Table  of Contents:

Constructivist Explanation of Absence of a Collective Security Organization in Persian Gulf /Amin Ravanbod

NATO’s Strategic Interactions with Member States of Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Dimensions and Outlooks /Dr. Armin Amini

The EU and a “Better World”: What Role for the European Security and Defense Policy /Translator: Dr. S. Ali Tabatabaee

Union for the Mediterranean: Background, Dimensions and Outlooks /Behzad Khoshandam 

 Global Governance and the Crisis in the Middle East /Hojjat Salehi 

 UN’s Reactions to Foreign Military Interventions /Translator: Amin Ravanbod
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-Constructivist Explanation of Absence of a Collective Security Organization in Persian Gulf/Amin Ravanbod
This paper discusses the absence of a collective securityorganization in the Persian Gulf region according to Constructivist theory. Specific Wendtian conceptualization of anarchy, friendship, rivalry and enmity has been used to analyze these elements at national, regional and international levels. The paper argues that lack of friendship among regional states is the main reason behind nonexistence of a collective securityorganization. In conclusion, factors undermining friendship or  increasing rivalry and enmity are scrutinized.
Keywords: Constructivism, Collective Security Organization, Persian Gulf, Security Dynamics.

-NATO’s Strategic Interactions with Member States of Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Dimensions and Outlooks/Dr. Armin Amini

During the post-Cold War period, NATO’s macro strategy has been focused on eastward expansion. In fact, changing strategic and security norms in international interactions during post-Cold War period up to now has caused NATO’s decisionmakers to expand its territory and diversify its functions. Extension of NATO’s security mission to areas beyond its traditional European domain has caused its members to attach more importance to Central Asia as the vital strategic region for Russia. Actually, NATO’s macro strategy for political and security cooperation with influential security and defense organizations in geopolitical regions, such as Shanghai Cooperation Organization, is part of the extended concept of “Global NATO”. In fact, NATO is trying to gain the cooperation of members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in order to achieve its global strategic and security goals.
Keywords: NATO, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Strategic Interactions, Central Asia.

-The EU and a “Better World”: What Role for the European Security an Defense Policy/Translator: Dr. S. Ali Tabatabaee

Concurrent with formulation of EU’s defense and security policy in 1999, the possibility of having a more secure world through defense and security convergence between Europe and transatlantic region has come to the fore. Management of crises in Balkans and Kosovo, problems resulting from security and strategic cooperation among European countries and recent transregional conflicts in which EU countries have been involved are various dimensions of the new trend. Despite differences, international analysts maintain that convergence between NATO and EU will promote security in Europe and surrounding regions by promoting arms control and disarmament. These issues are now of special importance in view of EU’s new missions and can be considered from various viewpoints. In fact, the role of EU’s defense and security policy is not limited to purely defensive issues and include varied issues related to identity and established norms of the European states. Changes in security standards have made European states improve their international security standing through convergence with transatlantic mechanisms.
Keywords: European Union, NATO, Europe Security

-Union for the Mediterranean: Background, Dimensions and Outlooks/Behzad Khoshandam

A proposal for the establishment of “Union for the Mediterranean” was adopted at the EU summit in 2008. In fact, “Union for the Mediterranean” was the extension and development of the Barcelona process in 1995. The union comprises littoral states of the Mediterranean ranging from Morocco to Turkey, which are to cooperate in such fields as energy, security, fighting terrorism, immigration, etc. This paper analyzes the background, various dimensions and future outlooks of the Union and its role in the international system.
Keywords: Union for the Mediterranean, Barcelona Agreement (1995), European Union, Migration.

-Global Governance and the Crisis in the Middle East/Hojjat Salehi

Globalization gradually provides the necessary grounds for global governance. In fact, to understand global governance we must first understand the process of globalization. Global governance has specific characteristics which make it distinct from global government. This paper will first examine the concept and indices of global governance before scrutinizing its potential approach to the Middle East crisis.
Keywords: Globalization, Global Governance, Middle East Crisis, International Organizations, Global Problems.

-UN’s Reactions to Foreign Military Interventions/Translator: Amin Ravanbod

The United Nations has shown different reactions to foreign military interventions. The author is trying to test the hypothesis that “the UN Charter provides legal rules which determine how UN should react to foreign military interventions.” This paper reviews eight case studies from Cambodia to Iraq to conclude that UN has not reacted to foreign military interventions in a uniform manner. Therefore, the UN Charter has not been the sole determinant of UN reactions to foreign military interventions.
Keywords: United Nations, Foreign Military Intervention, Self-Defense, Use of Force.