AZERBAIJAN-IRAN | A Dangerous Rivalry?

In September and October 2021, tensions suddenly escalated between Iran and Azerbaijan. While never especially close, the growing confrontation between the neighbours has nevertheless come as a surprise for many observers - with some even voicing concerns that they could be heading towards conflict. Even if it doesn't go this far, there is certainly an emerging hostility between the two countries. But what exactly lies between this seemingly new rivalry between Baku and Tehran? As is shown, it is rooted in a range of bilateral, regional and geopolitical issues that have emerged since the end of 2020. Hello and welcome! My name is James Ker-Lindsay. Here I take an informed look at International Relations with a focus on territorial conflicts, secession, independence movements and new countries. If you like what you see, please do subscribe. If you want more, including exclusive content and benefits, consider becoming a channel member. Many thanks! SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE http://www.youtube.com/c/JamesKerLind... SUPPORT THE CHANNEL    / jameskerlindsay   The Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran are just two of three states in the world where the majority of the populations follow the Shia form of Islam. However, despite this apparent affinity, the two countries have a far deeper, and more antagonistic, relationship than many realise. Having once been a part of Persia (now Iran), modern Azerbaijan was conquered by Russia in the early nineteenth century. Although it briefly gained independence in the early part of the twentieth century, it was subsumed into the Soviet Union in 1920. However, since becoming a fully independent state in 1991, Azerbaijan and Iran have had a rocky relationship. While Tehran sought to build relations with Baku, these were undermined by Azerbaijan's decision to pursue closer ties to Turkey as well as Iran's neutrality in the war between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. And it is this issue that again lies at the heart of the new tensions we are seeing. Azerbaijan's victory over Armenia, in November 2020, seems to have given Baku a new sense of confidence. But all this has also worried Tehran in other ways - not least of all in terms of the growing influence of neighbouring Turkey and Pakistan, but also regarding Israel's growing role in Azerbaijan. CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction and Titles 0:28 Iran, Azerbaijan and the Shia Link 2:01 Geography and Demographics of Iran and Azerbaijan 3:25 A History of Iranian-Azerbaijani Relations 5:13 Iran-Azerbaijan Relations after the Cold War 6:41 The Source of Current Iranian-Azerbaijani Tensions 10:40 Iran-Azerbaijan: Growing Regional Rivalry RELATED PLAYLISTS Current Issues and Disputes    • Latest Videos   Secession and Independence in the Post-Soviet Space    • Ukraine-Belarus | The Most Unusual UN Members   Secession and Independence in the Middle East    • YEMEN | How Did It Finally Unite?   =============== FURTHER READING & USEFUL SOURCES Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs https://www.mfa.gov.az/en Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs https://en.mfa.ir Iran's Foreign Policy in the South Caucasus https://amzn.to/3nAOkor Iran: A Modern History https://amzn.to/3b33M6Q Azerbaijan: A Political History https://amzn.to/3ppKv7Z =============== MY BOOKS Secession and State Creation: What Everyone Needs to Know https://amzn.to/2MPY3W2 [PRE-ORDER] The Cyprus Problem: What Everyone Needs to Know https://amzn.to/2FaaBU2 Kosovo: The Path to Contested Statehood in the Balkans https://amzn.to/35jiBN2 The Foreign Policy of Counter-Secession https://amzn.to/2Qinm5t My other books https://amzn.to/2MlP13u =============== MY PROFILES & SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS Twitter   / jameskerlindsay   LinkedIn   / james-ker-lindsay-b31b9930   Academia.edu https://lse.academia.edu/JamesKerLindsay Research Gate https://www.researchgate.net/profile/... =============== EQUIPMENT& TOOL USED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO Camera: Canon XA40 https://amzn.to/3CLinzy Microphone: Røde VideoMic NTG https://amzn.to/2MAHBZj Key Light: Elgato https://amzn.to/3D85kJx Accent Lights: Aputure MC https://amzn.to/3kkoGSS Teleprompter: Parrot 2 https://amzn.to/2VLcRsm Tripod: Geekoto 79" Carbon Fibre https://amzn.to/2wWMNT1 Channel Analytics: TubeBuddy https://www.tubebuddy.com/JKL Channel Graphics: https://motionvfx.sjv.io/NKB34O =============== KEYWORDS #Azerbaijan #Iran #Conflict #InternationalPolitics #CurrentAffairs #InternationalRelations #Secession #Statehood #Independence #InternationalLaw #InternationalHistory DISCLAIMER: Some of the links above are affiliate links. These pay a small commission if you make a purchase. This helps to support the channel and will be at no additional cost to you.