Research Information System
New Middle Eastern Studies, vol.12, no.1, pp.98-132, 2024 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
This article aims to scrutinize the pro-Armenian
narratives surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as portrayed in Western
media outlets and scholarly literature through the lens of Post-Structuralist
International Relations (IR) theory. By employing deconstruction and genealogy
methods, this study seeks to unravel the underlying assumptions, power dynamics
and historical contingencies that shape these narratives. The deconstruction
approach will dissect the language and rhetoric used in media and academic
texts to reveal hidden biases (e.g. Islamophobia) and ideological leanings
(e.g. Eurocentrism), while the genealogy method will trace the evolution of
these narratives over time, identifying key events and discursive shifts that
have influenced their development. The analysis will cover a range of sources,
including major Western news organizations (i.e. The New York Times, The
Guardian, BBC, France24 and Le Monde diplomatique), influential academic publications and
policy papers. The findings are expected to highlight how specific
representations of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict serve to reinforce Eurocentric
geopolitical interests over the Caucasus region. Furthermore, this study will
discuss the potential impact of these narratives on international perceptions
of the conflict, as well as on the policy-making processes of Western
governments. By providing a critical examination of pro-Armenian narratives,
this article aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the role of
discourse in shaping international relations. We ultimately seek to encourage
more balanced reporting and reflective scholarship on contentious geopolitical
issues (e.g. Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Syrian Civil War, Israeli-Palestinian
conflict and the Ukraine War).