IMPLICATIONS FOR THE UNITED
STATES
It is well-known that the United States
has declared the Caspian basin as vital to its
national interests. In this context, the Israeli-
Azerbaijani partnership is an effective tool
to
strengthen
and support
America's
strategic presence in this very sensitive part
of the world. Furthermore, the Israeli-
Azerbaijani alliance to counter Iran has
strategic importance for U.S. interests,
particularly in the Greater Middle East and
Central Asia. Unlike Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Georgia are America's allies in the
South Caucasus and the Caspian basin. The
strengthening of Azerbaijan's secular and
pro-Western independence should be a
strategic priority for U.S. diplomacy in the
region.
However, the Obama administration's
lack
of focus on South Caucasus affairs
jeopardizes America's strategic interests in
the region. Unlike the Clinton administration
and the Bush administration, the Obama
administration has not been active in
managing Iranian and Russian influence in
this part of the world. As result of the
Russo-Georgian war of 2008, the Tehran-
Moscow
axis
effectively
decreased
America's influence in the Greater Caspian
Basin. Now, the axis continues to limit or
minimize
U.S.
political
activity
and
increases pressure on Washington's allies.
Indeed, Azerbaijan is under double
pressure from Iran and Russia and needs
strong U.S. support to secure its national
independence, sovereignty, and territorial
integrity.
Azerbaijan's
pro-Western
independence ensures a U.S. strategic
presence in the Caspian basin and facilitates
its power projection deep into Asia. In this
context, Azerbaijan is of the utmost
geostrategic importance for the United
States. The loss of a secular and independent
Azerbaijan, as previously discussed, would
badly damage both U.S. and EU strategic
interests. The United States should thus
support Israeli-Azerbaijani cooperation in
order to counter the regional threat and to
strengthen both countries' security as
reliable U.S. allies.
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