RUSSIA, TURKEY TO BE INVOLVED IN HOSTILITIES OVER KARABAKH CONFLICT
news.az
Dec 29 2009
Azerbaijan
Parag Khanna News.az interviews Parag Khanna, Senior Research Fellow,
American Strategy Program and Director at Global Governance Initiative.
What do you think about the current geopolitical situation in the
South Caucasus region? What would you say about Russia’s, as well as
the USA’s, foreign policy moves in relation to Azerbaijan?
On the positive side, there has been no flare-up of major hostilities
18 months after the Russian invasion of Georgia last summer. But
on the negative side, there is no mutually agreed resolution to
the border disputes. With respect to Azerbaijan, there is still a
lack of transparency in Russian foreign policy still, and we might
see changes based on what happens with Georgia, but also due to the
growing instability in the North Caucasus.
What are the main points of the clash of Russian and American interests
in the former Soviet countries, and especially in Azerbaijan? In
your opinion, is right to say "world power" concerning Russia? Is
this country a real world power?
Russia is not a world power, but a major power in three crucial
regions: Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Far East. But its
influence is in flux across these regions. Right now it is attempting
to use energy/pipeline issues and investment to regain its strength
in the Caucasus and Central Asia, but is weakening in the Far East
given growing Chinese influence there.
How would you comment on the decision of the U.S. Congress on
allocating direct aid to Nagorno Karabakh? It is how much fair to
allocate the financial help to separatists in Nagorno Karabakh?
The Nagorno-Karabakh issue has been very politically sensitive in
the U.S. for quite a few years, and one can see this as a politically
motivated move backed by particular lobby groups more than a statement
of foreign policy.
How you think, if military operations in Nagorno-Karabakh begin,
what states in region can be involved in it – Russia, Turkey, the USA?
Certainly Russia and Turkey would be involved on opposite sides,
while the US would attempt to calm the situation and urge restraint.