The southern caucasus: a struggle for

CENTRAL ASIA AND THE CAUCASUS

Volume 12  Issue 1  2011

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Caucasus. Moreover, some scholars believe that the U.S.-Iranian confrontation is continuing to a sig-

nificant degree in the Southern Caucasus as well.

12

It is a well-known fact that Iran is trying to contain and minimize Western pressure. So, in ac-

cordance with this strategy, Tehran is actively cooperating with Russia. The collapse of the Soviet

Empire notwithstanding, present-day Russia continues to consider itself a global competitor of the

U.S.

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 Russia is a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council. Tehran takes this into

consideration and regards Moscow as a key supporter. The cooperation between Iran and Russia is

highly saturated and covers a wide agenda: science, technology, military, nuclear, and other issues,

with a multibillion dollar turnover.

Meanwhile, strategic cooperation with Iran is beneficial for Russia as well. Iran is a huge market

for Russia’s military weapons and nuclear technology exports. Since 2005, Russia has had an observ-

er status in the Organization of the Islamic Conference. The Islamic Republic of Iran’s influence in

the Islamic world is an effective tool for creating and supporting Russia’s friendly image in the Mus-

lim states. Moreover, by cooperating with Iran and the OIC, Russia is trying to minimize Islamic pres-

sure in Russia itself, as well as in the Caucasus and Central Asia. On the other hand, as a global com-

petitor of the U.S., Russia is trying (in accordance with the old Soviet strategy) to challenge Ameri-

ca’s global position, particularly in the Islamic world.

Russia is very sensitive about the “advance” of the U.S. and NATO into the Kremlin’s Near

Abroad, particularly into the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia. Russia is trying to weaken the West’s

influence and presence in this part of the world, as well as to secure the Caspian energy resources and

energy transportation routes under Moscow’s control.

It should be emphasized that Iran has similar strategic goals in the Southern Caucasus. So,

Iran’s South Caucasian strategy is oriented toward supporting Russia’s dominance in this part of

the world. It is beneficial for Tehran to be under Russia’s umbrella or shadow in this region.

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 Both

Russia and Iran are strengthening their positions in the struggle for influence with the United States,

which has declared that the Caspian basin is strategically vital to America’s national interests.

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Moreover, the European Union is gradually strengthening its position as well. In other words, the

West is actively implementing a set of strategic programs, such as the Silk Road Strategy, Partner-

ship for Peace, Eastern Partnership, and others, which are oriented toward projecting Western in-

fluence onto the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia. These programs are vital for increasing the

West’s presence and redesigning the post-Soviet local order, as well as minimizing Russian influ-

ence and control. Therefore, Russia must react to and counter the challenges that might weaken

Russia’s traditional dominance in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Finally, Russia needs to have a

strategic partner, and Iran is very valuable.

It should be noted that Iran’s hostility toward the United States and Israel is pushing Tehran

closer to Moscow. Moreover, Russia is trying to prolong Iran’s problems with the United States for

as long as possible. In so doing, Russia is drawing Washington’s strategic attention away from Russia

itself and Russia’s Near Abroad and creating a significant “headache” for Washington’s decision-

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 See: S. Markedonov, “The Caucasus Approaches of Iran: Main Priorities and Challenges,” Research Institute for

European and American Studies (RIES), 1 June, 2009, available at [www.rieas.gr].

13

 See: S. Kapila, “Russia: The Inevitability of a New Cold War with the Unites States,” South Asia Analysis Group,

26 August, 2008, available at [http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/%5Cpapers29%5Cpaper2822.html].

14

 See: M. Javedanfar, “Iran Foreign Policy Analysis—Iran’s Alliance with Russia,” 4 May, 2005, available at [http://

www.meepas.com/russiairanfpaanalysis.htm].

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 See: F.W. Engdahl, “The U.S.’s Geopolitical Nightmare,” Asia Times, 9 May, 2006, available at [http://

www.atimes.com/atimes/China/HE09Ad01.html]; D. Kaliyeva, “The Geopolitical Situation in the Caspian Region,” UNISCI

DISCUSSION PAPERS, Research Unit on International Security and Cooperation, available at [http://revistas.ucm.es/cps/

16962206/articulos/UNIS0404130011A.PDF].

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