The Secret Ties: Israel and Azerbaijan's Controversial Alliance

Last year, Azerbaijan took complete control of Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh (NK). Meanwhile, conflicts between Israel and Hamas, and the war in Gaza, grabbed global attention. This shift in focus allowed Azerbaijan and Israel to strengthen their partnership without much outside scrutiny. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, between Azerbaijan and Armenia, has been ongoing since the late 1980s. The most recent escalations, in 2020 and 2023, saw Azerbaijan gain control of the region. Israel played a crucial role in these victories by supplying advanced military equipment. Why was Israel so involved in the NK conflict? Well, both countries view Iran as a threat. Israel is worried about Iran's nuclear ambitions, while Azerbaijan has complex ethnic relations with its neighbor. This shared concern paved the way for Israeli military support. From 2011 to 2020, Azerbaijan's reliance on Israeli military equipment grew. Israel provided 27 percent of Azerbaijan's arms imports during this period, with a significant portion arriving between 2016 and 2020. This partnership allowed Israel to test its military technology in real combat situations.

The conflict in Artsakh/NK wasn't the only link between Israel and Azerbaijan. When Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, Azerbaijan echoed Israel's sentiments. This mirroring of responses shows how both countries benefit from each other's actions. Azerbaijan also maintains good relations with Turkey, which supports Palestinians and Hamas. Despite Turkey's pro-Islamist stance against Israel, Azerbaijan has kept its partnership with Israel strong. Azerbaijan's strategy involves keeping quiet about the Gaza conflict to maintain this alliance. The alliance between Israel and Azerbaijan is built on mutual interests. Azerbaijan's energy exports, like crude oil, help Israel sustain its military efforts. This trade benefits both countries and strengthens their bond. Despite accusations of ethnic cleansing and genocide in Artsakh/NK, the alliance between Israel and Azerbaijan remains strong. As long as both countries see Iran as a threat, their partnership is likely to continue.

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