The Ministry of foreign Affairs of Islamic Republic of IranCentral Asia and The Caucasus Journal2322-3766239920171122Geopolitics of American and Chinese Silk Road Narratives in Central AsiaGeopolitics of American and Chinese Silk Road Narratives in Central Asia12529426FAMandanaTishehyarAssistant Professor of ECO College of Insurance Allameh Tabataba’i0000-0002-8171-6240MojtabaTouiserkaniPhD Candidate of International Relations, Tehran UniversityJournal Article20180106Some international actors have sought to revive and benefit from the symbolic power of the term “Silk Road” in recent years. China launched the "One Belt One Road" initiative in 2013 and presented the Silk Road Economic Belt with Central Asia as its main route. Earlier in 2011, the United States officially used the romantic term of the Silk Road to define its foreign policy towards Central Asia. However, the American narrative of the Silk Road distinguishes from its Chinese narrative. This study is aimed to compare geopolitical discourses on which the American and Chinese narratives of the New Silk Road in Central Asia rely. This literature addresses the following question: “which geopolitical discourse shapes the American and Chinese narratives of the New Silk Road?” In spite of US resorting to the Silk Road metaphor, its New Silk Road map is based on redefining the geopolitics of domination in Central Asia, while China's Silk Road Economic Belt is based on a critical geopolitical idea, and recognizes Central Asian Republics as influential geopolitical actors. Some international actors have sought to revive and benefit from the symbolic power of the term “Silk Road” in recent years. China launched the "One Belt One Road" initiative in 2013 and presented the Silk Road Economic Belt with Central Asia as its main route. Earlier in 2011, the United States officially used the romantic term of the Silk Road to define its foreign policy towards Central Asia. However, the American narrative of the Silk Road distinguishes from its Chinese narrative. This study is aimed to compare geopolitical discourses on which the American and Chinese narratives of the New Silk Road in Central Asia rely. This literature addresses the following question: “which geopolitical discourse shapes the American and Chinese narratives of the New Silk Road?” In spite of US resorting to the Silk Road metaphor, its New Silk Road map is based on redefining the geopolitics of domination in Central Asia, while China's Silk Road Economic Belt is based on a critical geopolitical idea, and recognizes Central Asian Republics as influential geopolitical actors. https://ca.ipisjournals.ir/article_29426_443a4c031f05c42f729a1ff2ac219b5a.pdfThe Ministry of foreign Affairs of Islamic Republic of IranCentral Asia and The Caucasus Journal2322-3766239920171122A Study on the Relation between Geopolitical Codes and Genome in Russia and Afghanistan Foreign PolicyA Study on the Relation between Geopolitical Codes and Genome in Russia and Afghanistan Foreign Policy274929427FASeyed Mohammad KazemSajjadpourProfessor, School of International RelationsMohammad TaghiJahanbakhshPhD Candidate, International Relations, University of Allame TabatabaeeJournal Article20180106Geopolitical genome is the genetic map of a country’s politics which determines its behavior in state and foreign policies. States consider the genomes of other actors as their geopolitical codes. The interaction or confrontation of the states’ geopolitical codes or genomes determines the atmosphere that is in line with or against the national and regional interests. The present paper attempts to answer the following question: To what extent in foreign policy arena, the geopolitical genomes are effective? Considering Afghanistan and Russia case studies; ethnic diversification, drugs, extremism and terrorism, political instability, etc. are known as Afghanistan’s dominant geopolitical codes; and vastness of territory, extremism, and terrorism, NATO and EU expansion eastward, etc. are the ones for Russia. In order to confront the threats that are derived from Afghanistan’s genomes, Russia takes some active measures, while Afghanistan – according to its geopolitical codes- behaves reactively in its foreign policy. Using analytical – descriptive method, the authors try to tell why the research findings provide an answer to the research question.Geopolitical genome is the genetic map of a country’s politics which determines its behavior in state and foreign policies. States consider the genomes of other actors as their geopolitical codes. The interaction or confrontation of the states’ geopolitical codes or genomes determines the atmosphere that is in line with or against the national and regional interests. The present paper attempts to answer the following question: To what extent in foreign policy arena, the geopolitical genomes are effective? Considering Afghanistan and Russia case studies; ethnic diversification, drugs, extremism and terrorism, political instability, etc. are known as Afghanistan’s dominant geopolitical codes; and vastness of territory, extremism, and terrorism, NATO and EU expansion eastward, etc. are the ones for Russia. In order to confront the threats that are derived from Afghanistan’s genomes, Russia takes some active measures, while Afghanistan – according to its geopolitical codes- behaves reactively in its foreign policy. Using analytical – descriptive method, the authors try to tell why the research findings provide an answer to the research question.https://ca.ipisjournals.ir/article_29427_d386188d8d67a3b14820069536bcaf38.pdfThe Ministry of foreign Affairs of Islamic Republic of IranCentral Asia and The Caucasus Journal2322-3766239920171122Strategic Initiative of Asian Powers in Caspian RegionStrategic Initiative of Asian Powers in Caspian Region518829429FAHadiSoleimanpourAssociate Professor of School of International RelationsJournal Article20180106Caspian region interactions with its neighborhood have an undeniable impact on world’s strategic equations. The Caspian region is historically known as the “absent present”. Being aware of Caspian region’s exclusive potentialities, the transregional actors would like to receive a regional interpretation of Caspian stand in the future of Interantional system; but still the region has not produced a strategic rhetoric for its own. How a consensus on a regional rhetoric about Caspian’s potentialities can be made using China and India’s strategic initiatives, is the main question of this article. The role of Iran in making a balance in the competition between China and India in Caspian region; as well as Iran and Russia’s capacities in boosting regionalism in Caspian region are addressed by the author. Using analytical – descriptive method; and library resources as well as interviews with experts on regional and transregional affairs, the author tries to tell why the research findings provide an answer to the research question.Caspian region interactions with its neighborhood have an undeniable impact on world’s strategic equations. The Caspian region is historically known as the “absent present”. Being aware of Caspian region’s exclusive potentialities, the transregional actors would like to receive a regional interpretation of Caspian stand in the future of Interantional system; but still the region has not produced a strategic rhetoric for its own. How a consensus on a regional rhetoric about Caspian’s potentialities can be made using China and India’s strategic initiatives, is the main question of this article. The role of Iran in making a balance in the competition between China and India in Caspian region; as well as Iran and Russia’s capacities in boosting regionalism in Caspian region are addressed by the author. Using analytical – descriptive method; and library resources as well as interviews with experts on regional and transregional affairs, the author tries to tell why the research findings provide an answer to the research question.https://ca.ipisjournals.ir/article_29429_8301854f418d355675f6366dc08573f6.pdfThe Ministry of foreign Affairs of Islamic Republic of IranCentral Asia and The Caucasus Journal2322-3766239920171122Impact of Ukraine’s Geopolitical Evolution on Russia’s Security from Prism of Critical GeopoliticsImpact of Ukraine’s Geopolitical Evolution on Russia’s Security from Prism of Critical Geopolitics8912329430FAMohammad HassanSheikh-al IslamiAssociate Professor of School of International RelationsSaremShiravandMA Student in Regional StudiesJournal Article20180106Political tendencies of Soviet republics can be divided in the following categories after the collapse of the USSR: centralism and pursuing politics in line with Russia; Anti- Russian politics and western oriented approach; intermediate approach. Due to its geostrategic and geopolitical significance, Ukraine is converted to an area of conflict between Russia and the west. Why Ukraine is so important in Russia’s geopolitical vision and political security? And why Russia’s security is influenced by Ukraine? The hypothesis of this article is that in its security policymaking in post-historical era, Russia still emphasizes on two elements of ‘historical mentality” and “geopolitics”; therefore it sees a linkage between its neighboring’s geopolitical codes and its interests. That is the reason why Ukraine has a pivotal role for Russia. Political tendencies of Soviet republics can be divided in the following categories after the collapse of the USSR: centralism and pursuing politics in line with Russia; Anti- Russian politics and western oriented approach; intermediate approach. Due to its geostrategic and geopolitical significance, Ukraine is converted to an area of conflict between Russia and the west. Why Ukraine is so important in Russia’s geopolitical vision and political security? And why Russia’s security is influenced by Ukraine? The hypothesis of this article is that in its security policymaking in post-historical era, Russia still emphasizes on two elements of ‘historical mentality” and “geopolitics”; therefore it sees a linkage between its neighboring’s geopolitical codes and its interests. That is the reason why Ukraine has a pivotal role for Russia. https://ca.ipisjournals.ir/article_29430_53afd7ab97449cdbb682b6b7e335c524.pdfThe Ministry of foreign Affairs of Islamic Republic of IranCentral Asia and The Caucasus Journal2322-3766239920171122China and Russia’s Partnership Restrains in ArcticChina and Russia’s Partnership Restrains in Arctic12515329432FASomayehGhanbariAssistant Professor of Payam Nour, GheshmJournal Article20180106Moscow and Beijing’s cooperation in developing energy resources as well as maritime and rail transportation infrastructures in the Russian division of Arctic, is a goal for which the two countries can cooperate for their shared interests. However, the mentioned cooperation has not led to a satisfactory result except in an LNG project in Yamal Peninsula. Therefore the present article tries to answer the following question: Why Russian and China have not been able so far to achieve an advanced level of cooperation and partnership irrespective of their shared interests and goals in the Arctic?” An analysis of Russia and China’s situation and their regional and global goals indicates that governments and especially the great powers are always concerned about their share in cooperation. Using analytical – descriptive method and defensive realism theoretical framework, the paper tries to tell why the research findings provide an answer to the research question.Moscow and Beijing’s cooperation in developing energy resources as well as maritime and rail transportation infrastructures in the Russian division of Arctic, is a goal for which the two countries can cooperate for their shared interests. However, the mentioned cooperation has not led to a satisfactory result except in an LNG project in Yamal Peninsula. Therefore the present article tries to answer the following question: Why Russian and China have not been able so far to achieve an advanced level of cooperation and partnership irrespective of their shared interests and goals in the Arctic?” An analysis of Russia and China’s situation and their regional and global goals indicates that governments and especially the great powers are always concerned about their share in cooperation. Using analytical – descriptive method and defensive realism theoretical framework, the paper tries to tell why the research findings provide an answer to the research question.https://ca.ipisjournals.ir/article_29432_f06110ef2e1e1ae119cbacf71dd17732.pdfThe Ministry of foreign Affairs of Islamic Republic of IranCentral Asia and The Caucasus Journal2322-3766239920171122Russia’s Political Culture: Roots, Dimensions and RamificationsRussia’s Political Culture: Roots, Dimensions and Ramifications15518829433FAJahangirKaramiAssociate Professor of Tehran University0000-0001-8815-7069RoqiyehKeramatiniaMA Russian Studies, Tehran UniversityJournal Article20180106Political culture is a concept addressed by scholars in recent decades in an attempt to explain a society’s individuals’ political behavior and the government’s behavior toward people. Political culture is noticed in Russia for analyzing Putinism’s continuity and change in recent years. The present literature addresses the following question: How Russia’s political culture is evolved and in which situation it is at the present time. In order to answer the mentioned question, the authors argue that Russia’s political culture is a blend of its classic type and modernism and is reproduced and has been influential on political behavior in contemporary era, irrespective of important evolutions in communications and also civil institutions. Using analytical – descriptive method, the authors try to tell why the research findings provide an answer to the research question.Political culture is a concept addressed by scholars in recent decades in an attempt to explain a society’s individuals’ political behavior and the government’s behavior toward people. Political culture is noticed in Russia for analyzing Putinism’s continuity and change in recent years. The present literature addresses the following question: How Russia’s political culture is evolved and in which situation it is at the present time. In order to answer the mentioned question, the authors argue that Russia’s political culture is a blend of its classic type and modernism and is reproduced and has been influential on political behavior in contemporary era, irrespective of important evolutions in communications and also civil institutions. Using analytical – descriptive method, the authors try to tell why the research findings provide an answer to the research question.https://ca.ipisjournals.ir/article_29433_c15e1bfe1ac5ed47bec025ca88301b3f.pdf