‍Central Asia and The Caucasus Journal

Analysis of Iran and Russia's Approach to the First and Second Nagorno-Karabakh War

Fatemeh Erfani; akbar valizadeh

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 28 April 2024

Abstract

The South Caucasus has always been of interest to major powers, and after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, it became a stage for regional and extra-regional power competition. ... Read More

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Karabakh conflict and Iran and Turkiyeh strategies

hamid dorj

Volume 29, Issue 123 , December 2024, , Pages 31-66

Abstract

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is one of the longest international crises officially started on February 20, 1988. As an important and influential actor in the geopolitical region of ... Read More

“Middle Corridor” and Interests of Iran in the South Caucasus

Ahmad Rashidi

Volume 29, Issue 121 , June 2023, , Pages 27-54

Abstract

In a realistic approach, Iran's security interests in the South Caucasus are guaranteed by maintaining the regional balance of power. Therefore, the plan to build the Zanegzur Corridor ... Read More

Strategic Culture and Islamic Republic of Iran’s Foreign Policy Towards Afghanistan (1358-1398)

MohammadTaghi Jahanbakhsh; Golamali Chegini Zadeh; Asghar KeivanHosseini

Volume 28, Issue 120 , March 2023, , Pages 25-54

Abstract

Strategic culture is one of the new concepts in international relations literature which has been used by Jack Snyder for the first time. Scientific studies regarding the effects of ... Read More

 Crisis Management and Natural Disasters: A comparative study in Iran and Central Asia

Sedigheh Nasri Fakhredavood

Volume 28, Issue 119 , December 2022, , Pages 153-173

Abstract

The crisis can destroy both the lives of people and the legitimacy of governments that provide security and prosperity; challenged and cost a lot. Natural crises that occur all over ... Read More

Threat perception in Iran-Saudi relations in the Middle East and Central Asia

Ali karami; Mohammad Reza Aqrabparast

Volume 28, Issue 118 , September 2022, , Pages 139-165

Abstract

AbstractThe causes of wars and conflicts at different levels in international relations can be investigated and interrogated from the perspective of threat perception. Threat perception ... Read More AbstractThe causes of wars and conflicts at different levels in international relations can be investigated and interrogated from the perspective of threat perception. Threat perception is an intervening factor that effects the decision of countries to enter into war, deterrence, coercion, alliance and any other options. The relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, as two important powers of the Middle East and Southwest Asia, which have undergone a serious metamorphosis especially after the Islamic Revolution and changed from cooperative -oriented to competitive approach, can also be analyzed from this point of view. The question of the present research is how the threat perception has influenced the foreign policy’s direction of Iran and Saudi Arabia (especially in the two regions of the Middle East and Central Asia) towards each other? The research method in this article is descriptive-analytical and its data collection method is based on documentary research. This study deals with one of the most recent crises in the foreign relations of the two countries, i.e. the tensions created after the execution of Sheikh Nimr by the Saudi family and the cessation of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2016. By focusing on this crisis, which is different from the previous crises in the foreign relations of the two countries, this research aims to examine the relevance of threat perception in their foreign relations during this period of time. By applying the theoretical framework of threat perception and Cohen's desired indicators of threat perception, i.e. the statements of decision makers and leaders and their reaction to threats, as well as their confrontational behavior against threat perception, the research findings show that this factor plays a prominent and undeniable role in shaping the foreign policy of the two countries as well as the controversies of their leaders in the two regions of the Middle East and Central Asia.

The Evolution of Offense-Defense Equation of Russia and Iran

Sakineh Hashemi; Mohammad Tohidfam; Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani

Volume 28, Issue 117 , June 2022, , Pages 49-70

Abstract

Expansion of NATO and the EU to the East created an atmosphere of strategic uncertainty in Western government relations with Russia, at the cost of intensification of security issue ... Read More

Iran and Russia in the Caspian Sea: Legal Regime and Cooperation

Ali Tiztak; hamid Ahmadi

Volume 28, Issue 117 , June 2022, , Pages 99-126

Abstract

The collapse of the former Soviet Union, drew the Caspian Sea region out from a pure and calm strategic region and created numerous geopolitical opportunities and challenges for Iran ... Read More The collapse of the former Soviet Union, drew the Caspian Sea region out from a pure and calm strategic region and created numerous geopolitical opportunities and challenges for Iran and Russia. This fundamental development caused change in the surrounding Caspian Sea’s political borders and impacted on the legal status of the sea. Iran and Russia’s policies and approaches towards the Caspian Sea legal status fundamentally altered, as well. At the same time, with the emergence of differences of opinions and views among the coastal countries on the legal status and the way to exploit the Caspian Sea resources, there was created a fertile bed for presence and interference of big and extra-regional countries in the Caspian Sea. Under such circumstances, Iran/Russia policy alignment for managing the legal status developments of the Caspian Sea and preventing it from becoming a new hotbed of tensions , as well as, nearing together the opinions and positions of the other coastal countries has been crucial. The pivotal and main question of the present article is what impact Iran and Russia policies toward the legal status of the Caspian Sea can have on the expansion of penta-lateral cooperation among the Caspian Sea coastal countries. In the present paper this question is put to test whether Iran/Russia policies towards the Caspian Sea legal system- apart from the negative historical mindsets between the two countries- due to reasons like geographical continuity, regional requirements, joint destiny and the Caspian Sea vulnerability resulting from presence of the big powers, and concerns about emergence of instability and insecurity in the Caspian Sea, have been more convergent and led to strengthening of cooperation and conclusion of various documents of penta-lateral cooperation among the coastal countries. The present paper is of the Analytical-Descriptive type and the method used is inferential and the data has been analyzed using library and Internet sources.

Comparative Study of Iran and Turkey Soft Power in Azerbaijan

zeinab nourian; Mahnaz Godarzi

Volume 27, Issue 116 , March 2022, , Pages 139-164

Abstract

The Republic of Azerbaijan is an important country in the South Caucasus which due to enjoying a geopolitical position in the energy sector, especially after the Soviet collapse, has ... Read More

Pipeline Politics in Central Asia: Iran’s Interests and Options

Ghodratollah Behboudi nejad

Volume 27, Issue 115 , December 2021

Abstract

Energy security is a cornerstone of foreign policy of the great powers. Energy resources of the Caspian Sea and Central Asia as two critical geopolitical areas are of great importance ... Read More

China’s Belt & Road Initiative and Iran’s Policy Options in Transportation

Ali Shabani; Seyed Mohammad kazem Sajjadpour; Hassan Khodaverdi; Karamolah Daneshfard

Volume 27, Issue 115 , December 2021, , Pages 69-97

Abstract

The China’s Belt & Road initiative, impacted the process of policy planning of the target countries. The pivotal question of this paper is how has the Belt & Road Initiative ... Read More

Iran-Russia Cultural Relations

Elahe Karimi riabi; Mahnaz Norouzi

Volume 27, Issue 115 , December 2021

Abstract

Culture and cultural elements are important variables of international relations and contemporary scholars have emphasized the role of cultural issues in politics. Cultural diplomacy ... Read More

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Economic Diplomacy with the Eurasian Economic Union (Case Study of tariffs Cooperation)

Reza Simbar; Hadi Gholamnia

Volume 27, Issue 113 , June 2021, , Pages 1-20

Abstract

The economic relations of Iran and the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union have been in recent years influenced by factors such as the international sanctions, lack of a complementary ... Read More

International Sanctions and the Iran/Russia Relations, 2006-2014

Jahangir Karami; Zogreh Khajavi

Volume 27, Issue 113 , June 2021, , Pages 85-104

Abstract

The Islamic Republic of Iran has, since the 2000s, stressed an eastward policy and the relations with Russia have been a major part of this policy, and this issue, especially in the ... Read More

Consequences of the Expansion of ISIL Presence in Afghanistan on the National Security of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Gholam Ali Chegnizadeh; Seyed Mohammad Kazem Sajjadpour; Mohammad Taghi Jahanbakhsh

Volume 27, Issue 113 , June 2021, , Pages 107-129

Abstract

As a new entity, ISIL has carried out the most violent actions under the flag of Islam and pursued the idea of forming “Welayat-i-Khorasan” in its governmental vision. According ... Read More

Economic diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Eurasian Economic Union (in the case of tariff cooperation)

Reza Simbar; Hadi Gholamnia

Volume 27, Issue 113 , June 2021

Abstract

Economic relations between Iran and Eurasian Economic Union member states in recent years have been affected by factors such as international sanctions, lack of complementary economic ... Read More

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The Role of Russia in Iran's Economic Cooperation With the South Caucasus (2014-2019)

Elaheh Koolaee; Ali Akbar Jowkar

Volume 26, Issue 112 , March 2021, , Pages 93-116

Abstract

Since the independence of the three South Caucasus countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan Republic and Georgia) in 1991, the Islamic Republic of Iran has tried to have constructive relations ... Read More Since the independence of the three South Caucasus countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan Republic and Georgia) in 1991, the Islamic Republic of Iran has tried to have constructive relations with the mentioned countries in various fields by adopting a balanced policy. From Iran's perspective, the importance of the South Caucasus, in addition to its historical and cultural commonalities, lies in its neighborhood status and high potential for economic cooperation. However, due to the impact of technical and geopolitical factors, the economic relations between Iran and these countries, despite their great potential and advantages, have never reached its desired point. Although, US and UN sanctions against Iran have been a major obstacle to expanding Iran's economic cooperation with its neighbors, at the same time Russia's move to impose some restrictions on regional rivals, especially in the energy sector, and its impact on Iran's economic cooperation with the South Caucasus cannot be ignored. With the onset of the Ukraine crisis in 2014 and escalating tensions with Europe and the United States that led to widespread sanctions against Russia, Moscow has turned its attention to cooperation with Eurasia and its neighbors.On the other hand, Iran's nuclear deal with the P5 + 1 in 2015 and the lifting of UN sanctions paved the way for improving cooperation between Iran and its neighbors, including Russia and the South Caucasus. Accordingly, given the variable of Russia as the most important player in the South Caucasus, the authors seek to answer the following questions: Has the change in Russia's approach to regional cooperation with neighbors since 2014 affected Iran's economic relations with the South Caucasus? And if so, what was the effect? The authors argue that,Russia has played a positive role in strengthening Iran's economic cooperation with the three countries of the South Caucasus. Using the explanatory and analytical method, the developments in the relations between Iran and the countries of the South Caucasus from 2014 to 2019 are examined according to the Russian factor. a

Iran _ Kazakhstan Political Economy and Eurasian Integration (2010 – 2020)

Mahdi HedayatiShahidani; Omid Rahimi

Volume 26, Issue 112 , March 2021, , Pages 143-167

Abstract

Economy has been an inseparable part of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Kazakhstan Republic’s relations after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Trade relations between the countries ... Read More

Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea and its Impacts on the Cooperation among Littoral States

Ali Tiztak; Hamid Ahmadi; kayhan Barzegar

Volume 26, Issue 111 , March 2020, , Pages 1-23

Abstract

The independence of the Central Asian and South Caucasus republics in the early 1990s and the establishment of new states along the Caspian Sea inevitably affected the legal status ... Read More The independence of the Central Asian and South Caucasus republics in the early 1990s and the establishment of new states along the Caspian Sea inevitably affected the legal status of the Caspian Sea, which had been formed incompletely by previous treaties, and the unilateral actions of the Caspian Sea littoral states in the field of exploitation of the sea's energy resources and the signing of oil and gas contracts with large Western companies had caused disagreements and ambiguities about the legal regime of the sea and the exploitation of undersea resources. The influx of Western oil and gas companies to exploit the black gold in the Caspian Sea, along with the difficulties of not determining the legal regime of the Caspian Sea, further widened the differences between the littoral states and prolonged the negotiation process to reach a comprehensive agreement. The signing of the "Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea" as an important achievement, while resolving many ambiguities and disagreements on the issues regarding the Caspian Sea, will determine the general framework of cooperation among littoral states and will turn the Caspian Sea into another pole of regional cooperation. This article has been compiled with the aim of exploring the causes and areas of cooperation among littoral states in the light of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea and seeks to provide an appropriate answer for the following question; "how the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea could affect and improve cooperation among littoral states?" The article hypothesizes that by removing many ambiguities about the legal regime of the Caspian Sea, the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, creates new opportunities for cooperation among littoral states. The present article is of qualitative (descriptive-analytical) type and using methodology (inductive-inferential), the data have been analyzed by library study and documentary analysis.

Islamic Republic of Iran’sEconomic Opportunities by means of Convergence with the Eurasian Economic Union

Shahram Farsaee; Hakem Ghasemi; Bahram Navazeni

Volume 25, Issue 108 , March 2020, , Pages 141-168

Abstract

Over the past few years, various viewpoints have beenproposed about the Islamic Republic of Iran’s economic development through its convergence with the Eurasian Economic Union ... Read More

Iran’s Science Diplomacy in its Relations with Armenia

Elaheh Kolaee; Seyed Mehdi Hosseini Taghiabad

Volume 25, Issue 108 , March 2020, , Pages 170-197

Abstract

Science diplomacy has gained increasing importance in the field of international relations in the light of the rapid growth and increasing role of knowledge and technology in human ... Read More

Political and Security Challenges of China’s Strategy for Iran

Parisa ShahMohammadi

Volume 23, Issue 100 , March 2018, , Pages 119-146

Abstract

Belt- Road Initiative as China’s foreign policy great strategy was proposed in 2013 by President Xi Jinping, and is known as China’s foreign policy spearhead. Since it includes ... Read More

Russian foreign policy and Iran's nuclear program from the sanctions to the Nuclear Deal (JCPOA

Jahangir Karami; Roqayeh Keramatinia

Volume 22, Issue 95 , December 2016, , Pages 65-97

Abstract

“Iran nuclear deal” and the “P5+1” countries is of the important political events in the regional and even international levels, which can overshadow and affect ... Read More

Legal Aspects of Exploitation of Hirmand Border River by Iran and Afghanistan

Reza Moosazadeh; Morteza Abbaszadeh

Volume 22, Issue 93 , June 2016, , Pages 159-183

Abstract

Since the ownership of border rivers is not entirely in the hands of a certain country, exploiting and employing these rivers have been always a controversial issue within many governments. ... Read More

An Analysis Model for Strategic Environment of Islamic Republic of Iran’s Foreign Policy (Case Study: Central Asia)

Volume 20, Issue 86 , August 2015, , Pages 31-61

Abstract

Strategic decision-making in foreign policy arena needs a strict cognition of external realities, self-potentialities, scrutinizing possible options, and an exact calculation of the ... Read More

Volume 29 (2023)

Volume 28 (2022)

Volume 27 (2021)

Volume 26 (2020)

Volume 25 (2019)

Volume 24 (2018)

Volume 23 (2017)

Volume 22 (2016)

Volume 21 (2015)

Volume 20 (2014)

Volume 19 (2013)

Volume 18 (2013)

Volume 17 (2012)

Volume 16 (2011)

Volume 15 (2010)

Volume 14 (2009)

Keywords = Iran

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