درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

The purpose of this paper is to explain the nature of Russia's competitive pattern with Western countries in Africa. It seems that Russia has taken advantage of the “Politics of memory strategy “to expand its influence and to weaken the position of Western countries in Africa. This paper tends to explain why and how the Russian authorities have adopted this behavior to compete with European countries in this continent? The hypothesis is that Russia tries to represent the experience of colonialism to revive the memory of anti-colonialism, through "narratives" using the "genealogy method”. By using the qualitative analysis method, the authors try to prove the research hypotheses. This research covers the African continent between 2019 and 2023, although due to the nature of the research, the Cold War period have also been examined.     

The paper is an attempt to analyse Afghanistan's shifting security and economic conditions under Taliban rule using the Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT). Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, they have faced critical challenges in establishing stable governance, resulting in a severe humanitarian crisis compounded by economic collapse and political isolation. External aid reduction and sanctions have limited Afghanistan’s access to the global financial system, leading to dramatic socio-economic setbacks. Regional actors, including India, Pakistan, China and Iran, interact cautiously with the Taliban administration, aiming to prevent cross-border instability and insurgent threats, while hesitating to grant formal recognition. For South Asia, Afghanistan’s internal upheaval escalates security tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan, and poses broader risks regarding extremism and economic destabilization. This study suggests that collaborative, conditional engagement by regional stakeholders facilitated through SAARC and SCO platforms may provide a viable path toward stability if the Taliban adhere to basic humanitarian and security norms. Such regional engagement is essential for addressing Afghanistan's humanitarian needs and reducing threats to regional security.

Purpose – This study examines the barriers to promoting climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in rural areas of the Sistan Plain. Using a qualitative approach and focus group discussions, data were collected from farmers and local experts (54 participants). The discussions were analyzed through inductive content analysis, coding, and classification systems. Findings – The results reveal that barriers to CSA promotion fall into seven main categories: financial, institutional, technical and infrastructural, knowledge gaps, demographic, environmental, and market challenges. Key challenges include high initial costs, weak policies and institutional support, lack of practical knowledge and training, and adverse climatic conditions. Practical recommendations involve conducting specialized training, establishing pilot projects, and strengthening communication infrastructure. From a policy perspective, developing national strategies, providing financial incentives and credit facilities, and fostering collaboration across various sectors are crucial. This study offers comprehensive and integrated solutions to assist policymakers and agricultural practitioners in achieving sustainable development and strengthening CSA resilience. Practical Implications – This study proposes several practical solutions to address the identified challenges, including organizing specialized and operational training programs for farmers and experts, implementing pilot projects to demonstrate CSA effectiveness and benefits, developing communication and technical infrastructure such as high-speed internet access and advanced equipment, formulating national policies to provide financial and institutional support for CSA, and fostering collaboration among governmental, private, and local community sectors. Originality/Value – This research is one of the first comprehensive studies analyzing barriers to CSA promotion in Iran. Given the unique conditions of the Sistan Plain, the findings can serve as a model for other underprivileged regions in Iran and similar countries. The practical solutions and effective policy recommendations presented here mark a significant step toward sustainable development and greater agricultural resilience to climate change.