Durham Middle East Papers

This paper charts the development of Azerbaijan since independence, detailing some of the factors which affect the domestic political agenda and showing how the presence of oil has already had a major effect on domestic political events.

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In 1991 Azerbaijan was thrust into the international arena as an independent country, subject to pressures from neighbouring states resulting from its geopolitical position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Russia and the Middle East. This paper begins by charting the development of Azerbaijan since independence, detailing some of the factors which affect the domestic political agenda and showing how the presence of oil has already had a major effect on domestic political events. The author then discusses the likely future effects of the presence of oil, and includes an account of the magnitude of the energy reserves and their potential.