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Monday 11 January 2016

(c) Wikipedia Commons
After the dissolution of the USSR, newly independent states wanted to create relations with their neighbor countries. Certainly it was result of the security concerns. One of  these  was created by Iran and Azerbaijan. IRI (Islamic Republic of Iran) is not simple and ordinary state for Azerbaijan. Despite of many common traditions, close historical ties, there are a lot of chronic problems between Iran and Azerbaijan. Some analysts consider that these relations are one of the most complicated in the region. Lots of factors affect to relations between two countries and most of them would create problems

Main influential factors

            The first and most important might be ethnic issues and problems between Azerbaijan and Iran. However it is not just simple problem, it has got very deep historical roots. We can see mainly two vision or paradigm are core approach in this issue:
1.      “Perso-Centric” approach. This approach claim that all Azerbaijan geographical phenomena (from Derbent to Tabriz) is belong to Iran and these territories were historical province of Great Persia. However after Russian’s conquest these areas separated from Iran
2.      Azerbaijani (Panturkism) approach. However proposals of “Panturkism” is- “Azerbaijan” geographical phenomena is distinct from Iran. Moreover after “Turkmenchay agreement”(This agreement was signed by Iran and Russia) South Azerbaijan annexed to Iran.
Another influential factor might be considered secular nature of Azerbaijan Republic. This nature threatened Iran because Iranian elites consider that “secular Azerbaijan” can be model for Iranian Azerbaijanis and other ethnics. Even during “Novruz” holiday about 40000 Iranian cross the border to Azerbaijani side. Clear evidence to this threat is withdrawing of Iranian ambassador during “Eurovision” song contest. However Iran also pursued some policy to prevent secularism affect. Annually Iran spent enormous money to help pro-iranian  people in Azerbaijan. With this way Iran wants to keep Azerbaijan within its orbit. Actually Azerbaijan is the second biggest Shiite population in the world and this factor also has significant influence to both sides. In addition Iran uses Shiite tools on Azerbaijan relations easily. However Azerbaijan is not able to use ethnic card against. Because mentality, culture and other things of Iran Azerbaijanis look like to Persians.
 ” In this period, the processes in South Azerbaijan developed in a different way. The historical past, religious unity in terms of Shi'ism, cultural closeness, historical traditions of Persian language and literature, and other related factors between Turks and Persians slowed the development of a national movement in Iran. At the same time, the permanent threat from Russia (Tsarist and Soviet) to the south has been an important factor in influencing Azerbaijani Turks to put aside their national aspirations. That is why, when the Russian aggression against Iran at the end of the 19th and early 20th Centuries increased, the main theorists of Pan-Iranism appeared and they were mostly Iranians of Turkish origin, such as Kasravi, Kazemzade, and Rezazade.”[1]

Relations as two independent states - Negatively Neutral Relations

If we observe 20 years period, we can see fluctuating relations between two states. During early independence year Azerbaijan saw Iran as natural ally. However it had some reasons. First of all after 20 January 1990, Ayatollah Khomeini declared that Iran condemning this cruel act. Occasionally  Ayatollah Khomeini’s portrait appeared in Baku demonstration. However this hot relation changed during second president Abulfez Elchibey. Western orientation and panturkist policy which was pursued by Elchibey threatened Iran. Thus Iran shifted to rival side and stared to support Armenia provided it with fuel and economic assistance.
            Since 1993, fluctuation period started between Iran and Azerbaijan. Both of states abstain from harsh action but it changed in 2001 when Iranian maritime power threatened oil field of Azerbaijan. In addition in this period Iranian airforce constantly violated Azerbaijan borders. However after keen statement from Turkish side these violating stopped by Iran. Azerbaijan answered it with arresting islamist in Baku. From 2001 to 2011 can be considered as gold period between two states. Initially Azerbaijan tone down military relations with Israel. As a result Iran declared that it recognize territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Furthermore trading volume increased to $539 million.
            Since 2011, relations between two states have again deteriorated. Actually, Azerbaijan played catalyst role and we can say behave boldly. Azerbaijan purchased $1,9 worth of  Israel weapons, including aerial vehicles and anti-ship missiles. Obviously Azerbaijan could not use anti-ship missiles against Armenia, it could use by Azerbaijan in the Caspian Sea. It was clear that Baku preparing any possible conflict with Iran. Thus Iran answered it with vitalize of pro Iranian groups in Azerbaijan and started to affect with media (Sahar TV)  which was broadcasting in the southern region of Azerbaijan.

Problem around Caspian Sea

            Islamic Republic of Iran have played an active role to struggling over Caspian Sea. Because new oil producer ( Azerbaijan) and western investments threatened Iran and it was opposite to national interest if Iran. Thus Iran started to make problematic and debatable issues around Caspian Sea. Initially Iran claimed that Caspian Sea should divide into national sectors but then it understood that it would create chance for western companies. Iran changed its proposals and advocated to share all resources of Caspian Sea among the border countries. However in 1998 at a Moscow meeting Iran declared Caspian Sea should divide 5 equal sectors. As a result from my point of view the main problem is that Iran threat that through Azerbaijan western companies and states couls maintained in Caspian region.

Conclusion

Consequently historical and global issues affect relation between Azerbaijan and Iran. The roots of these problematic relations might be historical issues. However nowadays mostly regional and global issues affect to this relation. Acts of global actors change attitudes of both states and relation remain as complicated today.


Emil Agazade 


Sources:
1.      George Washington University: Ponars Euroasia.  Anar M. Valiyev. Azerbaijan-Iran Relations: Quo Vadis, Baku? 2012 September.

            2.    Nasib.Nasibli. Azerbaijan- Iran Relations: Challenges and Prospects (Event Summary)

3.   PhD Bahman Aghai Diba. Relations of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan: Potential friends and enemies. 2015

4.      Jamil Hasanli, At the Dawn of the Cold War: The Soviet-American Crisis over Iranian Azerbaijan, 1941-1946. 2006



[1] Nassibli, Nasib L. "Azerbaijan- Iran Relations: Challenges and Prospects (Event Summary)." Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Azerbaijan-Iran Relations

(c) Wikipedia Commons
After the dissolution of the USSR, newly independent states wanted to create relations with their neighbor countries. Certainly it was result of the security concerns. One of  these  was created by Iran and Azerbaijan. IRI (Islamic Republic of Iran) is not simple and ordinary state for Azerbaijan. Despite of many common traditions, close historical ties, there are a lot of chronic problems between Iran and Azerbaijan. Some analysts consider that these relations are one of the most complicated in the region. Lots of factors affect to relations between two countries and most of them would create problems

Main influential factors

            The first and most important might be ethnic issues and problems between Azerbaijan and Iran. However it is not just simple problem, it has got very deep historical roots. We can see mainly two vision or paradigm are core approach in this issue:
1.      “Perso-Centric” approach. This approach claim that all Azerbaijan geographical phenomena (from Derbent to Tabriz) is belong to Iran and these territories were historical province of Great Persia. However after Russian’s conquest these areas separated from Iran
2.      Azerbaijani (Panturkism) approach. However proposals of “Panturkism” is- “Azerbaijan” geographical phenomena is distinct from Iran. Moreover after “Turkmenchay agreement”(This agreement was signed by Iran and Russia) South Azerbaijan annexed to Iran.
Another influential factor might be considered secular nature of Azerbaijan Republic. This nature threatened Iran because Iranian elites consider that “secular Azerbaijan” can be model for Iranian Azerbaijanis and other ethnics. Even during “Novruz” holiday about 40000 Iranian cross the border to Azerbaijani side. Clear evidence to this threat is withdrawing of Iranian ambassador during “Eurovision” song contest. However Iran also pursued some policy to prevent secularism affect. Annually Iran spent enormous money to help pro-iranian  people in Azerbaijan. With this way Iran wants to keep Azerbaijan within its orbit. Actually Azerbaijan is the second biggest Shiite population in the world and this factor also has significant influence to both sides. In addition Iran uses Shiite tools on Azerbaijan relations easily. However Azerbaijan is not able to use ethnic card against. Because mentality, culture and other things of Iran Azerbaijanis look like to Persians.
 ” In this period, the processes in South Azerbaijan developed in a different way. The historical past, religious unity in terms of Shi'ism, cultural closeness, historical traditions of Persian language and literature, and other related factors between Turks and Persians slowed the development of a national movement in Iran. At the same time, the permanent threat from Russia (Tsarist and Soviet) to the south has been an important factor in influencing Azerbaijani Turks to put aside their national aspirations. That is why, when the Russian aggression against Iran at the end of the 19th and early 20th Centuries increased, the main theorists of Pan-Iranism appeared and they were mostly Iranians of Turkish origin, such as Kasravi, Kazemzade, and Rezazade.”[1]

Relations as two independent states - Negatively Neutral Relations

If we observe 20 years period, we can see fluctuating relations between two states. During early independence year Azerbaijan saw Iran as natural ally. However it had some reasons. First of all after 20 January 1990, Ayatollah Khomeini declared that Iran condemning this cruel act. Occasionally  Ayatollah Khomeini’s portrait appeared in Baku demonstration. However this hot relation changed during second president Abulfez Elchibey. Western orientation and panturkist policy which was pursued by Elchibey threatened Iran. Thus Iran shifted to rival side and stared to support Armenia provided it with fuel and economic assistance.
            Since 1993, fluctuation period started between Iran and Azerbaijan. Both of states abstain from harsh action but it changed in 2001 when Iranian maritime power threatened oil field of Azerbaijan. In addition in this period Iranian airforce constantly violated Azerbaijan borders. However after keen statement from Turkish side these violating stopped by Iran. Azerbaijan answered it with arresting islamist in Baku. From 2001 to 2011 can be considered as gold period between two states. Initially Azerbaijan tone down military relations with Israel. As a result Iran declared that it recognize territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Furthermore trading volume increased to $539 million.
            Since 2011, relations between two states have again deteriorated. Actually, Azerbaijan played catalyst role and we can say behave boldly. Azerbaijan purchased $1,9 worth of  Israel weapons, including aerial vehicles and anti-ship missiles. Obviously Azerbaijan could not use anti-ship missiles against Armenia, it could use by Azerbaijan in the Caspian Sea. It was clear that Baku preparing any possible conflict with Iran. Thus Iran answered it with vitalize of pro Iranian groups in Azerbaijan and started to affect with media (Sahar TV)  which was broadcasting in the southern region of Azerbaijan.

Problem around Caspian Sea

            Islamic Republic of Iran have played an active role to struggling over Caspian Sea. Because new oil producer ( Azerbaijan) and western investments threatened Iran and it was opposite to national interest if Iran. Thus Iran started to make problematic and debatable issues around Caspian Sea. Initially Iran claimed that Caspian Sea should divide into national sectors but then it understood that it would create chance for western companies. Iran changed its proposals and advocated to share all resources of Caspian Sea among the border countries. However in 1998 at a Moscow meeting Iran declared Caspian Sea should divide 5 equal sectors. As a result from my point of view the main problem is that Iran threat that through Azerbaijan western companies and states couls maintained in Caspian region.

Conclusion

Consequently historical and global issues affect relation between Azerbaijan and Iran. The roots of these problematic relations might be historical issues. However nowadays mostly regional and global issues affect to this relation. Acts of global actors change attitudes of both states and relation remain as complicated today.


Emil Agazade 


Sources:
1.      George Washington University: Ponars Euroasia.  Anar M. Valiyev. Azerbaijan-Iran Relations: Quo Vadis, Baku? 2012 September.

            2.    Nasib.Nasibli. Azerbaijan- Iran Relations: Challenges and Prospects (Event Summary)

3.   PhD Bahman Aghai Diba. Relations of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan: Potential friends and enemies. 2015

4.      Jamil Hasanli, At the Dawn of the Cold War: The Soviet-American Crisis over Iranian Azerbaijan, 1941-1946. 2006



[1] Nassibli, Nasib L. "Azerbaijan- Iran Relations: Challenges and Prospects (Event Summary)." Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Posted at 13:26 |  by Paradigm team

Friday 27 February 2015

A cold war was a conflict between two super powers which there is no any large military action.  It describes the relationship between the US and the USSR after WW2. The causes of the cold war were different beliefs and ideologies.

COLD WAR OVERVIEW

A cold war was a conflict between two super powers which there is no any large military action.  It describes the relationship between the US and the USSR after WW2. The causes of the cold war were different beliefs and ideologies.

Posted at 09:11 |  by Paradigm team

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