In recent years, a strange and at the same time thought-provoking trend has emerged in the Turkish information space. Certain circles are attempting to place the responsibility for geopolitical tensions, regional wars, and even global confrontations occurring in the world, in various forms, on Azerbaijan. The absurdity of these claims sometimes reaches such a point that one inevitably asks, what global crisis will be attributed to Azerbaijan next?
It is almost as if certain propaganda platforms are propagating ideas that Azerbaijan is supposedly at the root of the Israel-Palestine war. If this continues, they will also link the US, Israel - Iran confrontation to Baku's policy. Who can guarantee that they will not subsequently place the problems faced by Uyghur Turks in China on Azerbaijan?
These claims may seem ridiculous at first glance. However, when viewed through the prism of geopolitical and information warfare, a different picture emerges. This is because such manipulative theses cannot be considered coincidental and are unequivocally circulated systematically by certain ideological centers.
In fact, everything began after Azerbaijan restored its territorial integrity.
For many years, Azerbaijan was presented in the international arena as a state subjected to occupation, with its lands seized by Armenia, and lacking significant influence in the regional balance of power. The geopolitical cataclysms of the early 1990s, the collapse of the USSR, and the Karabakh war had caused Azerbaijan to remain in a defensive position for a long time.
During that period, the stereotypes formed about Azerbaijan were quite simple: a weak state, occupied territories, a victim of regional conflict.
However, the Patriotic War that occurred in 2020 fundamentally changed these stereotypes.
As a result of the 44-day war, Azerbaijan restored its territorial integrity based on international law and virtually redesigned the geopolitical map of the South Caucasus. This event also changed Azerbaijan's status in the information space.
Azerbaijan emerged from its role as a passive actor and began to be recognized as a regional power center.
From this point onwards, the intensification of information attacks against Azerbaijan by various ideological and political circles cannot be considered coincidental.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had warned after the liberation of Karabakh that attacks against our country would begin from various directions thereafter.
The President's predictions proved true. The first wave of these attacks came from an unexpected direction, from certain radical religious circles in Turkey.
These circles have long demonstrated a peculiar stance in regional politics. Although they present themselves as Islamist or religiously motivated political groups, their ideological lines actually coincide with Armenian Dashnak ideology.
The main argument of these forces is: why is Azerbaijan friends with Israel? According to their logic, cooperation with Israel means betrayal. This thesis is not based on serious political or historical arguments.
Azerbaijan pursues a balanced and multi-vector foreign policy within the system of international relations. Within the framework of this policy, Baku maintains normal relations with both Israel and Muslim countries.
Interestingly, Mehmet Ali Dim, one of Turkey's renowned journalists, took an open stance on this issue, writing that these forces speaking against Azerbaijan belong neither to Turkism nor to Turkey.
Indeed, such elements are marginal groups attempting to undermine Turkey-Azerbaijan relations. In fact, the stance of Turkey's large journalistic community is also in this direction.
Because Turkey as a whole well understands the strategic and historical essence of brotherhood with Azerbaijan. However, some ideological groups hostile to Turkey accuse Azerbaijan of friendship with Israel, thereby undermining the Azerbaijan-Turkey brotherhood in their own world. They try to elevate this issue to a religious and emotional plane. But the facts show a completely different picture.
Azerbaijan officially recognizes the territorial integrity of the State of Palestine. Azerbaijan opposes humanitarian crises and strongly condemns the loss of human lives. Azerbaijan never accepts war as a political tool.
However, Azerbaijan is not a global actor capable of stopping the Israel-Palestine conflict. This conflict is a complex geopolitical confrontation that has been ongoing for decades, with its roots tracing back to the early 20th century. To almost place the responsibility for such a conflict on Azerbaijan is simply manipulation. The forces behind this manipulation are clearly visible.
Although they present themselves as radical Islamists, they are in fact enemies of the Islamic world. Their ideological line primarily aims to destabilize the region and undermine the Turkey-Azerbaijan strategic alliance.
Another question arises here. Where were these forces for 30 years when Azerbaijani lands remained under occupation? When mosques were desecrated, and pigs were kept in places of worship in Shusha, Aghdam, Zangilan, and other occupied Azerbaijani regions, why were they silent? Why was their religious sensitivity not apparent then?
The answer to these questions is very simple. During that period, Azerbaijan appeared weak. There was no need to attack a weak country. Today, however, the situation has changed. Azerbaijan has become a strong state in the region.
This strength manifests itself not only in the military sphere but also in economic, energy, and diplomatic platforms. Azerbaijan plays a significant role in Europe's energy security.
The Southern Gas Corridor project has formed a new strategic balance in the European energy market.
Projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, along with the prospective Zangezur corridor, have changed the geo-economic map of the region.
All of this has increased Azerbaijan's geopolitical weight. It is precisely for this reason that various forces are trying to turn our country into a target of information warfare.
Today, there is tension between the US, Israel, and Iran. Some circles are trying to link this tension to Azerbaijan as well. However, Azerbaijan is one of the countries in the world that least desires this war.
There are several reasons for this. Firstly, millions of Azerbaijanis live in Iran. Their safety is a vital issue for Azerbaijan.
Secondly, any war in the region primarily affects neighboring states. This could create serious dangers for Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan knows better than anyone what war is. Because the country has been forced to endure the pain of war for many years. For this reason, Baku strives to maintain stability in the region.
It was Azerbaijan that offered official condolences at the highest level at the embassy after Iran's supreme religious leader was killed (this fact itself is not believed). This fact clearly demonstrates Azerbaijan's policy of diplomatic balance.
Despite all this, Azerbaijan is again targeted. Apparently, Azerbaijan was supposed to wage war with the US and Israel.
The reason behind these claims is very simple. Azerbaijan is strengthening. This strength worries certain circles. Because a strong Azerbaijan creates a new geopolitical reality both in the region and in the Turkic world.
In fact, these forces are not only hostile towards Azerbaijan; their real target is Turkey. History shows that similar ideological manipulations were used in the process of weakening and dismembering the Ottoman Empire. Similar methods are being used today. The brotherhood between Turkey and Azerbaijan, however, is a serious obstacle to these plans.
This brotherhood is not a product of today's political conjuncture. These relations are built on a common history, language, and culture spanning centuries. The modern political symbol of these relations is the Shusha Declaration. President Ilham Aliyev has elevated these relations to the highest level.
This document, signed in 2021, elevated Turkey-Azerbaijan relations to the level of strategic alliance. This document virtually initiated a new stage of geopolitical integration of the Turkic world. The role of Azerbaijan's leader, Ilham Aliyev, in this process should be specially noted. His policy is far from emotions, based on rational and strategic thinking. Ilham Aliyev is not a politician who enjoys making populist statements. He makes decisions more focused on real results. In his view, the Turkic world is a single family, and the integrity and greatness of this family are our priority. This view is a practical political strategy. It is precisely for this reason that relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey have risen to an unprecedented level in history. Of course, this unity seriously worries some forces. They try to weaken these ties through religious manipulation, information sabotage, and ideological propaganda. One of their main tools is to control the emotions of the masses. Religion is one of the most frequently used tools in this manipulation. However, real Islamic values are not built on hatred and sabotage. Real Islam is based on the principles of peace and justice. Therefore, these manipulations carried out in the name of religion are actually activities directed against Islam itself.
Finally, one truth must be stated openly.
Azerbaijan did not cause the Israel-Palestine war. Azerbaijan did not create the US, Israel-Iran war (such wars have historically emerged in Iran when political systems weakened, uniting the people around the system - E.A.). These claims are merely elements of information warfare.
Azerbaijan does not allow ideological debris that contradicts its national interests. Because such elements are dangerous factors that weaken the future of states. The same approach should be valid for Turkey. Turkey and Azerbaijan must stand together against such manipulative forces.
The strength of the two brotherly states lies not only in military and economic resources. Their strength is in their common history, common memory, and common vision for the future.
As Mehmet Ali Dim said, those who covet this friendship try to manipulate the thoughts of the masses. They use emotions, exploit religious feelings, and seek to create division in society. But history shows that the truth cannot remain hidden for long.
Azerbaijan and Turkey are one of the strongest proofs of this truth.
Elnur AMIROV
