Azerbaijan’s strategic importance for Israel and US: New focus on Caucasus Article by Avi Monakov

The Israeli TV channel i24News recently featured an insightful article by Avi Monakov delving into the evolving partnership between Azerbaijan and Israel. The piece highlights how the signing of new cooperation agreements and memorandums between the two nations is shedding light on the strategic importance of Israel's ally in the Caucasus. As US analysts begin to grasp the full scope of this partnership’s potential, it underscores the growing significance of Azerbaijan in the regional and global geopolitical landscape. For our readers at Caliber.Az, we present a thoughtfully adapted version of this compelling analysis.

On January 27, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Jonathan Missner, co-founder and member of the Board of Advisors of the Israel Economic Forum (IEF). The IEF, an exclusive organization, grants membership based on leadership roles and business achievements. It collaborates closely with US-based Jewish and pro-Israel organizations to support Israel's economic initiatives.

Missner, also managing partner of Washington, DC-based law firm Stein Mitchell Beato & Missner LLP, represents a prominent figure within the IEF, whose board includes distinguished individuals such as Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the US, and Professor Eugene Kandel, chairman of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange board.

During the meeting, recent advancements in Azerbaijani-Israeli relations were highlighted, particularly the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on January 24 between Azerbaijan's Innovation and Digital Development Agency and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). This agreement aims to establish a Center of Excellence to bolster innovation within Azerbaijan. IAI, Israel’s largest aerospace and defence company and leading industrial exporter, will contribute to Azerbaijan’s development in human capital and technology.

The IAI’s involvement follows the launch of its first innovation centre in the US just four months ago.

Earlier, on January 21, Israeli President Isaac Herzog and President Aliyev met during the World Economic Forum in Davos, their first meeting after President Trump’s inauguration. Herzog emphasized their long-standing friendship and discussed strengthening economic and trade ties. According to the official meeting summary, both leaders commended the work of the joint intergovernmental commission and reiterated their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation.

The strengthening of Azerbaijani-Israeli ties has not gone unnoticed by US analysts. A research paper by the Begin-Sadat Center recently referred to Azerbaijan as Israel’s "pillar of the regional security system." Dr. Stephen J. Blank, a leading expert on Soviet, Asian, and European policies, remarked, "Given America’s strong relations with Jerusalem and Baku’s increasing regional heft, it makes immense sense for Washington to support this stable partnership and develop ongoing cooperation involving both countries to help stabilize the Middle East and the Caucasus."

Dr. Blank added, "The foundation of the Israeli-Azerbaijani relationship lies in their shared threat of the militant Iranian theocracy."

Forbes expert Wesley Hill highlighted the strategic significance of Azerbaijan and its partnership with Israel in the broader context of US energy security and geopolitical interests. "The US must leverage other relationships within the Middle East to secure stable energy supply chains," Hill stated. He argued that continued American support for Azerbaijan and Israel aligns with US interests, suggesting that Azerbaijan should be included in the Abraham Accords.

"Only through geopolitical engagement with American partners in key regions such as the Middle East, the Caucasus, and the Caspian — specifically Israel and Azerbaijan — can President Trump realize his energy ambitions," Hill concluded.

By Tamilla Hasanova