Salafi Currents in the Caucasus and the Security of the Islamic Republic of Iran

This book attempts to provide a coherent framework on the impact of the expansion of Salafi currents in the Caucasus region on the security of the Islamic Republic of Iran, offering an overview and outlook. The chapters of the book are as follows: Chapter One: Overview, addressing the generalities and introduction. Chapter Two: History and geopolitics of the emergence and activities of Salafis, discussing conceptual and theoretical perspectives on security in the Caucasus with emphasis on various security schools, especially the Copenhagen and Buzan schools. Chapter Three: Internal and external factors in the growth and spread of Salafi currents in the Caucasus, examining the political geography, sociological role of religious and activist leaders, the political conditions, the characteristics of religion, the introduction of Islam to the Caucasus, the origins and formation of Salafi groups, social backgrounds of Salafism, formation of the Caucasus Emirate, links to ISIS, military funding and logistics in Iraq and Syria. Chapter Four: Regional security in the Caucasus and its impact on Iran’s national security, analyzing internal diversity, internal conflicts, historical negative mindsets, territorial disputes, geopolitical tragedy of the region, Wahhabism’s role, media influence, and external actors including Russia, Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, and extra-regional countries such as the USA, Israel, the EU, and China. Chapter Five: Examination of regional security arrangements in the Caucasus, their characteristics, challenges and obstacles; historical relations between the Caucasus and Iran; the Caucasus’ role in Iran’s foreign policy; Iran’s shortcomings and challenges in the Caucasus; various Iranian policy approaches; collective security; Iran’s soft power; and security considerations regarding Takfiri groups. Chapter Six: Conclusion, recommendations, and proposals.