South Caucasus in the focus of Middle Eastern powers
The turbulent events of the recent years have brought a number of dramatic changes to the geopolitics of South Caucasus. Azerbaijani triumph in the 44-day war, the newly found importance of the Middle Corridor and North-South route that have made this region stand out for its connectivity options, numerous effects of the war in Ukraine have all shaped the ways the three Caucasian countries see themselves and interact with the world. Among these changes, one has been somewhat off the radars: the growing clout of the Middle Eastern politics over the region. As the Western capacity to project its influence has declined and sanctions-hit Russia has stuck in the Ukraine quagmire, regional powers, primarily Türkiye, Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia and UAE, have been able to expand their influence and bring the South Caucasus closer to the Middle Eastern orbit. So, in this report, we have decided to explore the policies of the five aforementioned countries in the region, the dynamic interplay of their interests and their implications for the future.
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