Defensive Future Studies

Defensive Future Studies

Qualitative Analysis of Biological Threats in the Iranian Armed Forces: A Grounded Theory Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
mahmoudreza rahbarqazi 1
zahra sadeghi naghdali 2
1 Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
2 Visiting Lecturer of Political Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
10.22034/dfsr.2024.2042416.1835
Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to investigate biological threats in the Iranian armed forces and provide solutions to counter the threats.
Research Method: The study employed a qualitative and grounded theory (GT) approach. The data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 18 academic elites.
Findings: In this section, codes for the biological weapon development by belligerent countries, weakness in rapid detection and response (EDR) systems, and inadequate preparation of forces as causal factors; Iran's strategic geographic location, organizational readiness, and international sanctions as contextual factors; and advances in medical technology, international cooperation, and domestic and foreign policies as intervening factors have had a significant effect on decreasing/increasing the vulnerability of armed forces. Moreover, the study demonstrated that the acceptance and resistance strategies in dealing with these threats must be employed simultaneously. Finally, the results indicated that biological threats can have four health, security, economic, and social consequences.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that the rapid detection system and protective equipment enhancement, international cooperation development, medical advances and new vaccine production, long-term prevention strategies development, comprehensive policy codification, and long-term preventive program formulation can significantly increase the defense readiness of the Iranian Armed Forces against biological threats
Keywords
Biological threats
armed forces
grounded theory
vulnerability
defense resilience

Subjects

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Defensive Future Studies
Volume 9, Issue 34
Autumn 2024
Pages 117-146