Republic of Azerbaijan's Strategy and Behavioral Pattern in the Confrontation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Assistant Professor, Department of Security, Disciplinary and Social Sciences, Disciplinary Sciences and Social Studies Research Institute

Abstract

Introduction: After the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan as a Muslim republic in the neighborhood of Iran, Tehran and Baku were expected to establish close and stable relations despite their historical, cultural and religious ties; but in fact, Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan experienced tense and turbulent relations and Baku established closer relations with Iran's enemies and rivals including Israel.
Research Question:  "What strategy and behavior pattern does the Republic of Azerbaijan follow in the confrontation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel?"
Research Hypothesis: In confrontation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel, the Republic of Azerbaijan follows the strategy and behavioral pattern of balancing the threat.
Methodology (and Theoretical Framework if there are): This study uses a combination of constructivist and threat balance theories. The qualitative method of systematic review has been used to examine the components of the question and the main tool for data collection in this research is library studies.
Results and Discussion: Although the Shiite religious commonality and the historical cultural commonality between the nations of Iran and Azerbaijan are very deep-rooted, the orientation of the foreign policy of the two countries in bilateral, regional and international relations has been formed by relying on other sources of identity. The Republic of Azerbaijan feels threatened by the Shiite religious unity and the Persian-Turkish dichotomy, and therefore tries to replace it with the conflicting political identity of Iran and the Israel by using a strategy of balancing the threat. The Israel regime, with its Jewish-Zionist identity has become a strategic partner of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran has been placed in an "other" position for Baku.
By using the strategy of balancing threats at the domestic and regional level, the Republic of Azerbaijan has been able to adjust its behavioral pattern in the face of the confrontation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel. Despite the fundamental confrontation between Iran and Israel, by establishing relations with Israel and expanding these relations and creating insecurity on Iran's borders, Baku is trying to force Tehran to interact with it and reconsider its relations with Armenia. In addition to Baku's sense of threat from Iran, other causes and motives are also involved in this relationship Such as: geostrategic considerations in relation to Tel Aviv and subsequently strategic considerations in relation to the West, military modernization of the Republic of Azerbaijan, economic interests in energy relations and also the issue of the liberation of Karabagh.
At the geopolitical level, introducing Iran as a common enemy is the most important element of the alliance between Baku and Tel Aviv. In other words, one of the factors influencing the joint and complementary strategic views of Baku and Tel Aviv is the role of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the peripheral strategy of the Israeli regime. Based on this peripheral strategy, Israel is trying to bring the threat of its presence closer to Iran's borders by expanding relations with the Republic of Azerbaijan. In fact, using the constructivist theory, it can be said why the political-religious and ethnic identity of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran has become one of the most important sources of strengthening Baku-Tel Aviv relations.
Conclusion: In general, the strategic relations between Baku and Tel Aviv cannot be fully explained without considering the Iranian component. By using the strategy of balancing threats - at the domestic and regional level - the Republic of Azerbaijan has been able to adjust its behavioral pattern in the face of the confrontation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel.
 The identity conflict between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran has created different approaches to security which has affected any desire for close relations between the two nations. Unlike Iran's prominent Shiite political identity, the Republic of Azerbaijan seeks its security in joining the rival identity of Tehran that is Israel. The relationship with the Israeli regime also guarantees Baku's multiple goals in terms of security approaches. In fact, the behavioral pattern of the Republic of Azerbaijan has turned the Iranian-Azeri identity conflict or in other words, the Iranian Shiite revolution against Azerbaijan's secular system, into Iran-Israel conflict.

Keywords

References

Aghaee, Davod and Elham Rasooli (2009), “Constructivism and Iran’s Foreign Policy Toward Israel”, Politics Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 9, pp. 1-16, Available at: https://jpq.ut.ac.ir/article_20142_9c7882c0bdbea09f829b500c440b266d.pdf, (Accessed on: 26/07/2022). [in Persian]
Aliyev, Heydar (2000), “Speech of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev at the Official Reception in Honour of the National Holiday of Israel”, Available at: http://lib.aliyev-Heritage.org/en/470484.html, (Accessed on: 4/10/2021).
Aras, Bulrnt (1998), “Post-Cold War Realities: Israel's Strategy in Azerbaijan and Central Asia”, Middle East Policy, Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 61-73, (doi: 10.1111/j. 1475-4967. 1998.tb00370.x).
Bahmani Qajar, Mohammad Ali (2002), “The Reflection of Professionalism in the Turkish Press”, Foreign Relations History Quarterly, Vol. 3, No. 12, pp. 121-150, Available at: http://www.ensani.ir/fa/article/download/74548, (Accessed on: 26/07/2022).
Ehrmann, Maya; Kraus, Josef and Emil Souleimanov (2013), “The Iran-Israel-Azerbaijan Triangle: Implications on Regional Security”, Revista Estudos Politicos, No. 6, pp. 215-228, Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/ publication/283075185_The_Iran-Israel-Azerbaijan_Triangle_Implications_on_ Regional_Security (Accessed on: 14/08/2022
Cagaptay, Soner and Alexander Murinson (2005), “Good Relations Between Azerbaijan and Israel: A Model for Other Muslim States in Eurasia?”, Available at: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/good-relations-between-azerbaijan-and-israel-model-other-muslim-states-eurasia, (Accessed on: 8/07/2021).
Delanoë, Igor (2021), “Israel - Azerbaijan: An Alliance in Search of Renewal”, Available at: https://fmes-france.org/israel-azerbaijan-an-alliance-in-search-of-renewal/, (Accessed on: 28/07/2021).
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2021), “2020 International Trade Statistics Yearbook”, Available at: https://www.comtrade.un.org/pb/downloads/ 2020/VolI2020.pdf, (Accessed on: 5/11/2021).
Ebrahimi Kiapei, Hadi & Kamal Zarei (2020), “Strategies Conflict between Islamic Republic of Iran and the Zionist Regime in the Caucasian Strategic Area”, Quarterly Journal of Strategic Policy Research, Vol. 9, No. 32, pp. 125-155. (doi: 10.22054/QPSS.2019.41432.2297). [in Persian]
Gergon, Kenneth (1997), Social Constructivism in Context Sage Publication, Pennsylvania (USA): Swarthmore College.
Gresh, Geoffrey (2006), “Coddling the Caucasus: Iran’s Strategic Relationship with Azerbaijan and Armenia”, Caucasian Review of International Affairs, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 1-13, Available at: https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/104431/ Full.pdf, (Accessed on: 26/07/2022).
Grove, Thomas (2012), “Azerbaijan Eyes Aiding Israel against Iran”, Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/cnews-us-iran-israel-azerbaijan-idCABRE88T05L20120930, (Accessed on: 30/09/2021).
Javedanfar, Meir (2021), “Iran’s Threats Could Strengthen Azerbaijan-Israel Relations”, Available at: https://www.mei.edu/publications/irans-threats-could-strengthen-azerbaijan-israel-relations, (Accessed on: 3/12/2021).
Kalantari, Fathollah and Peiman Kavianifar (2020), “Prioritize the Threats toward the Islamic Republic of Iran through Southern Caucasus: Strategies and Countermeasures”, Central Eurasia Studies, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp, (doi: 623-644. 10.22059/JCEP.2020.301239.449920). [in Persian]
Mamedov (b), Eldar (2021), “How the Budding Azerbaijan-Israel Alliance Is More than Just Good Business”, Available at: https://www.responsiblestatecraft.org/ 2021/08/11/how-the-budding-azerbaijan-israel-alliance-is-more-than-just-good-business/, (Accessed on: 17/10/2021).
Mamedov, Eldar (2021), “Iran-Azerbaijan: A New Cold War?” Available at: https://www.eurasianet.org/perspectives-iran-azerbaijan-a-new-cold-war, (Accessed on: 15/10/2021).
Mehdiyev, Mushvig (2021), “Azerbaijan, Israel Expand Defense Cooperation with New Joint Venture”, Available at: https://www.caspiannews.com/news-detail/ azerbaijan-israel-expand-defense-cooperation-with-new-joint-venture-2021-3-26-48/, (Accessed on: 10/11/2021).
Middle East Monitor (2019), “Israel Defence Company Sells 'Suicide Drone' to Azerbaijan”, Available at: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190111-israel-defence-company-sells-suicide-drone-to-azerbaijan/, (Accessed on: 11/01/2022).
Momeni, Majidreza and Omid Rahimi (2017), “Iran-Israel Confrontation and Its Impact on the Expansion of Israel and Azerbaijan Political-Security Relations”, Central Eurasia Studies, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 415-431. (doi:10.22059/JCEP.2018.210209.449655). [in Persian]
Murinson, Alexander (2014), “The Ties Between Israel and Azerbaijan”, Mideast Security and Policy Studies, No. 110, pp. 1-40. Available at: https://www. besacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/MSPS110-web.pdf, (Accessed on: 14/08/2022).
Navon, Emmanuel (2020), The Star and the Scepter: A Diplomatic History of Israel Hardcover, Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society.
Omidi, Ali and Mustafa Kheiri (2016), “The Impact of the Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Israel”, Strategic Studies Quarterly, Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 138-158, Available at: http://www.quarterly.risstudies.org/article_41429_ a2a5762dc0425877731e6e221573f9db.pdf, (Accessed on: 26/07/2022). [in Persian]
Rafat Nezhad, Samad, Alireza Tanhaee and Abas Maleki (2016), “Strategic Areas of the Presence of the Zionist Regime in the Republic of Azerbaijan”, Journal of Defense Strategy, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 117-152, Available at: https://www. ds.sndu.ac.ir/article_575_24181c7d09d018ea8b253c8a39957f11.pdf, (Accessed on: 26/07/2022). [in Persian]
Rajabi, Mohammad (2021), “The Military and Security Strategies of the Zionist Regime in Confronting the Islamic Resistance (Case Study: The Syrian Crisis)”, Islamic Awakening Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 75-100. (doi: 20.1001.1. 23225645.1400.10.3.3.7). [in Persian]
Rajabi, Mohammad and Hadi Rajabi (2021), “Threats of the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict to the Security of the Border Areas of the Islamic Republic of Iran”, Journal of Border Science and Technology, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 204-236. (doi: 20.1001.1.25384090.1400.10.2.7.4). [in Persian]
Saadat Gholipour Azar, Ali (2014), “Investigation of Information-Security Indicators of the Zionist Regime in the Republic of Azerbaijan and National Security of the Islamic Republic of Iran”, Parliament and Strategy, Vol. 21, No. 78, pp. 149-175, Available at: https://www.rc.majlis.ir/fa/book_pub/show/906083, (Accessed on: 26/07/ 2022). [in Persian]
Sajin, Vladimir (2021), “Israel Is Arming Azerbaijan; for What?”, Available at: https://www.ir.sputniknews.com/, (Accessed on: 26/07/2022). [in Persian]
Shokri, Omid (2021), “Azerbaijan-Israel Relations and Iran's National Security Concerns”, Available at: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211016-azerbaijan-israel-relations-and-irans-national-security-concerns/, (Accessed on: 4/01/2022).
Souleimanov, Emil and Ondrej Ditrych (2007), “Iran and Azerbaijan: a Contested Neighborhood”, Middle East Policy, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 101-116, (doi: 10.1111/ j.1475-4967.2007.00300.x).
Sozen, Ahmet (2017), “The Role of Azerbaijan in Israel's Alliance of Periphery”, Middle East Review of International Affairs, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 1-9, Available at: https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/role-azerbaijan-israel-s-alliance-periphery/docview/1927955995/se-2 (Accessed on: 14/08/2022)
Vatanka, Alex (2021), “Azerbaijan and Israel’s Encirclement of Iran”, Available at: https://www.mei.edu/publications/azerbaijan-and-israels-encirclement-iran, (Accessed on: 16/11/2021).
Walt, Stephan (2005), Taming American Power: The Global Response to US Primacy, New York: W.W. Norton.
Wendt, Alexander (1994), “Collective Identity Formation and the International State”, American Political Science Review, No. 2, pp. 384-396, (doi: 10.2307/ 2944711).
Central Eurasia Studies
Volume 15, Issue 1
September 2022
Pages 53-75

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics