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Middle East Review of International Affairs
Observations from Azerbaijan
by Cameron S. Brown
*
Abstract
This article examines several major political and cultural issues with which the citizens of Azerbaijan are currently grappling. It considers the role of the Nogorno-Karabakh conflict and its aftermath, irredentist claims made by some on Azerbaijani portions of Iran, the place of women in society, and the role of oil. Present in all these topics, however, is the common theme of how Turkish, Russian, Shi'a Muslim, and Western influences--as well as Azerbaijanis own history--are presently shaping the formation of the country's identity.
Azerbaijan is an intriguing country, with 90 percent of its 8 million inhabitants possessing a Turkic, Russified, secular, Shi Muslim identity; an identity shaped by their own history and by a long sojourn in the Soviet Union. Although Azerbaijan has long prospered from its oil wealth, the country has suffered numerous setbacks over the past decade due to its long and desperate war in Nogorno-Karabakh.
On a recent visit, all these aspects were clearly visible and continuing to shape Azerbaijan. What is less obvious--and yet very important in the Middle East context--is how Azerbaijan's situation is affecting its neighbors and near-neighbors.
Full PDF Document, 9 pages, 61 kbs
Endnotes
Note *: Cameron S. Brown is the assistant director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center, part of the Interdisciplinary Center, and an assistant editor of MERIA Journal.Back