Forgotten Exile

Ali Askerov is a faculty member at the University of North Carolina – Greensboro, specializing in peace and conflict studies. His research focuses on ethno-political conflicts, forced migration, refugee issues, and structural violence, with a recent emphasis on Russia’s aggressive policies. He has authored seven books and numerous articles, contributing valuable insights to the field. Michael M. Gunter is Professor of Political Science at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee. In the past he taught courses for many years during the summer at the International University in Vienna, as well as courses on Armenian, Kurdish and Middle Eastern politics, among others, for the US Government Areas Studies Program and US Department of State Foreign Service. He has authored or edited 23 peer-reviewed books and more than 200 articles and book chapters.

• Preface1 What Are Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing?2 Background3 Violence and Forced Displacement: 1905–19061 Introduction2 Demographic Shifts Pre- and Post-Russian Rule in the Region3 The Scale of the Events4 Causes of the 1905 Violence5 De-escalation Attempts and Fruitless Talks6 Conclusion4 Second Wave of Ethnic Cleansing and Forced Displacement: 1918–19201 Introduction2 Armenia’s Territorial Expansion through Violence3 The Geography of Ethnic Cleansing4 Conclusion5 The Third Deportation: 1948–19531 Introduction2 Alleged Security Issues3 Underlying Factors for the Deportation4 Challenges Faced in Azerbaijan5 Resettlement Sites for the Deportees6 The Unauthorized Return7 Deportation Figures and Cultural Consequences8 Conclusion6 Pressures against Azerbaijanis in Armenia during the 1960s–70s and Early 1980s1 Introduction2 The 1960s: Armenian Underground Activities and the First Protest3 Repressive Measures against Azerbaijanis in the 1960s–1970s4 Early 1980s5 Conclusion7 The Fourth Wave of Forced Displacement and Ethnic Cleansing: 1988–19891 Introduction2 Resurgence of the Karabakh Conflict3 From Latent Conflict to Overt War4 The Sumgait Events5 The Gugark Pogroms of Azerbaijanis in Armenia6 The Tragic Events of Black January 20, 19907 Deportation and Ethnic Cleansing of Azerbaijanis from Armenia: the Final Stage8 Azerbaijan’s Regions Claimed by Armenia9 Conclusion8 The Role of the Nagorno Karabakh Conflict1 Introduction2 The Start of the Conflict3 From Latent Conflict to Full-Scale War4 Russian Support for Armenia5 Conclusion9 Lost Heritage: Former Azerbaijani Villages and Toponyms in Present-Day Armenia1 Introduction2 The Renamed Azerbaijani Settlements in Armenia3 Districts or Rayons4 Azerbaijani Villages in Armenia5 Conclusion10 ConclusionAppendix 1: Maps of the Azerbaijani Democratic Republic and Azerbaijan Soviet RepublicAppendix 2: Council of Ministers of USSR, Resolution No 4083Appendix 3: Malenkov’s Telegram to Bagirov and Bagirov’s Response LetterBibliographyIndex

"Professors Ali Askerov’s and Michael Gunter’s Forgotten Exile fill a much needed void in the literature of late twentieth century Caucasian deportations and diasporas. Ali Askerov’s and Michael Gunter’s work brings balance to, what has been until now, an Armenian-centric historiography that excluded the plight of the Azerbaijanis. Highly recommended!" -Professor Edward J. Erickson, Marine Corps University (retired). "Forgotten Exile is a profound exploration of the Armenians' systematic displacement of Azerbaijanis in the Caucasus during the twentieth century. Drawing upon archival evidence, personal testimonies, and balanced analysis, this book illuminates overlooked tragedies and fosters a deeper understanding of a complex history." Shamkhal Abilov, PhD researcher. Humboldt University of Berlin."This books covers an understudied topic, namely the ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis from Armenia based on primary and secondary sources and thefore fills a significant void in the literature on the Caucasus and studies on ethnic conflict and nationalism." -Umut Uzer, Associate Professor, Istanbul Technical University. "This groundbreaking book provides a vital, well-researched analysis of the systematic displacement and ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis in Armenia from 1905 to 1989. The authors challenge dominant narratives by combining archival sources, firsthand accounts, and scholarly critique while maintaining intellectual rigor and objectivity. The book broadens its relevance beyond the Caucasus by placing these events within a global context of forced migration. Thoughtful, balanced, and meticulously documented, this study is an essential contribution to understanding ethnic conflict, nation-state formation, and historical injustices. A must-read for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in the geopolitics of the region." - M. Hakan Yavuz, Professor of Political Science, University of Utah, ed. The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: Historical and Political Perspectives (2023).