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A new era in Azerbaijan–U.S. strategic cooperation: From energy to artificial intelligence, from peace to regional development-ANALYSIS

After regaining its independence following the collapse of the Soviet empire, Azerbaijan rapidly came to the forefront as a strategically significant actor on the political and economic map of the South Caucasus. Rich in energy resources, open to reforms, and ready for new development projects, the country also secured a leading position in the region thanks to its unique geopolitical location as a natural bridge between East and West.

Recognizing this reality correctly, Western countries—particularly the United States—laid the foundation for diplomatic relations with independent Azerbaijan from its earliest years, based on pragmatic energy and security partnerships. The implementation of oil and gas projects, access for the Caspian basin to the world market, and steps toward diversifying energy routes strengthened the strategic nature of bilateral relations.

Over the past thirty years, cooperation established between the parties in priority areas such as energy security, regional stability, and the fight against international terrorism has formed the basis of the shared political agenda. Although certain pauses occurred from time to time amid various geopolitical tensions and clashes of interest among global powers, U.S.–Azerbaijan relations generally maintained a trajectory of development.

As a result, this mutually beneficial partnership has made important contributions both to the geopolitical architecture of the region and to the global energy and security balance. Cooperation with the United States has provided real political support for strengthening Azerbaijan’s international standing, protecting its national interests, and implementing strategic projects.

Foundations and developing cooperation

With Washington’s strategic support, the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor projects not only created opportunities for Azerbaijan’s economic development but also marked a turning point in reducing Europe’s dependence on Russia for energy supplies. These projects turned Azerbaijan into a reliable partner on the global energy map and one of the guarantors of energy security.

Beyond energy cooperation, Baku–Washington relations have also delivered important results on the international security and counterterrorism agenda. Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Azerbaijan made a strategic contribution to NATO operations by ensuring uninterrupted support for Western forces in Afghanistan. This step further increased Azerbaijan’s geopolitical importance for the alliance.

Azerbaijani peacekeeping forces, through their non-combat missions in NATO’s “Resolute Support” mission in Afghanistan and in Iraq, provided significant support to strengthening international security. In particular, the entrusting of the protection of the strategically important Kabul airport to Azerbaijani servicemen during the evacuation of U.S. forces was a clear indication of Washington’s high level of trust in Baku.

Although at certain stages there were periods of coolness in relations between the parties, both Baku and Washington demonstrated the diplomatic and political will to preserve the continuity of strategic cooperation, succeeding in restoring mutual trust. This confirms that cooperation between the two countries is not incidental, but rather a long-term political course based on mutual interests.

Political obstacle and crisis of trust: Section 907

One of the main factors casting a shadow over the further development of relations between the countries was Section 907, added in 1992 by Congress to the Freedom Support Act. Initiated by the Armenian lobby during the period of occupation, this amendment, which prohibited direct state aid from the United States to Azerbaijan, was perceived both at the public and state level in Azerbaijan as a manifestation of biased treatment, undermining trust in the United States. As a result of this amendment, Azerbaijan became the only post-Soviet country that did not receive direct aid from the U.S. government to facilitate economic and political stability. It is worth noting that Joseph Biden, who was vice president at the time, played an active role in the adoption of this amendment and later resisted its repeal.

Nevertheless, after the events of September 11, Congress granted the president the authority to suspend the legal force of the amendment in exchange for official Baku’s support in combating international terrorism, and since that time U.S. presidents have regularly made the corresponding decision.

From energy to artificial intelligence: Expanding Baku–Washington strategic cooperation

In recent days, we have witnessed the start of a new phase in Azerbaijan–U.S. relations. During the working visit of President Ilham Aliyev to Washington, ties between the United States and Azerbaijan rose to a qualitatively new stage, transforming into a strategic partnership. The indicator of this was the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Aliyev and Trump. The strategic partnership document covers cooperation in the security sphere—including defense sales and counterterrorism—economic investment including artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, and regional connectivity including energy, trade, and transit.

Within this framework, a Strategic Working Group has been established to address issues such as the expansion of regional connectivity infrastructure and energy investments, the development of trade and economic cooperation, and the advancement of artificial intelligence.

At the conclusion of his U.S. visit, the President of Azerbaijan noted in an interview with local media that the Azerbaijani side has already determined the composition of its working group.

One of the main expectations was also the suspension of Section 907. As a result of the meetings in the United States, this unjust amendment was indeed suspended.

The suspension of this archaic decision, which has overshadowed the development of relations and does not align with new realities or with Washington’s South Caucasus policy, will not only strengthen relations with Baku but also contribute to deepening trust between peoples.

The South Caucasus chessboard: Armenia, peace, and crossroads

All the positive changes taking place in the region today are, first and foremost, connected to Azerbaijan’s restoration of its territorial integrity. Thanks to the definitive end to the 30-year conflict and the elimination of hopes for separatism, real opportunities for cooperation have emerged in the region. This potential is of vital importance not only to regional states and peoples but also to Europe and the United States. The South Caucasus, which has become a lifeline between East and West, can take advantage of the opportunity to become a global transit hub only through the signing of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

In this regard, the United States has taken the initiative to accelerate the processes and is encouraging concrete steps toward normalization. Although the Peace Agreement has not yet been signed, the trilateral meeting, which President Trump called the Peace Summit, demonstrated the will to achieve this. The initialing of the Peace Agreement text and the provisions in the Joint Declaration inspire confidence in lasting peace.

The conditions for peace and the key to regional transport – The Zangazur corridor

Official Baku demands the removal from Armenia’s Constitution of territorial claims against Azerbaijan and the abolition of the Minsk Group in order to sign a peace agreement.

In the Joint Declaration signed in Washington, the leaders confirmed that they had witnessed the foreign ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia signing a joint appeal to the OSCE regarding the closure of the OSCE Minsk Process and its related structures.

In Washington, a 99-year cooperation agreement on the Zangazur Corridor was also signed between the United States and Armenia. This means that the Zangazur Corridor will be realized—in other words, Azerbaijan’s second condition for the peace agreement, namely, the establishment of unobstructed land passage between the main part of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, will come into effect.

Two main centers—Tehran and Moscow—had stood in the way of realizing this corridor. Moscow has already significantly lost its levers of influence in the region, and now the United States has taken the initiative. After losing significant prestige in its most recent conflict with Israel, Tehran has realized that it cannot influence the matter and is already signaling through certain messages that it is not opposed to the project.

At present, the third remaining condition for signing the agreement—the amendment of Armenia’s Constitution—has also been confirmed as an intention in the Joint Declaration.

Thus, the working visit of the President of Azerbaijan to the United States established strategic partnership relations between Azerbaijan and the world’s number one capital. At the same time, it created a historic opportunity for the arrival of lasting and eternal peace in the region.

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