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South Caucasus in 2012: almost no changes
Russia will attempt to strengthen its position in Caucasus next year;
this will be a challenging task, though.
The year 2012 was not a special one; the civil war is ongoing in
Syria, the Arab world still faces unrest, the spheres of influence are
again being redistributed in the region of Greater Middle East, and it
is still unclear when it ends.
December 29, 2012
PanARMENIAN.Net - The format of South Caucasus may also undergo
changes due to victory of the Georgian Dream led by billionaire
Bidzina (Boris) Ivanishvili, ranked 153rd among the world's richest
people by Forbes. Ivanishvili is a businessman, unlike Saakashvili
who, seeking illusory approval of the West, actually made Georgia
hostage of the Turkic world, in particular, Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Let's hope the new government of Georgia will not repeat Saakashvili's
mistakes.
In Azerbaijan, the situation has not changed; despite the
glorification flooding the media, which looks indecent already, Ilham
Aliyev's position is not that solid now. After deterioration of
relations with BP and Russia, Baku risks sharing the fate of Arab
countries, with all ensuing consequences. Aliyev would desperately
need a small triumphant war at the moment, and the rival would not
even matter. Unfortunately, the condition of Azerbaijan's army,
despite the abundance of purchased armament, cannot ensure victory.
Aliyev's hopes for potential hostilities by the U.S. against Iran are
also vain. It might succeed in case of Syria, but Baku simply won't be
allowed into Syria, and Turkey will be the first to keep it away.
The current year did not bring any changes into the negotiation
process over Karabakh either, despite loud statements of the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs who mentioned some new proposals for discussion.
There had been hopes for talks until August 2012, but Ramil Safarov's
extradition from Budapest to Baku put an end to the regular course of
negotiations. Well, one could expect something of the kind, be it
Safarov's release or something else, to suspend the high-level
meetings. It is worth noting that the Armenian President has never
strived to meet Ilham Aliyev since he rightly believed they have
nothing to talk about. Aliyev has to hold talks with the president of
Karabakh, and this will happen sometime in the future.
Meanwhile, the attitude of the international community to Azerbaijani
leader is somewhat unclear, and even criminal, if we call a spade a
spade. Aliyev declares the whole nation the enemy of his own people
and blames the Armenian lobby for all his troubles, and the world just
reproaches him. Same was the case with Safarov's extradition; the West
just voiced usual phrases of condemnation.
Meanwhile, Armenia is preparing for the presidential elections. By the
way, all three countries of South Caucasus will hold vote in 2013. In
Armenia and Azerbaijan the outcome of elections is quite predictable,
while Georgia will have a tougher situation. However, Ivanishvili will
perhaps find a proper candidate, and the next president will obviously
follow the Prime Minister's instructions, if, of course, the PM
maintains his position until fall 2013.
Russia will attempt to strengthen its position in Caucasus next year;
this will be a challenging task, though. The top priority for Moscow
is `returning' Georgia, indeed. After this, it may settle the
situation with Azerbaijan, in particular, with regard to the radar
station, Karabakh conflict, and pipeline routes. We limited the
article to South Caucasus only; coverage on Turkey and Iran, as well
as the outcome of the `Arab spring' will follow shortly.
Karine Ter-Sahakian
Russia will attempt to strengthen its position in Caucasus next year;
this will be a challenging task, though.
The year 2012 was not a special one; the civil war is ongoing in
Syria, the Arab world still faces unrest, the spheres of influence are
again being redistributed in the region of Greater Middle East, and it
is still unclear when it ends.
December 29, 2012
PanARMENIAN.Net - The format of South Caucasus may also undergo
changes due to victory of the Georgian Dream led by billionaire
Bidzina (Boris) Ivanishvili, ranked 153rd among the world's richest
people by Forbes. Ivanishvili is a businessman, unlike Saakashvili
who, seeking illusory approval of the West, actually made Georgia
hostage of the Turkic world, in particular, Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Let's hope the new government of Georgia will not repeat Saakashvili's
mistakes.
In Azerbaijan, the situation has not changed; despite the
glorification flooding the media, which looks indecent already, Ilham
Aliyev's position is not that solid now. After deterioration of
relations with BP and Russia, Baku risks sharing the fate of Arab
countries, with all ensuing consequences. Aliyev would desperately
need a small triumphant war at the moment, and the rival would not
even matter. Unfortunately, the condition of Azerbaijan's army,
despite the abundance of purchased armament, cannot ensure victory.
Aliyev's hopes for potential hostilities by the U.S. against Iran are
also vain. It might succeed in case of Syria, but Baku simply won't be
allowed into Syria, and Turkey will be the first to keep it away.
The current year did not bring any changes into the negotiation
process over Karabakh either, despite loud statements of the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs who mentioned some new proposals for discussion.
There had been hopes for talks until August 2012, but Ramil Safarov's
extradition from Budapest to Baku put an end to the regular course of
negotiations. Well, one could expect something of the kind, be it
Safarov's release or something else, to suspend the high-level
meetings. It is worth noting that the Armenian President has never
strived to meet Ilham Aliyev since he rightly believed they have
nothing to talk about. Aliyev has to hold talks with the president of
Karabakh, and this will happen sometime in the future.
Meanwhile, the attitude of the international community to Azerbaijani
leader is somewhat unclear, and even criminal, if we call a spade a
spade. Aliyev declares the whole nation the enemy of his own people
and blames the Armenian lobby for all his troubles, and the world just
reproaches him. Same was the case with Safarov's extradition; the West
just voiced usual phrases of condemnation.
Meanwhile, Armenia is preparing for the presidential elections. By the
way, all three countries of South Caucasus will hold vote in 2013. In
Armenia and Azerbaijan the outcome of elections is quite predictable,
while Georgia will have a tougher situation. However, Ivanishvili will
perhaps find a proper candidate, and the next president will obviously
follow the Prime Minister's instructions, if, of course, the PM
maintains his position until fall 2013.
Russia will attempt to strengthen its position in Caucasus next year;
this will be a challenging task, though. The top priority for Moscow
is `returning' Georgia, indeed. After this, it may settle the
situation with Azerbaijan, in particular, with regard to the radar
station, Karabakh conflict, and pipeline routes. We limited the
article to South Caucasus only; coverage on Turkey and Iran, as well
as the outcome of the `Arab spring' will follow shortly.
Karine Ter-Sahakian