Armenians

The incumbent chief of MI6 (British secret service) is both fluent in Turkish and Turcophile, BP’s (British Petroleum Company) investments in Azerbaijan are substantial and it is no secret that MI6 collaborates very closely with BP.

For the US, petroleum in Azerbaijan is important but even more important is its foreign policy against Russia. As a reminder, according to both the Rand Corporation (the Pentagon’s thinktank) and Zbignew Brzezinski (national security advisor of different US administrations) there were / are three major points to weaken Russia: Ukraine , Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

The last one failed as it was thwarted by the Russians after another ‘Orange Revolution’. Ukraine is at war and on the contrary to western mainstream media narrative, Kiev is losing very badly.

In the case of Azerbaijan: both the west and the Russians are doing whatever necessary to keep this country on their side.

As for Israel, its presence in Azerbaijan is far-reaching, especially with its bases on the Iranian border and the presence of the Mossad (Israeli secret services) across the country. The sale of arms to Baku, including high caliber drones, amounts to billions of dollars while Tel Aviv buys 40 % of its petroleum needs from Azerbaijan.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan has widespread influence in Washington through the use of multiple expensive public relations firms and its close ties to the pro-Israel lobby ensures that the public image of this – very – authoritarian regime is presented under a “neutral” angle to the international public.

Last but not least is Baku’s extremely close relationship with Ankara, Turkey which has been a NATO member since 1952. The US military disposes of a very important air base in Incirli, near Adana and Turkey remains today a crucial US strategic ally.

It is by looking into all these considerations that we can understand the unfortunate destiny, and let’s call it by its name, the ethnic cleansing of the people of Artsakh, against a background of general indifference.

Artsakh is gone and now what about Armenia? Armenia (and Armenians, especially in the US) should always keep in mind its geography, which is surrounded with hostile forces.
Unless it is able to switch its position with Switzerland, in the midst of Europe, there are basically two countries which can help: Russia and Iran. If Armenia is to survive in its present environment, people in Yerevan and the diaspora should keep this in mind at all times.