Turkish Foreign Policy and the Karabakh Conflict

Abstract

The chapter first examines how Armenian dominant political thinking (Hai Dat), which regards Russia as savior and Turkey as eternal enemy, shapes its relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey. The second part traces the causes of the Second Karabakh War by focusing on numerous political factors. The third part of the chapter examines the reasons of Turkey’s assertive role to restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. This section explores the evolution of Turkey’s policy toward the Second Karabakh War by emphasizing ideational and material factors. These factors are: (1) the Turks’ view of the Azerbaijanis as ethnic kin whom they are obligated to support; the coalition between Turkey’s nationalists and Erdogan played an important role in Erdogan’s open support for Azerbaijan; (2) the fact that Azerbaijan did not attack another country but sought instead to restore its own territorial integrity—a cause seen by many Turks as morally and legally just; (3) the ingrained and politically motivated feeling among the majority of Turks that Armenia has always been subservient to Europe and Russia in its quest to restore its status as a major power; and, most critically, (4) the role of economic relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan (SOCAR). The last part of the chapter analyzes the Karabakh Truce in light of expanding Turkish-Russian relations.