As we proudly present the 50th issue of the Review of Armenian Studies (RAS), it is with profound respect that we commemorate the enduring legacy of our founder, Ambassador (R.) Dr. Ömer Engin Lütem, who passed away on January 6, 2018. His vision continues to guide us, fostering a deeper understanding of Armenian-related issues across various disciplines such as History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, and Law. This issue not only honors his memory but also marks a significant milestone in our journey as a pivotal source of scholarly discourse.
The Institute for Armenian Research, originally publisher of the bilingual quarterly Ermeni Araştırmaları Dergisi, recognized the need for a dedicated English publication given the increasing number of articles in English on the issues. Thus, RAS was conceived not as a mere translation of its Turkish counterpart but as a distinct venue aiming to reach international audience and provide scholarly insights into the complexities of Armenian and Caucasus development. This differentiation allows RAS to address specific themes and engage with a global readership on the nuances of Turkish-Armenian relations and issues of the Caucasus.
As we reflect on our past and look forward to the future, the Review of Armenian Studies remains dedicated to its mission of providing a comprehensive and scholarly examination of the Armenian and Caucasus issues. Each article and research endeavor in this journal is a testament to the rigorous academic environment that Center for Eurasian Studies (AVİM) envisioned and cultivated. In this special issue, we also introduce our new Managing Editor, Dr. Teoman Ertuğrul Tulun.
On behalf of the editorial team and our readership, we extend our gratitude to all contributors and researchers who have been part of this journey. We continue to strive towards excellence in research and publication, contributing to the understanding of complex historical narratives and contemporary issues in the region.
In light of the ongoing challenges presented by the global and regional political climate, this 50th issue comes at a time when the need for nuanced understanding and dialogue is more critical than ever. The political environment in the Caucasus region, notably Armenia's current dynamics under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, reflects a landscape of fluctuating reforms and contested diplomatic relations that underscore the themes discussed in this edition.
Despite his initial reformist zeal, Paşinyan has faced considerable resistance, not only from within Armenia but more so from the Diaspora and external actors with vested interests, resulting in a series of retractions and redefinitions of policy. This tenuous balance between internal aspirations and external pressures is a reflection of Armenia's broader struggle to navigate its geopolitical stance between traditional alliances and new partnerships. The Constitutional Court's recent rulings further complicate Armenia's foreign policy, presenting conflicting interpretations that influence the nation's diplomatic posture toward neighbors like Azerbaijan and Türkiye.
Moreover, Armenia's attempts to maintain a dual alignment with both Russia and Western nations illustrate the complexities of regional politics where economic dependencies and security alignments often collide. This delicate balancing act is further strained by Armenia's involvement in regional platforms and initiatives, which, while aimed at fostering cooperation, also reveal the deep-seated challenges of regional integration and peacebuilding.
As RAS continues to explore these intricate issues, we strive to provide our readers with comprehensive analyses that not only delve into the historical roots but also offer perspectives on contemporary developments. The articles in this issue, ranging from detailed examinations of Armenia's constitutional debates to analyses of its foreign policy maneuvers, aim to contribute to a better understanding of the Caucasus region's ongoing transformation and its impact on global affairs. We believe that the scholarly work featured in RAS is crucial for informing policy discussions and enhancing public discourse around these pivotal issues.
As we navigate these complex narratives, we thank our contributors for their relentless pursuit of truth and clarity. Their dedication ensures that RAS remains at the forefront of scholarly research, providing our readers with reliable, insightful analyses that resonate well beyond the academic community.
The special issues title will be "Geopolitical Dynamics and Historical Narratives in the Caucasus”.
The first section, "Historical Contexts and Cultural Reflections," offers a compilation of articles that explore the historical narratives that have shaped the cultural and political landscape of the Caucasus, reflecting on how history is remembered and its impact on contemporary identity and politics. The second section, "Regional Influence and Memory," examines the collective memory of significant events, the lingering impacts of past conflicts, and the strategies for peace and reconciliation that have emerged over time, assessing the interconnectivity of regional narratives and their implications for future relations and policy formulations. As we present these thematic sections, we continue the legacy of the Review of Armenian Studies, committed to providing a platform for critical inquiry and scholarly debate, guided by the scholarly pursuit of understanding complex realities through multiple lenses. We invite our readers to engage with these diverse perspectives to gain a richer understanding of the Caucasus region's past, present, and potential futures, honoring the vision of our founder and the ongoing contributions of our scholarly community.
Building on this thematic foundation, we delve deeper into the current geopolitical context with an authoritative perspective. In this context, our issue begins with an insightful piece by Chief Editor Ambassador (R.) Alev Kılıç in "Facts and Comments," offering a current analysis of the geopolitical landscape, particularly focusing on Armenia's internal and foreign affairs from July-November 2024. The analysis delves into the challenges faced by Nikol Pashinyan’s administration, which contends with both domestic opposition and the intricacies of navigating international alliances and opposition. This sets a robust foundation for the discussions that follow in this issue.
Historical Contexts and Cultural Reflections section, begins with Tuğce Tecimer’s "THE FIRST ARAB RAIDS INTO THE REGION WHERE ARMENIANS LIVED AND THEODOROS RSHTUNI'S REGIONAL POLICY." This article delves into the early Arab invasions and the critical role of Theodoros Rshtuni in the 7th century. Tecimer examines Rshtuni’s strategic responses to these incursions, highlighting his influence on Armenian military and political strategies during a period of significant geopolitical upheaval.
The section continues with Şahnaz Tağıyeva's " RESETTLEMENT POLICIES AND REGIONAL INSTABILITY: ARMENIAN POPULATION AS A STRATEGIC TOOL IN THE CAUCASUS" explores the demographic and cultural dynamics of the Caucasus. Tağıyeva details the historical background of Armenian settlements and discusses the impact of various civilizations that have left their mark on the region. The article emphasizes the complex interplay of ethnic compositions and the geopolitical interests that have historically driven conflict and cooperation within the Caucasus.
It features another analysis by Adil Çelik’s "ARMENIAN IMAGE IN TURKISH FOLK NARRATIVES." This study provides a detailed examination of how Armenians are depicted in Turkish legends, epics, folk tales, and jokes, exploring the relationship between folklore and the stereotyping of Armenians. Çelik meticulously analyzes how these narratives contribute to the construction of social identities by embedding the concept of the "other." The article discusses how these folklore elements not only reflect but also shape the perceptions of Armenians within Turkish society, illustrating the dual nature of the Armenian image as both a reminder of expected social behaviors and a representation of shared cultural values.
Regional Influence and Memory Section features Nazrin Alizada’s "IRAN AND THE SOUTH CAUCASUS: THE 44-DAY KARABAKH WAR IN THE CHANGING GEOPOLITICAL EQUATION." Alizada analyzes Iran's strategic positioning and its responses to the recent Karabakh war. The article assesses how Iran’s historical and current geopolitical strategies are influenced by the broader regional dynamics and how these strategies affect its relations with neighboring countries, particularly Azerbaijan and Armenia.
This section features another article by Celal Pakdoğan’s "THE OCCUPATION FORCES EVACUATING GAZI AYNTÂB AS PART OF THE ANKARA AGREEMENT" adds a critical historical perspective. This article revisits the significant events surrounding the British and French occupation of Gazi Ayntâb following World War I and the eventual evacuation under the Ankara Agreement. Pakdoğan provides a detailed analysis of the geopolitical and social ramifications of the occupation, the role of local resistance movements led by Mustafa Kemal, and the strategic negotiations that culminated in the Ankara Agreement. The piece highlights how these events not only reshaped the regional power dynamics but also had lasting impacts on the local population's identity and historical memory, reflecting the broader themes of conflict, resistance, and reconciliation that are central to understanding the Caucasus region's complex history.
This special edition concludes with an engaging book review by Erva Yalçın on "A VERSE DICTIONARY IN TURKISH ARMENIAN: A SHORT DICTIONARY BOOKLET." This review delves into Boğos Torosyan of Divriğili’s pioneering work, which serves as a crucial resource in the study of Turkish-Armenian linguistic interactions. Published in June 2024, the booklet, titled “Türkçe Ermenice Bir Manzum Sözlük: Kısa Bir Sözlük Kitapçığı” (A Verse Dictionary In Turkish Armenian: A Short Dictionary Booklet), offers an innovative analysis of the integration of Turkish and Armenian languages through verse.
Yalçın highlights how the booklet's structure, comprising an introduction, textual analysis, index, and appendices, facilitates a comprehensive understanding of this niche field. The linguistic analysis presented in the dictionary not only enriches our knowledge of Turkology and Armenology but also contributes to broader disciplines such as historical linguistics, lexicology, and etymology. This review emphasizes the dictionary’s role in providing insights into the cultural and linguistic synthesis that characterizes the shared history and interactions between Turkish and Armenian communities.
This special issue, entitled "Geopolitical Dynamics and Historical Narratives in the Caucasus," is structured to facilitate a deeper exploration of the interplay between history and modern geopolitics, reflecting the comprehensive scope of research that the Review of Armenian Studies has committed to since its inception.
In commemorating this 50th publication milestone, we not only celebrate our past achievements but also renew our commitment to advancing research that contributes meaningfully to the understanding and resolution of the challenges facing the Armenia and broader Caucasus regions today.
We hope you enjoy the journal and extend our best wishes for the coming year.
Contents
Contributors. Review of Armenian Studies 50 (2024): 6.
Editorial Note. Review of Armenian Studies 50 (2024): 9.
Articles
Kılıç, Alev. "Facts and Comments." Review of Armenian Studies 50 (2024): 15.
Special Sections: Historical Contexts and Cultural Reflections
Çelik, Adil. "Armenian Image in Turkish Folk Narratives." Review of Armenian Studies 50 (2024): 123.
Special Sections: Regional Influence and Memory
Book Review
Ambassador (R) Alev KILIÇ graduated from the Faculty of Political Sciences of Ankara University in 1968. The next year, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of T kiye. Kılıç served as Ambassador to F.R. of Yugoslavia between 1996 and 1998 and Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg between 1998 and 2001. In 2001-2004, he served as the Deputy Undersecretary for Economic Affairs of the Ministry. He served as Ambassador to Switzerland (2004-2009) and Ambassador to Mexican United States (2009-2011). He retired from the Ministry in 2011. Ambassador (R) Kılıç has been the Director of Center for Eurasian Studies (AVİM) since 2013.
Tuğçe TECİMER graduated from İn University , Department of History in 2016. In 2019, she received her master's degree from the same university. Tecimer is continuing her doctoral studies at Istanbul University, Department of General Turkish History and completed her second undergraduate education in 2024 at Ankara University, Department of Armenian Language and Culture. She is the Managing Editor of the "Ermeni Araştırmaları" Journal and has been working as an analyst at the Center For Eurasian Studies (AVİM) since 2024.
Dr. Nazrin ALIZADA was born in Azerbaijan in 1992. She graduated from Baku State University, Department of International Relations in 2013. Then Alizada gained the title of expert in the field of International Relations from the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy at the University of Economics of Azerbaijan. After that Alizada, commenced her doctoral education at the Department of International Relations at Gazi University in 2016 and presented thesis with the title of “The identity policy of Iran in the nation-state building process: Applied case of South Azerbaijan” in 2021. From 2017 to 2021 she worked as a political analyst at Ankara based think tank of ANKASAM. From 2022 till now she has been working as an academician at the Hatay Mustafa Kemal University. The main major of Alizada is regional politics, Iran and the South Caucasus. She speaks fluent in English, Turkish, Russian and at the intermediate level of Persian.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Adil ÇELİK was born in Afyonkarahisar in 1986, graduated from Afyon Milli Piyango Anatolian High School in 2004 and Dumlupınar University Department of Turkish Language and Literature in 2010. In 2012, he completed his master's thesis titled “Mythic Elements in the Archaic Epics of Kyrgyz Turks” at Dumlupınar University Institute of Social Sciences; In 2019, he completed his doctoral thesis titled “Stereotypes in Turkish Narrative Tradition” at Gazi University Institute of Social Sciences. Between 2019 and 2024, he taught courses on Turkish folklore, mythology and intangible cultural heritage at University of Prishtina, Yermouk University, University of D'Alger 2, University of Pomorski w Słupsku. In 2022, Çelik received the title of Associate Professor. Since 2012, he has been working at Cumhuriyet University, Department of Turkish Folklore. Çelik, who has been working as the Head of the Department of Social Practices and Deputy Head of the Department since 2018 in the same department, has books titled “Levirat in Turkish Folklore” and “Mythology in Kyrgyz Archaic Epics” and scientific studies published in various fields of folklore, especially on topics such as mythology, oral narratives, identity, social practices.
Şahnaz TAĞIYEVA completed her bachelor's degree in Journalism at the Western University in 2013. She later earned a master's degree in Social Work from Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University in 2021, graduating with honors. Since 2017, she has been affiliated with the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, initially working as a junior researcher in the North Caucasus Department. Currently, she holds the position of researcher in the Department of Georgian Studies.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Celal PEKDOĞAN was born in Malatya, where he completed his primary, secondary and high school education. He finished his higher education at Istanbul University, Faculty of Letters, Department of History. He received his master's and doctorate at Hacettepe University. After working at Fırat University, he was appointed to Gaziantep University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of History. Pekdoğan continues to work at Gaziantep University. In addition to his numerous scientific articles, he published his books titled “Gaziantep Ticaret Odasının 100 Yılı (1898-1998)”, “Gaziantep 1999”; “Gazi’den Gazi’ye Mustafa Kemal ile Muhâberât”, Ankara 2014; “Şehr-i Ayntâb-ı Cihân/Gaziantep (1867-1929)”, “Ayntâb’da Yaşamak”, Ankara 2015; “Parola: Ayntâb, Özdemir Bey’in Hâtırâtı, Etrâf-ı Şehir Cebheler Kumandanlığı Tahrîrât ve Telgraf ve Telefon ve Ta’mîm Defteri”, Ankara 2015.
Selenay Erva YALÇIN graduated from Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University Faculty of Law in 2024. She completed the traineeship program of the Center for Eurasian Studies (AVİM) at the end of 2023. In January 2024, she started working as a Scholar in Residence at AVİM. She carries out research in genocide law and the legal evaluation of Turkish-Armenian relations.
