"Confronting Cognitive Warfare in Islamic Governance: Clarifying the Strategic Role of Jihad explanation based on the statements of the Supreme Leader

Curator note

In the contemporary era, cognitive warfare has emerged as a novel tool for influencing public opinion and shaping collective behavior in societies. Within this context, the Islamic governance system, relying on religious foundations, places special emphasis on Jihad of Clarification (Jihad-e-Tabyin) as a strategic means of confronting cognitive warfare.This study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach and relies on library-based research to explore the strategic role and position of Jihad-e-Tabyin in the field of Islamic governance in confronting cognitive warfare. The analysis is based on the intellectual system of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic (may his shadow extend) and is conducted through thematic analysis using MAXQDA software. The findings indicate that cognitive warfare has been one of the most significant challenges facing Islamic societies in recent decades. From the perspective of Islamic governance, the most important strategy for countering cognitive warfare is the effective implementation of Jihad-e-Tabyin.Based on the organizing themes identified in the analysis—such as the function of discourse in cognitive warfare and its role in reproducing cultural and intellectual resistance; the strategic position of elites in clarifying truths and preserving social cohesion; Jihad-e-Tabyin as the axis of cultural confrontation and enabler of social resilience in the cognitive battlefield; insight, courage, and enlightenment as fundamental elements for countering distortion and cognitive threats; protecting Islamic identity through the explication of Ahl al-Bayt’s teachings in the face of cognitive distortions; and the necessity of psychological and cognitive analysis to understand the hidden layers of this warfare and respond wisely-the overarching theme of the research was derived as follows:“Jihad-e-Tabyin:A Grand Strategy of Islamic Governance to Counter Cognitive Warfare and the Distortion of Truth.” Moreover, the role of the intellectual class and social elites in articulating Islamic discourse, leading cultural resistance, and preventing distortion was identified as a core strategic axis.