‍Central Asia and The Caucasus Journal

Abstract In recent years, soft power has emerged as one of the principal pillars of countries' foreign policies, particularly in strategically vital regions such as the South Caucasus. This article addresses the fundamental question of how the Islamic Republic of Iran can leverage its soft power capacities to counter the expansion of relations among Turkey, Israel, and the Republic of Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus—relations that, relying on security, economic, and transit linkages, have influenced the regional balance of power. The research methodology is based on content analysis of official documents, credible scholarly sources, and secondary data spanning the period from 2010 to 2024, employing the theoretical framework of Nye and Papp. The study's hypothesis posits that the targeted application of the Islamic Republic of Iran's soft power components—through enhancing regional legitimacy and persuasive power—can lead to a reduction in the geopolitical influence of the Turkey–Israel–Azerbaijan cooperation in the South Caucasus. Four key strategies are examined: preventing access to territory, wedging diplomacy, demonstrating national resolve for balancing, and delegitimizing the hegemon. The findings indicate that Iran, by capitalizing on shared cultural and historical ties, religious diplomacy, and active participation in regional institutions, can effectively resist these relations and consolidate and strengthen its position within the security architecture of the South Caucasus.

Abstract Nowruz is one of the ancient rituals that is celebrated every year with the beginning of the spring equinox in Iran and the countries affected by the Iranian civilization as well as Turkey. Nowruz is a cultural phenomenon and can be a key element for connecting the countries that organize it. As two neighboring countries, Iran and Turkey have always had social, economic and cultural relationships with each other. One of the most important common cultural elements between Iran and Turkey is the ancient Nowruz. The question of the present article is what are the similarities and differences between Nowruz in the two countries of Iran and Turkey and how is the role of Nowruz in the cultural diplomacy of the two countries evaluated and what are the common cultural lines between Iran and Turkey. It seems that according to the importance of soft power and cultural manifestations, Nowruz can help to deepen cultural relations between Iran and Turkey. The ceremony of welcoming Nowruz, house shaking, Haft Sin table, buying new clothes and seeing and visiting relatives are among the common features of Nowruz between the two countries. From the point of view of differences, Nowruz in different parts of Iran and Turkey has differences regarding how to hold the ceremony and the anthropological differences that have been mentioned. The research method is using library resources and collecting data from articles, books and examining them in a descriptive-analytical way.

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 is an outstanding example of the soft power to pave the way for influence in others through culture, values, and ideas. The Islamic Republic of Iran’s relations with the Russian Federation have seen considerable expansion in many areas in recent years. Although the scale of relations is more evident in some areas as politics, security, and even economy, the growing trend in the cultural, social and human areas can also be seen. In present article, while reviewing Iran’s cultural activities in Russia, Iranian cultural diplomacy approach is studied. The authors will try to answer the question which elements of soft power are more applied in Iran’s cultural relation with Russia. In doing so, by looking into the major activities carried out by the Iranian cultural counselors and other cultural foundations in Russia, their roles in expanding cultural relations of two countries are assessed. The research method of this paper is qualitative analysis of content within the theoretical framework of the theory of soft power and cultural diplomacy.

Abstract The collapse of the Soviet Union and the recognition of fourteen independent republics eliminated the historical borders of the former Soviet Union with its southern and eastern neighbors; and on the other hand, created a tempting buffer zone for the competition and hegemony of regional and extra-regional powers. Among the regional contenders of hegemony, Turkey enjoys a special place due to its lingual and somehow historical shared background with the newly independent republics. Cultural diplomacy is considered as one of the most significant tools to achieve the goals and national interests of Turkey in Central Asia. It is manifested by the Turkish political elite attempting to introduce Turkey as a "model of development". The present paper aims to investigate the application of Turkish cultural diplomacy in Central Asian republics in order to systematically and clearly study Ankara diplomacy and be a useful source for a better and more coherent process of its perceptions in comparison to other variables.