Key Factors in Strengthening the National Security of the I.R. of Iran in the Face of Security Threats in the Southeast Region of the Country

In the context of policy-making, the extent to which Iran’s security apparatus addresses both internal and external threats to national security in the southeast region has significant implications for the challenges and future security of the Sistan and Baluchistan province. This study, while analyzing security threats in the southeast region, seeks to answer the primary question: “What are the key factors in strengthening the national security of the I.R. of Iran in the face of security threats in the southeast region of the country.”The hypothesis of this study says that “the fundamental factor in ensuring the security of the southeast region of Iran is relying on smart security, based on three elements of promoting social awareness (through social elites), economic development (through the development of economic infrastructure in the region, Makran coast, and border trade) and creating people-oriented security (relying on the experiences and roles of social elites and leaders of the Baloch people).”

The paper tries to address the following objectives to a reliable point to present the factors for promoting Iran's national security policies in the strategic region of the country’s southeast:a) Reconceptualizing Iran’s strategies for addressing threats and challenges in cyber/virtual space and social action environments;b) Formulating a novel security management policy tailored to the region’s current complex conditions; c) Proposing a model for fostering soft social security between the political system and the country's southeast region; andd) Offering a critical analysis of Iran’s security management policy in the southeast region and envisioning a favorable scenario.

The research findings indicate that building “soft security” and moving away from the “hard” approach is the most effective way to enhance the region’s security. Based on this, it is emphasized that “the fundamental factor in ensuring the security of the southeast region of Iran is relying on smart security, based on three elements of promoting social awareness (through social elites), economic development (through the development of economic infrastructure in the region, Makran coast, and border trade) and creating people-oriented security (relying on the experiences and roles of social elites and leaders of the Baloch people).”However, the ethnic-religious sentiments in the southeast of Iran and the mental frameworks developed among the Baloch about themselves and others have been significant contributors to security instability. Expecting stable security in this region would be unrealistic unless the government alleviates the sense of relative deprivation and the tangible indicators of such deprivation. Therefore, instead of merely addressing the symptoms in security domains, we should seek the root causes. Concentrating on breaking the vicious circle of “ethnic-religious tensions”, “modern ignorance”, and “poverty and economic inequality” could be highly beneficial in this regard.In addition, considering the following recommendations can inspire policymakers to make better decisions in order to improve the security structure of the region:Launching swift initiatives to address economic issues by establishing economic and manufacturing entities across the entire province of Sistan and Baluchistan;Fostering the cooperative sector with the aim of job creation, promoting social equity, and empowering the middle and lower-income segments of the community;Implementing and advancing sustainable development and security strategies, and pursuing a unified approach among all local, provincial, and national authorities;Establishing enduring and long-term (sustainable) economic prospects for the region’s inhabitants, such as advancing the development plan for the Makran coast;Utilizing the potential and diversity of tribes, ethnic groups, and religions, securing the approval of local residents and Sunni religious authorities for the execution of development initiatives in the province, and prioritizing underprivileged areas;Establishing a unique economic zone and a maritime-focused economy, giving adequate consideration to tourism and leisure service sectors, as well as setting up desalination facilities to supply potable water to towns and villages;Strengthening cultural foundations and bridging cultural divides through media, public education, higher institutions, and religious centers; and