Exploring Azerbaijan's Place In The Middle East

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country located at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia. It is a part of the South Caucasus region and is bordered by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia's republic of Dagestan to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia and Turkey to the west, and Iran to the south. The country is officially called the Republic of Azerbaijan and has a Muslim-majority population.

The term Middle East refers to a geopolitical region that includes the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. The South Caucasus countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia are occasionally included in definitions of the Middle East.

So, is Azerbaijan in the Middle East? The answer is that it depends on the specific definition of the Middle East being used. While some definitions include the South Caucasus region, others do not. Therefore, while some may consider Azerbaijan to be part of the Middle East, others may not.

Azerbaijan's location

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country, straddling Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is located at the crossroads of the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe. Azerbaijan is bordered by Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia and Turkey to the west, and Iran to the south. The country also shares a border with Dagestan, an autonomous republic of Russia, and has a coastline along the Caspian Sea to the east. Baku, the capital and largest city, is situated on the Absheron Peninsula, which extends into the Caspian Sea.

Azerbaijan is part of the South Caucasus region, which includes the countries of Georgia and Armenia. The South Caucasus is often considered distinct from the broader Caucasus region, which spans the mountains between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. The Caucasus Mountains serve as a natural boundary and span across Asia and Europe.

The term "Middle East" typically refers to a geopolitical region that encompasses the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. While there is some variation in the definition, the South Caucasus region, including Azerbaijan, is generally not included in the Middle East. However, broader concepts such as the "Greater Middle East" may include parts of the Caucasus and Central Asia.

The history of the region is closely tied to the emergence of major religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The Middle East has long been recognised for its geopolitical importance, with several empires and caliphates vying for control throughout history. The modern Middle East took shape after World War I, with the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the emergence of new nations.

Azerbaijan, officially known as the Republic of Azerbaijan, gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The country has a secular government and a majority-Turkic and majority-Shia Muslim population. Baku, located on the Caspian Sea, is the nation's cultural and economic centre.

The country's history

Azerbaijan's history is deeply intertwined with the broader region's dynamics, having been influenced by various empires and civilizations over millennia. Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, the region that encompasses modern-day Azerbaijan has a long and complex history. The country's strategic location along the Caspian Sea and its proximity to vital trade routes have made it a coveted prize for conquerors throughout history.

One of the earliest known civilizations in the area was the Caucasian Albania, which existed from around the 4th century BC to the 9th century AD. This kingdom, not to be confused with the modern-day country of Albania, was influenced by Zoroastrianism and later adopted Christianity as its official religion. Caucasian Albania was often caught between the competing interests of neighboring powers, including the Roman Empire, the Sasanian Empire, and later, the rising influence of the Arabs and Islam.

The Arab invasions of the 7th and 8th centuries brought Islam to the region and significantly shaped Azerbaijan's cultural and religious landscape. The area became a part of the Caliphate, and the Arab influence remained strong for several centuries. This period saw the spread of Islam and the gradual adoption of the Arabic language, which later evolved into a distinct Azerbaijani language.

In the 11th century, the Seljuk Turks established a powerful empire that included Azerbaijan, marking the start of Turkic influence in the region. This period witnessed the development of Azerbaijani culture and literature, with notable figures like Nizami Ganjavi, a celebrated Persian poet, who contributed to the Persianate culture of the region.

The fall of the Seljuk Empire led to the rise of various smaller states, including the Shirvanshahs, who ruled over what is now northern Azerbaijan from the 9th to 16th centuries. The Shirvanshahs left a rich architectural legacy, with their palaces and mausoleums still standing today.

In the 16th century, Azerbaijan came under the rule of the Safavid Empire, which had its origins in neighboring Iran. This period witnessed the further consolidation of Shi'a Islam in the country, setting Azerbaijan apart from its predominantly Sunni neighbors. The Safavid era also saw the construction of magnificent monuments, such as the Palace of the Shirvanshahs in Baku and the Shah Mosque in Isfahan, reflecting the empire's architectural grandeur.

Religion in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is a secular state with a Muslim-majority population and strong traditions of religious tolerance. The vast majority of the country's population (97%) is nominally Muslim, with a majority belonging to the Shia branch (60%-65%) and a significant minority (35%-40%) adhering to Sunni Islam.

Shia Muslims in the country typically follow the Ja'fari school of Shia Islam, while Sunnis adhere to the Hanafi or Shafi'i school. Shia Islam is prevalent in the western, central, and southern regions of the country, with villages around Baku and the Lankaran region considered Shia strongholds. In contrast, Sunni Islam is dominant in the northern regions.

Due to decades of Soviet atheist policy, Muslim religious affiliation in Azerbaijan is largely cultural and ethnic rather than religious. As a result, the differences between the two branches of Islam are not sharply defined, and for many Azerbaijanis, association with Islam tends towards a more ethnic/nationalistic identity than a purely religious one.

Azerbaijan also has a significant Christian minority, with Russian and Georgian Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic adherents making up an estimated 3.1%-4.8% of the population. There is also a small ethnic Azerbaijani Protestant community, numbering around 5,000, mostly from Muslim backgrounds.

Other religious traditions followed in the country include Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Hinduism, and Baháʼí Faith.

The Azerbaijani constitution stipulates the separation of religion and state and the equality of all religions before the law. It also protects the right of individuals to express their religious beliefs and practice religious rituals, provided they do not violate public order or morality. The government has also taken steps to prevent religious extremism and radicalism.

Despite its secular nature, Azerbaijan has a rich religious history and diversity, with various faiths coexisting and contributing to the country's cultural landscape.

Azerbaijan's economy

Azerbaijan has the largest agricultural basin in its region, with about 54.9% of the country being agricultural land. The country's other economic sectors include manufacturing, defence, financial and business services, and tourism.

The national currency of Azerbaijan is the Azerbaijani manat. The private sector is weak, as the economy is dominated by state-owned enterprises, and more than half of the formal labour force works for the government.

In 2022, Azerbaijan's GDP was $78.7 billion, with a growth rate of 4.6% from 2021. The country's non-oil GDP increased by 9.1% in 2022, while the oil GDP decreased by 2.7%. Industry accounted for 51.1% of GDP, followed by trade and automotive repair (8.2%), transport and logistics (6%), construction (4.8%), and agriculture, forestry, and fisheries (4.8%).

Azerbaijan's top export destinations in 2022 were Italy, Turkey, Israel, and India. The country reported a foreign trade increase of 55.4% in 2022, with exports increasing by 71.6% to $38.1 billion and imports increasing by 23.9% to $14.5 billion. The top imports are iron and steel, machinery, vehicles, and food products, especially meat and dairy.

The Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) pipeline delivered 11.4 billion cubic meters of Azeri gas to Turkey and onwards to European markets in 2022. Azerbaijan has significant wind and solar potential and plans to install 1500 MW in renewables capacity by 2030, with the goal of exporting green electricity and green hydrogen to Europe.

The country's economic future looks promising, with an expected GDP growth of 2.7% in 2024 and 2.6% in 2025.

The country's ethnic groups

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia. It is a part of the South Caucasus region and has a population of over 10 million people.

Azerbaijan is home to more than 80 ethnic groups, with the Azerbaijani people making up over 90% of the population. The remaining population is made up of small concentrations of minorities, including Lezgins, Talysh, Russians, Armenians, Avars, Tats, Kurds, and Ashkenazi Jews.

Lezgins are the largest ethnic minority in Azerbaijan, making up about 2% of the population, although some estimates place their numbers much higher. They are concentrated in the Qusar and Khachmaz regions, as well as in Greater Baku.

Russians are the second-largest ethnic minority and the largest Russian community in the South Caucasus. Their numbers have declined since the end of the Soviet Union, but they continue to play an important role in the country, particularly in the capital city of Baku.

The Talysh people, an Iranian ethnic group, form the bulk of the local population in the Länkäran and Masallı regions in the southeast of the country. They have preserved many of their old customs and traditions, despite historical repression of their identity and language.

Armenians in Azerbaijan were historically concentrated in the break-away region of Nagorno-Karabakh, but this region has been returned to Azerbaijani control following the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020. As a result, most Armenians have fled the country, and only a small number remain.

Other ethnic groups in Azerbaijan include the Avars, Kurds, Tats, and Ashkenazi Jews. While these groups have faced assimilation policies and discrimination, they continue to be a part of the diverse ethnic landscape of the country.

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