A Comparative Study of Foreign Policies of Iran and Russia in Central Asia

While the relations of Iran and Russia with the Central Asian states have been analyzed separately in previous studies, the regional foreign policies of these two countries have not been compared in detail. As a result, it would be difficult to comprehend the extent of the similarities and differences inherent in the foreign policy behaviors of these two key players in the Central Asian region. Understanding the causes of the existing differences in the Central Asian policies of Iran and Russia is also challenging. Comparing the foreign policy goals and actions of Iran and Russia in Central Asia, the authors conclude that maintaining regional security and stability is one of the main foreign policy goals of Iran in this region; and that the Iranian foreign policy makers have preferred bilateral and multilateral cooperation within the framework of regional organizations. and that the Iranian foreign policy makers have preferred bilateral and multilateral cooperation within the framework of regional organizations.