Turkey and Greater Azerbaijan: A Card to Play?

German Marshall Fund of the United States, July 24, 2012, 3 p.

Nadir Devlet *

Beyond a growing commercial relationship, Turkey is trying simultaneously to promote broad-based cultural cooperation that draws Turkic peoples in Azerbaijan and other South Caucasus nations closer. The conflict in Nagorno-Karabagh represents a singular challenge for Turkish policy toward the South Caucasus. In Baku, particularly, voices demanding a military solution are growing louder. But would Azerbaijan receive support from the millions of ethnic Azeris living in Iran? The “Azeri factor” is certain to remain an influence on Turkey’s relations with Iran, but this does not mean that Turkey has an “Azerbaijan card” to play to enhance its political leverage.

* Prof. Dr. Nadir Devlet teaches at the International Relations Department of Istanbul Commerce University. He concentrates on 20th and 21st century political, social, cultural, economic situations, and security issues for Turkic peoples.

Download full brief (Format PDF)

 

 

About these ads