Everybody loves Azerbaijan: The regional shared workspace
The latest armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, again around the disputed area of Nagorno-Karabakh, had Slightly shed some light on the complicated net of interests in an underrated region with huge international importance.
A critical reading in some of the responses from regional and global powers from the past week-in regard to the current conflict, can reveal a simple and very clear fact-the conflict itself-and the people of the rival neighbors- doesn’t really bother most of the foreign countries who spoke out on the matter. All seems to make sure that their interests in that area will stay safe and secure.
A quick look at the map of interests can bring to notice the fact that Turkey, as an example, is pushing again toward increasing of its influence on the Muslim Azerbaijan-not only due to the historical hatred between Turkey and the Christian Armenian people, but also due to Turkey’s president Erdogan’s aspirations to make Turkey great again and to actively get involved in many regional violent conflicts-from Libya in the west-via Syria-and up to Azerbaijan in the east.
Another example can be Israel, who for many years was involved in Weapons sells to Azerbaijan, not only for the money (and the oil), but also for the influence on Azerbaijan political and military leadership-mainly for the sake of using Azerbaijan as a front base to confront Iran.
On the part of Iran, Azerbaijan, though is considered as a co-Shia Muslim sister, still is also a tough opponent with long history of diplomatic conflicts with Iran-mainly due to the ties between Azerbaijan and the west-including a pro-American and pro-Israeli agenda.
Russia was always interested in that area, not only because of the former Soviet control of most of it, but mainly due to the rich oil and gas reservoirs that are very important to her. It is worth to mention that Russia has also Military presence in Armenia, and close ties with both countries.
And now also France seems to join the party and try to actively involve and mediate in the conflict. This involvement may be a part of the French president’s current strategy to make France an important global power-not only in the “classic” French areas of control (Africa, Lebanon-Syria etc.), but also as a substitute player to the U.S., especially under the two latest administrations. Another reason may be the rivalry between France (who supports Armenia) and Turkey (who supports Azerbaijan) in the past years-and especially the tough criticism of the current French president, Macron, towards Erdogan’s assertive strategy-as a whole.
Are you confused? its not your fault. As was mentioned above-in a short glimpse, the conflicted area of Nagorno-Karabakh reveals not only the recurring tragedy of the local peoples, but more than before draws the rival neighbors as simple “soldiers” on the chessboard, where bigger forces now play, and whose agenda is not always in line with the well-being of those who bleed nowadays on the ground.
