DOCSLIB.ORG

The South Caucasus and Iran in The

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The South Caucasus and Iran in The Introduction Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik German Institute for International and Security Affairs Comments The South Caucasus and Iran in the Post-Sanctions Era WP S Pursuing Greater Interconnectedness amidst Continuing Constraints and Scaled-down Expectations Andrea Weiss and Yana Zabanova The lifting of international nuclear-related sanctions on Iran in January 2016 was en- thusiastically welcomed by the Islamic Republic’s neighbours in the South Caucasus. Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia have hoped that Iran’s rapprochement with the West and the unfreezing of some hundred billion dollars worth of assets abroad would lead Iran to step up its trade and investment activities in the Caucasus, especially in the energy and transport sectors. However, the anticipated benefits have been slow in com- ing, as Iran has shown reluctance to fund infrastructural projects in the Caucasus. On the other hand, there have been positive developments in trade and tourism flows and the power transmission sector. On the whole, although Iran is interested in closer economic cooperation with the South Caucasus, it relies on the region’s countries to provide the momentum and secure the resources necessary to achieve this goal. The lifting of the sanctions on Iran on 16 proliferation of meetings at the ministerial January 2016 gave rise to varied expecta- and presidential levels, accompanied by tions in the South Caucasus. As congratu- the signing of numerous memorandums of latory messages flowed to Tehran from the understanding in key sectors. In a symbolic region’s capitals, pundits and observers gesture, in 2016 Georgia and Armenia lifted debated what Iran’s emergence from inter- the visa requirement for Iranian citizens. national isolation and its comeback to the In official statements, Iran and the South global economy implied for the South Cau- Caucasus countries often emphasise their casus. According to one widespread view, historical and cultural ties and friendly with Iran and Europe growing closer to- relations. The territories of Armenia, east- gether, the South Caucasus could use its ern Georgia, and most of Azerbaijan were geographic position to transform itself into under Persian rule until the 19th century. a transit corridor for flows of goods and Iran is home to the world’s largest popu- energy resources between the two. In the lation of ethnic Azeris, numbering up to 25 past 1.5 years, the region has witnessed a million, as well as smaller populations of Andrea Weiss and Yana Zabanova are former research fellows in the EU-funded project ISSICEU (Intra- and Inter- SWP Comments 24 Societal Sources of Instability in the Caucasus and EU Opportunities to Respond), which was completed in December 2016. July 2017 The views expressed in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. 1 ethnic Georgians (up to 100,000) and Arme- Armenia: nians (ca. 65,000). It was quick to recognise Iran’s complementary neighbour the three newly independent republics in Iran’s relations with Armenia – its closest 1991 and has been able to maintain a work- partner and ally in the South Caucasus – ing relationship with each of them. Iran’s remained largely unaffected by the in- policy in the South Caucasus has been prag- creasingly stringent international sanc- matic and stability-oriented, in sharp con- tions, which were progressively introduced trast to its ideology-driven policy in the from 2006 onward. Armenia refrained from Middle East. criticising Iran’s nuclear programme, using Despite the media attention generated regular mutual high-level visits as occasions by ambitious cooperation plans, it is impor- to push for the expansion of bilateral ties. tant to keep in mind that Iran does not have Landlocked Armenia is under blockade significant economic clout in the South from two of its four neighbours, Azerbaijan Caucasus. If the lifting of the sanctions is and Turkey, and relies on Georgia and Iran, meant to be a game changer, it will have with which it shares a 219 km and 44 km to start from a very low base. Iran’s trade border respectively, for the transit of goods turnover with the entire region was only and energy. The road link to Iran became $634 million in 2015, placing it far behind a lifeline for Armenia in the early 1990s top trading partners such as Russia, the EU, during the conflict with Azerbaijan, as well China, or Turkey. Its official foreign direct as briefly in 2008 during the armed hostil- investment (FDI) in Georgia and Armenia is ities between Georgia and Russia. A close minuscule, although it has been more sub- relationship with Iran is meant not only stantial in Azerbaijan (mainly in the oil to counterbalance the strong Turkish-Azer- sector). The Caucasus countries’ aspirations baijani cooperation in the region (which to become a transit corridor between Iran often involves Georgia as a partner) but also and Europe would require enormous invest- sends a message to the domestic audience ments and a major shift in trading pat- that Armenia is not solely dependent on terns. Presently, Iran’s overland trade with Russia. Europe takes place through Turkey, there is As for Iran, strong ties with Armenia are no direct rail link between Iran and either important both for promoting stability in Armenia or Azerbaijan, and road connec- its Caucasus neighbourhood and to show- tions are poor. Due to US policies, Iran has case Iran’s ability to act as a responsible been excluded from major Western-sup- regional player. Directly bordering the un- ported pipeline projects in the region, which recognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, means that there is currently no infrastruc- Iran has sought peaceful settlement of the ture in the Caucasus to bring Iranian energy conflict, negotiating a short-lived ceasefire resources to European markets. Moreover, in 1992 and repeatedly offering mediation Iran is concerned about the uncertain services. Finally, Armenia could become future of the nuclear agreement under the Iran’s gateway to Georgia’s Black Sea ports, Trump Administration and, under the pres- and from there to southern Europe. This sure of expectations at home, has chosen to would provide Iran with an alternative to prioritise domestic infrastructural develop- its main transport route through Turkey, ment. As a result, incremental changes in which has been fraught with many prob- Iran’s economic cooperation with the South lems, including a major dispute over transit Caucasus constitute a more likely scenario. fees, long queues at the border, and attacks on Iranian truck drivers. SWP Comments 24 July 2017 2 Ambitions on hold lion Southern Armenian Railway connect- Both Armenia and Iran acknowledge the ing to the border with Iran (2009), an Iran- mismatch between their close political Armenia oil pipeline (2011), and an oil re- partnership and the limited scope of eco- finery near Meghri to process Iranian crude. nomic cooperation. Indeed, bilateral trade turnover has hovered around a modest $300 million level, as Armenian producers Post-sanctions prospects find it difficult to access Iranian markets, When the sanctions on Iran were lifted which are protected by some of the world’s in January 2016, Armenia’s expectations highest import duties, whereas Iranian focused largely on the fate of the joint consumer goods in Armenia face stiff com- projects awaiting implementation. Accord- petition from the more affordable Turkish ing to one optimistic take, with its un- or Chinese alternatives. Tourism is a prom- frozen assets and an ability to export oil to ising sector though, with Armenia being Europe, Iran would be finally able to follow the region’s most popular destination for up on its investment promises in Armenia. Iranian visitors. The US Embassy in Yerevan A more sceptical view has cautioned that a is also one of the most accessible locations de-isolated Iran could opt for economically for Iranians to apply for a US visa. more attractive partners. Both Armenia and Iran stress the im- The sceptics seem to have a point. The portance of energy cooperation, although most prominent project announced already so far it has mostly been limited to the “gas in 2008 – the 305 km Southern Armenian for electricity” arrangement. The 140 km Railway – has failed to secure external fund- pipeline, which was officially inaugurated ing. Russia, which controls the Armenian rail in 2007, delivers gas from Tabriz, Iran to network, has limited interest in the project, Armenia, where most of it is then converted as it would not connect Iran to Russia (this to electricity and transmitted to Iranian could only happen if Georgia agreed to northern provinces. Contrary to Iran’s allow rail transport through Abkhazia). The initial plans, the pipeline cannot be used railway has thus essentially lost competi- for major exports beyond Armenia, as its tion to a rival Azerbaijani-Iranian initiative diameter was reduced under Russia’s pres- that has gained speed since 2016. However, sure. Today, the entire gas distribution Armenia is also implementing a major network in Armenia is controlled by Gaz- highway construction programme called prom Armenia, a full subsidiary of the Rus- the North-South Road Corridor, which is sian state-owned gas monopoly. financed by international donors and is Armenia has long wanted to vastly expected to nearly halve transit times and expand the scope of its cooperation with significantly improve road connections, Iran. While still under the sanctions, the both to Iran and Georgia. Although Iran latter faced a challenging situation: given stands to benefit from the project, it is not its forced isolation, Armenian initiatives involved in its funding. were attractive, yet the burden of the sanc- Having heavily invested in its domestic tions made financial commitments diffi- power-generation capacity in recent years, cult. As a result, there has been a glaring Iran seems to have lost interest in the disparity between the number of agree- Meghri Hydro Power Plant project, which ments and memorandums of understand- already had to be scaled down in 2014 for ing signed in the last decade – often to technical reasons.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • IRN Population Movement Snapshot June 2021
    AFGHAN POPULATION MOVEMENT SNAPSHOT June 2021 Since the 1979 Soviet invasion and the subsequent waves of violence that have rocked Afghanistan, millions of Afghans have fled the country, seeking safety elsewhere. The Islamic Republic of Iran boasts 5,894 km of borders. Most of it, including the 921 km that are shared with Afghanistan, are porous and located in remote areas. While according to the Government of Iran (GIRI), some 1,400-2,500 Afghans arrive in Iran every day, recently GIRI has indicated increased daily movements with 4,000-5,000 arriving every day. These people aren’t necesserily all refugees, it is a mixed flow that includes people being pushed by the lack of economic opportunities as well as those who might be in need of international protection. The number fluctuates due to socio-economic challenges both in Iran and Afghanistan and also the COVID-19 situation. UNHCR Iran does not have access to border points and thus is unable to independently monitor arrivals or returns of Afghans. Afghans who currently reside in Iran have dierent statuses: some are refugees (Amayesh card holders), other are Afghans who posses a national passport, while other are undocumented. These populations move across borders in various ways. it is understood that many Afghans in Iran who have passports or are undocumented may have protection needs. 780,000 2.1 M 586,000 704 Amayesh Card Holders (Afghan refugees1) undocumented Afghans passport holders voluntarily repatriated in 2021 In 2001, the Government of Iran issues Amayesh Undocumented is an umbrella term used to There are 275,000 Afghans who hold family Covid-19 had a clear impact on the low VolRep cards to regularize the stay of Afghan refugees.
    [Show full text]
  • Late Onset of Sufism in Azerbaijan and the Influence of Zarathustra Thoughts on Its Fundamentals
    International Journal of Philosophy and Theology September 2014, Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 93-106 ISSN: 2333-5750 (Print), 2333-5769 (Online) Copyright © The Author(s). 2014. All Rights Reserved. Published by American Research Institute for Policy Development DOI: 10.15640/ijpt.v2n3a7 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.15640/ijpt.v2n3a7 Late Onset of Sufism in Azerbaijan and the Influence of Zarathustra Thoughts on its Fundamentals Parisa Ghorbannejad1 Abstract Islamic Sufism started in Azerbaijan later than other Islamic regions for some reasons.Early Sufis in this region had been inspired by mysterious beliefs of Zarathustra which played an important role in future path of Sufism in Iran the consequences of which can be seen in illumination theory. This research deals with the reason of the delay in the advent of Sufism in Azerbaijan compared with other regions in a descriptive analytic method. Studies show that the deficiency of conqueror Arabs, loyalty of ethnic people to Iranian religion and the influence of theosophical beliefs such as heart's eye, meeting the right, relation between body and soul and cross evidences in heart had important effects on ideas and thoughts of Azerbaijan's first Sufis such as Ebn-e-Yazdanyar. Investigating Arab victories and conducting case studies on early Sufis' thoughts and ideas, the author attains considerable results via this research. Keywords: Sufism, Azerbaijan, Zarathustra, Ebn-e-Yazdanyar, Islam Introduction Azerbaijan territory2 with its unique geography and history, was the cultural center of Iran for many years in Sasanian era and was very important for Zarathustra religion and Magi class. 1 PhD, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Urmia Branch,WestAzarbayjan, Iran.
    [Show full text]
  • Country Profile – Azerbaijan
    Country profile – Azerbaijan Version 2008 Recommended citation: FAO. 2008. AQUASTAT Country Profile – Azerbaijan. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Rome, Italy The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO. FAO encourages the use, reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product. Except where otherwise indicated, material may be copied, downloaded and printed for private study, research and teaching purposes, or for use in non-commercial products or services, provided that appropriate acknowledgement of FAO as the source and copyright holder is given and that FAO’s endorsement of users’ views, products or services is not implied in any way. All requests for translation and adaptation rights, and for resale and other commercial use rights should be made via www.fao.org/contact-us/licencerequest or addressed to [email protected]. FAO information products are available on the FAO website (www.fao.org/ publications) and can be purchased through [email protected].
    [Show full text]
  • History of Azerbaijan (Textbook)
    DILGAM ISMAILOV HISTORY OF AZERBAIJAN (TEXTBOOK) Azerbaijan Architecture and Construction University Methodological Council of the meeting dated July 7, 2017, was published at the direction of № 6 BAKU - 2017 Dilgam Yunis Ismailov. History of Azerbaijan, AzMİU NPM, Baku, 2017, p.p.352 Referents: Anar Jamal Iskenderov Konul Ramiq Aliyeva All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means. Electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. In Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction, the book “History of Azerbaijan” is written on the basis of a syllabus covering all topics of the subject. Author paid special attention to the current events when analyzing the different periods of Azerbaijan. This book can be used by other high schools that also teach “History of Azerbaijan” in English to bachelor students, master students, teachers, as well as to the independent learners of our country’s history. 2 © Dilgam Ismailov, 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword…………………………………….……… 9 I Theme. Introduction to the history of Azerbaijan 10 II Theme: The Primitive Society in Azerbaijan…. 18 1.The Initial Residential Dwellings……….............… 18 2.The Stone Age in Azerbaijan……………………… 19 3.The Copper, Bronze and Iron Ages in Azerbaijan… 23 4.The Collapse of the Primitive Communal System in Azerbaijan………………………………………….... 28 III Theme: The Ancient and Early States in Azer- baijan. The Atropatena and Albanian Kingdoms.. 30 1.The First Tribal Alliances and Initial Public Institutions in Azerbaijan……………………………. 30 2.The Kingdom of Manna…………………………… 34 3.The Atropatena and Albanian Kingdoms………….
    [Show full text]
  • Marat Grebennikov, Concordia University the Puzzle of a Loyal Minority: Why Do Azeris Support the Iranian State? Abstract Ever
    Marat Grebennikov, Concordia University The Puzzle of a Loyal Minority: Why Do Azeris Support the Iranian State? Abstract Ever since its inception, the state of Iran has been pressed with the challenge of integrating the multiple ethnic identities that make up its plural society. Of a population exceeding 70 million, only 51% belongs to the Persian majority, while the single largest minority group are the Azeris numbering nearly 25 million (24%). In contrast to a number of other minorities like the Kurds and the Baluchis, the Azeris have shown loyalty to the Iranian state to the surprise of foreign scholars (Shaffer 2002, 2006). They have done so even in spite of a number of potentially favourable political and economic conditions that could support the realization of national aspirations. The paper addresses this puzzle: why, against seemingly favourable odds, Iranian Azeris have refrained from asserting their national ambitions and joining their newly independent kin north of the border? In an attempt to solve this puzzle, the paper will examine the triadic relationship among the Azeri minority in Iran, their home state (Iran), and their kin state (Azerbaijan). Although the Azeris constitute the titular majority in the Republic of Azerbaijan (91%), their articulation of national identity has diverged sharply from that of their kin brethren in Iran. Drawing on the works of Brubaker (2000, 2009), James (2001, 2006), Horowitz (1985), Saideman (2007, 2008) and Laitin (1998, 2007), the paper explores the hypothesis that the main reason for Azeri loyalty is the consistent and successful cooptation of the Azeri leadership into political and economic elite by the Iranian state.
    [Show full text]
  • Iranian Influence in the South Caucasus and the Surrounding Region
    IRANIAN INFLUENCE IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS AND THE SURROUNDING REGION HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE AND EURASIA OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED TWELFTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION DECEMBER 5, 2012 Serial No. 112–192 Printed for the use of the Committee on Foreign Affairs ( Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/ or http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/ U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 77–164PDF WASHINGTON : 2012 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512–1800; DC area (202) 512–1800 Fax: (202) 512–2104 Mail: Stop IDCC, Washington, DC 20402–0001 VerDate 0ct 09 2002 16:38 Jan 03, 2013 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 5011 Sfmt 5011 F:\WORK\EE\120512\77164 HFA PsN: SHIRL COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida, Chairman CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey HOWARD L. BERMAN, California DAN BURTON, Indiana GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York ELTON GALLEGLY, California ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American DANA ROHRABACHER, California Samoa DONALD A. MANZULLO, Illinois BRAD SHERMAN, California EDWARD R. ROYCE, California ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York STEVE CHABOT, Ohio GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York RON PAUL, Texas RUSS CARNAHAN, Missouri MIKE PENCE, Indiana ALBIO SIRES, New Jersey JOE WILSON, South Carolina GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia CONNIE MACK, Florida THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida JEFF FORTENBERRY, Nebraska BEN CHANDLER, Kentucky MICHAEL T. MCCAUL, Texas BRIAN HIGGINS, New York TED POE, Texas ALLYSON SCHWARTZ, Pennsylvania GUS M. BILIRAKIS, Florida CHRISTOPHER S. MURPHY, Connecticut JEAN SCHMIDT, Ohio FREDERICA WILSON, Florida BILL JOHNSON, Ohio KAREN BASS, California DAVID RIVERA, Florida WILLIAM KEATING, Massachusetts MIKE KELLY, Pennsylvania DAVID CICILLINE, Rhode Island TIM GRIFFIN, Arkansas TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania JEFF DUNCAN, South Carolina ANN MARIE BUERKLE, New York RENEE ELLMERS, North Carolina ROBERT TURNER, New York YLEEM D.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Azerbaijan Democratic Party: Ups and Downs (1945-1946)
    Revista Humanidades ISSN: 2215-3934 [email protected] Universidad de Costa Rica Costa Rica Azerbaijan Democratic Party: Ups and Downs (1945-1946) Soleimani Amiri, PhD. Mohammad Azerbaijan Democratic Party: Ups and Downs (1945-1946) Revista Humanidades, vol. 10, no. 1, 2020 Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica Available in: https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=498060395015 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15517/h.v10i1.39936 Todos los derechos reservados. Universidad de Costa Rica. Esta revista se encuentra licenciada con Creative Commons. Reconocimiento-NoComercial-SinObraDerivada 3.0 Costa Rica. Correo electrónico: [email protected]/ Sitio web: http: //revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/humanidades This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 International. PDF generated from XML JATS4R by Redalyc Project academic non-profit, developed under the open access initiative PhD. Mohammad Soleimani Amiri. Azerbaijan Democratic Party: Ups and Downs (1945-1946) Desde las ciencias sociales, la filosofía y la educación Azerbaijan Democratic Party: Ups and Downs (1945-1946) Partido Demócrata de Azerbaiyán: altibajos (1945-1946) PhD. Mohammad Soleimani Amiri DOI: https://doi.org/10.15517/h.v10i1.39936 University of Sapienza, Italia Redalyc: https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa? [email protected] id=498060395015 http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0554-6964 Received: 19 June 2019 Accepted: 23 November 2019 Abstract: Democratic Party of Azerbaijan's movement is one of the most important events in the history of Iran and the world. It was for the first time in the history of Iran that a political party seriously stressed the issue of autonomy. In addition, this movement as liberation movement prioritized several decisive and fundamental reform.
    [Show full text]
  • From Oxus to Euphrates: the Sasanian Empire Speaker Profiles
    From Oxus to Euphrates: The Sasanian Empire Speaker Profiles Dr. Ida Meftahi currently holds a Visiting Assistant Dr. Samra Elodie Azarnouche, is Associate Professorship in contemporary Iranian culture and Professor at the École Pratique des Hautes Études in society at the Roshan Institute for Persian Studies, Paris (PSL Research University Paris) where she teaches University of Maryland. She completed her doctoral the history of Zoroastrianism. Her research focuses on studies at the University of Toronto’s Department of Late Antiquity, Sasanian culture and religion, Iranian Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations and was a mythology and Middle Persian literature. Among her * postdoctoral fellow at the Institute for the Arts and publications are an edition of a Middle Persian text on Humanities at Pennsylvania State University. Her first book, Gender and Sasanian reali (Khosrow fils de Kawād et un page, 2013) and several Dance in Modern Iran: Biopolitics on Stage was released in May 2016 articles on rituals, priestly institutions, technical vocabulary, and (Routledge Iranian Studies Series). In addition to teaching Zoroastrian myths. interdisciplinary courses on Modern Iran, she is the director of the Lalehzar Digital Project, a component of the Roshan Initiative for Digital Dr. Touraj Daryaee, is a historian of ancient Iran, Humanities, as well as faculty advisor for Roshangar: Roshan apecializing on the Sasanian Empire. He is the author of Undergraduate Journal for Persian Studies. a number of books, including Sasanian Persia: The Rise and Fall of an Empire, IB Tauris 2009; and The Oxford Handbook of Iranian History, OUP, 2012. He has also Dr. Stephen H. Rapp Jr., is Professor of Eurasian translated Middle Persian texts on the history of the and World History at Sam Houston State University.
    [Show full text]
  • The Formation of Azerbaijani Collective Identity in Iran
    Nationalities Papers ISSN: 0090-5992 (Print) 1465-3923 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/cnap20 The formation of Azerbaijani collective identity in Iran Brenda Shaffer To cite this article: Brenda Shaffer (2000) The formation of Azerbaijani collective identity in Iran, Nationalities Papers, 28:3, 449-477, DOI: 10.1080/713687484 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/713687484 Published online: 19 Aug 2010. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 207 View related articles Citing articles: 5 View citing articles Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=cnap20 Download by: [Harvard Library] Date: 24 March 2016, At: 11:49 Nationalities Papers, Vol. 28, No. 3, 2000 THE FORMATION OF AZERBAIJANI COLLECTIVE IDENTITY IN IRAN Brenda Shaffer Iran is a multi-ethnic society in which approximately 50% of its citizens are of non-Persian origin, yet researchers commonly use the terms Persians and Iranians interchangeably, neglecting the supra-ethnic meaning of the term Iranian for many of the non-Persians in Iran. The largest minority ethnic group in Iran is the Azerbaijanis (comprising approximately a third of the population) and other major groups include the Kurds, Arabs, Baluchis and Turkmen.1 Iran’s ethnic groups are particularly susceptible to external manipulation and considerably subject to in uence from events taking place outside its borders, since most of the non-Persians are concen- trated in the frontier areas and have ties to co-ethnics in adjoining states, such as Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan and Iraq.
    [Show full text]
  • Factors Influencing the Foreign Relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan
    Annals of Global History Volume 1, Issue 2, 2019, PP 4-11 ISSN 2642-8172 Factors Influencing the Foreign Relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan Zahra Hosseinpour1, Majid Rafiei2, Abdolreza Alishahi3*, Atieh Mahdipour4 1Master's degree in Executive Master of Business Administration at Tehran University, Tehran, Iran 2Graduate Master of International Relations at Isfahan University, Isfahan, Iran 3Ph.D in Political Science at Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran 4Bachelor of Industrial Management, Islamic Azad University-South Tehran Branch (EN) *Corresponding Author: Abdolreza Alishahi, Ph.D in Political Science at Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran, Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT After the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s and the independence of the countries under its control, The Islamic Republic of Iran, on its northern borders, became neighbors with new countries. Azerbaijan is one of those countries that is located in the Caucasus region and declared independence on August 30, 1991, and the Islamic Republic of Iran recognized that country in the same year (1991) and established its relations with this country. During the years of the establishment of relations between the two countries, in spite of the religious and cultural commonalities, as well as the numerous opportunities and economic and security factors that could have exacerbated the interactions between the two sides, These relationships have been practically at a low level, and these joint factors not only did not increase interactions, but in some cases also led to conflicts and tensions between the two countries. According to the background, the question of this research is what factors influenced relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan? The hypothesis of this paper is that the factors affecting the relations between the two countries, Influenced by the negative attitudes of both countries towards each other and the involvement of transnational nations.
    [Show full text]
  • The Scorpion Fauna of West Azerbaijan Province in Iran (Arachnida: Scorpiones)
    BIHAREAN BIOLOGIST 12 (2): 84-87 ©Biharean Biologist, Oradea, Romania, 2018 Article No.: e171210 http://biozoojournals.ro/bihbiol/index.html The scorpion fauna of West Azerbaijan Province in Iran (Arachnida: Scorpiones) Mohammad Moradi GHARAKHLOO1, Sedigheh Asadvand HEYDARABAD1 and Ersen Aydın YAĞMUR2* 1. University of Zanjan, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, Zanjan, Iran. 2. Alaşehir Vocational School, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey. *Corresponding author, E.A. Yağmur, E-mail: [email protected] Received: 16. August 2017 / Accepted: 29. October 2017 / Available online: 05. November 2017 / Printed: December 2018 Abstract. In this study, investigation on the scorpion fauna related to borderline cities of West Azerbaijan Province (Poldasht, Piranshahr, Oshnaviyeh, Sardasht, Chaldoran, Salmas, Urmia and Khoy) was carried out. A total of 216 scorpion specimens were collected and Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807), Hottentotta saulcyi (Simon, 1880), Mesobuthus caucasicus (Nordmann, 1840), Mesobuthus eupeus (C.L. Koch, 1839) and Scorpio maurus Linnaeus, 1758 were identified. Hottentotta saulcyi and Scorpio maurus were recorded for the first time in West Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Key words: scorpion, fauna, West Azerbaijan, Iran. Introduction Fifty four scorpion species have been recorded from Iran (Karataş & Gharkheloo 2013, Kovařík 2013, Kovařík et al. 2017, Mirshamsi et al. 2011b, Mirshamsi et al. 2013, Navid- pour et al. 2013, Teruel et al. 2014, Vignoli et al. 2003, Yağ- mur et al. 2016), indicating that the scorpion fauna in Iran is rich and intensive. Until recently, due to the random collec- tion of scorpion specimens, determining Iranian scorpion fauna has always been a difficult issue. Recently some provinces have been studied in detail and extensive contributions have been provided (Jafari et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Iran's Azerbaijan Question in Evolution
    Iran’s Azerbaijan Question in Evolution Identity, Society, and Regional Security Emil Aslan Souleimanov Josef Kraus SILK ROAD PAPER September 2017 Iran’s Azerbaijan Question in Evolution Identity, Society, and Regional Security Emil Aslan Souleimanov Josef Kraus © Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program – A Joint Transatlantic Research and Policy Center American Foreign Policy Council, 509 C St NE, Washington D.C. Institute for Security anD Development Policy, V. FinnboDavägen 2, Stockholm-Nacka, SweDen www.silkroaDstuDies.org ”Iran’s Azerbaijani Question in Evolution: Identity, Society, and Regional Security” is a Silk Road Paper published by the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute anD Silk RoaD StuDies Program, Joint Center. The Silk RoaD Papers Series is the Occasional Paper series of the Joint Center, and adDresses topical anD timely subjects. The Joint Center is a transatlantic inDepenDent anD non- profit research and policy center. It has offices in Washington and Stockholm and is affiliated with the American Foreign Policy Council anD the Institute for Security anD Development Policy. It is the first institution of its kind in Europe and North America, and is firmly established as a leading research anD policy center, serving a large anD Diverse community of analysts, scholars, policy-watchers, business leaDers, anD journalists. The Joint Center is at the forefront of research on issues of conflict, security, anD Development in the region. Through its applied research, publications, research cooperation, public lectures, anD seminars, it functions as a focal point for academic, policy, anD public Discussion regarDing the region. The opinions and conclusions expressed in this study are those of the authors only, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Joint Center or its sponsors.
    [Show full text]