GEOPOLITICS MATTER MORE THAN RELIGION IN CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.10.2007 14:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Geopolitics matter more than religion in the Caucasus
and Central Asia, claimed Harvard University expert Dr Brenda Shaffer
Saturday while addressing NATO legislators during the meeting of the
Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security in Reykjavik.

In fact, religion plays little or no part in the foreign policy of
most Caucasus and Central Asian countries. Common cultural feelings
don’t translate in common alliances. Being Muslim – or not Muslim has
no bearing, said Dr Shaffer. This is true for Iran in the choices of
its alliance partners. And Iran’s policy toward the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict shows it.

"Official state culture does not necessarily limit foreign policy
options."

"Western countries, Dr Shaffer concluded, should stop thinking that
religion determines these options and change their perceptions of
the role of Islam in Muslim societies in these regions," she said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress