Special Issues

In times of geopolitical crises and regional tensions, Free and Special Economic Zones can help absorb external shocks, sustain trade and supply chains, support the domestic economy during war, and drive investment and technology inflows during post-war reconstruction. Understanding their operational capacities is therefore crucial for strategic decision-makers. The Role of Free and Special Economic […]

How has China, a country with an ancient heritage, emerged at the forefront of technological development and renewable energy? The six-part documentary series The New World, produced and directed by Mehdi Faridi, takes an in-depth look at this transformation—from the legacy of the Silk Road to smart cities and large-scale solar power plants. The series

The future development of any country requires more than material infrastructure, advanced technologies, and hardware; it depends on a deep intellectual and conceptual framework that defines its strategic direction. Understanding the worldview of its top leaders is therefore essential for anticipating future developments, shaping national policies, and managing crises. Forward-looking thinking rooted in sound principles

Borhan Leadership Institute presents an analysis by Abbas Mirakhor of the 2008 Financial Crisis and its consequences. His book examines the crisis’s structural causes and proposes Islamic economics as a more resilient and sustainable alternative to conventional finance. Examining the Roots of the 2008 Financial Crisis A) Excessive Financial Leverage and Systemic Fragility High levels

The rise of AI as a creative force poses fundamental challenges to intellectual property law. AI-generated works raise questions about ownership, originality, and accountability, while existing legal frameworks centered on human creativity struggle to address machine-generated content. This mismatch may create legal uncertainty, discourage innovation, and weaken creators’ rights. Challenges of AI in Iran Iran’s

The study of strategic surprise and major intelligence failures is crucial to understanding national security and foreign policy. Recent repeated military and security surprises highlight the need to examine how clear evidence of a large-scale attack can be overlooked, while optimistic and reductionist assumptions replace strategic realism and military preparedness. Conceptual Foundations of Concepcia in

Strategic decisions are often shaped by a gap between objective reality and decision-makers’ perceptions. When these perceptions replace reliable data, strategic miscalculation can distort risk assessment, constrain national choices, encourage passivity, and lead to disproportionate risks or more aggressive actions by adversaries. Five Dimensions of Strategic Credibility Strategic credibility is not determined solely by material

Iran’s access to maritime routes became a critical economic and security concern during the Iran–Iraq War as Iraq targeted ports and shipping lanes.Iran responded with integrated naval escorts, traffic control, surveillance, and local maritime expertise to keep essential supply flows moving. Part I: Insecurity and Necessity — The Crisis in Southern Corridors Iraq targeted Iran’s

Shoaib Bahman | Institute for Studies of Contemporary World The legal status of the Caspian Sea has long been a major geopolitical concern for Iran. Supporters of the Caspian Convention have used strategic and security arguments to justify its approval. The article argues that these claims lack logical and factual foundations and could undermine Iran’s

Technology has become a key driver of economic growth, productivity, and competitiveness. A country’s trade in technology-intensive products reflects its production capacity, innovation potential, participation in global value chains, and ability to generate value added. Therefore, assessing foreign trade in technological products and identifying existing imbalances are essential for effective economic and industrial policymaking. Reducing