The Washington Accords, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, have reshaped the strategic balance in the South Caucasus and strengthened America’s position. According to The Washington Times, the shift reflects a broader realignment driven by security, transport corridors.
The report says, the Trump administration used executive powers to lift Section 907 restrictions, in place since 1992, to improve relations with Azerbaijan. The law remains in Congress, but Trump supporters are pushing for its permanent repeal.
“The Trump administration demonstrated a lot of dedication to our agenda of peace,” Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan told The Washington Times, adding that “Trump’s immediate reciprocity and full engagement” helped build momentum for the agreement.
Despite this shift, some lawmakers continue to advocate policies that analysts quoted in the report say inadvertently benefit Russia by limiting U.S. involvement. Brenda Shaffer of the Naval Postgraduate School said Azerbaijan’s geography makes it strategically unique.
“Azerbaijan matters strategically because it is the only country in the world that borders Russia and Iran,” she said.
The Washington Times underscores that Azerbaijan is a key partner for the U.S. and Israel, supplying 40–50% of Israel’s crude oil and relying on Israeli companies for military support.
“Israel and Azerbaijan have a real strategic alliance,” Ms. Shaffer said. “It goes far beyond oil and arms and has been developing steadily for three decades.”
The country is also boosting investment in the Middle Corridor, a transport route linking Central Asia to Europe via the Caspian. Container traffic at Baku port rose by over 30% in 2025, while railway restoration in Nakhchivan will secure access to Türkiye and Europe independently of Russia or Armenia.
At the center of the political dispute is Section 907 of the 1992 Freedom Support Act, which restricted U.S. aid to Azerbaijan following the first Karabakh war. Although presidents have waiver authority, the provision still requires annual renewal. The Trump administration argues this undermines long-term diplomacy.
“Both governments, Azerbaijan and Armenia, are making an uphill struggle of strengthening the peace,” Hikmet Hajiyev said. “But some in Congress are introducing completely unnecessary and divisive legislative acts.”
Analysts cited by The Washington Times say the main strategic challenge for both Azerbaijan and Armenia is Russia, rather than their bilateral conflict. While Azerbaijan reclaimed its territories in 2020, Armenian minefields and damaged infrastructure require long-term reconstruction.
The report adds that the U.S. and Armenia are negotiating joint management of infrastructure under the 'International Route for Peace and Prosperity,' with U.S. Ambassador Kristina Kvien saying relations now reach a strategic partnership level.
But Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan emphasised deeper ties with Washington do not mean a rupture with Moscow.
The Washington Times highlights Azerbaijan's efforts to building a brighter future for the region. Azerbaijan is fostering economic interdependence with Armenia, exporting oil products and facilitating grain shipments to Armenian markets.
Gen Z protests swept 34 German cities on Saturday (31 October) over education, living costs and military service proposals. Violence erupted in Fra...
Iran designated Britain's Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organisations on Sunday, (1 November), and classified the country's f...
Since 2021, only 9 per cent of $8 billion in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan can be traced beyond initial recipients in public re...
The U.S. has approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine in a deal worth an estimated $2.1 billion, but Kyiv could face years of delays before receiving the weapons it urgently needs to defend against intensifying Russian attacks.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has ordered Iran's armed forces to respond to any threat immediately and without geographical limits in statements posted to social media platforms on Saturday (31 October).
Demonstrators carrying Iranian flags and placards supporting the hijab gathered outside the Azerbaijani Embassy in London.
A Chinese-made AI chip has matched Nvidia’s H200 in tests conducted by its developer, marking a potential breakthrough in China’s efforts to reduce its dependence on foreign technology.
A hacking group linked to North Korea is widely believed to be behind the theft of $6.3 billion from cryptocurrency giant Binance, a cyberattack that experts describe as the largest cryptocurrency heist on record.
Since 2021, only 9 per cent of $8 billion in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan can be traced beyond initial recipients in public records, a Kabul Institute report released on 22 October said. The United Nations says its oversight systems ensure accountability.
Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan surged by 330 per cent in 2026 despite a four-year ban, the United Nations said on Thursday. Afghan authorities disputed the findings, while Japan urged continued support for farmers seeking alternative livelihoods.
Demonstrators carrying Iranian flags and placards supporting the hijab gathered outside the Azerbaijani Embassy in London.
Central Asia could gain up to $640 million a year from closer energy cooperation, but strained electricity grids threaten to limit those gains, with Kazakhstan particularly exposed to regional power shortages and growing pressure on its network.
Georgia and Azerbaijan are stepping up efforts to boost trade, strengthen transport links between Asia and Europe and resolve a longstanding border dispute, as both countries seek to deepen their strategic partnership.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment