Azernews.Az

Elnur Enveroglu

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Since mid-March, news about the strengthening of Azerbaijan's partnerships with both the United States and Israel has stirred significant reactions, particularly in Armenia. While the initial impression might suggest the news would primarily affect Tehran, the reality unfolded differently. Yerevan expressed deep concern, albeit with some hesitation, and attempted to tie the issue to Iran, despite no direct evidence to support such a claim. In fact, Armenian official media outlets have manipulated the story, spreading false narratives that suggest this deepening alliance poses a threat to Iran.

So, what is the actual reality behind these developments?

Firstly, the mutual relationship between Azerbaijan and Israel has never been aimed at any third party. Azerbaijan has always worked with Israel within the framework of shared political and economic interests, with the primary goal of advancing both countries' economic development. As for Azerbaijan's relationship with Iran, Armenia is well aware that Baku has consistently prioritized diplomatic relations with its neighbors, including Iran, and that these relations are independent of any external political pressures. Azerbaijan has always placed significant emphasis on maintaining strong economic and political ties with Tehran, which cannot be influenced by foreign policies from outside actors.

It’s widely known that in 2020, Israel's military support to Azerbaijan during the Second Garabagh War left a bitter impression on Yerevan. As a result, Armenia, unable to directly address the growing ties between Israel and Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus, is attempting to manipulate the narrative through its connections with Iran. However, Yerevan has never directly articulated its political stance regarding the tensions between Russia and the West, which continue to shape the region. Azerbaijan, on the other hand, has always supported regional cooperation among states for lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus.

The recent U.S.-Israel-Azerbaijan partnership, along with Azerbaijan's membership in the Abraham Accords, has raised eyebrows in Armenia, but it holds little consequence beyond Yerevan's borders. Armenia’s attempts to shift the discourse—particularly through its now-ineffective lobbying in Washington—have not gone unnoticed. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), which once enjoyed considerable influence in Congress, has been unable to carry out the same level of lobbying efforts under the Trump administration and beyond. The organization no longer wields the same power it once had during earlier administrations.

Sprouting media bias

The Armenian media, especially outlets like The Wall Street Journal, have attempted to create a distorted narrative surrounding Azerbaijan's international engagements. However, Azerbaijan's growing influence, demonstrated through its successful hosting of COP29, has become an example of international cooperation. This development contrasts sharply with the biased reporting from media outlets such as The Washington Post and The New York Times, which have come under criticism for their lack of objectivity. It appears that the global economic crisis has impacted these institutions as well, leading to potential conflicts of interest and corrupted editorial stances.

At the same time, The Wall Street Journal, likely influenced by external pressures, has been quick to follow this narrative, aiming to divert attention to Azerbaijan from distant shores. Armenia, as always, attempts to act as a catalyst in these external processes, subtly interfering in regional matters while failing to grasp the broader diplomatic context.

In a nutshell, Armenia's attempts to manipulate the growing Azerbaijan-Israel partnership are clear, but the reality is that these relationships are based on shared interests rather than regional threats. As Azerbaijan continues to strengthen its global alliances, Yerevan's attempts to undermine these developments appear more out of political frustration than genuine concern.