political issues

In light of the ongoing conflict involving the United States and the Zionist entity against Iran, China has emerged as an influential international actor seeking to safeguard its strategic, economic, and political interests in the region. This study examined China’s role in the U.S.–Israeli war against Iran by analyzing the nature of Sino-Iranian relations and assessing the extent to which economic and strategic interests shape China’s foreign policy toward Iran and its position regarding the conflict .The study further explored the implications of the U.S.–Israeli military campaign against Iran, as well as the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, on global energy security. In addition, it highlighted China’s capacity to play an influential international role in managing regional crises The findings indicate that China’s role in the current conflict is significant, yet not decisive. China acts as a force advocating de-escalation, capitalizes on strategic opportunities arising from American challenges, and seeks to protect its commercial and strategic interests. It also operates through partnerships with regional mediators while remaining cautious about assuming the responsibilities of a binding security guarantor. This approach reflects the essence of China’s policy in the Middle East: broad influence coupled with limited commitment.

The main goal of this study is to establish the concept of social resilience, as it is a modern concept that has not been widely discussed in political literature, and to try to link it to the variable of extremism and violence that threatens society by breaking the state of stability and security and drawing its members into isolation, seclusion, and withdrawal, and later turning to violence that affects all members of society without exception. Therefore, strengthening the foundations of resilience and steadfastness in the face of the winds of extremism and violence is one of the most important factors in thwarting plans aimed at spreading the fever of violence and extremism to achieve certain ideological, religious, or political goals. This study is a contribution to explaining the most important foundations and strategies that can be relied upon and depended upon to confront these dangerous groups and thus eliminate them.

This study investigates the implications of the United States’ deployment of the U.S. dollar as a political instrument, particularly through the imposition of sanctions and the freezing of assets—a practice referred to as the “exorbitant privilege”—which has enabled the dollar to sustain its dominant status in the global financial system, accounting for approximately 58% of international reserves. The analysis highlights that the overuse of this instrument may incentivize other major global powers to pursue alternatives to the dollar. Quantitative projections, derived from the ARMA model, indicate that the dollar’s share of global reserves may decline to approximately 35% by 2030, closely approaching the euro’s share (34%), alongside a marked increase in the share of other currencies, signaling a gradual transition toward a multipolar international monetary system.

Studying cognitive surprise and understanding its connection to the strategic environment is a subject that has not been addressed. This prompted us to examine the topic, taking examples from the regional and international environments as a case study to demonstrate the relationship between the two variables and, subsequently, to determine the extent of the impact and repercussions of cognitive surprise in that environment.
A cognitive surprise is not a passing event, but rather a crack in the edifice of human consciousness itself. It is not merely an "analytical error," but rather a moment of profound revelation of the human mind's inability to grasp the complexity of environmental reality. It is the moment in which the limitations of the strategic intellectual frameworks upon which we base our understanding of environmental reality are exposed, proving that truth is not merely a solvable equation, but rather a constantly renewing and changing entity.
Each of these models is not merely a history lesson, but rather a profound philosophical and strategic invitation to reflect on the nature of knowledge, the limits of perception, and how to free oneself from the shackles of "previous certainties." Cognitive surprise is not the "end of the road," but rather the starting point for a new intellectual and strategic experiment, requiring existential humility, the ability to view the world from multiple perspectives, and the rebuilding of awareness and perception on the basis of flexibility and the ability to adapt to what lies ahead.

This research seeks to shed light on one of the most prominent movements that has emerged in recent years: the alt-right. Since the first decade of the 21st century, this movement has been expanding its popular base and spreading its influence, becoming a clear and impactful presence within the United States. Some of its members have even held important positions in the administration of Donald Trump. This has coincided with an increase in the movement's activity in disseminating its ideas and visions, its extensive use of the internet and social media, its organization of demonstrations and marches, and its occasional use of force, violence, and threats. Ultimately, it has transformed into an influential force and a growing power whose presence and influence are expected to increase in the coming years.

This research addresses the theoretical and methodological challenges facing political analysis during armed conflicts. It does so by directly integrating the theoretical framework into the context of three selected cases: the Iranian-Israeli conflict as a model of international conflict, the Sudanese conflict as a model of internal disintegration, and the Syrian conflict as an example of local-regional-international entanglement. Therefore, the research seeks to link theoretical propositions with practical issues to present a balanced analytical approach that contributes to overcoming the shortcomings of political analysis during conflicts.

This study analyzes the impact of e-government on the effectiveness of governmental performance, using the Kingdom of Bahrain as a case study. It argues that digital transformation is no longer limited to technical service delivery, but has become a reform-oriented approach linked to efficiency, transparency, accountability, and e-participation. The study adopts a descriptive-analytical method and a case-study approach, relying on specialized literature, United Nations e-government reports, and official data issued by Bahrain’s Information & eGovernment Authority. The findings indicate that Bahrain has achieved clear progress in digital-service maturity and multi-channel service delivery, contributing to improved public-service quality, reduced time and cost, and stronger institutional trust. However, the effectiveness of this progress remains conditional on infrastructure sustainability, human-capacity development, digital inclusion, data protection, and continuous administrative reform. The study concludes that e-government should not be understood as a purely technical option, but as a tool for improving governmental performance when supported by administrative, legal, and cultural reform.

Saudi Arabia has played a pivotal role in shaping global energy production policies in the aftermath of the Ukrainian crisis, by adopting a balanced approach aimed at maintaining stability in oil markets. It relied on coordination with the OPEC+ alliance to regulate production levels, prioritizing long-term stability over short-term political pressures. Moreover, its production capacity and influence have contributed to reducing market volatility and enhancing global energy security, reflecting a pragmatic policy that balances national interests with international stability.

This study analyzes the impact of political violence on the reshaping of social life in the Gaza Strip, adopting a sociological approach that views violence as a tool of social engineering, extending beyond destruction to encompass dimensions of genocide. A qualitative methodology was employed, including in-depth interviews with displaced persons and community actors, ethnographic observations, and analysis of international reports, to examine transformations in social space, solidarity patterns, and mechanisms of self-organization under war and extermination. Findings show that systematic political violence not only causes material destruction but also dismantles existing living spaces while generating emergent ones, where survival becomes the central determinant of social relations. The study concludes that violence in Gaza cannot be reduced to a military act; it is a social process that reconfigures authority and meaning, including genocidal dimensions, rendering the Palestinian experience a theoretical laboratory for understanding the interplay of violence, social organization, and resistance.

This study was titled “Sixty Years Since the Establishment of the Political Science Specialization in Iraq - Review and Evaluation,” and its aim is to evaluate the political science specialization in Iraq about sixty years after its inception. Despite the ancient origins of this specialization in the country, it suffers from many challenges. The most notable of which is the weakness of the outputs of political science faculties and departments, as well as the failure to provide jobs for graduates of this specialty, In fact, until now there is no job title for graduates of political science, and there are many other challenges that have prompted thousands of students to refrain from studying this vital specialty. To confront these challenges, at the end of this study, the researcher presented a number of proposals that would advance the teaching of this specialty. The most prominent of these are: The solutions include encouraging students and researchers to study this specialty by working to provide them with jobs, and putting pressure on the relevant authorities in the government to find job titles for political science graduates, This specialty cannot be advanced either, except by activating the role of the Iraqi Association for Political Science, one of whose tasks is to advance this specialty.

The relationship between population growth and the achievement of sustainable development is grounded in the reciprocal interaction between demographic and developmental variables. In Iraq, population growth has been witnessing a steady annual increase due to rising fertility rates, early marriage, polygamy, improvements in healthcare services, limited awareness of family planning programs, as well as prevailing social and cultural factors. Following 2014, population growth in Iraq has encountered significant security, health, and economic challenges, which have been reflected in the demographic structure and the provision of basic services. Unregulated population growth constitutes a major impediment to the attainment of sustainable development, as it generates increasing pressures on resources, infrastructure, and the quality of public services. Nevertheless, population growth can be harnessed as a supportive factor for sustainable development in Iraq through effective population policies that regulate demographic transitions and capitalize on the demographic dividend by improving health and education systems and promoting the empowerment of women and youth. This is contingent upon the effectiveness of population policies in integrating demographic indicators into development strategies and achieving the necessary balance between demographic demands and the objectives of sustainable development. Accordingly, decision-makers must work towards institutionalizing the demographic variable within public policies and programs, including those related to education, health, economic development, spatial planning, environmental management, and the social empowerment of women and youth.

The Kurdish issue constitutes a structural pivot in Iraqi-Turkish relations, where national, geographical, and political dimensions intersect. Security pressures between the two nations have primarily centered on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) file and the emergence of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, viewed as a perceived threat to Turkish national security. Despite persistent sovereign tensions and disputes over borders and water resources, burgeoning economic interests have mitigated the intensity of the conflict. Consequently, the Kurdish question remains the most decisive factor in reshaping the regional balances between the two countries

This study analyzes cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure in the Middle East and examines their implications for European security within the context of rapid digital transformation in the international system. The study is based on the assumption that the escalation of these threats extends beyond the regional level to pose significant challenges to the economic and strategic security of the European Union, particularly in areas such as energy, trade, and global supply chains. To achieve its objectives, the research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach combined with public policy analysis, focusing on the nature of cyber threats in the region and the European Union’s response strategies. The findings indicate that cyberattacks have become a key instrument in contemporary geopolitical conflicts, and that addressing these threats requires the development of comprehensive national and regional cybersecurity strategies, strengthened institutional and legal frameworks, and enhanced international cooperation.

This study examines the strategy of collective security as a fundamental framework adopted by states to enhance regional stability and its impact on economic development, with Southeast Asia as a case study. The research is based on the hypothesis that collective security contributes directly and indirectly to creating a stable environment that encourages investment and supports economic integration among states.
The study explores the evolution of the concept of collective security and its political and economic dimensions, analyzing the role of regional organizations, particularly the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in promoting security cooperation and reducing intra-regional conflicts. It also discusses the interrelationship between security and stability on one hand, and economic growth on the other, by examining development, investment, and trade indicators within the region.
The research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach to examine the phenomenon, along with a comparative method to highlight the uniqueness of Southeast Asia’s experience compared to other regions. The findings indicate that collective security strategies have significantly contributed to creating a stable environment, positively reflected in attracting foreign investment and enhancing sustainable economic growth.
The study concludes that security is no longer a purely military concept, but a fundamental pillar for achieving economic development, necessitating the strengthening and modernization of regional cooperation mechanisms to address contemporary challenges.

The digital financial transformations that have taken place in Arab countries after 2020, in light of the rapid advancement of financial technology and the widespread adoption of digital services, with a particular focus on the role of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) in developing financial systems and strengthening international economic relations. The study aims to analyze the conceptual framework of digital financial transformation, assess the reality of its applications in Arab countries, and highlight the experience of Iraq as a model of a developing country seeking to modernize its financial infrastructure and integrate into the global financial system.
The research adopts a descriptive-analytical methodology by reviewing economic literature and official reports, as well as analyzing practical experiences of selected Arab countries, particularly digital payment projects and central bank digital currency initiatives. The findings indicate that digital financial transformation represents an effective tool for improving the efficiency of payment systems, expanding financial inclusion, and reducing transaction costs, in addition to its role in enhancing monetary stability and supporting regional and international financial integration. The results also show that the success of these transformations in Arab countries, especially in Iraq, is closely linked to the availability of advanced digital infrastructure, flexible regulatory frameworks, and effective policies for managing technical and cybersecurity risks.

International economic sanctions are a means of international pressure in resolving international disputes and conflicts. Therefore, the focus was on the Russian-Ukrainian war (2022) as a modern model of wars and it became the focus of international attention. Therefore, the Western American and European powers imposed different types of these sanctions with the aim of changing the Russian political behaviour towards Ukraine, limiting the Russian military power and weakening the Russian economy in order to reduce its ability to finance the war, isolate Russia internationally and limit the extension of these conflicts to other regions, with a statement of the most important of these international economic sanctions imposed on Russia and the alternatives that Russia resorted to in light of these sanctions.

The Russia–Ukraine war reinforced the centrality of power in U.S. strategy through strengthened military deterrence, expanded alliances, and intensified technological and energy dominance. The United States sought to reaffirm leadership of the international order, contain Russia and China, and link European security to American interests within a comprehensive power-based strategic vision The United States of America is providing intensive support to Ukraine and offering it unprecedented military and economic assistance. The United States of America aims, through the support provided to Kyiv, to affirm Ukraine’s sovereignty and prevent the expansion of Russian influence in Europe.