‍Central Asia and The Caucasus Journal

Abstract In the Caucasus disputes, some regional powers such as Turkey seek to play a role in the equations of this region. In line with the balance of power with Iran in the Caucasus region, Turkey is trying to seriously pursue its presence in support of Baku, which can impact the relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan. Therefore, the main goal of this article is to investigate the role of Turkey in the security of the relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the research question can be expressed as what role Turkey played in the security of the relations between Iran and Azerbaijan? In response to the research question, using the theoretical framework of the Copenhagen school, a hypothesis is proposed as follows: Turkey, by using pan-Turkic policies, military cooperation, arms support, and intelligence support from the Republic of Azerbaijan and facilitating the presence of Takfiri forces in the region, the security of relations between Iran and Azerbaijan has played a role. The research findings show that Turkey's most important goal in the Caucasus is long-term political, economic, and security presence and influence, which it pursues with the cooperation of Azerbaijan. In addition to the linguistic, ethnic, and cultural links between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Türkiye, a combination of various political, defense, and economic factors has also been affected.

Abstract Although Turkey has no energy resources, it has long sought to become an energy hub in the region. However, as Europe terminated the South Stream pipeline contract in response to the Ukrainian crisis, Russia's proposal to establish the Turkish Stream Pipeline will have a major impact on achieving this goal.There are many questions about the reasons and consequences of the establishment of the Turkish Stream Pipeline at the domestic, regional and international levels. The present paper seeks to find an appropriate answer to the following fundamental question from a regional perspective: How the new Russian-Turkish energy relations, in particular the Turkish Stream Pipeline, affect the geopolitics of energy in Central Eurasia? In response, the following hypothesis is tested: The new Russian-Turkish energy relations, and in particular the Turkish Stream Pipeline, through changing energy game in the Russian-European-Turkish triangle and reducing the security dimensions of the energy issue in Central Eurasia will help creating geopolitical energy balance in Central Eurasia and between Central Eurasia and Europe in favor of economic dimensions. The findings of the paper also confirm the hypothesis showing relative strengthening of the process of de-securitization of energy relations in Central Eurasia, among the Central Eurasian countries and with Europe as a result of the expansion of Russia-Turkey energy relations, what reinforces marginal actors and creates geopolitical energy balance in the region. This paper utilizes a descriptive-analytical methodology and library resources.