James O’Brien, the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, speaking before members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated that the US is exploring possibilities for creating a new land route from Central Asian countries to global markets through Armenia and Azerbaijan, bypassing Russia and China. According to him, “Central Asian countries are incredibly rich, and currently, their only options for reaching global markets lie through Russia or China. If we can open a route that goes through Armenia or Azerbaijan, they will have access to global markets and will be much less dependent on Russia and China.” It is clear that he is referring to the Zangezur corridor.
Of course, if the US is so eager to open the Zangezur corridor quickly, Washington should consider putting pressure on Armenia, as that is where the opposition to this corridor comes from, in solidarity with the Iranian authorities. However, the Assistant Secretary did not mention this at the Senate hearings.
Moreover, a de facto transport corridor that does not affect the territories of either Russia or China already exists and is operational – the Middle Corridor, which passes through Azerbaijan and Georgia. It includes the Trans-Caspian ferry route and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. But this was also not mentioned. Perhaps because, in the current administration’s view, Armenia should be at the center of any projects, or because Georgia showed unacceptable disobedience on the issue of NGOs, or Mr. O’Brien simply forgot or was not aware.
However, something else is far more important. The issue of the Zangezur corridor was raised on the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, after Armenia’s defeat and actual capitulation in the 44-day war. As the president has repeatedly explained, our country needs a reliable land connection between the western regions of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan. Such a road would significantly shorten the route from Azerbaijan to Turkey. Finally, it is part of the process of restoring and unblocking communications in the region. Moreover, the Tripartite Statement specified that the security of this corridor would be ensured by Russian border guards. The road through Meghri runs close to the Iranian border, and this border in Armenia is guarded by Russian “green caps.”
And now this project is being presented by James O’Brien as “anti-Russian” and even “anti-Chinese.” And it is interesting – why? Does Washington not understand that this puts Azerbaijan, which has its own relations with both Russia and China, in a difficult position? And that it absolutely does not need a conflict with these countries?
However, as practice shows, the US does not particularly consider the interests and security of not only Azerbaijan but also other countries, whether it be Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, or someone else. Moreover, as political chronicles show, Washington loves to “fight Russia and China” with someone else’s hands and at someone else’s expense. Or at least present completely innocent logistical activities in this way.
And such games are unlikely to honor American diplomacy or contribute to the growth of its authority.
