Geopolitical Discourse in Central Asia: Opportunities for Iran-Russia Cooperation

Document Type : Original Article

Author

- University lecturer

Abstract

The end of Cold War eliminated geo-strategic rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union in many parts of the world, but two countries have continued their rivalry in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The collapse of the Soviet Union brought a power vacuum in Central Asia, and consequently paved the way for other powers to significantly influence regional development. This paper maintains that the emerging development in the region led to the formation of a geopolitical discourse in Central Asia and the Caucasus. This article maintains the emerging discourse is based upon the competition between regional and extra-regional powers to gain geopolitical advantages in forming security structures and dominating energy resources. In this framework, Iran-Russia cooperation aims at reducing foreign powers influence in the region. As conclusion, this paper maintains that Iran-Russia cooperation could be better conceptualized in the framework of a non-zero sum game.
 
 

Keywords