Comments on: The Caucasus: Europe, or what?

By: mahmud varhan

mahmud varhan — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:26:38 +0000

I think that Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia Asian countries.
Also west of Istanbul is Europa and west of Kazakhstan is Europa too. But Israel and Cyprus geografically is not Europa. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borders_of_the_continents
green – Europe; yellow – Asia; A – In 1964 officially declared as the boundary in Russia, International Geographical Union and some other countries;

By: Mike RR

Mike RR — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:29:36 +0000

I think that geographical boundaries is one thing, cultural boundaries are another.

Culturally Armenia and Georgia is closer to Europe than Asia (Middle East). About Azerbaijan (and Turkey) it´s more diffiult to say. They are Turkic and Islamic but they have been under a considerable European influence to.

Or maybe i should say “Euro-American”, for example Istanbul may seem to be like any western/European big city, with western architecture, metros and Mac Donalds.

By: Adam

Adam — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 10:43:25 +0000

Armenia, azerbaijan and georgia are european culturally, politically and geographically. It is important not to make comparisons of europe of today as it’s cultures are dying along with others around the world.

The southern caucasus have never been assimilated by middle eastern culture and if anything the mountainous nature of that area’s geography make it isolated both to europe and asia culturally. Also, the north is more muslim and less christian than south of the mountains. In relation to this many stupid geographers assign the north to europe alone.

Turkey is also a European nation as it has been strongly involved and orientated to the north over the centuries. It is important to note that Turkey and Azerbaijan preach a secular Islam as opposed to other muslim nations.

The caucasus were initially part of Byzantium,and later Ottoman and Russian empires throughout the modern era.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 08:27:52 +0000

Seems to me this discussion misses the larger picture. The important question isn’t “Is the Caucasus part of Europe?” but “Should the nations of the Caucasus be allowed to join the EU?”. So why should the “borders” of Europe determine who can join the EU?

By: Matt Janovic

Matt Janovic — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 01:21:33 +0000

The EU sure would love to have it be part of Europe, but then, one of the reasons the US wants to have a conflict with Iran is to control the oil fields and oil and natural gas pipeline-routes. Probably to isolate Russia further, too.

By: RealArmenian

RealArmenian — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 09:03:46 +0000

Anna, therefore you are not Armenian. You cannot be “Middle Eastern” and Armenian at the same time.

By: Anna

Anna — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 06:32:31 +0000

I won’t begin to take part in the discussion of Armenia’s geographical, social or historical ties, because its clear that opinions differ in the matter and evidence can be found to support whatever you want to argue. What I want to say is that I, as an Armenian, consider myself to be Middle Eastern and not European at all. Every Armenian will tell you something different, such is the fate of a country acting as the boundary between Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 22:35:10 +0000

Geography is a tricky thing – as countries and native people’s identity often do not fully overlap. Take Armenians – they lived for ~3000 years – till early XXth century (when Ottoman government wiped them off in largely-unacknowledged genocide) – in Anatolia, which is part of present-day Turkey. After the Genocide Armenians were spread around the world (largest communities are in Russia, USA and France), in many cases sharing the identity of their adopted homeland. In addition – at least throughout the last two centuries – the biggest Armenian Caucasus communities were concentrated in Tiflis (Tbilisi) and Baku (today’s capitals of Georgia and Azerbaijan) – while half of the population of Yerevan (Armenia) were Azeris. Now, modern Armenia (like Georgia and Azerbaijan) became independent after USSR collapsed – on territory which was “designated” to Armenia by Soviet leaders (and yes, it excluded Nagorno-Karabakh despite its population being 96% Armenian, and despite it being historically Armenian – with numerous medieval Armenian monasteries and churches spread all over it – been there seen that). Does it serve as a basis for determining whether Armenians belong to European heritage? Or should we look at the people’s history/religion/culture?

By: podo

podo — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 05:11:11 +0000

They can be part of Europe in larger content. Historicaly. Now there is a chance for them to grab a chance called globalization. Just my two cents.

By: DANIEL SMYTHE

DANIEL SMYTHE — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 13:18:57 +0000

Australia is part of Greater Europe. That’s why our fearless leader, John Winston Howard, is bravely fighting in Iraq. Well, he’s not there but he’s sent some young Australians.

Some say it’s because of his servile relationship with George but look at his middle name and scratch your head. He wants a knighthood, wants to feel a sword on his shoulder.

I’m not popular in Australia because I give Winston and George a hard time. And Tony! My blog is likely under surveillence by Mossad and the CIA.

Does this comment mean that MI5 will put me on their wanted list?

If I haven’t suffered rendition, I’ll call again. Please.