Al-Rafidain Journal of Political Science

The research discusses the extent of the ability of the Iraqi political elite to achieve a balance between achieving the public good and preserving its own interests, and the extent of its awareness of its basic function and its complex, intertwined roles. Awareness and understanding of the function leads to the non-intersecting roles, and conversely, roles intersect if the elite is not aware and conscious of its function. Therefore, the problem of the study focused on the question: To what extent can the political elite exceed its relative size, as it is charged by society with managing its affairs in a logical manner that preserves its rights and achieves its goals.

Countries, whether major or minor, pursue several options to preserve their security and status while limiting the influence of other powers. Traditionally, these options are hard and soft balancing, alignment and compliance, or neutrality. However, a new term has recently emerged in the strategic literature that explains the behavior of a state that pursues these policies, or some of them simultaneously. It is noted that it follows a policy of hard and soft balance towards another state that threatens its security, while at the same time engaging with it in a policy of bias towards a specific issue. This term is \"strategic hedging,\" which explains the behavior of states, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, as an attempt to avoid security threats and risks in an international environment characterized by uncertainty and instability. The research was based on the problem of: Why and how did the Gulf Cooperation Council states pursue strategic hedging against Iranian geopolitical threats? The research reached a conclusion that: The hedging strategy has provided the GCC states with numerous strategic advantages, such as mitigating threats, preserving their security and existence, and ensuring the independence of their foreign policy. However, this strategy is a temporary option that entails certain challenges and costs, requiring the GCC states to Strengthening their economic and military capabilities.

This study explores Turkey’s 2017 constitutional amendments, which signify a structural transformation from a parliamentary to a semi-presidential system. The research highlights the increasing powers of the president, including veto authority and diminished parliamentary oversight. Using a legal-analytical approach, the study examines the implications of these changes on the balance between the legislative and executive branches. The central hypothesis posits that the amendments weakened parliamentary control, consolidating executive power. Findings indicate a shift toward Presidential, with the abolition of mechanisms like parliamentary interpellation, confirming a major change in the political structure.

This research addresses the topic of \"Transformations in the Security Doctrine in Zionist Thought after the Normalization of Relations with the Arabian Gulf,\" as one of the most prominent geopolitical transformations witnessed in the region over the past decade. It examines the impact of normalization agreements—particularly with the UAE and Bahrain—on the foundations of Israeli security thought. The research is based on a central premise: Gulf normalization was not merely a diplomatic or economic step, but rather represented a strategic variable that reshaped the regional environment from a Zionist perspective, producing qualitative shifts in security concepts, deterrence tools, the nature of alliances, and perceptions of threats. The study concluded that Zionism is redefining the concept of \"strategic depth\" to include Gulf partnerships and developing a security discourse that transcends the traditional boundaries of confrontation, employing soft and technological tools, while simultaneously embracing traditional threats such as Iran and Hamas. The study also demonstrated that this shift is not without contradictions, particularly in light of the ongoing occupation and the complexity of the Palestinian issue. This places the Zionist security doctrine in a state of constant restructuring, influenced by the fragile balances in the region and the determinants of the Zionist interior.

The idea of nationalism has occupied the attention of philosophers, political thinkers, and theorists specializing in political affairs, as one of the rights of nations to independence and to put an end to the wars that broke out between empires in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and to be liberated from the Western colonies that were then firmly established over a large group of geographical regions that included nations that enjoyed certain (ethnic, religious, cultural) characteristics. The idea of nationalism did not settle down to express a single, harmonious system of specific principles according to the characteristics mentioned above. Rather, other visions and ideas of nationalism were put forward by those interested in it, not independently of the circumstances and events they witnessed in their lives. Among these was the political thinker Dmitri Ivanovich Dontsov. What is the type of Ukrainian nationalism in his political thought, what are its driving forces, what are the concepts associated with it, did it constitute the elements of strength or weakness for building the contemporary independent Ukrainian state, what are its repercussions in shaping the Ukrainian state’s foreign and domestic policies, and did it have a role in the contemporary Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the war that took place between the two aforementioned parties in 2022?. Suppose: (The type of Ukrainian nationalism in Dmitry Ivanovich Dontsov’s political thought (ethnic - expansionist - romantic) placed it in a (despotic - dictatorial - totalitarian - fascist) mold, weaving for it a group of driving forces that were linked to some ideologies and political ideas of some extremist Western thinkers with their connection to certain concepts that support and strengthen them, which created weaknesses in the strength of building the contemporary Ukrainian state and drawing up its foreign and domestic policies, As a result of the influence of contemporary Ukrainian nationalists and Ukrainian state leaders on Dontsov\'s vision of Ukrainian nationalism and the extent of the connection with the West that the Ukrainian state should follow, the course of the war was portrayed as a positive consideration for building the Ukrainian state in the minds of Ukrainian politicians and achieving Ukrainian nationalism in accordance with Dontsov\'s political ideas. One of the most prominent findings is that Ukrainian nationalism in Dontsov\'s political thought has a set of driving forces represented by (the will to fight and expand, power, violence, conflict with others, racism, fanaticism, cruelty, hatred, and immorality). These are values far removed from humanity, moral ideals, and peaceful social coexistence, which constitute the foundations of the weakness of the Ukrainian state.

Thought certainly has no boundaries and does not move in one direction. It may return in the opposite direction from which it began. While human thought is cumulative, it is constantly evolving. However, this should not affect theories and ideologies, given their underlying constants and values; otherwise, they would become different ideas and ideologies. Neither liberal nor communist thought derives its ideas from the opposite direction, nor from Islam, and vice versa. Islamic thought is supposed to reject everything that contradicts Islamic law. Accepting any term requires firstly, a return to the origins of the term, identifying its premises and basic sources upon which the term was constructed and the resulting ideas or practices. Then, examining whether they align with the underlying thought of this or that thought, and from an Islamic perspective, whether they conflict with Islamic constants, or whether their use is permissible. Within this approach, and without taking into account the origins and constants, the concept of the Islamization of modernity emerged, by combining Western and Islamic ideas. These ideas are among those proposed by the Turkish Justice and Development Party, which adopted this approach after its founding in 2002. However, the issue did not stop in Türkiye, as the influence of these ideas spread to Arab Islamic parties and figures who were impressed by the Turkish experience.

Iraq witnessed a major political transformation after 2003, represented by the overthrow of the former regime and the establishment of a new political system based on pluralism and democracy. However, this transformation faced fundamental challenges due to internal political balances that were built on sectarian and ethnic foundations. These balances led to the emergence of a quota system that negatively affected the effectiveness of the state\\'s political system and exacerbated crises of corruption, fragmentation of political decision-making, and societal division. Despite this, political balances are important in their ability to prevent political monopoly and to achieve true representation of various societal groups, thereby enhancing political legitimacy and reducing the likelihood of conflicts and divisions.

Sustainable development is a multidimensional, multifaceted process. Its core and foundation is economic development, with education as its foundation, and political institutions and human resources as its leadership and management. It is of great importance for the benefit of countries and societies, in other words, a process of continuous advancement and development in the political, social, economic, and cultural spheres.
Our research addresses the German development experience, which is considered one of the international experiences that succeeded in achieving the development process and maintaining its sustainability. The research was divided into two sections. The first section addressed the theoretical framework for sustainable development, while the second section addressed the beginnings of the development experience in Germany. We demonstrated how Germany rebuilt itself after emerging from World War II (1945) exhausted and devastated, and sought to once again reach the ranks of developed countries. Its first steps were to rebuild its constitutional and political institutions, adopting the parliamentary democratic system and distributing responsibilities between federal institutions (legislative, executive and judicial) and similar institutions at the state level. It also rebuilt its devastated economy and rebuilt the German individual, raising him socially and politically on democratic principles and values that reject a return to dictatorship, and giving civil society and the private sector great importance in the process of development and sustainability. The conclusion came to highlight the most important conclusions reached by the research.

The spread of the internet and digital technologies has provided women with new opportunities in entrepreneurship and global connectivity, helping to bridge the gender gap. Information technology stands out as a fundamental tool that can actively contribute to women\'s empowerment by granting access to knowledge, which enhances their prospects in education, employment, and political and social engagement.However, despite the crucial role women play in society, they continue to face challenges that hinder their ability to use technology to secure their political, social, and economic rights. One major obstacle is the digital divide, as a significant number of women—especially in remote and rural areas—struggle with limited internet access. Additionally, discrimination in the tech job market remains an issue, restricting opportunities for women in technical and innovative fields.Another pressing concern is digital security, where women often face difficulties in protecting their privacy online, including exposure to cyber harassment and digital threats. Addressing these challenges requires strengthening digital literacy among women and promoting policies that ensure equal access to technology for all.Ultimately, technology is not just a tool—it is a driving force capable of triggering a profound transformation in women\'s lives when they are given the chance to benefit from it equitably and fairly.

The United States occupies a leading position in the global system due to its dominance over most global political decision-making channels. It is imperative for countries around the world to seek preferential treatment from Washington. In this context, international actors resort to various forms of influence and pressure on Washington to achieve their interests. The Zionist lobby constitutes an influential force in shaping this policy, playing a key role in maintaining American support, whether military, financial, or diplomatic. This is evident in the continued annual aid to Israel, as well as Washington\\'s support for Israeli positions in international forums. The lobby exerts a strong influence on the legislative and executive branches through legally sanctioned means. Furthermore, the Zionist lobby leverages democratic mechanisms, such as freedom of the press and expression, to directly and indirectly influence institutions. The lobby\\'s role in decision-making has had a significant impact on American foreign policy, particularly toward the Middle East after 2017. Despite the presence of many pressure groups within the American system, the influence of the Zionist lobby is the most powerful in American politics.

The Nordic region has long been considered a strategically significant area in the framework of regional and international security due to its vital geographic location, rich natural resources, and its traditional role as a bridge of balance between East and West. With the rise of security threats in Europe especially following the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine war, the need to reassess the defense policies of the Nordic countries has become increasingly apparent. In this context, Sweden’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) marked a historic shift in its traditional policy of military neutrality.
This research examines the concept of military alliances, with a particular focus on NATO its establishment, member states, functions, and organizational structures. The study also traces the historical development of Sweden, from its founding and independence to its transformation and eventual accession to NATO. Emphasis is placed on the dimensions of this shift and its impact on the structure of European security, illustrating how Sweden’s membership has contributed, first, to strengthening NATO’s defense capabilities, and second, to enhancing the security posture of the Nordic region. At the same time, the research reviews the challenges arising from this accession, highlighting both the opportunities for bolstering collective security and the risks associated with escalating polarization and heightened tensions with Russia.

The research discusses the possibility of a causal relationship between education policies and the design of educational curricula, and how this relationship affects and reflects on determining the content of curricula and consequently on shaping collective memory and national identity among emerging generations, whether positively or negatively. The research concluded that there is a direct impact of education policies on the formulation of the curriculum and the reflection of this on determining the content of the curricula, either by shaping a coherent and balanced collective memory and a cohesive national identity among the youth, or the opposite, depending on what these policies dictate. Countries that adopt an educational approach that makes the contents of school textbooks a space for a shared vision of history, values, and culture will enhance national belonging and the cohesion of collective identity, while countries that adopt an approach that reinforces a unilateral view of the past, marginalizing and excluding the past and history of other cultural groups in society, will lead to fragmentation in identity and weaken loyalty and belonging. However, education remains, in all political systems with their various educational policies, a non-neutral knowledge due to its association with the ideologies and goals of the ruling elites.

This research delves into the theoretical frameworks elucidating the nexus between international alliances and national interest within the literature of international relations, employing a comparative review of Realist, Liberal, and Constructivist perspectives. Realism interprets alliances as rational responses to an anarchic and threat-laden international environment, wherein national interest is defined through the lens of power and security considerations. Conversely, Liberalism views alliances as instruments for achieving cooperative gains within an institutional framework, while Constructivism links alliance behavior to identities and social norms that shape a state\'s perception of its national interest. This study aims to evaluate the explanatory power of these theories in accounting for alliances in light of evolving patterns of national interests and the external conduct of states.

Japanese interests in Africa are a subject that has not been adequately addressed. This study aims to highlight Japan\'s policy interests on the continent, which range from economic interests to access wealth and resources, open markets for its goods, and present itself as a development model to maximize its investments in the continent. Political interests range from gaining the trust of African countries and leveraging their voting bloc to support their desire to reform the Security Council, as well as countering Chinese influence on the continent. Security interests range from combating piracy and achieving maritime security, as well as maintaining peace and stability.

The research discusses the nature of Saudi-Chinese relations after 2015, which witnessed a comprehensive strategic development, as the two countries moved towards a comprehensive strategic partnership in various fields. Politically, coordination between them increased through reciprocal visits and advanced diplomatic relations, and the two sides exchanged support in international forums. Economically, bilateral investments increased, as Saudi oil exports to China rose, in line with the Belt and Road Initiative and the Kingdom\'s Vision 2030. Culturally, joint events were organized to promote cultural dialogue, and academic and educational exchanges increased. Militarily, cooperation expanded in the areas of armament, training, and expertise exchange, including joint technological manufacturing. This progress reflects the transformation of relations into a strategic partnership with political, economic, and military dimensions, transforming them from traditional relations and enjoying independence.