In the wake of the Soviet Union’s dissolution, the strategic chessboard of the South Caucasus became a focal point for American foreign policy. In an area of complex geopolitical dynamics, the United States set forth a consistent strategy emphasizing the fusion of economic integration with regional stability, contending with both opportunities and regional power challenges. Central to this approach has been the Republic of Azerbaijan – a nation that is often overlooked but plays a pivotal role, as aptly named by the former U.S. National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski.
Azerbaijan’s significance stems from its prime geographical position and abundant energy resources, contributing to an integrated regional economy. Consequently, the U.S. has recognized its critical role in securing American geopolitical interests.
However, the landscape of the South Caucasus has been transformed by the Second Garabagh War. Azerbaijan’s decisive actions reinstated its sovereignty over territories long occupied by Armenia. These movements signal a potential for sustainable peace and the fruition of complete economic integration within the region. Baku took steps that complied with international law, aiming to stabilize the situation domestically.
Despite positive developments, U.S. policy has taken a conflicting turn. Criticism from the current Biden administration and statements made during Congressional hearings, such as those of Assistant Secretary James O’Brien, have cast doubts on Baku’s commitment to peace. This stance is a troubling departure from previous postures, notably the U.S. Congress’s adoption of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act in the 1990s, which restricted aid and was subsequently waived by President Bush in 2002 on national security grounds.
Mounting pressure from Armenian advocacy groups like the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and partisan moves like the Senate’s unanimous vote to suspend military aid to Azerbaijan underscore a bias that skews U.S. policy. Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Yerevan further exemplified the U.S. taking sides, which potentially undermines Armenia’s sovereignty.
Despite this, Azerbaijan has shown a consistent pattern of stable and pragmatic relations with the U.S. Both Ilham Aliyev and his predecessor, Heydar Aliyev, prioritized and nurtured the bilateral relationship with Washington. This partnership has not only been rhetorical but also tangibly beneficial, as evidenced by the support for milestone energy projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor.
Azerbaijan has bolstered not just U.S. energy diversification aims but also European energy security—a need accentuated by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership has firmly placed Azerbaijan as a reliable regional ally, reflected in America’s own reliance on Azerbaijani support for peacekeeping missions and the Northern Distribution Network across Eurasia.
Washington’s current stance not only risks partnership erosion with Azerbaijan but also overlooks the latter’s strategic significance in countering adjacent powers like Iran—regardless of financial aid aspects. Recognizing the critical importance of U.S. military aid for regional maritime security and the broader implications of the Caspian Sea’s proximity to Iran, the U.S. should reassess its priorities beyond the narrow scope of diaspora politics.
As the Russia-Ukraine war persists, impacting Eurasian geopolitical patterns, America’s strategic stance in the region must evolve strategically. The United States ought to engage in a constructive dialogue with Azerbaijan, thereby reinforcing mutual interests rather than succumbing to external pressures. In the words of George Friedman, an astute geopolitical strategist, Azerbaijan’s role cannot be overstated – it serves as a linchpin in the region, vital to U.S. strategies alongside Turkey and Georgia.
Through forward-looking dialogue and careful policy recalibration, both nations stand to benefit profoundly. The U.S. and Azerbaijan can indeed forge a shared future grounded in stability and strategic cooperation, ensuring the South Caucasus remains a region characterized by opportunity rather than geopolitical division.
Market Capital Research 