Dr Huseyn Aliyev

Senior Lecturer (Political & International Studies)

Biography

Dr Aliyev joined the University of Glasgow in 2017. Before arriving to Glasgow, he was a Research Fellow at the School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies, University of Oxford. From 2015 to 2017, Dr Aliyev was based at the Research Center for Eastern European Studies (Forschungsstelle Osteuropa), University of Bremen, where he worked as Alexander von Humboldt Post-Doctoral researcher. Dr Aliyev also worked as Lecturer in Area Studies and Global Security Studies at the Department of Political Science, University of Bremen. His post-doctoral project was published as a book in 2017 by the University of Michigan Press ("When Informal Institutions Change. Institutional Reforms and Informal Practices in the former Soviet Union"). This book project is based on extensive fieldwork in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.

Dr Aliyev earned his Ph.D in Political Science in 2014 from the University of Otago, New Zealand. His doctoral dissertation examined the impact of Soviet institutional legacy on post-communist civil society in the broader Caucasus region. This project was published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2015 ("Post-Communist Civil Society and Soviet Legacy"). Dr Aliyev also has a joint Master degree in Humanitarian Action from Ruhr University Bochum and Uppsala University.

Dr Aliyev's current research interests are civil war dynamics, non-state armed groups, violent mobilisation, radicalisation and demobilisation of armed groups. He also has expertise in security and law enforcement structures of the Russian Federation and Ukraine, ethno-nationalism and institution-building.

Dr Aliyev's area expertise is Ukraine and Russia (particularly the North Caucasus region). Since 2015, he has conducted extensive fieldwork in Ukraine, interviewing former and active members of pro-government paramilitary groups.

From 2022 to 2024, Dr Aliyev was Principal Investigator on a two and a half-year long ESRC-funded research project “From Russia with War: Mobilisation of Foreign Fighters in the former Soviet Union.” Please, see more details about the project here: "From Russia with War".

Research interests

Research groups

Central & East European Studies

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2025 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2010

Number of items: 44.

2025

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2025) Who Fights for Governments? Paramilitary Mobilization in Ukraine and Beyond. Bloomsbury: London. ISBN 9781350498419 (In Press)

2023

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2023) "Unlikely recruits": why politically-irrelevant ethnic minorities participate in civil wars? Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 46(6), pp. 847-869. (doi: 10.1080/1057610X.2020.1793457)

2022

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 and Souleimanov, Emil A. (2022) Fighting against Jihad? Blood revenge and anti-insurgent mobilization in Jihadist civil wars. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, (doi: 10.1080/1057610X.2022.2145674) (Early Online Publication)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2022) Social sanctions and violent mobilization: lessons from the Crimean Tatar case. Post-Soviet Affairs, 38(3), pp. 206-221. (doi: 10.1080/1060586X.2022.2032956)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2022) Pro-government anti-government armed groups? Toward theorizing pro-government "government challengers". Terrorism and Political Violence, 34(7), pp. 1369-1385. (doi: 10.1080/09546553.2020.1785877)

2021

Shaw, Daniel Odin and Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2021) The frontlines have shifted: explaining the persistence of pro-state militias after civil war. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, (doi: 10.1080/1057610X.2021.2009633) (Early Online Publication)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2021) When neighborhood goes to war. Exploring the effect of belonging on violent mobilization in Ukraine. Eurasian Geography and Economics, 62(1), pp. 21-45. (doi: 10.1080/15387216.2020.1756366)

2020

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2020) Travelling with the Argonauts: Informal Networks Seen without a Vertical Lens. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 26(3), pp. 678-679. (doi: 10.1111/1467-9655.13339)[Book Review]

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2020) Why are some civil wars more lethal than others? The effect of pro-regime proxies on conflict lethality. Political Studies, 68(3), pp. 749-767. (doi: 10.1177/0032321719862752)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2020) Civil society in the Caucasus: voluntary youth organisations. In: Yemelianova, Galina M. and Broers, Laurence (eds.) Routledge Handbook of the Caucasus. Routledge: London, pp. 401-415. ISBN 9781138483187 (doi: 10.4324/9781351055628-26)

Souleimanov, Emil A. and Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2020) Ideology and disengagement: a case study of nationalists and Islamists in Chechnya. Europe-Asia Studies, 72(2), pp. 314-330. (doi: 10.1080/09668136.2019.1694864)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2020) Pro-regime militias and civil war duration. Terrorism and Political Violence, 32(3), pp. 630-650. (doi: 10.1080/09546553.2017.1393415)

2019

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2019) Explaining de facto states’ failure. In: Hoch, Tomáš and Kopeček, Vincenc (eds.) De Facto States in Eurasia. Series: Routledge contemporary Russia and Eastern Europe series (91). Routledge: London, pp. 252-261. ISBN 9780367199128 (doi: 10.4324/9780429244049-18)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2019) The logic of ethnic responsibility and progovernment mobilization in East Ukraine conflict. Comparative Political Studies, 52(8), pp. 1200-1231. (doi: 10.1177/0010414019830730)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2019) “No peace, no war” proponents? How pro-regime militias affect civil war termination and outcomes. Cooperation and Conflict, 54(1), pp. 64-82. (doi: 10.1177/0010836718766380)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2019) When and how do militias disband? Global patterns of pro-government militia demobilization in civil wars. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 42(8), pp. 715-734. (doi: 10.1080/1057610X.2018.1425112)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 and Souleimanov, Emil A. (2019) Ethnicity and conflict severity: accounting for the effect of co-ethnic and non-ethnic militias on battlefield lethality. Third World Quarterly, 40(3), pp. 471-487. (doi: 10.1080/01436597.2018.1545568)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 and Souleimanov, Emil Aslan (2019) Why de facto states fail? Lessons from Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. Problems of Post-Communism, 66(3), pp. 161-171. (doi: 10.1080/10758216.2017.1383166)

Chikhladze, Tatia and Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2019) Towards an “uncivil” society? Informality and civil society in Georgia. Caucasus Survey, 7(3), pp. 197-213. (doi: 10.1080/23761199.2019.1690384)

2018

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2018) End to informality? Examining the impact of institutional reforms on informal institutions in post-Euromaidan Ukraine. In: Polese, Abel, Rekhviashvili, Lela, Kovács, Borbála and Morris, Jeremy (eds.) Post-socialist Informalities: Power, Agency and the Construction of Extra-legalities from Bosnia to China. Routledge: London. ISBN 9781138296220

Souleimanov, Emil Aslan, Abrahamyan, Eduard and Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2018) Unrecognized states as a means of coercive diplomacy? Assessing the role of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Russia’s foreign policy in the South Caucasus. Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, 18(1), pp. 73-86. (doi: 10.1080/14683857.2017.1390830)

Souleimanov, Emil Aslan, Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 and Ratelle, Jean-François (2018) Defected and loyal? A case study of counter-defection mechanisms inside Chechen paramilitaries. Terrorism and Political Violence, 30(4), pp. 616-636. (doi: 10.1080/09546553.2016.1194270)

2017

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2017) Informal institutions in Azerbaijan: exploring the intricacies of tapsh. Europe-Asia Studies, 69(4), pp. 594-613. (doi: 10.1080/09668136.2017.1329404)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2017) Precipitating state failure: do civil wars and violent non-state actors create failed states? Third World Quarterly, 38(9), pp. 1973-1989. (doi: 10.1080/01436597.2017.1319276)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2017) When Informal Institutions Change: Institutional Reforms and Informal Practices in the Former Soviet Union. University of Michigan Press: Ann Arbor. ISBN 9780472130474 (doi: 10.3998/mpub.8772004)

Souleimanov, Emil Aslan and Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2017) How Socio-Cultural Codes Shaped Violent Mobilization and Pro-Insurgent Support in the Chechen Wars. Series: Palgrave pivot. Palgrave Macmillan: Cham, Switzerland. ISBN 9783319529165 (doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-52917-2)

2016

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2016) Strong militias, weak states and armed violence: towards a theory of ‘state-parallel’ paramilitaries. Security Dialogue, 47(6), pp. 498-516. (doi: 10.1177/0967010616669900)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2016) Assessing the European Union’s assistance to civil society in its eastern neighbourhood: lessons from the South Caucasus. Journal of Contemporary European Studies, 24(1), pp. 42-60. (doi: 10.1080/14782804.2015.1056112)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2016) End to informality? Examining the impact of institutional reforms on informal institutions in post-Euromaidan Ukraine. Debatte: Journal of Contemporary Central and Eastern Europe, 24(3), pp. 207-221. (doi: 10.1080/0965156X.2016.1260206)

Souleimanov, Emil Aslan and Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2016) Evaluating the efficacy of indigenous forces in counterinsurgency: lessons from Chechnya and Dagestan. Small Wars and Insurgencies, 27(3), pp. 392-416. (doi: 10.1080/09592318.2016.1151658)

2015

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2015) Examining the use of informal networks by NGOs in Azerbaijan and Georgia. Journal of Civil Society, 11(3), pp. 317-332. (doi: 10.1080/17448689.2015.1069524)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2015) Informal networks as sources of human (in)security in the South Caucasus. Global Change, Peace and Security, 27(2), pp. 191-206. (doi: 10.1080/14781158.2015.1019844)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2015) Institutional transformation and informality in Azerbaijan and Georgia. In: Morris, Jeremy and Polese, Abel (eds.) Informal Economies in Post-Socialist Spaces: Practices, Institutions and Networks. Palgrave Macmillan: Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire, pp. 51-69. ISBN 9781137483065 (doi: 10.1057/9781137483072_3)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2015) Post-Communist Civil Society and the Soviet Legacy: the Challenges of Democratisation and Reform in the Caucasus. Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke. ISBN 9781137489142 (doi: 10.1057/9781137489159)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2015) Post-Soviet informality: towards theory-building. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 35(3/4), pp. 182-198. (doi: 10.1108/IJSSP-05-2014-0041)

Souleimanov, Emil A. and Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2015) Asymmetry of values, indigenous forces, and incumbent success in counterinsurgency: evidence from Chechnya. Journal of Strategic Studies, 38(5), pp. 678-703. (doi: 10.1080/01402390.2014.952409)

Souleimanov, Emil Aslan and Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2015) Blood revenge and violent mobilization: evidence from the Chechen Wars. International Security, 40(2), pp. 158-180. (doi: 10.1162/ISEC_a_00219)

2014

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2014) Civil society in the South Caucasus: kinship networks as obstacles to civil participation. Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, 14(2), pp. 263-282. (doi: 10.1080/14683857.2014.904545)

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2014) The effects of the Saakashvili era reforms on informal practices in the Republic of Georgia. Studies of Transition States and Societies, 6(1), pp. 19-33.

Souleimanov, E. and Aliyev, H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2014) The Individual Disengagement of Avengers, Nationalists, and Jihadists: Why Ex-Militants Choose to Abandon Violence in the North Caucasus. Series: Palgrave pivot. Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke ; New York. ISBN 9781137498823 (doi: 10.1057/9781137498830)

Souleimanov, Emil, Ehrmann, Maya and Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2014) Focused on Iran? Exploring the rationale behind the strategic relationship between Azerbaijan and Israel. Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, 14(4), pp. 471-488. (doi: 10.1080/14683857.2014.967945)

2013

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2013) Civil society in the Soviet Caucasus: a historical analysis of public and private spheres. Orta Asya ve Kafkasya Araştırmaları = Journal of Central Asian and Caucasian Studies(15), pp. 72-100.

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2013) Post-communist informa networking: blat in the South Caucasus. Demokratizatsiya, 21(1), pp. 89-111.

2010

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2010) Peace-building from the bottom: a case study of the North Caucasus. Caucasian Review of International Affairs, 4(4), pp. 325-341.

This list was generated on Sun Jun 15 10:21:53 2025 BST.

Jump to: Articles | Books | Book Sections | Book Reviews

Number of items: 44.

Articles

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2013) Post-communist informa networking: blat in the South Caucasus. Demokratizatsiya, 21(1), pp. 89-111.

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2010) Peace-building from the bottom: a case study of the North Caucasus. Caucasian Review of International Affairs, 4(4), pp. 325-341.

Books

Aliyev, Huseyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-5433 (2025) Who Fights for Governments? Paramilitary Mobilization in Ukraine and Beyond. Bloomsbury: London. ISBN 9781350498419 (In Press)

Book Sections

Book Reviews

This list was generated on Sun Jun 15 10:21:53 2025 BST.

Grants

2022 - Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Standard Grant. “From Russia with War: Mobilisation of Foreign Fighters in the former Soviet Union.” University of Glasgow

2019 - Carnegie Trust Research Incentive Grant. "Micro-level dynamics of pro-government mobilisation amongst Ukraine's Crimean Tatars." University of Glasgow (£9,540)

2019 - The British Academy Small Research Grants. "Why, when and how members of active paramilitary groups disengage?". University of Glasgow (£9,550)

2017 - Research grant for GACR project No. GA 15-09249S "De Facto states in Northern Eurasia in the context of Russian foreign policy," Charles University (CZK 54,000)

2015 - Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, University of Bremen (EUR 72,000)

2014 - Publishing Bursary, University of Otago (NZD 6,250)

2013 - Humanities Divisional Research Award, University of Otago (NZD 2,000)

2013 - European Union Centres Network (EUCN) Research Award, University of Canterbury (NZD 2,500)

Supervision

Supervision areas:

Ukraine
Russia
North Caucasus
Ethnic armed conflicts
Military & Defence Studies
(Counter)insurgency

Yeo, Alexander
“People’s they like and don’t like”: An analysis of North Caucasian Governance and Politics through the use of traditional cultural norms, practices and religion

Teaching

CEES5086 War-making and Peace-making in the former Soviet Union

CEES5069: Contested States: The Caucasus since 1991

CEES 2A: Post-communist Russia and the former Soviet Union

CEES5065: Issues in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies

Professional activities & recognition

Prizes, awards & distinctions

2014: Publication Award (Publishing Bursary, University of Otago)
2013: Research Award (Humanities Divisional Research Award, University of Otago)
2013: Research Award (European Union Centres Network (EUCN) Research Award, University of Canterbury)

Research fellowships

2019 - 2020: The British Academy Small Research Grants
2019 - 2020: Carnegie Research Incentive Grant
2017 - 2020: Lord Kelvin Adam Smith Group Leader Fellowship
2015 - 2017: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Senior Fellowship
2016 - 2017: Centre for Security Studies (CSS) Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Metropolitan University Prague
2011 - 2014: International Doctoral Scholarship, University of Otago
2009 - 2011: Erasmus Mundus International Masters scholarship, Ruhr-University Bochum

Grant committees & research advisory boards

2017: Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Grant Review Board
2017: Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation, Review Board

Editorial boards

2018: Europe-Asia Studies

Professional & learned societies

2011 - 2015: Member, New Zealand Political Studies Association

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