Regional Studies Journal

Research Idea: The study examines the transformations in the status of women in Iran between 1979 and 1997, analyzing how religion, politics, and economic conditions intersected with broader social and educational developments. It also seeks to identify the overarching trends that influenced women’s social rights and everyday practices during this period.
Objectives: The research aims to assess the impact of the 1979 Islamic Revolution on the transformation of women’s status in Iran and to highlight the key domains in which substantial changes occurred, particularly those that contributed positively to women’s social and political advancement.
Methods: The study adopts historical, inductive, and analytical approaches within a chronological framework that links the events of the revolution and subsequent political transitions to evolving social laws and practices. General patterns were identified through inductive analysis of available data, while analytical deconstruction of major influencing factors was used to examine causal relationships and develop explanatory models illustrating how religious ideology, political structures, and economic conditions interacted with processes of social change.
Results: The Islamic Revolution introduced a redefined ideological and legal framework that reshaped women’s roles within Iranian society, particularly during the first decade following 1979. Although this period presented new constraints, it also led to increased engagement by women in public life, particularly in advocating for their rights. The presidency of Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (1989–1997) marked a phase of relative openness, during which women benefited from broader opportunities, expanded rights discourse, and notable gains in various spheres.
Conclusion: The research emphasizes the importance of empowering women in their role in society, granting them active political participation alongside men, and ensuring that there is legislation that supports their political rights, enhances their social status and provides a suitable working environment.

Research idea: The main idea of the research revolves around the fact that George W. Bush\\'s administration was very different from previous administrations, and that this difference was reflected in many laws and procedures and translated into many policies, especially at the domestic level.
Research objective: The research aims to monitor the most prominent and important changes that were introduced to internal security policy in the United States after 2001, and seeks to analyze the reasons and factors behind these changes.
Research methodology: The research adopted a historical approach based on monitoring and collecting information and an analytical approach to analyzing the information in order to arrive at a better understanding of the nature and trajectory of George W. Bush’s domestic security policy.
Results: The research reached a number of conclusions, the most important of which is that an atmosphere of fear and apprehension provides an ideal environment for imposing and implementing strict policies and measures, both domestically and internationally, and that the events of September 11, 2001, contributed to the creation of such an environment.
Conclusion: The study concluded that after September 11, 2001, there was an increased reliance on domestic security through the expansion of federal government powers and intelligence coordination, with a focus on targeting and enabling technologies and surveillance, accompanied by confrontations over civil rights. This led to a change in policy-making and interagency cooperation frameworks and the balance between security and freedom.

Research Idea: This research examines the conditions of Syrian refugees in Iraq, with particular emphasis on the Kurdistan Region, which has been the principal destination for Syrian refugees since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011 through late 2024.
Research Objective: The research aims to meet the needs of the academic community and policymakers by providing an in-depth understanding of the situation of Syrian refugees in Iraq and the challenges they face.
Methodology: The research adopts a historical method to collect and document relevant data, complemented by an analytical approach to interpret the findings and develop a clearer understanding of the circumstances of Syrian refugees in Iraq and their future prospects.
Findings: The findings show that major support efforts for Syrian refugees are led by civil society organizations and international agencies, while the role of the Iraqi state remains limited due to ongoing and cumulative political and economic crises.
Conclusion: The research underscores the need to strengthen international response mechanisms and to develop long-term legal solutions related to residency, official documentation, and family reunification. It also emphasizes the importance of improving access to education, employment opportunities, and social integration within the host community, or by exploring durable third-country resettlement options that offer long-term stability.

Research Idea: This research provides an analysis of the nature and conduct of Russian foreign policy towards the Yemeni crisis. It examines Russia's attempts to propose peace initiatives for resolving the crisis, its endeavor to underscore its standing on the international stage, and its efforts to safeguard its interests in the Arabian Gulf region.
Objectives: This research aims to illuminate the management of Russian foreign policy vis-à-vis the Yemeni crisis and the political and strategic dimensions of this posture at the international and regional levels. Russia has sought to implement its strategy and advance its peaceful initiatives regarding the Yemeni conflict through various means, both diplomatic and economic.
Methodes: The research adopted the historical method, the analytical method, and the inductive method in addressing the research subject.
Results: Russia has sought to bolster its position in Yemen in alignment with its aspirations to reclaim its standing within the international system. Consequently, its mediation efforts are poised to enhance its status and contribute to cultivating an image of a peacemaker on the global stage. This approach has enabled Moscow to foster expanded Russo-Yemeni relations while simultaneously reinforcing its ties with the Arab Gulf states.
Conclusion: Russian foreign policy approaches the Yemeni dossier through the prism of its interests vis-à-vis regional powers. It will undoubtedly need to account for the positions of its partners within OPEC+ and in numerous investment portfolios, as well as balance its interests with Tehran. Concurrently, Moscow emphasizes the importance of establishing an equilibrium among Yemen's centers of power. The ultimate objective is to facilitate the formation of a national unity government, after which Russia could move to reactivate the

Research idea: Terrorism is a complex phenomenon that threatens many nations and peoples, foremost among them the Islamic nation with its diverse peoples and colors. This phenomenon has been linked to the essence of Islam and its holy book by the enemies of that nation and those who lie in wait for it in order to achieve their own ambitions and deviant goals.
Objectives: This research aims to clarify the concept of terrorism, the difference between it and legitimate jihad, the position of Islamic currents on the phenomenon, and to study the intellectual and political causes that led to the emergence of terrorism and propose solutions to curb this phenomenon.
Methodes: I used a descriptive and analytical approach to explain the concept and analyze intellectual, political, and religious texts, as well as an inductive and critical approach to show how wrong it is to accuse Islam of terrorism.
Results: The study reached several conclusions, the most important of which are: the concept of terrorism differs according to the ideology and perspective of each group. It showed the big difference between jihad and terrorism, the former being legitimate and the latter being forbidden in all religions. The West's description of Islam as terrorism is intended to scare people away from it or to justify the occupation of some countries for their resources. Terrorist and extremist behavior is contrary to Islam and contradicts its principles of justice, ease, and mercy.
Conclusion: I have concluded that Islam prohibits terrorism and any act that attacks others or facilities and institutions, and distinguishes between terrorism and armed resistance, which is legitimate for the defense of the homeland, religion, self, and family. The West has erred in accusing Islam of terrorism, as it is based on the values of justice, mercy, and equality, and prohibits attacks on others. There are many causes of terrorism, including social, ideological, and others, and the only way to remedy it is to address these causes.

Research Idea: This research provides an analytical examination of Morocco’s green hydrogen strategy, highlighting a central tension within national policy. On one hand, the state seeks to attract substantial foreign investment, which serves as the principal driving force behind this ambitious strategy. On the other hand, the approach requires safeguarding the country’s energy and economic sovereignty.
Objectives: The research aims to clarify how Morocco’s legal and strategic frameworks have been shaped in ways that primarily facilitate the country’s integration into global markets as a key supplier of green energy, while placing comparatively less emphasis on developing a sovereign domestic energy market. It also evaluates the economic, social, environmental, and technological dimensions of the strategy, dimensions that often reinforce external interests, whereas Morocco’s gains remain modest in terms of employment, clean-energy uptake, investment inflows, and the development of technological capabilities.
Methods: The research employs a mixed-methods approach that integrates qualitative and quantitative analysis, drawing on official legal and strategic documents as well as investment data.
Results: The current strategy has significantly facilitated the influx of foreign investment, thereby reproducing dependency patterns by positioning Morocco as a platform for extracting various green resources in service of external interests. At the same time, its capacity to establish integrated national industrial bases and to achieve genuine energy sovereignty remains limited.
Conclusion: Green hydrogen represents a major strategic opportunity for Morocco despite persistent structural constraints. Realizing this potential, however, requires a fundamental shift toward a sovereign and equitable development model, one that balances global economic integration with the protection of national interests, rather than perpetuating an extractivist and dependency-driven paradigm. Such a shift would set a new benchmark for emerging economies, enabling developing countries to harness their resources not only to address domestic needs but also to build a strong, innovative, and future-oriented energy economy.

Research Idea: The suspension of an employee from duty constitutes a critical administrative measure within the Iraqi public service framework, governed by the amended State and Public Sector Employees Discipline Law No. 14 of 1991. This measure functions as a precautionary tool employed by the administration to ensure the proper conduct of administrative or criminal investigations and to safeguard the public interest against potential harm that may result from the employee’s continued exercise of official duties. Given the significant legal and financial consequences that suspension entails for the employee, a comprehensive examination of its legal foundations, conditions, and procedural safeguards is warranted.
Objectives: This research seeks to examine the concept of suspension from duty under Iraqi legislation, its various forms, the mechanisms governing its implementation, and its legal and financial implications. It further aims to offer comparative insights by juxtaposing this procedure with analogous measures in other legal systems.
Methods: The research adopts a descriptive and analytical methodology, complemented by a comparative approach that examines the amended State and Public Sector Employees Discipline Law No. 14 of 1991 alongside the Civil Service Law No. 81 of 2016 of the Arab Republic of Egypt and its implementing regulations.
Results: The research concluded that suspending a public employee is an administrative procedure, not a punishment. Its effects include the administration's recourse to it, which deprives the employee of performing their duties, their salary, and promotion. However, the employee has the right to appeal the suspension decision, which is made by the administration to safeguard their interests.
Conclusion: Studying the issue of suspending a public employee is inextricably linked to studying the philosophy of punishment in administrative law and the safeguards that ensure justice within the state's administrative apparatus. This makes it a highly important topic for legislators, administrators, and employees alike.

Research Idea: The principle of equality in the right to education is a foundational pillar for achieving peace and sustainable development. It promotes mutual understanding and fosters relationships grounded in respect among individuals and communities, making it a vital factor in establishing the foundations of peace.
Objectives: This research seeks to examine the principle of equality in the right to education as a core legal and humanitarian basis contributing to social harmony and sustainable peacebuilding. It aims to clarify the constitutional and international frameworks that regulate this right and to assess the extent to which substantive equality is realized within the Iraqi educational context, particularly in regions with weak infrastructure or emerging from conflict. The research further explores both the direct and indirect linkages between equal educational opportunities and social cohesion, as well as the role of school curricula in either promoting or undermining a culture of peace.
Methods: The research adopts an analytical–comparative approach through the examination and interpretation of legal texts, supported by inductive reasoning to draw conclusions about the impact of equitable education on peacebuilding. A comparative method is applied where appropriate to enhance contextual and legal understanding.
Results: The principle of equality in the right to education requires universal and nondiscriminatory access, imposing an obligation on the state to guarantee education for all individuals. Nonetheless, the lack of adequate infrastructure in many schools, particularly in rural areas and certain governorates, has resulted in de facto discrimination, limiting equitable access to and enjoyment of this right.
Conclusion: The research concludes that equality in the right to education constitutes an essential precondition for peacebuilding, especially in societies affected by conflict or instability. Although the 2005 Iraqi Constitution provides a strong legal basis for the right to education, disparities in infrastructure and educational services across governorates, urban centers, and rural areas continue to impede the realization of substantive equality in accessing this fundamental right.

Research Idea: Artificial intelligence is a rapidly evolving technology with profound implications for human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly civil and political rights, which constitute core and inalienable rights of individuals. While its impact varies across different rights, the rights to privacy, personal data protection, and freedom of opinion and expression are among the most affected. AI systems have introduced new challenges to safeguarding these rights, rendering them increasingly vulnerable to violations by both governments and private actors.
Objectives: This research highlights the major legal challenges associated with the realization of the rights to privacy and freedom of opinion and expression amid the unprecedented development of artificial intelligence technologies. In many of their forms, applications, and functions, these technologies now pose significant legal and human rights risks, potentially resulting in violations of several protected rights.
Methods: The research adopts a descriptive-analytical methodology, drawing on information from a variety of sources, including legal instruments and scholarly literature on human rights. These materials are systematically examined, critiqued, and analyzed to identify the most significant challenges faced by international human rights bodies in addressing the implications of AI technologies.
Results: Artificial intelligence represents one of the most prominent manifestations of scientific progress, permeating virtually all aspects of life and necessitating ongoing societal, institutional, and regulatory adaptation. It directly affects human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly the rights to privacy and freedom of opinion and expression, which have been among the most significantly impacted by the increasing deployment of intelligent systems.

Research Idea: Jurisdiction is a fundamental pillar of administrative decisions, serving as the legal basis for the administration and its officials. It directly impacts the validity and legality of administrative acts. Given its importance, this study focuses on a key aspect: the temporal component of jurisdiction in administrative decision-making. This component pertains to the specific timeframe within which a competent authority, whether an individual or a body, is legally empowered to issue an administrative decision.
Objectives: This research aims to analyze the temporal dimension of jurisdiction and its significance. It seeks to clarify the temporal limits on the exercise of administrative power, elucidate the concept of temporal lack of jurisdiction, and examine the perspectives of legal scholars and judicial authorities, followed by critical analysis and comparison.
Methods: The research adopts a comparative and analytical approach.
Results: The temporal component of Jurisdiction stipulates that an administrative decision must be issued by the legally competent authority within a prescribed timeframe. The decision-maker must be vested with the legal authority to act precisely within that period. Thus, the temporal dimension delineates the precise period of competence for an administrative authority. It is an essential element for ensuring the legal validity and effectiveness of administrative acts.
Conclusion: Administrative authorities must adhere to the legislatively defined temporal scope for exercising their powers. Non-compliance with these temporal limits may render the decision vulnerable to challenge before administrative courts on grounds of temporal lack of jurisdiction, potentially leading to its annulment.

Research Idea: This research focuses on analyzing the conflict between international law and Iraqi domestic law concerning the Agreement on the Regulation of Maritime Navigation in Khor Abdullah (2013), following the ruling of the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court finding the agreement unconstitutional. This ruling has generated legal uncertainty regarding Iraq’s international obligations under the agreement and the feasibility of its implementation.
Objectives: The research aims to assess the legal and political implications of the Federal Supreme Court’s decision, with a view to formulating a revised Iraqi negotiating position vis-à-vis Kuwait. It seeks to resolve the ongoing debate and conflicting viewpoints regarding the agreement’s viability and to clarify the relevant facts based on competing legal arguments and evidence.
Methodes: To ensure a comprehensive treatment of the subject, the study adopts an integrated scientific methodology combining multiple approaches. These include the descriptive method to provide an accurate account of the maritime boundary delimitation dispute in Khor Abdullah, as well as the inductive and analytical methods to examine and evaluate relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the work of the UN Iraq-Kuwait Boundary Demarcation Commission.
Results: The boundary dispute between Iraq and Kuwait is complex and multifaceted, characterized more by political considerations than by purely legal ones. This complexity stems from the persistence of disagreements and expansionist conflicts across different historical periods, which have constituted a continuous source of tension. A key factor has been the absence of an official Iraqi document formally recognizing the course of the boundary line prior to the issuance of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions on boundary demarcation.
Conclusion: The research concludes by recommending that Iraq and Kuwait resort to negotiation as a fundamental diplomatic mechanism, grounded in the principles of good neighborliness and good faith. The objective is to reassess the Khor Abdullah Agreement in a manner that safeguards the mutual interests of both states, while addressing and remedying any prejudice or detriment suffered by Iraq as a result of the prior implementation of Security Council resolutions.

Research idea: This research examines the active role of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in restoring stability in Iraq through monitoring human rights violations, providing recommendations to relevant authorities, and supporting institutional capacity-building.
Objectives: The research aims to introduce the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and to examine its role in promoting human rights in Iraq, particularly through supporting the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and assisting vulnerable groups within Iraqi society.
Methodes: The research adopts a descriptive approach to present the reality of UNAMI, its activities, and their impact on human rights. It also employs an analytical approach to examine legal texts, United Nations resolutions, and the conditions and actions undertaken by the Mission under research.
Results: The research finds that UNAMI has played a pivotal role in restoring stability in Iraq by combining humanitarian, developmental, and political support functions. In the humanitarian and development fields, the Mission has acted as a key link between the Iraqi government and specialized United Nations agencies.
Conclusion: The research concludes that UNAMI has contributed effectively to linking humanitarian and developmental dimensions, thereby enhancing political and social stability in Iraq. Despite challenges related to occasional weak coordination and limited resources, the research emphasizes the need to strengthen institutional cooperation between the Iraqi government and the Mission.