leadership

Crisis conditions create ambiguous situations where individuals rely more on their understanding and previous experiences. In the context of politics, depending on a leader’s characteristics, his perceptions may influence and override other agents in policy-making during the crisis time. Many studies claim that leaders’ perceptions may change as they confront crisis, as they learn from critical situations. Based on empirical data regarding President Donald Trump’s operational beliefs and leadership characteristics, this paper examines the theoretical basis for the ways in which core beliefs resist change and learning. To answer the main question, the operational code of President Trump had been analyzed in three separate phases: the immediate pre-presidential phase, his three years in office prior to COVID-19 breakout, his last nine months in office during the crises. The results of this research may address several questions regarding the Trump political leadership and belief system by focusing on changes in the cognitive construct of the president.  

Oversight of political power is essential for good governance. This process, by comparing "What is" with "What should be," helps improve resource allocation and enhances the quality of public services. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, following the 1357 SH/1979 AD Revolution, the political system underwent a structural transformation in leadership accountability by establishing the institution of the Leader (alongside the three branches of government) and revoking the absolute immunity of the monarch. This article examines the concept, significance, and mechanisms of oversight over the Leader and related institutions in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Oversight of the Leader has two primary objectives: increasing efficiency and strengthening political legitimacy. The Leader, as defined in the Constitution, is the most important political authority, elected by the Assembly of Experts (who are themselves elected by the people), and holds extensive duties, including determining the general policies of the system and commanding the armed forces. The Leader is equal to all other citizens before the law and can be dismissed by the Assembly of Experts if they lose the necessary qualifications. This article analyzes three main theories of legitimacy in the Islamic Republic of Iran: the Theory of Appointment (divine legitimacy), the Theory of Election (popular legitimacy), and the Divine-Popular Theory (a combination of both). Each of these theories explains leadership oversight in a different way. This analysis shows that despite differences in theoretical foundations, all perspectives emphasize the necessity of oversight over the Leader and related institutions, paving the way for increased efficiency and the stability of the system.

This article delves into the cultural invasion faced by Islamic society following the Islamic Revolution, focusing on how Western powers have strategically attempted to undermine indigenous cultures through materialism and cultural hegemony. The primary research question of this study is, what factors have contributed to the cultural penetration of Western values in Iran, and how can these influences be resisted in line with the perspectives of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei? The hypothesis suggests that cultural infiltration is not merely a historical issue but a modern tactic used by Western forces to weaken Islamic ideals and revolutionary movements, especially in the post-revolutionary context. Through a content analysis of Ayatollah Khamenei's speeches and writings, the study identifies the key components of cultural resistance, such as the need for a solid intellectual foundation, an in-depth understanding of the enemy's tactics, and an active presence in the digital and cyberspace spheres. The research highlights that these elements are essential for developing an effective strategy against cultural domination. Moreover, the study reveals that public participation and solidarity, while important, are less critical in countering cultural infiltration than a stronger ideological framework and intellectual empowerment. This suggests that the focus should shift towards strengthening the cultural and intellectual defenses of society, with particular attention to the role of education, media, and critical thinking in resisting foreign cultural pressure. The study concludes that in order to safeguard cultural security in Iran, it is imperative to activate public diplomacy, promote cultural assimilation based on resistance, and establish an Iranian-Islamic progress plan that emphasizes self-reliance and the preservation of indigenous cultural values. These strategies are not only crucial for maintaining cultural sovereignty but also for reinforcing the broader ideological and political independence of Iran.

The study aimed to identify the Requirements for Developing Leaders’ AI Competencies. This systematic literature review, spanning from January 2017 to March 2025, analyzes 26 articles retrieved from Google Scholar, Sage, Emerald, Springer, ScienceDirect, and PubMed. Building from the systematic review, the findings were synthesized and integrated to derive a clear and parsimonious AI competency requirements framework for leaders. To this end, the PRISMA framework was applied to establish a high-quality and transparent process. Naeem et al.'s (2023) thematic analysis framework was employed to analyze and interpret the findings from the included studies. The reliability of the final results was assessed using Cohen's Kappa method. This coefficient was found to be 0.73, indicating a high level of agreement between the coders. The findings elucidate the essential requirements for cultivating artificial intelligence competencies among leaders through three primary dimensions: organizational, technological, and individual requirements. This research contributes to the existing literature by identifying and categorizing the effective requirements for developing leaders’ AI competencies in the era of AI.