Journal of University of Babylon

This study aims to (1) estimate the role of social media platforms in promoting intellectual security to decrease extremism in Iraq;(2) identify the extent to which Iraqis have been exposed to extremist content on social media; (3) understand the nature of the extremist content that Iraqis encounter on social media platforms; and(4) highlight the tools for promoting intellectual security to decrease extremism on social media platforms. The study is descriptive, employing the field survey method, which is one of the prominent research methodologies in media studies. To achieve the aims of the study, the researchers used a questionnaire which was distributed electronically and randomly to a sample of (400) individuals from the Iraqi community.

Climate change is a phenomenon that is witnessing an increasing escalation in its pace and impact, unlike anything else the world has witnessed since the Industrial Revolution. It has led to the most significant change in the atmosphere due to the rise of greenhouse gases, which form a thick layer surrounding the atmosphere, trapping heat, thus raising temperatures. The causes of climate change are divided into natural and human-caused causes, with human activity being the primary motive behind this sudden change. The emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere leads to a rise in temperature and catastrophic changes in weather and climate, leading to radical shifts in normal weather conditions that negatively impact the environment, natural systems, human health, and food security.

The environment and sustainable development are essential pillars for achieving social and economic stability, particularly in impoverished communities that face neglect and poor service quality. This study explores the repercussions of the economic and political challenges Iraq has faced in recent years, which have significantly undermined environmental awareness and led to a broad deterioration of environmental conditions—culminating in alarming levels of both environmental and intellectual pollution. Employing a descriptive-analytical methodology, the research utilized surveys and expert interviews to assess the relationship between environmental degradation, unsustainable practices, and the broader political-economic landscape. Findings reveal a strong correlation between these crises and the decline in environmental responsibility, exacerbated by weak governmental policies and ineffective awareness programs. The study concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for robust environmental policies, improved environmental education, and active community participation in sustainable development initiatives.

Climate change has become a matter that cannot be ignored, as this change has become like human wars in terms of danger. Therefore, the issue of climate change has become a threat to international peace and security. Given the seriousness of the repercussions resulting from climate change, it has become obligatory for the international community to establish controls and foundations and to strive hard before it worsens. This can be done through reducing the Earth's temperature from 2 to 1.5 degrees Celsius and return it to the natural rate before the era of the industrial revolution by the year 2050.

This research explores the complex and controversial relationship between women's rights and religious extremism within the context of sustainable development. It argues that empowering women is not only a human rights obligation but a fundamental pillar for achieving inclusive and lasting development. The study examines how extremist interpretations of religion have historically and contemporarily been used to justify the exclusion and suppression of women, especially in regions affected by conflict or religious conservatism. Through a conceptual framework and comparative case studies - including Afghanistan, Tunisia, and Iraq - the research analyzes how restricting women's rights impedes social, economic, and institutional progress, and how inclusive policies and moderate religious discourse can act as countermeasures to extremism. The findings indicate that sustainable development cannot be achieved without gender justice, and that reforming religious narratives, enhancing women's participation in education and the labor market, and adopting inclusive governance are key strategies in building resilient and equitable societies.

Technological developments in the media and their diversity have enriched freedom of expression, expanded the scope of societal dialogue, and opened a wide space for the emergence of various ideas, both sound and deviant. Among these ideas is extremist ideology. Intellectual extremism is a profound and destructive problem for society, as it leads to the destruction of the basic structure of society. Intellectual extremism targets young people in particular and is considered a tool for destroying and sabotaging the state, rather than protecting and developing it. Social media, in particular, has found an opportunity to achieve the desired spread, free from societal and legal oversight. This research paper aims to identify the role of social media platforms in instigating extremist ideology and the most prominent motives and implications of this ideology.