Central Asia and Azerbaijan: Does Islamic Solidarity Matter?

This article looks at whether the foreign policies of post-Soviet Central Asian republics encompass the idea of Islamic solidarity. Specifically, it analyzes their relations with Muslim-majority Azerbaijan, which is concerned with gaining political and diplomatic support in the international arena in order to secure the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and accordingly, the restoration of its territorial integrity. The findings of the article evidence that the official agendas of the countries concerned towards Muslim nations and Azerbaijan particularly are rather opportunistic and do not follow any definite path. Instead, the article explains the actual origins of interstate solidarity which is scarcely determined by a religious factor.

Authors: Narmina Mamishova
377