Geography certainly influences political decisions.
The Tatars residence on the northernmost outskirts of the Islamic world influenced not only political decisions made in Volga Bulgaria or in the Kazan Khanate.
The feeling of remoteness and being left to oneself was entrenched in the Tatar subconscious.
This idea was perfectly expressed by Emir Jafar ibn Abdullah, under whom Volga Bulgaria officially converted to Islam in 922.
He owns words that remain relevant to this day.
In a polemic with Ibn Fadlan, he says the following:
“If the Caliph (al-Muqtadir Billah 895-932) had sent his army to me, would it have reached me?
Ibn Fadlan replied: no, what if the Amir of Khorosan sent his army? Jafar ibn Abdullah continued. No, repeated Ibn Fadlan. Is it because there is a considerable distance between us and a large number of infidel tribes? Of course, Ibn Fadlan answered.”
(122,رسالة ابن فضلان)
Jafar ibn Abdullah, emir of Volga Bulgaria, understood perfectly well that neither the caliph's troops nor the troops of Khorasan would reach his lands. Accordingly, they will neither harm nor provide support to him, even with a strong desire.
Today, despite the fact that there is a distance between us of more than a thousand years, the Tatars’ attitude to politics remains unchanged - to trust in the Almighty and rely on their own strengths.