جواد عرب شیرازی

The inherent difficulties of designing and executing good public policy are not restricted to modernity or any specific political system. Many of these difficulties were pondered and discussed even in the ancient world. Today, Public Policy Education (PPE) has turned into a primary necessity, and more than any time in recent history needs to be promoted globally. PPE could empower citizens to assume a more effective role in good governance through understanding how governmental decisions directly impact their lives. The promotion of PPE can lead to the overall of promotion of good governance, as it can progressively enhance civic agency, limit excessive state control, and reinforce democratic principles. This study examines the origins of public policy fundamentals and argues that they are not inherently tethered to the American context. It posits that public policy educators around the world can, and indeed should, develop their own curricula based on similar broad outlines and comparative studies. Establishing PPE worldwide is paramount, and one effective method is to immerse students in real-world policy challenges from diverse global settings. This paper – employing a descriptive-analytical method and illustrating its application through two bilateral treaties on water rights (US-Mexico and Iran-Afghanistan Water Treaties) – further highlights how other real-world case studies from international organizations, such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), can expose students to practical policy challenges. The paper seeks to address a central question: Can Public Policy Education effectively promote good governance? Findings suggest  that PPE holds significant potential for cultivating a globally informed and engaged citizenry. This is particularly vital given the widespread perceptions of governance failures in numerous states; an educated populace familiar with universal principles of good governance can tackle complex policy issues more effectively than current state structures.

Iran’s Law on International Commercial Arbitration (LICA), inspired by the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Arbitration, was enacted in 1997 with the aim of modernizing the country’s approach to international commercial disputes. Employing a descriptive- analytical methodology, this paper analyzes LICA’s strengths and weaknesses with a focus on the Iranian Constitution which- as the country’s Supreme Law - has seemingly eclipsed the arbitration process. Specifically, this research zeroes in on the potential conflict between Article 139 of the Constitution, which mandates parliamentary approval for foreign disputes involving state assets, and the inherently expeditious nature of arbitration. This study argues that these constitutional formalities - while safeguarding national interests - should be reduced as they may hamper the efficiency and expeditiousness typically associated with arbitration. The author proposes that - as arbitration is intertwined with less formality - the Guardian Council can invoke its constitutional powers to curtail these formalities and create an environment conducive to a standard arbitration process. This analysis maintains that the Iranian Constitution does not necessarily supersede arbitration provisions, and proposes that the Council has the authority to streamline arbitral procedures within the legal framework of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“Prolonged Occupation and International Law”, published in late March 2023 by Brill Publishing House, is a landmark collection of essays on the Israeli regime's protracted occupation of Palestinian territory. The 16-chapter book is a treasure trove of valuable contributions from eminent scholars, professors, lawyers, practitioners, and policymakers, including former UN Special Rapporteurs. The book has received acclaim from several legal scholars, including William A. Schabas, Professor of International Law, School of Law, Middlesex University, who has offered a glowing review, stating: “Scholarly and comprehensive, this impressive collection of essays by renowned experts...offers a tour d'horizon of the fundamental legal issues raised by Israel’s prolonged occupation of Palestine as well as potential remedies that can confront the illegalities.”  The book intends to draw international attention to the extraordinary length of the occupation of the Palestinian territory by Israel, which has now lasted more than half a century. Chapters in this book cover a broad spectrum of topics related to the prolonged occupation and Israel’s control, ranging from colonialism to apartheid. Authors unanimously assert the illegality of the occupation from day one, and emphasize that indefinite occupation and colonialism collide with the foundational requirement under international humanitarian law that the occupied territory be returned to the occupied population. The miscellany also underscores the critical importance of historical analysis in comprehending the root causes that have propelled Israel onto its current trajectory of apartheid, colonialism, and annexation. Unfolding the past - the book argues- is essential for addressing the intergenerational trauma and injustice inflicted upon the Palestinian people and ultimately achieving a just and durable resolution. This brief analysis will summarize the book's principal arguments and evaluate its key themes presented in two parts, followed by a critical assessment.