Political Sciences Journal

This study examines the constitutional powers of the Kuwaiti National Assembly in legislation and oversight, while identifying the key challenges that hinder the effective exercise of these powers. Despite its broad constitutional authority, the Assembly faces significant obstacles in advancing electoral, societal, and legal reforms. The study adopts a qualitative methodology, including a descriptive analytical approach to understand the nature of the Kuwaiti parliamentary system, a historical approach to trace the pivotal stages since the Assembly’s establishment in 1963, and a comparative approach to analyze Kuwait’s parliamentary experience relative to other legislative bodies in the Gulf region. The findings indicate that Kuwait’s Parliament—one of the earliest legislative councils in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—holds distinctive authority in legislative, oversight, and financial affairs. However, ongoing tensions between the legislative and executive branches, alongside social, economic, and regional challenges, hinder its institutional development and performance. The analysis shows that Kuwait’s Parliament is unique in its electoral mechanisms, government accountability, and level of independence. Public opinion and political pressures significantly influence its functioning. The study concludes that while the Kuwaiti parliamentary model remains distinctive in the Gulf context, it urgently requires institutional reforms, particularly in enhancing executive-legislative cooperation, combating corruption, and improving electoral laws to promote political stability and equitable representation.

This study sheds light on the most challenging dimensions of targeting Palestinian education during the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip (2023–2024). Gaza witnessed the widespread destruction of its educational infrastructure, resulting in a prolonged crisis in the education sector. The study focuses on three of the most severe aspects of this targeting: the destruction of educational infrastructure, the targeted killing of scientific and academic personnel, and the creation of a sustained crisis in education.
The study seeks to answer the central research question: What are the most challenging dimensions of targeting Palestinian education during the Israeli war on Gaza in 2023–2024?
It employs two methodological approaches: the descriptive-analytical method to document and analyze the targeting of educational infrastructure and the elimination of academic professionals, and the historical method to trace the evolution of educational targeting in Gaza since 1967. Additionally, the study draws on theories of structural violence, human capital, and post-conflict reconstruction to understand the impact of the aggression on education.
The findings highlight that 75% of schools and universities were destroyed, depriving hundreds of thousands of students of access to education. Dozens of scholars and academics were killed, weakening the capacity to rebuild the educational system. The study concludes that the targeting of education was part of a calculated Israeli strategy aimed at disrupting academic life in Gaza, posing long-term challenges to reconstruction and the resumption of education.

This study examines Lenin’s political philosophy and ideas within the context of his efforts to develop Marxism and move it from theoretical discourse to practical application. It highlights the key intellectual transformations of Marxism through an analytical framework grounded in Lenin’s vision. At the same time, the study explores how Lenin adapted and refined these principles to align with the realities of a new era, striving to build a communist society.
The research argues that Lenin did not create an independent theory that stands in opposition to Marxism; rather, Leninism is an extension of Marxism that emerged from it, developed it, and safeguarded it from distortions and deviations, without Lenin himself contributing to the deviations. Through intensive academic analysis employing descriptive, historical, and structural methods, the study deconstructs, reconstructs, and harmonizes various elements within a qualitative framework to address the central research problem.
By presenting Lenin’s political ideas and contributions, the study underscores the most significant conclusions regarding Lenin’s renewal and development of Marxism from a scientifically grounded epistemological perspective. It highlights Leninism as both a theoretical and practical framework that influenced the global order of its time and continues to shape the ideology of socialist and communist parties. Furthermore, Leninism remains a political doctrine and ideological foundation for certain major political systems and other political systems today.

This study explores a strategic approach to controlling cyberspace in order to enhance the intangible dimensions of Iraq’s national security. In the evolving global security landscape, cyberspace has emerged as a pivotal domain that reshapes deterrence concepts, warfare tactics, and the balance of power. Unlike conventional warfare, cyber conflicts are characterized by their non-physical nature, requiring advanced technological capabilities and skilled human resources. For Iraq, like many other states, the challenges in cyberspace are both horizontal and vertical, particularly in the security and capacity-building sectors. These challenges reflect the state's struggle to manage and secure its digital infrastructure effectively. The study investigates whether Iraq possesses the necessary capabilities to control its cyberspace and proposes strategies for addressing non-traditional threats within national defense frameworks.
Utilizing a descriptive and analytical methodology, the research analyzes key concepts, strategies, and policies related to cyberspace governance and connects them to Iraq’s broader national security framework. The findings reveal that cyberspace is increasingly becoming a contested domain, central to geopolitical competition, symbolic power projection, and state sovereignty. The study concludes that addressing Iraq’s cyber vulnerabilities requires high-level governmental coordination, integration of artificial intelligence in defense systems, strategic resource allocation, and inclusive policymaking that involves all stakeholders. Furthermore, a national cyberspace strategy must ensure respect for fundamental human rights while building a trusted, adaptive, and secure digital environment aligned with Iraq’s socio-political priorities.

Abstract:
Russian relations with NATO have gone through stages that varied in nature. The first stage of that relationship witnessed a state of cooperation based on partnerships and bilateral treaties. However, this pattern of interactions in their relationship was not destined to continue, due to the increasing interests of NATO represented by its eastward expansion, which Russia considered an existential threat to it. The geopolitical changes represented by the accession of most Eastern European countries to NATO, especially after the end of the Cold War, have accelerated their relationship towards a new stage. What is the nature of that stage during which the two parties headed towards confrontation, which was represented by the Russian war on Ukraine? And what are the policies that the two sides adopted towards each other during this stage of the conflict? History was present in this study to review the depth of that relationship. It was necessary to analyze that relationship and describe how their relations transformed from a stage of cooperation to a stage of conflict, ending with the Russian war on Ukraine, which did not hide its desire to join NATO.

The concept of environmental citizenship has garnered significant global attention in recent times due to environmental changes resulting from technological and industrial advancements, which have negatively impacted the planet. Environmental citizenship refers to a set of values, customs, traditions, norms, principles, and human attitudes that aim to improve environmental conditions for human communities across the world. It seeks to raise citizens' awareness of environmental issues and define their responsibilities toward their surroundings in order to address challenges that threaten the world today and in the future.
Islamic thinkers have provided clear interpretations of this concept. However, the core issue lies in the extent to which Islamic thought can effectively articulate the environmental principles embedded in Islamic law (Sharia), which emphasizes the significance of the environment, human responsibility for its preservation, and the provision of viable solutions.
This study adopts an analytical methodology to link Islamic concepts, as found in their original sources, with environmental approaches and concerns, alongside a comparative method.
The research concludes that Islamic thought perceives "environmental citizenship" as a philosophical concept rooted in Islam, which was among the first to define the relationship between humans and the environment. Islam places environmental protection as a fundamental and essential objective of human existence. This is evident in Islamic teachings and legal frameworks that advocate for the care of the earth and nature, based on the principle of divine vicegerency (istikhlaf), which promotes combating corruption and achieving reform.
Furthermore, Islam strengthens this commitment by providing society with ethical and legal safeguards that help preserve all that surrounds human life, on land and at sea, while adopting a gradual approach to penalizing actions that might disrupt the balance of the universe ordained by God.

This study focuses on understanding the significant transformations that have taken place in the Russian foreign policy approach towards the Southeast Asian region, with a focus on the key determinants shaping Russia’s orientation towards the region. This is particularly relevant after the increasing role of geography in shaping the visions of national leaders and influencing their decision-making regarding foreign policy matters related to these vital territorial spaces.
The study covers the strategic trajectories of Russian foreign policy towards the region, which inherently constitute a challenge to other international powers, thus making Southeast Asia one of the most vital regions for international actors, due to its geopolitical, economic, political, and navigational significance. Consequently, this Russian dynamism is shaped by an approach that supports various geographical interaction environments to define the nature of its new foreign policy, a development that has matured in response to the objective circumstances presented by geopolitical conflicts.
The study employs both descriptive and analytical methodologies to explain the approaches adopted by Russian foreign policy towards Southeast Asian states. The study concludes that the dynamics of international change, along with the complex interactions that have ensued, have directed attention to strategically important geographic zones, now serving as new arenas for conflict and competition between major global powers and rising regional forces.

يواجه الأمن المجتمعي في العراق تحديات كبيرة، لا سيما في السنوات التي أعقبت عام 2003. ويتمحور الموضوع الرئيسي لهذا البحث حول الموارد والفرص المتاحة لتعزيز الأمن المجتمعي، ومدى إمكانية تبني سياسات عامة أكثر فعالية لمواجهة التحديات التي تعيق تحسينه. وباستخدام منهج التحليل النظامي والمنهج الوصفي، تستكشف الدراسة موضوع الأمن المجتمعي في العراق. وقد اتضح أن مؤشراته لم تتحقق بالشكل المطلوب، على الرغم من التغييرات الإيجابية التي شهدها على جميع المستويات في ظل التحديات السياسية والاقتصادية والمجتمعية. وهذا يستدعي دراسة الآليات الرئيسية التي يمكن اعتمادها لاستثمار الموارد والفرص المتاحة. وتخلص الدراسة إلى أن عناصر السياسة العامة الفعالة ينبغي أن ترتكز على تبني حوكمة رشيدة وعادلة، وسياسات اقتصادية ومجتمعية تخفف من الاختلالات الاقتصادية المؤثرة، بما في ذلك مكافحة الفقر والبطالة، والحفاظ على مستوى معيشي مقبول، وترسيخ قيم المواطنة والتعايش السلمي. وتُقترح هذه الآليات كآليات فعالة لمواجهة هذه التحديات وتعزيز الأمن المجتمعي.

Research centers (or think tanks) are among the most important and prominent features of civil and political society in the United States of America, due to their influence on decision-making institutions and the formulation of both domestic and foreign strategies. The favorable conditions in the United States have led to the emergence and growth of these centers, with the Brookings Institution standing out as one of the nation's foremost research institutions.
The study addresses the issue of understanding the roles of research centers, particularly the Brookings Institution, and their role in shaping American strategy. It employs a historical approach to trace the evolution and development of research centers, along with a descriptive method to define these centers and collect relevant information and data.
The study concludes that the most significant and effective research centers are found in the United States, as evidenced by the conducive conditions for their development and the prominent role they play in influencing U.S. policies and strategies. This is especially true for the Brookings Institution, which decision-makers heavily rely upon as a primary source of reliable information and data, benefiting from the expertise of its researchers in addressing key issues and their role in supporting decision-makers by influencing public opinion in their favor.

The Indo-Pacific region, also known as the "Indo-Pacific," has become a focal point for global powers, being recognized as a strategic and economic heavyweight. It is home to more than half of the world's population and represents 60% of global GDP. In addition, its centrality to global value chains, international trade, and investment flows further accentuates its importance. Beyond these factors, the Indo-Pacific holds strategic significance for both the United States and China, prompting both nations to adopt numerous alliances and mechanisms to bolster their presence in the region. In this context, the study seeks to answer the central research question: What is the impact of U.S.-China competition in the Indo-Pacific region on its future? To answer this, the research analyzes the emergence and evolution of the Indo-Pacific concept, along with the American and Chinese endeavors to deepen their presence and expand their influence in this strategically important region by employing an international system approach. Additionally, the study explores the expected scenarios, the most probable of which is the continued competition between the United States and China in the region without escalating into outright conflict.

This study aims to analyze the continuity and change in U.S. cybersecurity strategy from 2009 to 2024, with a focus on evaluating why these strategies have been largely ineffective despite the United States' technological prominence. The study also seeks to understand the impact of cyber challenges on U.S. national security and to assess the extent to which adopted strategies have succeeded in achieving national objectives. The central problem addressed is that, despite the U.S. possessing advanced technological capabilities in cybersecurity, and despite successive administrations, particularly under Obama and Trump, recognizing the risks posed by cyber threats, the country continues to experience major breaches that threaten its national security.
The research employs an analytical approach to study the dimensions and determinants of U.S. cybersecurity strategy, alongside a case study method to use the U.S. model as a framework for understanding its successes and failures. A comparative approach is also used to analyze the evolution of cybersecurity strategies across different administrations, beginning with Obama, followed by Trump, and up to Biden.
The study concludes with several key findings, most notably that the lack of coordination among U.S. cybersecurity institutions has undermined the effectiveness of strategic responses. The study also highlights shifts in priorities across different administrations. It recommends strengthening interagency coordination to unify efforts and enhance emergency response capabilities. Moreover, it emphasizes the need to develop integrated strategies that link cybersecurity directly with national security.