Eurasianet: US should remove structural obstacles constraining cooperation with Azerbaijan
Published: 2025-10-24 08:07
"Baku’s role as a key intermediary between Turkey and Israel directly advances US interests by reducing Washington’s burden to ensure regional stability. Closer to home, Baku can play an even more consequential role in US efforts to manage a transitional Iran. Already, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the United States have signed a trilateral agreement establishing the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), linking Azerbaijan with its exclave Nakhchivan via southern Armenia along the Iranian border. As the Islamic Republic faces internal upheaval and mounting pressure to engage with Washington, Azerbaijan’s strategic support is set to become increasingly indispensable," writes Eurasianet, a US-based news website.
"The most immediate US priority is stabilizing Gaza under President Trump’s 20-point plan, with Azerbaijan emerging as one of the key contributors to the International Stabilization Force (ISF). Among the Arab and Muslim nations expected to participate, Azerbaijan stands out as the only country maintaining close strategic ties with Israel. This unique position will be critical for facilitating long-term coordination between the Egypt-led ISF and the Israel Defense Forces, ensuring operational effectiveness and political trust. CENTCOM’s decision to oversee the mission from a base in Israel—and its commander’s recent visit to Azerbaijan’s military leadership—reflects Washington’s recognition of Baku’s growing importance to this emerging security framework," the website adds.
"To fully harness Azerbaijan’s potential as a stabilizing partner in Gaza and a bridge between the Middle East and Eurasia, Washington should remove the structural obstacles constraining bilateral cooperation—beginning with the repeal of Section 907 of the 1992 Freedom Support Act, a relic of the first Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Section 907 bars most forms of US government assistance to Azerbaijan. Given the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement facilitated by the Trump Administration, the provision has lost its original rationale and is now strategically obsolete. Yet, its continued existence undermines Washington’s geopolitical, economic, and diplomatic interests in West Asia. The Trump Administration should prioritize repealing Section 907 while Republicans still hold majorities in both chambers of Congress. The approaching midterm elections introduce political uncertainty that potentially narrows this window of opportunity," Eurasianet emphasizes.
By Azerbaijani-Israeli Alliance Global News