‍Central Asia and The Caucasus Journal

Abstract The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) which is currently recognized as the most significant grouping in Central Eurasia has been under a great deal of scrutiny since its very inception. However, there have been lots of discussions about the organization’s true nature and main working sphere. With regard to the fact that the security concerns have been the most important pretext for forming the SCO and the security factor has always been of a greater importance on the organization’s agenda, this article tries to analyze the extent of which    the SCO has been able to resolve the security concerns of the member states successfully. While introducing the most important security threats in Central Asia, this article shows that the SCO has been able to resolve the security threats of the member states at three levels (international, regional and domestic) and thus, has organized the first real framework for the effective multilateral security cooperation in the region. However, a set of factors, such as historical rivalries and mistrust and the westward policies among some of the member states has prevented the organization to reach the optimum level of its activities.

Abstract Geographical proximity of Russia and the EU, Moscow’s political, security and economic influence, Russia-EU high trade turnover and sensitive sphere of energy have made inevitable the cooperation and partnership between the EU and Russia. Although Russia is an extremely sophisticated partner for the EU, improving interaction between the two sides is possible and dependent on merging of their political aims on strategic issues including to ensure energy supply security. Energy security is one of the most controversial issues among the Eu - Russia negotiation and cooperation. Since the 1960s, the energy variable has played a vital role, in a way that the formal and informal relations between Russia and European countries have experienced increasing growth. This paper maintains that promoting relations between Russia and the EU would excessively depend on their mutual energy cooperation. Therefore, redefining Russia-EU energy relations and principal goals of Russian energy policy towards EU and vice versa are of considerable importance. From this point of view, the different degree of interdependence in the Russia-EU energy relations, diversified interests and the both sides’ aims in energy policy-making have had a negative impact on the bilateral relations in this strategic area.

Abstract US-Russia relations have been a function of widespread international considerations, having roots in the history of their foreign relations. At the end of the Cold War, the concept and nature of the relations between these two superpowers changed from a level of two equal superpowers toward to Hyper-Power and Great Power. This is done while yet Issues and implications of bilateral affected by perspectives of the Cold War, and as a result of this mentality and existing realities regarding different capabilities of the two sides, interactive approaches of the post-cold war affected by combining   old strategies and new methods of diplomacy. In this article attempts are made to analyze their mutual perception toward one another using the paradigm of the defensive realism and balance of threat as the fundamental principle of this approach. Also in this article, competition and cooperation are being considered based on negotiation and conflict of interest.

Abstract After the 9/11 2001, Islamic Republic of Iran’s national security was affected by US presence in Afghanistan and its offensive foreign policy. Thus, paying attention to US foreign policy in Afghanistan, could clarify the threats on Iran’s national security due to US presence. Considering US actual and announced policy action in Afghanistan, its actual policy is designed to confront Iranian national security.  This article aims to analyze and depict US offensive policy in Afghanistan and its impact on Iran national security in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Referring to Iran’s geostrategic, geopolitical and geo-economic position, its national security is always threatened by US presence in Iran’s peripheral geography. In this article offensive realism, as the conceptual framework, explains US presence in Afghanistan. And there upon, the impact of US offensive approach in Afghanistan on Iran's national security could be analyzed in social, economic, political and military dimensions.

Abstract Energy diplomacy as an offshoot of economic diplomacy plays an important role in the contemporary global economy and has been one of the most important issues for politicians in different countries. Iran, as an actor in energy field with active and strategic role-playing in Gas Exporting Countries Forum, is seeking its own political and economical interests. The main purpose of this article is to appraise Iran’s success in achieving its own goals in Gas Exporting Countries Forum. The present study aims to evaluate Iran’s attempts to establish Gas Exporting Countries Forum and whether this forum can help Iran achieve its goals. The articles’ assumption is that the possibility of Iran’s success in achieving its goals in Gas Exporting Countries Forum is trivial due to regarding the disagreement in the goals of the important countries in this forum and Western pressures, especially those of the U.S., against Iran, on the one hand, and Iran’s internal needs (household consumption and oil industries), on the other.

Abstract In the twentieth century and after the Second World War, an organization was recognized in international communities, in which no government could become a member. Known as non-governmental organization, such organizations could achieve a very significant place among different segments of the society, especially the young generation, so that we are witnessing increasing power of such organizations in different states of the world in the 21^st century. Reference, for instance, may be made to attendance and role of such organizations in color revolutions which occurred after independence of former USSR republics in some of these countries.  Aimed at investigating the influence of non-governmental organizations in color revolution of Kyrgyzstan, this study is to illustrate how such organizations could change the Kyrgyz Government without governmental interferences and solely relying on popular forces.