Integrated border management strategy: a step towards effective management of borders of Islamic Republic of Iran

پژوهش ‎های جغرافیای سیاسی

Article 3, Volume 1, Issue 4, January 2017, Pages 93-114   

Document Type: مقالات علمی -پژوهشی

DOI: 10.22067/pg.v1i4.58971

Author

Mohsen Janparvar^*

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

Abstract

Extended Abstract
International borders as a showcase of countries and the first contact point of two governments have always played an important role between governors. In this way, countries try to manage their borders to make the most of their opportunity in the border zones and face the challenges. Developments that take place in the border zones in the field of communications and information technology, poverty and the lack of expansion towards the interior zones, affect insecurity strategies. Particularly in the Middle East environment, political instability, successive crises in the region, the crisis of refugees, displaced persons, illegal drug trafficking, wickedness, crime, and the hostage crisis has made some border areas of the country insecure. However, the possibility of misusing the opportunities of the insecure borders takes away officials from their duties. In such situation there are no efficient and robust management in many country's borders because of a lack of a comprehensive strategy for integrated border management and institutions responsible for border management. Accordingly, this paper reviews and analyzes border management in this situation and analyzed the opportunities and challenges. The research findings show that there are some factors that determine the multiplicity of agencies at the border. Overlapping responsibilities between them, the lack of order, transparent law and effective management the ambiguity in authorities and responsibilities have had a negative impact on the country's borders. creating integrated structure consisting of five section; military and defense- informational and security, social- cultural, legal- political and economic – commercial was proposed as a solution To deal with these challenges and achieve efficient management of borders in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
1- INTRODUCTION
According to its development and new interpretations of globalization and evolution of information age, Border management changed and evolved and find prominent position in border studies. Border management let countries to reduce challenges and problems that caused by evolution of global space through effective border management. It provides national benefit and security for citizenship. To manage border effectively, borders need to have an integrated border management strategy that could produce enough cooperation among border organizations. Meanwhile, integrated border management of Islamic Republic of Iran has high importance because of its different organizations and border management institutes. Every delay in the actions can provide vast and irrecoverable damage to national interests and security.
2- METHODOLOGY
The method used in this research is descriptive- analytic according its visionary nature. So in this research not only real image of ministry departments, institutions and organizations related to borders were investigated but also, forming the relationships of these organizations was determined. In this research, library, Internet and interview with some theorists and scientist were used for collecting required data.
3- THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Border management is a regulated relationship that can open border in different ways to flow the relationship, transition of people, goods, information etc., and also close the borders to prevent insecurity, irregularity and other transboundary challenges and problems that lead to insecurity and irregularity in the society.
4- RESULTS & DISCUSSION
Different organizations and institutes that managed borders are prominent players of border management. This organizations and institutes commonly worked and produce horizontally and vertically irregular situation and make problem. Different organizations that related to border and different organizations for control and management of border without regulated horizontal and vertical relationship make problem for border management in different ways. Some countries such as French, England and United State of American, follow integrated border strategies for solving these problems and having effective border management.
In this way, border management of Islamic Republic of Iran according to its long border, different neighbors and vast border resource, have high position of importance. One problem for border management is different border organizations and institutes without coordination in their activities. There are 28 organizations and institutes that related to border. This different border organizations and institutes and not clearing limit and work for them and vast integrated duty produce problem for border management.
According to development in globalization age, Islamic Republic of Iran needs to follow new strategies to achieve its effective border management. Establishing an integrated border management to achieve effective border management is one of these strategies given there are different organizations, institutes and departments that related to the border in countries. Result of this research showed that the best model for integrated border management of Iran is establishment a central organization for effective management of border in five sections: first section is military, defensive and informative; second section is social-cultural; third section is legal-political; fourth section is economic-commercial; fifth section is management of infra border management.

Keywords

Border Management; Integrated Border Management; Effective Borders Management; Boundaries of Iran

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