Aims & Scope

Aims and Scope of the Journal

       The Regional Studies Journal (RSJ) has been carefully designed to provide a clear and comprehensive overview of its mission and significance. RSJ defines itself as a peer‑reviewed academic journal specializing in the humanities and social sciences, with a particular focus on four core disciplines: Contemporary History, Political Science, Law, and Economics.

While the term regional is often interpreted in a narrow geographical sense, RSJ adopts a broader and more analytical understanding of regionalism—as a framework for examining systems, interactions, and transformations within specific social, political, and economic contexts. In this regard, priority is given to studies addressing Iraq and its neighboring countries. However, the Middle East is not viewed merely as a geographic space, but rather as a dynamic and complex model of historical change, political structures, legal systems, and economic transformations with both regional and global relevance.

Through this interdisciplinary approach, RSJ seeks to strengthen its international academic presence by publishing critical and in‑depth studies rooted in regional realities, while engaging in global scholarly conversations and contributing to the advancement of theoretical and comparative knowledge.

Journal Objectives

RSJ aims to:

  1. Support rigorous academic research in line with international scientific standards.

  2. Encourage comparative and analytical studies on regional issues relevant to the Arab world, the Middle East, and neighboring regions.

  3. Promote scholarly dialogue among researchers across related disciplines.

  4. Contribute to the formulation of public policies informed by research and critical analysis.

  5. Uphold high‑quality academic publishing in Arabic, while also welcoming submissions in other languages to broaden the impact of research.

Scope of the Journal

RSJ welcomes contributions in the humanities and social sciences, publishing peer‑reviewed, high‑quality papers on the following areas (but not limited to):

  • Contemporary History: Histories of the Middle East, Central Asia, and North Africa; the European Union, Britain, and the Russian Federation; China and East Asia; the United States. Special attention is given to major historical transformations, including the evolution of strategic resources such as minerals and energy, and their impact on international relations.

  • Political Science: International relations, political systems, public policy, political thought and theory, security studies (including intellectual and cyber security), as well as strategic and military studies.

  • Law: International law, constitutional law, human rights, civil law, administrative law, commercial and private law, environmental legislation, and legal frameworks governing natural resources and international relations.

  • Economics: Political economy, economic development, sustainable development, regional economies, fiscal and monetary policy, accounting, industrial economics, technological innovation, natural resources, and renewable energy.

  • Sociology: Social transformations, identity and culture, and social conflict.

  • Linguistics: Geolinguistics, spatial distribution of languages, and documentation of local languages.

Interdisciplinary Studies

RSJ also encourages interdisciplinary research that bridges these fields, including:

  • Strategic resources and rare earth elements and their role in technological and military industries.

  • Environmental studies and renewable energy in relation to economics and public policy.

  • Security studies and international political economy in the context of resource competition.

  • Business management and industrial innovation as drivers of economic development.