Focused on Iran? Exploring the rationale behind the strategic relationship between Azerbaijan and Israel

Souleimanov, E., Ehrmann, M. and Aliyev, H. (2014) Focused on Iran? Exploring the rationale behind the strategic relationship between Azerbaijan and Israel. Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, 14(4), pp. 471-488. (doi: 10.1080/14683857.2014.967945)

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Abstract

This article, unlike the small but rapidly expanding body of literature on Azerbaijan’s relations with Israel, focuses on the role of Iranian influence as a factor strengthening the strategic partnership that has been successfully blossoming between Azerbaijan and Israel in areas of economic, cultural, developmental and more recently, military cooperation. This study aims to examine the key characteristics of bilateral cooperation between the two countries and seeks to investigate the incentives which have aided to create and cement this atypical partnernship. Among a variety of mutual interests that have allowed the Azerbaijani–Israeli partnership to flourish, this study emphasizes the pivotal role of Iranian–Israeli hostilities which correlate with Azerbaijan’s own grievances with Iran. This study argues that the discrete but strategically important partnership between Azerbaijan and Israel is encouraged not only by the existence of mutually beneficial economic incentives but also by the security threats emanating from Iran.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Aliyev, Dr Huseyn
Authors: Souleimanov, E., Ehrmann, M., and Aliyev, H.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Central and East European Studies
Journal Name:Southeast European and Black Sea Studies
Publisher:Taylor & Francis
ISSN:1468-3857
ISSN (Online):1743-9639
Published Online:21 October 2014
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2014 Taylor and Francis
First Published:First published in Southeast European and Black Sea Studies 14(4): 471-488
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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