analyzing the conflicting interests of turkiye and russia in the south caucasus from a critical geopoliticalperspective:2001-2022

پژوهش ‎های جغرافیای سیاسی

Article 6, Volume 9, Issue 3 - Serial Number 35, October 2024, Pages 123-142   

Document Type: Original Article

DOI: 10.22067/pg.2024.89037.1301

Authors

Leila Shirali¹; Farzad Navidinaya^{* 2}; Shiva Jalalpoor³; Feredoun Akbarzadah³

¹PhD student, Department of International Relations, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran

²Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Andimeshk Branch, Islamic Azad University, Andimeshk, Iran

³Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

The South Caucasus is one of the most important geopolitical regions that regional powers, including Turkey and Russia, have over the past two decades. This research seeks to explain the conventionality of Turkey and Russia in the South Caucasus from the perspective of critical geopolitics and proposes the assumption that the conflict between the two countries in the South Caucasus can be explained by moving away from traditional geopolitics in the form of power, space and identity metaphors. This research has investigated this issue with the descriptive-analytical method and the use of critical geopolitical theory. the results of the research indicate that the mentality of the Russian authorities in the South Caucasus is based on the domination of this region for more than two centuries, the need to remain in Moscow's sphere of influence, and the need to keep the West away from it. The discourse of Turkish authorities in the South Caucasus is based on strategic depth, the connecting route to Europe and Central Asia, and balancing. Based on the metaphor of power, Russia and Türkiye consider the South Caucasus as their geopolitical sphere of influence. In the metaphor of space, Russia, by its presence in the lands of Eurasia, of which the Caucasus is also a part, and Turkey, with Ottomanism and civilizational geopolitics, try to manage the region's space for their own benefit. in the metaphor of Russian identity, he sees this region as the arena of "Russian identity" and the presence of Russians. Activism based on moderate Islamism and secularism is also important for Türkiye.

Keywords: critical geopolitics, South Caucasus, conflicting interests, regional powers

Keywords

Critical Geopolitics; South Caucasus; Conflicting Interests; Regional Powers

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