Our country is being targeted left and right. We are facing various attacks and provocations. While we have problems with our two aggressive neighbors, Russia and Iran, the wave of attacks from the West is also non-stop. It is as if they are being controlled from a single center.
Western democracy persists in strengthening its position in Azerbaijan under the guise of the Iranian religion. Just think how many operations the State Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs have conducted in recent months, and how many people allegedly with ties to Iran have been detained. How did this happen? When did so many agents spawn? Who sowed these seeds in the soil of the country, in the minds of the nation? On the one hand, the arrests have been ongoing. The relevant government agencies bear a serious share of the responsibility in this matter. What work has the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations done, if Iranian agent network has grown so large, that it has been able to get organized so freely? One of the goals of this committee was to reduce the influence of foreign religious movements in our country. But, on the contrary, more of them have sprung up. Has the committee ever given an explanation? The explanation that so many people in the name of religion, under the guise of believers, are spying for Iran, must be given by the committee as well as by other agencies. This is an issue that threatens the security of the state, of the nation. Why was this not prevented in time? Then, if Iran had not crossed all lines against Azerbaijan, this network would continue its activities against our country?
We know what this is about. This country is home to 30 to 40 million Azerbaijanis (Turks). In the not so distant historical past (in 1828) Iran played a role, took part in the division of Azerbaijan. We, as a nation, have been tirelessly fighting for the unification of our homeland for almost 200 years. A reunited Azerbaijan means Iran’s disintegration. Our compatriots in the south stand up and demand their rights does not bode well for Iran. This is also the reason why official Tehran is hostile towards us. It has always seen North Azerbaijan as a threat to itself. And it is not exactly wrong.
Because everyone, including the religious, military and political leadership of Iran, is well aware that in the end the independent Republic of Azerbaijan will be an example for the South. This is also the reason why we are against its alliance with Armenia in the Karabakh issue. Iran realizes that after the Karabakh issue is resolved, the main goal of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis is a united Azerbaijan. This is why the Persian regime wanted us to stay focused on the Karabakh problem. We have already largely resolved the Karabakh problem. Now our goal is the south. Like all divided nations, we have the right to be reunited, and that is not too far off.
Russia’s intentions are also roughly clear. The rapid growth, development and integration course taken by Azerbaijan, which was a colony for hundreds of years, contradicts Moscow’s centuries-old “divide and conquer” philosophy. Therefore, Russia is also interested in interfering in the Karabakh issue. Russia, like Iran, sees our growth as a threat to itself.
But what is the West concerned about? What is the root of the pressure on us coming from Europe, from America? From democracy? Don’t make us laugh, for the love of God. Neither Europe nor the United States want a full-fledged democracy in Azerbaijan. The fact is that Western policy towards our country is not much different from that of Iran and Russia. The difference is that the West “chops heads” with the gauntlet of democracy, keeping governments under pressure, while Iran influences societies with the religious factor and Russia uses military aggression and pursues a policy of occupation. All in all, they are all engaged in occupation.
Azerbaijan is very attractive both for its natural resources, primarily hydrocarbon resources, and for its geographic location. Our country, sitting in a favorable location of Turkic-Islamic geography, has been punished for this advantage for centuries and continues to be punished for it now. That is why the world powers know that if they leave Azerbaijan without control, without pressure, it will grow and turn into a great state. The Iran-Russia-Europe-US quartet, which cannot stand a unified Turkey, will not stand for a unified and powerful Azerbaijan.
That is why they need an Azerbaijan that is struggling with problems, getting smaller and smaller, an Azerbaijan that can be controlled. These powers are not interested in an Azerbaijan that pursues an independent policy, becomes economically stronger, gains opportunities to influence global processes, takes the course of liberation and integration of its occupied lands, and chooses its own friends and enemies.
Think about it. France has openly taken a position of Armenia’s advocate. The European Parliament turns a blind eye to Armenia’s vandalism, portraying us as an occupying country. The US passes resolutions against us. Russia has taken separatists in Karabakh under its wing, enabling them to smuggle weapons. Iran speaks to us in the language of military aggression, threatening us and defending Armenia. Where is religion here? Where is democracy, human rights? If we are talking about religion, Iran should not support Armenia. If the West sees human rights and democracy as its principles, then what do you call the European Parliament, US Senate and Congress consistently passing resolutions against Azerbaijan to defend Armenia’s occupation policy?
They resort to any trick to make Azerbaijan disappear. These powers saw the potential of President Ilham Aliyev and the Azerbaijani people in the 44-day Patriotic War. Therefore, they do not want to repeat this “mistake”. They realized that if another war broke out, Ilham Aliyev would fully achieve his goal of clearing part of his country of the occupiers and pave the way for a larger goal: a united Azerbaijan. And all these powers have come together to stop him.
But Russia, Iran and the West all need Ilham Aliyev and his country. The geopolitical conditions are such that the global politics cannot do without Azerbaijan. Ilham Aliyev has succeeded in getting his country to this advantageous position. Therefore, no concessions are made to anyone, there is no need to run away from any country.
The opening of the Zangezur corridor will mark the end of one phase and the beginning of another. This corridor is the road to a successful future. One of the goals of the pressure is also to ensure that this corridor does not happen.
Too late. Azerbaijan cannot be turned back from the path it has taken.
Azer Aykhan
Translated from Globalinfo.az
