Ehsan Mohaedian, an expert on Caucasus issues, examines the naming of the Caspian Sea and Khazar and analyzes the historical and political dimensions of this issue. The question of whether to call this sea the "Caspian Sea" or the "Khazar Sea" has become not only a geographical issue but also a matter of identity and nationality.
Roots of Naming
The history of naming this sea dates back to ancient times. While the ancient Greeks referred to it as "Caspian," Persian writings use the term "Khazar." These two names represent two different cultures and histories that have competed over this sea throughout time. The question now is why these naming conventions have persisted to this day and what implications they hold for the bordering countries.
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Political and Identity Dimensions
Considering that the Caspian Sea borders five countries: Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, the naming of this sea has turned into a national and political issue. Each country strives to choose a name that aligns more closely with its history and identity. This issue becomes particularly sensitive during times of political and economic tensions among these countries and can affect diplomatic relations.
Mohaedian further examines the role of Jews in this puzzle and points out that some Jewish institutions and groups are trying to establish the name "Khazar" as the official name of this sea. This is not only due to the historical ties Jews have with this region but also stems from efforts to revive the historical identity of the Khazars in Jewish history.
As a result, the naming of this sea becomes a matter deeper than a simple word and relates to a national, cultural, and historical identity that can impact relations among the bordering countries.
Ehsan Mohaedian, as an expert, carefully analyzes these dimensions and emphasizes the importance of naming this sea in creating the national and cultural identity of the bordering countries. He believes that the naming of this sea should be done considering the various histories and cultures to reach a common agreement.
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