The ethnic dimension of alliance formation alignment patterns in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the alignment behaviors of Armenia and Azerbaijan during and after the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the effects of ethnic identities on these alignments. The literature on alliances is generally covered by realist scholars, but these scholars do not concentrate on domestic politics and fail to include the ethnic composition of states. However, conflicting parties in ethnic conflicts perceive each other through an ethnic identity lens, and differences between identities cause people to mobilize. Therefore, ethnic composition can affect the alignment preferences of states. Today, Armenia has developed better relations with Iran and Russia; on the other hand, Azerbaijan sides with Turkey and the United States. This thesis investigates how both ethnicity and power politics affect the alignment policies during and after an ethnic conflict.