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Recently, the India-Pakistan conflict has escalated after the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The Indo-Pakistani conflict has been one of the longest running issues in International Politics since World War II. The two countries' nuclear weapon tests in May 1998, as a turning point, have had a profound effect on the conflict. Since then, two views have emerged on the impact of these weapons on the conflict. On the onehand, the followers of the optimistic view have emphasized the stabilizing nature of nuclear weapons, and on the other hand, those who are known for their pessimistic approach have spoken of the possibility of an escalation of the Indo-Pakistani conflict. The purpose of this article is to investigate the consequences, whether positive or negative, of possessing nuclear weapons on India and Pakistan’s bilateral conflict; more precisely, the article focuses on answering the following question: What role have nuclear weapons played in de-escalating the India-Pakistan conflict? An investigation of the events of the last 27 years in India-Pakistan relations, especially its critical points, reveals that nuclear weapons have had an impact on the New Delhi-Islamabad conflict by deterrence and compellence. Adopting a moderate approach (between optimists and pessimists), an attempt has been made to examine the de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan over the past 27 years in the shadow of nuclear weapons.

Objective: The issue of Imamate and community leadership is the most enduring intellectual topic among Muslims. Within this, the perspective of mysticism and the thought of mystics on Imamate and leadership has received less attention. This article, focusing on the school of Ibn Arabi and the works of Nurbakhsh, critically studies how the scope of guardianship was expanded from spiritual guardianship to political guardianship—a development that, in a manner, provided the intellectual foundation for the Safavid Shaykhs in establishing the Safavid dynasty. Method: The present study uses a combination of three methods, historical, comparative, and analytical, within the framework of the History of Thought. Based on the works of Nurbakhsh and through an intra-textual analysis of said works, this study examines and elucidates the various dimensions of this perspective on Imamate and community leadership, while also presenting its underlying reasons and contexts for critical evaluation. Findings: An examination of the lived history of mystics and their mystical viewpoints reveals three perspectives on the relationship between religious law and spiritual reality: A) Reality without Law, B) Reality within the framework of law, and C) Law within the framework of Reality. The rethinking of the concepts of independent legal reasoning and struggle by mystics such as Ibn Arabi, and its detailed representation in the thoughts and works of Nurbakhsh, gives rise to the third perspective. This perspective paved the manner for the expansion of the scope of Vilayah from inner guardianship to outer guardianship. In this sense, exoteric Ijtihād is elevated to "Revelatory Ijtihād " and becomes the axis for understanding religion. The position of the Imam, who simultaneously possesses the qualifications for both the lesser and greater jihad, becomes embodied in a single individual. Conclusion: Nurbakhsh divides the Imamate of the community into two categories: "Real Imamate" and "Relative Imamate." He considers a saint who possesses all the characteristics of Imamate as the holder of "Real Imamate." He regards other saints as Imams to the extent that they possess those attributes, calling their Imamate "Relative Imamate." According to this framework, many of the Shi'a Imams are categorized under relative Imamate, as they do not simultaneously possess all the characteristics described for the community's Imam in "Mystical Jurisprudence."

This article examines the evolution of Iran’s foreign policy in response to both regional and global shifts. It explores how Iranian Neighbourhood Policy, initially focused on countering the perceived threat from the Arab-Israeli axis and preventing the realization of the “Deal of the Century” plan, has been impacted by recent geopolitical developments. These include the 2023 Israel-Hamas War, the normalization talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and broader shifts towards a multipolar world order. The article argues that while Iran's policy aimed to economically integrate with neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia, to counterbalance growing Israeli influence, the recent war has altered the regional dynamics. Khataei suggests that the roots of Iranian Neighbourhood Policy might need to shift from a focus on insecurity and anti-Israeli cooperation towards a broader civilizational approach, seeking regional hegemony through cultural and economic influence. Furthermore, the article highlights the role of external factors, such as Iran’s integration into Asian economies, particularly with Russia and China, as vital to the future of its foreign policy strategy. The article calls for a reassessment of Iranian goals in light of these developments, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the new geopolitical landscape.