In a striking departure from its traditional foreign policy approach, Tehran’s pragmatic stance in relation to Central Asia and the Caucasus is analyzed in compelling detail in Iran’s Policy Toward Central Asia and the Caucasus, Investing in Opportunities and Ousting Competitors. Infused with historical depth, the book explains the complex geopolitics of the region known as Eurasia, the longstanding great power competition that continues to prevail and Iran’s ambitions to entrench its influence across the countries of the region. Iran’s soft power policy toward the region’s countries is discussed as well as the cultural and linguistic commonalities Iran shares with the region which it uses as a basis to expand relations in an attempt to strengthen its battered economy, break its international isolation and contain the advancement of regional rivals like Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The status and scope of Iran’s bilateral relations with the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan) are explored. The book includes an in-depth examination of several prominent issues such as Iran’s interests in the resources of the Caspian Sea, the highly prized energy pipeline projects passing through the region, the International North-South Transport Corridor, Iran’s inclusion in prominent regional blocs, and the impact of Iran’s role in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. Published in Arabic, this book is authored by Rasanah’s Vice President Dr. Ahmed al-Garni who holds a doctorate in International Relations from Sorbonne University. He is also an Academic Visitor to Oxford University and an expert in strategic studies. This book has been translated into English by Ruba Abu Mualish, a specialist and academic in translation studies and political discourse analysis. The English version is now available at the Riyadh Book Fair-2023, King Saud University.
