Israel's policy toward the South Caucasus: Continuity or Change?

Abstract

This dissertation analyzes Israel's policy in the South Caucasus and the factors influencing it. Although relations between Israel and the three South Caucasus countries date back to 1991, ethnic Jews living in the Caucasus have historical and cultural ties between the peoples. The changing geopolitical situation in a very short period of time has tested Israel's regional policy in history. Although these relations have risen to the level of strategic cooperation with some countries, they have weakened with others. Changes in Israel's policy in the South Caucasus must be investigated and explained at the interstate, regional and global levels. Therefore, Israel's policy in the South Caucasus takes into account the interests of the three independent states, as well as the actions and inactions of countries such as Turkey, Russia and Iran in the world system after the collapse of the USSR in 1991 and the terrorist attack in 2001. should be studied. At the same time, the changed regional policy after the Second Karabakh War, the broken old status quo and Israel's current role, future prospects and opportunities to influence other ethno-ethnic conflicts in the South Caucasus must be explored. Israel's changed or continuing policy in the South Caucasus must be developed in the light of all new realities and reflected in Israel's new security and foreign policy strategy.