to the concentration of political power in Bahrain and why don’t oil revenues satisfy Bahraini people? The hypothesis of the article is: Al Khalifeh uses oil revenues to invest in favor of himself. Despite the fact that the country has witnessed a degree of economic diversification, the livelihood of its citizens is undesirable.Key Words: Oil, Renter Revenues, Political Power, Bahrain, Al Khalifeh