ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the extent of Turkish and Iranian influence in the South Caucasus in the post-Soviet era and assesses the efforts of both countries to promote genuine regional co-operation, particularly in the realm of security. Whilst both Turkey and Iran have important connections with the South Caucasus, the result of historical legacy, as well as cultural and ethnic affinities, their role in regional collaboration remains modest, largely because of Russian hegemony and the impact of unresolved conflicts on relations in the area. Neither country has good relations with all three of the South Caucasus states, Turkey's relations with Armenia are poor, whilst Iran's relations with Azerbaijan are problematic, meaning that any attempt to establish pan-regional initiatives are flawed from the outset. Both Turkey and Iran are important regional powers that have historically played a leading role in shaping relations within the South Caucasus.
