Azeris must soon choose between Russia, United States and Iran

Professor Raymond Tanter, a former member of the US National Security Council who is currently head of Iran policy studies in Washington, thinks that pretty soon Azerbaijan will have to make a choice between orienting towards the US, Russia or Iran. He thinks that under certain conditions tension could emerge between Iran and Azerbaijan which would prompt the Azeris to either take the side of the US and Russia or conduct a policy desireable for Tehran.

Currently, Azerbaijan can balance between the big powers, but if the US and Russia achieve agreement on the missile defence system or what should be done about Iran’s nuclear potential Baku will be forced to make some kind of decision. Tanter concludes that it is more beneficial for Azerbaijan to cooperate with the US and Russia rather than Iran.