Smart: Journal of Statecraft, Politics, and Geopolitics (SPolitics) employs a rigorous double-blind peer review process to ensure the highest standards of academic integrity and objective scholarship. This system guarantees that both the reviewers and the authors remain anonymous throughout the evaluation, eliminating personal bias and focusing solely on the intellectual merit, methodological rigor, and strategic relevance of the manuscript.

The evaluation workflow follows a structured sequence:

1. Initial Desk Review: Upon submission, the Editorial Office conducts a preliminary screening to ensure the manuscript aligns with the journal's scope and adheres to basic formatting and ethical guidelines.

2. External Expert Evaluation: Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are assigned to at least two independent subject-matter experts. Reviewers evaluate the work based on originality, theoretical depth, and the validity of the geopolitical or political analysis.

3. Editorial Decision: Based on the reviewers' recommendations, the Section Editor renders one of four decisions: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject.

4. Revision and Re-evaluation: If revisions are required, authors must address all reviewer comments. Major revisions may undergo a second round of external review to verify that the academic concerns have been sufficiently resolved.

5. Final Approval: The Editor-in-Chief provides the final authorization for publication, ensuring the research contributes significantly to the global discourse on statecraft and international relations.