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U.S. AND IRAN COULD HAVE BLOCKADE OF ARMENIA LIFTED
Apparently, the United States is coherently trying to end the blockade
of the South Caucasus region but is hindered not only byAzerbaijan
with Turkey but also Russia which limits integration processes in
all directions.
The South Caucasus is blocked not only in a military and political
sense but also in terms of energy and infrastructures. TheUnited
States is trying to separate these two aspects and to ensure opening
of energy and transportation infrastructures without the settlement
of the military-political conflict, and to integrate it in the wider
geopolitical region of the Greater Middle East.
Turkey and Azerbaijan are doing their best to have the minimum of
their wishes come true: return by Armenia of at least one or two
territories of Karabakh. However, this could harm the status quo and
the West clearly discourages this aspiration of Baku.
West's relief of sanctions against Iran will lead to emergence of new
regional projects. Iran is has already been said ready to lay out a
gas pipeline across Armenia to Georgia and the Black Sea.
New projects and expanded regional cooperation may harm the plans of
Moscow which is trying to maintain its full dominance in the region.
Now Moscow has got down to isolation of Armenia. Actually Gazprom
is doing everything it can to prevent Armeniafrom buying Iranian
gas which is cheaper and "closer". Taking 100% of Armenian gas
distribution networks, Russia will not allow Iranian gas to reach
the Armenian market.
As of now, Russia, Turkey and Azerbaijan have not met any significant
obstacles to their efforts for Armenia's isolation in the region
except the U.S. insistent attempts to unblock Armenia through the
Armenian-Turkish dialogue, advocating Kars-Akhakalak-Baku railway etc.
But now Iran is entering into a game in the region which may change
the current status-quo and help the U.S. and Armenia to open the
region for communications.
The Iranian factor may have a fundamental role in the region. Largely
due to the fact that for many years the country was isolated from
regional processes, it has similar relations with all the countries,
it is not involved in the conflict and the mediation process and,
therefore, does not have any obligations to anyone.
In fact, in order to keep its dominance in the region, Russia will
have to fight not only against the West in the face of American
initiatives and European integration but also against arising Iran.
Will it have enough strength? Will Armenia help it to do that?
Naira Hayrumyan 12:10 21/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/30241
Apparently, the United States is coherently trying to end the blockade
of the South Caucasus region but is hindered not only byAzerbaijan
with Turkey but also Russia which limits integration processes in
all directions.
The South Caucasus is blocked not only in a military and political
sense but also in terms of energy and infrastructures. TheUnited
States is trying to separate these two aspects and to ensure opening
of energy and transportation infrastructures without the settlement
of the military-political conflict, and to integrate it in the wider
geopolitical region of the Greater Middle East.
Turkey and Azerbaijan are doing their best to have the minimum of
their wishes come true: return by Armenia of at least one or two
territories of Karabakh. However, this could harm the status quo and
the West clearly discourages this aspiration of Baku.
West's relief of sanctions against Iran will lead to emergence of new
regional projects. Iran is has already been said ready to lay out a
gas pipeline across Armenia to Georgia and the Black Sea.
New projects and expanded regional cooperation may harm the plans of
Moscow which is trying to maintain its full dominance in the region.
Now Moscow has got down to isolation of Armenia. Actually Gazprom
is doing everything it can to prevent Armeniafrom buying Iranian
gas which is cheaper and "closer". Taking 100% of Armenian gas
distribution networks, Russia will not allow Iranian gas to reach
the Armenian market.
As of now, Russia, Turkey and Azerbaijan have not met any significant
obstacles to their efforts for Armenia's isolation in the region
except the U.S. insistent attempts to unblock Armenia through the
Armenian-Turkish dialogue, advocating Kars-Akhakalak-Baku railway etc.
But now Iran is entering into a game in the region which may change
the current status-quo and help the U.S. and Armenia to open the
region for communications.
The Iranian factor may have a fundamental role in the region. Largely
due to the fact that for many years the country was isolated from
regional processes, it has similar relations with all the countries,
it is not involved in the conflict and the mediation process and,
therefore, does not have any obligations to anyone.
In fact, in order to keep its dominance in the region, Russia will
have to fight not only against the West in the face of American
initiatives and European integration but also against arising Iran.
Will it have enough strength? Will Armenia help it to do that?
Naira Hayrumyan 12:10 21/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/30241