National security threats in border areas with a case study of Astara city

Master's thesis in the field of political geography

Abstract

Providing national security is considered one of the priorities of governments in national and regional policy-making, which is always tried to be formulated; Threats, challenges and opportunities should be identified and the impact of different geographical locations should be considered. National security refers to the requirements to maintain the survival of the national government through the use of economy, military and political power and the use of diplomatic tools. Therefore, in knowing the capacities of the geographical regions and the extent of influence of each of them on the national security, it is tried to identify the threats and to deal with them and to turn the challenges into opportunities for necessary action.

The country of the Islamic Republic of Iran, considering that it is located in the region of Southwest Asia, has assigned a special place in the world policies in such a way that it plays an effective role in the geopolitical structure of this region. Since this country has land and sea borders with its neighboring countries, it necessarily has challenges in the border areas in terms of surveillance and information monitoring, which can bring challenges for the country through the areas adjacent to the border, especially on land.

Guilan province is one of the northern provinces of Iran, which is included in 16 cities, which through Astara city, which is located in the northwesternmost point of this province, is neighboring with the Republic of Azerbaijan. It has a land border. The length of the land borders of the province with the Republic of Azerbaijan is 38.5 km and the length of the border guarding mission area at sea is about 270 km from the mouth of the border bridge to the end of the Chabaksar section.

Given the existence of a land border in Astara city and the importance of its intelligence, security and law enforcement monitoring, which can include many challenges and threats for the Islamic Republic of Iran, therefore the function of the border in the entry and exit of foreign nationals and the activities of the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which has close relations And it is sick with the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially considering the activities of agents affiliated with Iran's enemies, including the Zionist regime, which can affect the national security through the said city.

In this thesis, using the analysis matrix method, while examining the types of threats that can challenge the national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the international borders of Astara city, it deals with the border disputes in this city between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan and determines the level of national security threats in this matter. .

Therefore, it seems that the increase in the activities of extra-regional powers in the Republic of Azerbaijan, especially in the field of spy bases, as well as intelligence observations, especially in the border areas of Astara, can threaten the national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also the transformation of the Republic of Azerbaijan into a base for the opponents of the Islamic Republic of Iran can bring certain security threats to the Islamic Republic of Iran. In addition, border operations in Astara city, including border interactions and disputes, can have significant effects on the security of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Key words:

National security, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Azerbaijan, Astara city, geopolitics, national interests, trans-regional powers

Chapter 1

General research

1- Statement of the problem

Analysis of the security structures of a region arising from specific geographical, political, economic and other components. is As a rule, any region that is located next to international borders will have specific features and sensitivities for governance. Therefore, explaining its effect on national security can help its position in adopting internal and external strategies. Security is a variable component that always interacts with other components such as economic, political, social, etc. It is considered and measured. Therefore, knowledge of internal and external threats is necessary to prevent and deal with them, and this issue is manifested in the line of security planning.

The geographical location of Astara city, one of the districts of Gilan province, which has land and sea borders with the Republic of Azerbaijan, can be effective in the formation of strategies that guarantee the national interests of the country. Mutual border relations as well as the challenges that exist between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran can highlight the sensitivities of this border region.However, the explanation of the political geography of Astara city, especially the effect of borders on local and regional security, explains the position of this city in the evaluation of national security, and the types of threats that exist through the international borders of Iran in Astara city arise from the troubled and sick relations of the Azerbaijan government, as well as their relations with extra-regional powers such as the United States and the Zionist regime. Therefore, the activities of intelligence and espionage bases in this country, especially in the border areas with the Islamic Republic of Iran, lead to creating a security threat against Iran. Also, the fact that Azerbaijan has become a base for some opponents of the Islamic Republic of Iran has caused the conflicts and interactions in the border areas of the two countries to be monitored more sensitively. This issue is not limited to specific local developments, but some areas are affected by local, regional and even international developments. International borders are also like this. That is, a change in the relations of two or more countries with each other or the application of the policies of regional and extra-regional powers causes political and security changes in the borders. Astara, the northernmost city of Gilan province, has land and water borders with the Republic of Azerbaijan, although the water borders of the countries of the Caspian Sea basin have not yet been determined, but the territorial boundaries are clear and border relations are ongoing. Since the Republic of Azerbaijan had and still has ambiguous approaches in its foreign policy with the Islamic Republic of Iran due to some of the policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the beginning of its separation from the Soviet Union and the issue of the war with Armenia, it has been seen in some cases that it has taken measures against the national interests of Iran. Therefore, knowing the threats that can threaten or challenge the national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran through this region is one of the necessities that this research deals with.

2- What is the degree of threat of the border disputes in Astara city between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan?

1- 4 - Research hypotheses

According to the research question, the following hypotheses have been formulated and presented to achieve it:

1- It seems that external threats increase the activities of extra-regional powers in the Republic of Azerbaijan, especially in the field Espionage bases as well as intelligence monitoring, especially in the border areas of Astara, can threaten the national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

2- It seems that border operations in the city of Astara, including border interactions and disputes, are of the level of military threats. The policies of Azerbaijan and Iran in creating a security challenge, this research seeks to achieve the following goals:

1 - Typology and statistics of national security threats in Astara city

2 - Identifying the threats of activities of extra-regional powers through the international borders of Astara city

3 - Identifying how border activities affect the national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran

1-6 - Practical purpose and benefit Varan

Identifying Iran's security challenges and threats in the city of Astara and its impact on Iran's national security from different perspectives and analyzing the policies of the Republic of Azerbaijan in this regard can be used by students, researchers and researchers of security issues, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country, as well as departments and organizations that are active in the field of security research. Taking advantage of the library method (books and articles) and finally field observations.