TURKEY IN THE CAUCASUS

The Messenger
Jan 21 2010
Georgia

US analytical centre Stratfor has analysed Turkish policy in 2009. It
says that during that year Turkey tried to transform itself into
the regional power, and its step towards normalising relations with
Armenia was a bold one, but stimulated by Russian support, so Moscow
is pursuing its own goals by furthering this process.

The aim of Moscow’s policy is to make either Armenia or Azerbaijan
become more attached to Russia. By encouraging Turkish-Armenian
relations Moscow has managed to create discord between Turkey and
Azerbaijan. By the end of 2009 however it had become clear that Ankara
had overplayed its hand in the Caucasus, and in 2010 confrontation
in the Caucasus will increase.