Quarterly Journal of West Asia Political Research

Abstract The study tries to compare the policy and strategy of industrial development in the first to fifth development plans of the Islamic Republic of Iran with an analytical method and by using the quantitative and qualitative data obtained from the library which have been analyzed by document analysis method. The findings of the research show that in the first development plan, vertical industrial policy and government strategy of the developmental state prevail. In the second program, minimal government strategy and commercial policies are evident, and in the third program, the dominance of monetary policies and minimal government strategy is evident. In the fourth development plan, the predominance of strategic policies and good governance strategy is observed, and finally, in the fifth plan, it is dominated by horizontal industrial policies and good governance strategy. In the review of the executive record of development programs, the first development program has been the most successful program in the field of industrial development, with an annual average of 44.1% for the industry share index in national income growth and an annual average of 14.5% industry share in the GDP.

Abstract This article explores the evolving dynamics of power politics in the Middle East in the aftermath of the 2023–2025 regional upheavals, including the collapse of the Assad regime, the weakening of Iran’s regional non-state allied partners, and the increasing normalization of Israel among Arab states. Grounded in a realist framework, the paper examines Iran’s recalibration of foreign policy, the strategic fragmentation of the Palestinian movement, and the future of resistance politics in an age of shifting alliances and proxy fatigue. Arguing that ideological postures must adapt to geopolitical realities, the paper evaluates emerging models for conflict resolution and reconsiders the role of Iran as both an ideological and strategic actor. The study concludes that sustainable resistance in the post-2023 landscape must combine realism with principled sovereignty, moving beyond military confrontation toward inclusive regional diplomacy.

Abstract Governance, as the foundational framework shaping public policy, plays a crucial role in determining the development trajectory, resource distribution, and the improvement of citizens' quality of life. Given this context, the central question of the article is how different governance styles interact with public policy and what impact they have on governance quality, particularly in terms of women's empowerment. The hypothesis is based on the premise that the realization of good governance requires the integration of policy dimensions, along with the enhancement of transparency, participation, and accountability. Without these elements, women's empowerment and the advancement of vulnerable groups cannot be achieved. From a theoretical perspective, the article presents a typology of governance styles based on hierarchies, markets, and networks, demonstrating that institutional reforms can only be sustainable when analyzed within the framework of political conflict, path dependency, and the specific institutional conditions of each country. From an empirical standpoint, with a focus on Western Asian countries—especially Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia—the article shows that policies such as decentralization, e-government, and the promotion of women's representation have improved governance quality, but challenges remain in the areas of women's political participation and the removal of structural discrimination. The findings indicate that good governance and women's empowerment are two interconnected components that, when mutually reinforced, will lay the groundwork for sustainable development in the Western Asia region. Methodologically, the article adopts a mixed approach, with an exploratory-analytical perspective in terms of its objectives. Data collection and analysis are based on library and documentary sources.

Abstract According to international law, people possess the right to self-determination, based on which they can freely determine and pursue their political status as well as their economic, social, and cultural development. The Israeli regime, in the war against Gaza that escalated and intensified from 7 October 2023, has committed extensive and systematic violations of fundamental human rights rules, some of which are considered jus cogens, including the right to self-determination of the people. This study, employing a mixed (descriptive-analytical) approach and drawing on library, online sources, and authoritative international judicial documents and precedents, aims to elucidate the right to self-determination and its dimensions, and to identify the instances of violations of the right to self-determination of the people of Gaza by the Israeli regime after 7 October 2023. It seeks to answer the question: “How can international responsibility be attributed to Israel due to the violation of the peremptory rule of the right to self-determination of the people of Gaza?” The findings indicate that, in light of the extensively documented human rights violations, and based on the provisions of conventions and international mechanisms, international responsibility can indeed be attributed to the Israeli regime for the committed international human rights crimes.

Abstract  


Following the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003, Iraq embarked on a transition toward democracy. During this period, political parties have played a central role in the country’s democratic transition. After Saddam’s downfall, numerous political parties emerged on the Iraqi political scene. Nevertheless, the main and most influential parties in Iraq can be broadly classified into three categories: Islamic parties, secular parties, and ethnic and nationalist parties. Examining political parties and the structure of the party system in Iraq after the fall of Saddam can contribute to a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of democracy in Iraq, the path the country has followed to date, and its future trajectory. This study seeks to examine and analyze the history of political party activity in the period prior to Saddam’s fall, as well as the role and position of various political parties in the post-Saddam era. It also analyzes the challenges facing political parties in Iraq. The main research question is: What has been the condition of political parties and the party system in post-Saddam Iraq? The research hypothesis holds that political parties in Iraq after Saddam emerged as a result of the country’s social cleavages and conflicts and have constituted the main pillar of democracy in Iraq. However, political parties and the Iraqi party system have faced serious challenges, and unless these challenges are addressed, democracy in Iraq will not be able to reach the stage of consolidation. The research adopts a qualitative methodology based on causal explanation, and data are collected through library research and online sources.