The Washington Post: Why Azerbaijan matters to the United States

Why would a relatively stable country at the intersection of the Middle East, Europe and Asia, with a strong economy and burgeoning energy supply, matter to the United States? It’s a great question with a relatively easy answer. In 1991, Azerbaijan gained its independence from the Soviet Union and has since proven to be a strong strategic partner to the United States as an energy producer, a staunch opponent of Russia and Iran, and a reliable international ally.

A sensible energy policy is multi-pronged, and Azerbaijan is part of that equation, especially in relation to the discussion on neutralizing Russia. Early on, Azerbaijan opened its rich oil and gas resources to foreign investment from companies from Europe and the United States. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline originating in Azerbaijan, currently exports roughly 1 million barrels of oil per day. MORE