Territorial conditions and security of border areas
Sayed Mehdi Mousavi Shahidi; Bahador Zarei; Mehdi Oriya
Abstract
Extended AbstractIntroductionHydropolitics is the exploration of the role of water in the relations between countries on four scales: local, national, regional and global. With 26 border rivers and the dependence of about 30% of the country's population on the water of common watersheds, Iran is among ...
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Extended AbstractIntroductionHydropolitics is the exploration of the role of water in the relations between countries on four scales: local, national, regional and global. With 26 border rivers and the dependence of about 30% of the country's population on the water of common watersheds, Iran is among the countries that are heavily affected by hydropolitical developments and changes in the world. Additionally, the security of the country's border areas is greatly impacted due to their peripheral location and strong reliance on water from border rivers. Hence, this research investigates the hydropolitics of Iran's border rivers, the indicators and components that influence it, and the security consequences on the border areas. The research utilizes Qualitative method and descriptive-analytic approach, employing Delphi methods, cross-matrix analysis (MICMAC), and ArcGIS software to produce maps.Materials & MethodsBased on the purpose, this research is among the applied research and based on the method, it is among the qualitative research, with a descriptive-analytical approach and using the Delphi technique and the cross-matrix analysis method. In this research, the authors will analyze the issue by using library resources and written documents related to the topic, while describing and explaining the event, and then while studying the library resources from the questionnaire in order to identify and screen the most important Dimensions and hydropolitical indicators of Iran's border rivers, as well as the effectiveness of the indicators will be used. The statistical population of this research includes experts, custodians and elites of the country in the field of water. In this regard, due to the unlimited statistical population and the lack of official information on the number of experts and elites, it is not possible to use Cochran's formula, and the number of 20 people is considered as the statistical population in this research and they are questioned. . Due to the type of research and not knowing the full number of the statistical population, the sampling method is "targeted sampling" and the snowball sampling method. In order to analyze and analyze data and information, since this research is one of qualitative researches, in addition to the use of library sources and analysis with a descriptive-analytical approach, methods such as Delphi in order to identify dimensions and indicators, as well as the method Cross-matrix analysis will be used in future research of effective hydropolitical strategies. In this research, Arc GIS software is used for map preparation and Micmac software is used for data analysis.Results & DiscussionThe research findings reveal that more than 50 indicators affecting the hydropolitics of border rivers were identified through the use of library resources, the Delphi technique, and a questionnaire. Ultimately, 31 factors were confirmed in the second and third stages of the Delphi process. These 31 factors were categorized into five dimensions: natural factors, human factors, geopolitical factors, military factors, and geo-economic factors by forming an expert team and consulting with professors.The results of the cross-matrix analysis in MICMAC software have shown the indicators of influential, influenceable, target, independent, result indicators, and especially risk indicators in the hydropolitics of Iran's border rivers. Among these, target indicators and especially risk indicators are important strategic indicators. The indicators of the need for drinking water from the border rivers, unemployment, and migration due to water shortage in the areas of the common catchment basins, the relations of the surrounding countries affected by the catchment basins, the existence of a large population of people in the common catchment basins, the construction of dams and mines in the upstream countries, the defense and military situation of Iran's border rivers, the political and geopolitical exploitation of water by the upstream countries, and the activities of evil and terrorist groups in the upstream countries are the most important risk indicators in the hydropolitics of border rivers of Iran.ConclusionFinally, the results show that the most important security consequences of the hydropolitics of border rivers on border areas are in environmental, economic, political, social, and cultural dimensions. The most important of these include ethnic tensions on both sides of the border, smuggling of goods and drugs in the border areas, joining terrorist groups and striving for independence, migration from border areas, reduction of agriculture in border areas, growth of poverty in border areas, and as a result, the growth of crime and the increase in the cost of providing security. Other consequences include ethnic crises due to spatial and ethnic ties, conflicts over water, marginalization and increase in crime, air pollution, drying up of border wetlands, respiratory problems in border areas, the emptying of borders, and the destruction of the environment in border areas.
Territorial conditions and security of border areas
kamyar Emami; Hamid Ganjaeian
Abstract
Extended AbstractIntroductionThe importance of the issue of security has caused the protection of borders and the defense of border areas to be considered by the rulers in all historical periods, and in a way, the protection of borders means the continuation of the governance system of each country. ...
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Extended AbstractIntroductionThe importance of the issue of security has caused the protection of borders and the defense of border areas to be considered by the rulers in all historical periods, and in a way, the protection of borders means the continuation of the governance system of each country. Throughout history, all countries have faced some degree of insecurity, chaos, crisis and border wars to stabilize their country. Many ethnic, racial, and religious groups have coexisted in turbulent political and social contexts in recent years and have lived on borders. Iran has been one of the countries whose borders have been in turmoil in recent years. In fact, Iran's borders have historically seen the most tangible state-nation conflicts; therefore, the issue of borders has always been one of the basic and important issues of governments. Iran's geographical location and the political situation of neighboring countries, along with the intervention of foreigners, have caused us to witness various tensions in the country's border strip in recent years, including Iran's eastern borders. One of the eastern border areas of the country that has faced tension in recent years is the borders of Khorasan Razavi province. In view of the above, the development of military infrastructure in the border strip of Khorasan Razavi province is very important. Due to the fact that the border strip of this province is not uniform in terms of environmental conditions, so the identification of areas prone to the development of military infrastructure, including military bases and observation posts, is very important in this study. Been paid.Materials and methodsIn this research, in order to achieve the desired goals, descriptive-analytical methods as well as an integrated model of fuzzy logic and network analysis (ANP) have been used. The research data include a 30 m high SRTM digital model, 1: 50000 topographic maps and information layer related to the population points located in the study area. The most important tool used in this research is ArcGIS software. In this research, fuzzy logic and ANP models have been used to identify areas prone to military infrastructure development. According to the objectives, this research has been done in two stages. In this first stage, in order to analyze the role of geomorphological factors in the security of the border strip of Khorasan Razavi province, a map of elevation status and geomorphological units of this region has been prepared. In the second stage, using 8 parameters including slope, slope direction, field of view, altitude, distance from the river, distance from the communication road, distance from the border and distance from population points, as well as a combined model of fuzzy logic and ANP to identify areas prone to development. Military infrastructure (including military bases and reconnaissance) is discussed.Discussion and resultsThe study of the geomorphological status of the border strip of Khorasan Razavi province indicates that the border strip of this province has a high geomorphological diversity. The border strip of Khorasan Razavi province consists of 4 units of mountains, slopes, plains and alluvial fans, as well as hills. The mountain unit mostly includes the northern border strip of this province, which leads to the border of Turkmenistan. Due to its high altitude as well as being difficult to cross, this unit can play an important role in controlling the border strip as well as monitoring other areas. Therefore, one of the strengths of the northern borders of Khorasan Razavi province is the existence of a high mountain range and difficult to cross. Mahour hill unit is scattered in the border strip of this province, which has a lower height and slope than the mountain unit. Due to fewer obstacles and more visibility, this unit has a high potential for the establishment of military facilities, including military bases. The slope unit is located between the mountains and the plain, which has a high potential for military purposes, including various defense sites, because a large part of these slopes have eastern slope directions. However, the plain and alluvial fan unit, which is mostly located on the border with Afghanistan, can be vulnerable due to fewer geomorphological obstacles. Although this unit has a high potential for military transport and other military purposes, it is more vulnerable than other units. According to the mentioned cases, the border strip of Khorasan Razavi province has a great variety of geomorphology and each of its parts has different potential for different purposes.ConclusionThe results of the study of the geomorphology of the border strip of Khorasan Razavi province have shown that this province has a high geomorphological diversity and this issue has caused the defense capability in different areas of the border strip of this province is not the same. Also, based on the results, the border strip of this province has a big difference in terms of environmental parameters, so the potential of each region for different military and civilian activities is different. Considering that in this research, the identification of areas prone to the development of military infrastructure has been considered with emphasis on military bases and observation posts, so the desired parameters have been defined in accordance with the objectives of the research and based on these parameters have been identified as areas prone to the development of military infrastructure. Based on the results, parts of the border strip of Khorasan Razavi province have a high potential for the development of military infrastructure and parts of it have a high vulnerability. According to the results, the northern regions of the border strip of this province, due to having a wide field of view, high altitude, the presence of slopes and directions of the eastern slope, have the highest potential to establish military bases and observation posts, as well as middle areas. Due to the lack of a wide field of view, low altitude and being located in the plain unit, this province has little potential for the development of military infrastructure (military bases and observation posts). Due to the above, the middle areas of the border strip of Khorasan Razavi province have a high potential for vulnerability, so it is necessary to make the necessary plans to control and monitor these areas.
Issues of the border regions of the country
Fariba Karami; Hossein Karimzadeh; Mohamad Javad Ahmadi
Abstract
Extended AbstractIntroductionRecently, Disaster Mitigation and Management Organization of Iran has focused on construction of disaster management and support bases. To reach such an aim, it is necessary to investigate different areas and select an appropriate geographical location for this type of land ...
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Extended AbstractIntroductionRecently, Disaster Mitigation and Management Organization of Iran has focused on construction of disaster management and support bases. To reach such an aim, it is necessary to investigate different areas and select an appropriate geographical location for this type of land use. The selected location must be safe in critical conditions and make the base as efficient as possible. Accurate site selection is a necessary step towards prevention, preparedness and dealing with various disasters. Selecting an appropriate location for these bases is extremely important in their relief operations. Thus, the bases must be properly accessible while having a strong structure unthreatened by any risk. Disaster management measures are based on information analysis and take advantage of geographical information tools for spatial analysis. Geographic Information System (GIS) can be used in all stages of disaster management. Geographic information system is a very useful tool for implementation of logical models, decision making about land use allocation, selection of the most suitable site, evaluation of suitable options and finally reaching an integrated choice. Geographical location of Baneh in vicinity of Iran-Iraq border, and related natural hazards (geological, climatic, and etc.) and unnatural threats (political-security) have made passive defense and especially site selection for disaster management and support bases a crucial issue in this border area. Therefore, the present study seeks to select the best possible site for disaster management and support bases in Baneh. Materials and MethodsData have been collected through library research and questionnaires distributed among experts. Research criteria have also been classified into natural and unnatural (man-made) categories which include altitude, slope, slope direction, vegetation, lithology, distance from fault line, distance from river, climatic factor (precipitation), link roads, distance from city, distance from village, gas stations, health centers, relief agencies, military and police stations, open spaces and distance from the international Iran-Iraq border. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to analyze the questionnaires and Expert Choice and Arc GIS software were used for data processing. The importance coefficient of the criteria were analyzed in Arc GIS software using AHP FUZZY model and the final results were presented in the form of a map.ResultsResults indicate that unnatural (man-made) criteria received a higher weight as compared to natural criteria. Among these criteria, vicinity to health centers received the highest weight (0.151), while vegetation and slope direction received the lowest weight (0.016). Baneh generally lacks a proper situation for the construction of disaster management and support bases except for the cities in the middle of the county. ConclusionDue to the occurrence of various natural disasters and unnatural (human) threats in the border areas of the country including the county of Baneh which have affected the security of the region by their serious damages and high death tolls, it is necessary to focus on passive defense in site selection for disaster management and support bases in these areas. Results indicated that quick and easy access from bases to health centers and relief agencies, link roads, police stations and proximity to cities have the highest priority in site selection for disaster management and support bases. Other desirable passive defense criteria include distance from Iran-Iraq border and distance from fault lines. The final map shows unacceptable situation of the county in terms of disaster management bases. Except for cities located in the middle of this county such as Baneh, Buin, Armardeh and Kanisour, other cities lack a proper situation for construction of these bases. Such a situation results in higher vulnerability of these areas in probable disasters. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt short-term and practical programs along with important and effective criteria of passive defense to find the most optimal sites for disaster management and support bases in Baneh County.
