AMERICA'S STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH WHY THE U.S. NEEDS STRATEGIC PARTNERS LIKE AZERBAIJAN

SAMUEL LOURIE DR. VUGAR SHAHBAZLI JIMMY SENGENBERGER

POLICY WHITE PAPER DECEMBER 5, 2019 © 2019 Millennial Policy Center

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millennial-policy-center Millennial Policy Center Policy Paper December 5 | 2019

AMERICA'S STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH AZERBAIJAN WHY THE U.S. NEEDS STRATEGIC PARTNERS LIKE AZERBAIJAN

SAMUEL LOURIE DR. VUGAR SHAHBAZLI JIMMY SENGENBERGER ABOUT THE AUTHORS Samuel Lourie is a Foreign Affairs Fellow at the Millennial Policy Center. The primary author of this paper, Samuel graduated with his Bachelors in International Affairs from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2013. He works as a stockbroker in Denver, Colorado, and is also the Fellow in Israel and Middle Eastern Affairs at the Centennial Institute. He previously worked as a national field organizer for Christians United For Israel (CUFI).

Dr. Vugar Shahbazli is Visiting Fellow in Geopolitics and Healthcare at the Millennial Policy Center. He practiced medicine in the Clinical Medical Center in Baku, Azerbaijan, served on the board of directors of an insurance company, and founded a private hospital in Azerbaijan. Dr. Shahbazli has an M.D. from Azerbaijan State Medical University and a Doctorate of Economics from the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

Jimmy Sengenberger serves as Chairman, President, and CEO of the Millennial Policy Center. Jimmy is also a seasoned radio talk show host on Denver's News/Talk 710 KNUS and has been published in a number of national and Colorado-based publications. He is a 2011 graduate of Regis University, Summa Cum Laude, with a degree in Politics and a minor in Economics, and also spent nearly three years as a legal assistant.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS A special thanks is due to Mr. Keith Nobles, National Security Policy Advisor; Major Clifford Andersen, U.S. Army Special Forces Ret.; and Dr. Robert Margesson, Regis University professor, for their input and time in reviewing and offering suggested revisions for this paper.

ABOUT THE MILLENNIAL POLICY CENTER The Millennial Policy Center is a research and educational institute (a think tank) dedicated to addressing public policy issues that affect the Millennial Generation (born 1981-1997) and to developing and promoting policy solutions that advance freedom, opportunity, and economic vitality for Millennials throughout the .

In collaboration with our policy advisors and policy fellows, the Center generates and shares knowledge, and it fosters public debate and understanding through various mediums.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

America’s Strategic Partnership with Azerbaijan

In the South Caucus, on the shores of the Caspian Sea, lies a small but strategically significant country that could play an outsized role for American foreign policy in the coming decades. While most Americans have never heard of Azerbaijan, this diverse and dynamic country holds an important position at the nexus of Eurasia – helping to broker trade and security arrangements between East and West. Azerbaijan is located between and Iran, a part of the world where the United States needs to deepen strategic partnerships to further its interests. Azerbaijan can prove to be a pivotal country where the U.S. can anchor the Trump Administration’s foreign policy doctrine of principled realism and achieve the stated objectives.

The National Security Council’s strategy of principled realism seeks to protect the American homeland, preserve peace through strength, promote American prosperity, and advance American influence. 1 Deepening strategic ties with Azerbaijan helps the U.S. accomplish all of these objectives in a region of the world that is rich in natural resources and has hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of trade flowing from East to West. Concurrently though, this region is fraught with geopolitical threats to the U.S. These objectives of principled realism are met in three key areas through the US- Azerbaijan relationship.

First, Azerbaijan has proven itself to be a reliable partner in counterterrorism, often making greater contributions than some NATO allies. As we will demonstrate, these contributions help protect the American homeland and preserve peace through strength. In another area of vital U.S. national security interests, Azerbaijan has been pivotal in relations with Israel. A final area of important national security collaboration exists between the United States and Azerbaijan as they seek a fair and peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Second, Azerbaijan is an important trading partner, rich in oil and gas, who can help increase American prosperity and simultaneously enhance our economic security. This fact should not be understated. In an era when Europe and other allies are increasing their oil and gas supplies from Russia and Iran, Azerbaijan can provide an attractive alternative for their energy demands while increasing global efficiency and competition in the energy markets. To further emphasize the importance of trade between the two countries, we will discuss some of the mutually beneficial trade agreements in place.

Finally, through the democratic reforms it is making, Azerbaijan is proving it can be a reliable partner in the spread of American influence abroad. On this matter, Azerbaijan’s critics will point to certain human rights issues as concerning. While many post- countries are navigating these same challenges, Azerbaijan is taking meaningful steps toward democratic reform and emerging as a regional and global leader in this regard. While the U.S. should always champion the values of our Republic, American policymakers simultaneously must not allow this one issue to undercut broader and more substantial foreign policy interests.

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SECTION ONE

America and Azerbaijan: Historical Ties

Free trade is a policy based on the unrestricted exchange of international goods and services, in which a government does not interfere with imports and exports through protectionist policies.2 The benefits of free trade were highlighted in Adam Smith's argument that the division of labor among countries leads to specialization, greater efficiency, and higher aggregate production. In short, all parties involved in free trade will be better off by specializing in what they're good at producing and trading for the rest. Ultimately, different relative prices between countries allow for all countries involved to gain from trade through exchange and specialization.

Before diving in to the three key areas of the U.S.-Azerbaijan relationship, a brief discussion of the historic relations is needed to help understand the current state of affairs. In 1918, the Azerbaijani people created the first secular and democratic republic in the Muslim world. The following year, the Azerbaijani delegation met with President Woodrow Wilson at the Paris Peace Conference and left a considerable impression on him. A few years later, while delivering a landmark post-World War One speech to the American public, President Wilson recounted this remarkable experience and the shared ideals of liberty between the U.S. and Azerbaijan:

As I have said to a number of audiences on this trip, the most thrilling thing that happened to me over there was the constant intercourse I was having with delegations of people representing nations from all over the globe, some of which I had shamefacedly to admit, never heard of. Do you know where Azerbaijan is? Well, one day there came in a very dignified and interesting group of gentlemen who were from Azerbaijan. I didn’t have time, until they were gone, to find out where they came from. But I did find this out immediately: that I was talking to men who talked the same language that I did in respect of ideas, in respect of conceptions of liberty, in respect of conceptions of right and justice (emphasis added) . And I did find this out, that they, with all of the other delegations that came to see me, were, metaphorically speaking, holding their hands out to America, saying, “You are the disciples and leaders of the free peoples of the world. Can’t you come and help us?” 3

Unfortunately, just 23 months after Azerbaijan established their democratic republic, the Soviet Red Army invaded. Azerbaijan’s fate was sealed as a Satellite State imprisoned behind the Iron Curtain for most of the 20 th Century. It wasn’t until 1991 that Azerbaijan regained its independence following the fall of Soviet Union. Soon after, America and Azerbaijan began establishing the strong bilateral relations that exist today. Since 1991, Azerbaijan has cultivated strategic relations with many countries around the world. It is now a fast-growing, exemplary country, which keeps up a high tradition of tolerance, is making democratic reforms, and is an important strategic U.S. partner.

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SECTION TWO

Strengthening Bonds Between the U.S. and Azerbaijan

The National Security Relationship The first two objectives of the National Security Council’s principled realism doctrine of protecting the American homeland and achieving peace through strength are infused in this strategic relationship. After 9/11, many countries of the world sent their deep sympathies to the United States. However, many of these same countries were unwilling to stand by the U.S. in the war against international terrorism and send their troops into and later . Azerbaijan, however, quickly announced its unwavering support and sent troops to aid in the U.S. effort. More recently, even as other countries have been further reducing their already-limited troop presence in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan has deployed more forces. In early 2018, they increased their boots on the ground from 94 to 120. 4 While this figure may not sound noteworthy, it is greater than the deployment contribution of twenty-six other countries including NATO allies such as Spain, , and the Netherlands. 5

Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, has also proven to be a conducive meeting ground for top NATO, American, and Russian military officials to meet and discuss some of the most volatile and diplomatically-sensitive geopolitical issues in the world. For example, both the U.S. and Russia are engaged militarily in Syria and are often at odds over their respective strategic interests. Baku provides a nonpolitical venue where NATO, American, and Russian generals have communicated on a purely military-to-military level on such matters. These dialogues help prevent crises, accidents, and the spillover of further violence to neighboring countries. One observer of this delicate diplomacy even recently pondered if Baku could become the “Caucasian Geneva” and if Azerbaijan could emerge as a “Caucasian Switzerland.” 6

Azerbaijan has also proven its significance to the US on another matter of grand strategic interest: Israel. Azerbaijan is a Shia Muslim-majority country, but it has a secular society and has cultivated very close relations with Israel. Azerbaijan has demonstrated itself to be a reliable ally to Washington and Jerusalem as it relates to Iran. Israel also receives over 40 percent of its oil from Azerbaijan. 7 Finally, Qirmizi Qasaba, a mountainous Azerbaijani city, is thought to be the world’s only all-Jewish city outside of Israel. 8

Another area of vital national security interests to both countries is to peacefully resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and . The U.S., as a Co-Chair (alongside France and Russia) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), is dedicated to empowering the two sides to reach a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Peace would give the opportunity for refugees and displaced peoples to return to their homeland.9 It would also lead to greater stability and prosperity in the region, which is in the U.S. interest. This could in turn result in improved commercial relations across Eurasia and would counter any foreign powers that may wish to exploit the conflict. It is in America’s interest to help the two countries resolve their territorial dispute and to reach a peaceful conclusion. We believe it is important the U.S. remains

Page | 3 steadfast in its engagement of the OSCE Minsk Group process and encourages the two sides to implement the treaties.

Economic Relations Enhance Shared Prosperity The synergy of these relations also spans into principled realism’s objective of ensuring American prosperity. At times in American history, policymakers have been held hostage by hostile regimes who threaten American and global oil supplies. Such crises even sent the great U.S. into recessions during the last century. The U.S. needs allies who can help keep oil flowing and markets stable. Azerbaijan is playing an increasingly significant role in Europe’s energy supply. If this trend continues and is encouraged by American policymakers, Azerbaijan could increasingly provide Europe with important options besides importing fuel primarily from Russia and sometimes Iran. While Washington is currently at odds with Moscow and Tehran over strategic interests, Azerbaijani oil and gas offers an attractive alternative to European allies.

Also relative to energy, Azerbaijan is the leading state in implementing the “South Gas Corridor.” This undertaking diversifies energy supplies to Europe. As described by Francis R. Fannon, an Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Energy Resources at the U.S. State Department, the South Gas Corridor is “a $40 billion, 3,600-kilometer project to deliver Caspian gas to European energy markets. That project involves multiple countries, and a dozen top international companies.” He continues, “The United States has supported the Southern Gas Corridor for over a decade – a project without U.S. financial interest. We along with our European partners look forward to first gas expected in Italy in 2020.” 10

At present the South Caucus pipeline runs from Azerbaijan to and will soon link up with the Southern Gas Corridor to deliver gas to Italy and the rest of Europe. These crucial energy resources could provide a boom and flexibility to southeastern European that are presently almost 100 percent dependent on Russian oil pipelines. 11

In addition to being a leading player in the South Gas Corridor initiative, Baku hosted the conclusion of the “Contract of the Century” in 1994 where major American corporations were key signatories to multibillion-dollar oil and gas contracts. 12 The Contract of the Century and subsequent contracts set the framework that has allowed U.S. oil and gas corporations to benefit from the rich Azerbaijani oil and gas fields John D. Rockefeller had so eagerly worked to access a century ago. 13

From the billions in oil profits, Azerbaijan has strategically sought to invest the proceeds into other sectors of its economy, signing many large agreements with American corporations such as Boeing and Microsoft. In 2018, Azerbaijan signed a three-year agreement with Microsoft to purchase 30,000 Microsoft licenses. The software and applications are being utilized across Azerbaijan’s government, the system, their expansion of broadband Internet services, and in launching telecommunications and low orbit satellites. 14 One of many deals Azerbaijan has done with Boeing includes a 2016 purchase of 10 new 737 aircrafts valued at $1.1 billion, while supporting at least 12,000 Boeing employees in the US. 15

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Azerbaijan is America’s largest trading and business partner in the Caucus Region. As of 2016, American companies had invested over $230 billion in Azerbaijan’s economy, and the U.S. ran a trade surplus of $291 million with exports totaling $434 million. At the same time, Azerbaijan’s sovereign wealth fund, the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), has invested $6.5 billion in the U.S. economy and bought up over $16.5 billion in USD-denominated financial securities. 16 Many American companies are exploring ways they can further deploy capital across Azerbaijan’s economy and increase their foreign direct investments in various sectors.

President Trump and his administration have acknowledged the crucial role Azerbaijan plays on these fronts. In 2019, President Trump sent two important letters to Azerbaijani president that demonstrate his acknowledgement of Azerbaijan’s vital role. One was sent on the 26 th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition. President Trump remarked:

Azerbaijan is more prosperous and connected to the global economy than at any time in its history. Oil and gas production from Azerbaijan continues to increase stability in world energy markets, including through the Southern Gas Corridor. Azerbaijan can play an even greater leadership role by partnering with other potential suppliers, such as Turkmenistan and countries in the Eastern Mediterranean. Now is the time to expand on your country’s success…The United States supports your efforts to advance economic reforms that will attract foreign investment and spur innovation. The economic success of Azerbaijan will help bring stability to the entire region. I look forward to continued cooperation in our shared efforts to build a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic South Caucasus. 17

President Trump’s diplomatic overture here represents not only kind wishes, but a substantive strategic shift that is underway in American foreign policy. He also sent another important letter to President Aliyev on the 101 st anniversary of when the Azerbaijanis first established the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

Our two nations share a strong partnership built on the foundation of a number of shared interests. I appreciate Azerbaijan’s contributions to international security and your leadership in enhancing European energy security through the pioneering Southern Gas Corridor. We welcome all steps toward reforms in Azerbaijan – especially in the area of rule of law – that will benefit the Azerbaijani people and create opportunities to deepen our cooperation. 18

This letter acknowledges the important interests addressed above that are shared between the two countries, as well as shared values. President Trump highlighted not only the importance of Azerbaijan’s leadership and cooperation in energy security, but also the area of democratic reforms.

Building Upon Democratic Reforms in Azerbaijan The third area in which the U.S. and Azerbaijan can deepen strategic relations is in the area of democratic reforms and the proliferation of democratic institutions throughout the region. Amongst the former Soviet Union countries, Azerbaijan has become one of the leaders in this regard. Azerbaijan has been making significant strides in a short period of time with opening up its economy and providing for greater economic freedom.

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In 1996, the Heritage Foundation included Azerbaijan for the first time in its Index of Economic Freedom and ranked it 134 th in the world. In 2017, the Index ranked Azerbaijan 68 th , putting it ahead of Spain, Italy, and France. 19 In 2019, Azerbaijan has risen to 60 th on the list. 20 The Index has continued to raise Azerbaijan’s ranking due to a dramatic rise in judicial effectiveness and higher scores in property rights and in government integrity. 21 The Index does note that while corruption remains widespread, there have been measurable improvements regarding the rule of law. 22

Critics have also pointed to restrictions around the freedom of the press in Azerbaijan. While there are issues the country is dealing with in this arena, the Azerbaijanis are making strides here as well. In late 2017, the government dropped all charges against Mehman Aliyev, the director of the Turan News Agency and a frequent critic of the government who was accused of tax fraud. 23 Part of this came from the pressure of the U.S., European Union, and international human rights groups.

Quickly following the journalist’s release, Azerbaijan’s president Ilham Aliyev (no relation) fired the country’s tenured tax minister, Fazil Mammadov. It is believed the allegations against Mehman Aliyev originated from Mr. Mammadov. While there remains important work to be done to improve the freedom of the press in Azerbaijan, the firing of the tax minister and the release of Mehman Aliyev were significant steps in the right direction. 24

While the U.S. must always encourage our partners toward democratic reforms and demand accountability on human rights abuses, policymakers also must not allow this issue to undermine America’s broader strategic interests in the region.

SECTION THREE

Looking Toward the Future

Azerbaijan is located at the nexus of Eurasia, in a part of the world that is paramount for U.S. interests. Azerbaijan remains a crucial partner in counterterrorism and an important buffer between Iran and Russia. This helps the U.S. protect our homeland and achieve peace through strength, two pillars of principled realism. Azerbaijan is also a vital partner for the economic and national security of the State of Israel, which also advances American national security interests.

By strengthening these two allies in a very dangerous part of the world, the U.S. can achieve a broad regional balance of power that stymies the advancement of geopolitical foes and safeguards our interests. Azerbaijan’s proven partnership in economic relations – especially in oil and gas – helps enrich American prosperity and ensure economic security. Finally, the proliferation of democratic values and institutions helps grow U.S. influence and make the entire world a safer and more prosperous place.

These three areas are incredibly impactful for the Millennial Generation now – and even more so in the future. The more the U.S. can partner with Azerbaijan in counterterrorism, the less often our

Page | 6 generation will have to deploy U.S. military assets to defeat these threats in the future. Millennials have come of age amidst the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the ISIS attack in San Bernardino, the ISIS nightclub massacre in Orlando, the Boston Marathon bombing, and many other terrorist attacks around the globe. If Millennials wish to see fewer such attacks, it is imperative we work with our allies around the world to stop the threats from reaching our shores.

The U.S. should use an offshore balancing of power strategy whereby we strengthen allies such as Azerbaijan and Israel to fight the terrorists on their home turfs, thus holding down their global impact. Millennials should also care about this vital relationship because it enhances the prosperity and job prospects for American Millennials. The more business American Fortune 500 companies, as well as middle market and small businesses, can do with Azerbaijan, the more jobs will be available in the U.S. and abroad. Some of the contracts already discussed with Microsoft, Boeing, and ExxonMobil will create and protect jobs for American workers. Finally, the more countries like Azerbaijan can help spread American influence abroad, the safer we will be. Many Millennials care about the spread of democracy, and Azerbaijan has proven itself to be an exemplary and tolerant Muslim country that continues to make important democratic reforms.

It is our view that American policymakers should devote more attention and effort to deepening these critical ties between the U.S. and Azerbaijan. We can specifically work to enhance the military cooperation and counterterrorism between the two countries. The U.S. can also deepen our commercial and economic relations on projects such as the South Gas Corridor. Every cubic meter of gas Europe can buy from Azerbaijan is one less it has to buy from governments currently hostile to our interests. The U.S. cannot afford to allow itself or its European allies to be held hostage by any country in the global energy markets. Finally, American policymakers should work closely with their counterparts in Azerbaijan to make the necessary democratic reforms for their society to flourish and U.S. influence to be advanced.

There is much to be gained from deeper strategic relations for all parties involved. Azerbaijan can also help to foster better relations between Moscow and Washington from military-to-military meetings like those they have already facilitated.

The United States needs fair brokers that can help advance our interests and prevent unnecessary conflicts with Russia. The stakes are very high, and we encourage policymakers to further engage and collaborate with their counterparts in Azerbaijan.

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ENDNOTES

1 “A New National Security Strategy for a New Era.” The White House , The United States Government, 19 Dec. 2017, www.whitehouse.gov/articles/new-national-security-strategy-new-era/ . 2 The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Free Trade.” Encyclopedia Britannica , Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 11 Jan. 2019, www.britannica.com/topic/free-trade/ . 3 Transactions of the Commonwealth Club of California, Volume XIV, February 1919 to February 1920, San Francisco, CA 1920. 4 Stocker, Joanne. “Azerbaijan Increases Number of Troops Deployed to Afghanistan Mission.” The Defense Post , 22 May 2019, https://thedefensepost.com/2018/01/09/azerbaijan-increases-afghanistan-resolute- support-deployment/ . 5 Coffey, Luke. “America Needs Strategic Partners like Azerbaijan.” The Heritage Foundation , 2018, www.heritage.org/global-politics/commentary/america-needs-strategic-partners- azerbaijan?fbclid=IwAR3MLSu1XMpLuO4VIjjy3zxy-BBK4w2SbF-ezSSXccXtqzPwkIdi8hVbBtI/ . 6 Kucera, Joshua. “With Russia-NATO Meeting, Is Baku the New Caucasian Geneva?” Eurasianet , 2017, https://eurasianet.org/with-russia-nato-meeting-is-baku-the-new-caucasian-geneva/ . 7 Coffey, Luke. “America Needs Strategic Partners like Azerbaijan.” The Heritage Foundation , 2018, www.heritage.org/global-politics/commentary/america-needs-strategic-partners- azerbaijan?fbclid=IwAR3MLSu1XMpLuO4VIjjy3zxy-BBK4w2SbF-ezSSXccXtqzPwkIdi8hVbBtI/ . 8 Gancman, Lee. “A Glimpse into Azerbaijan's Hidden All-Jewish Town.” The Times of Israel , 22 June 2016, www.timesofisrael.com/a-glimpse-into-azerbaijans-hidden-all-jewish-town/ . 9 “Compliance With the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (Condition (5) (C) Report) - 2019 - United States Department of State.” U.S. Department of State , U.S. Department of State, 2019, www.state.gov/compliance-with-the-treaty-on-conventional-armed-forces-in-europe-condition-5-c-report- 2019/ . 10 Fannon, Francis. “Remarks at the Budapest Energy Summit - United States Department of State.” U.S. Department of State , U.S. Department of State, 2018, www.state.gov/remarks-at-the-budapest-energy- summit/ . 11 Coffey, Luke, and Efgan Nifti. “Why the West Needs Azerbaijan.” The Heritage Foundation , 29 May 2018, www.heritage.org/asia/commentary/why-the-west-needs- azerbaijan?fbclid=IwAR0P_zcHLJCuTBSQKZq2x-yRDQquvcmKmWaUzSVUYvMcc9ffo9NyR4Kkpa8/ . 12 Mir-Babayev, Mir-Yusif. “THE CONTRACT OF THE CENTURY.” Visions of Azerbaijan Magazine , 2010, www.visions.az/en/news/206/1ee04b7e/ . 13 Mir-Babayev, Mir Yusif. “Baku Baron Days.” Petroleum - Baku Baron Days - Foreign Investment in Azerbaijan's Oil by Mir-Yusif Mir-Babayev , 2004, www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/ai122_folder/122_articles/122_foreign_investment.html/ . 14 Shirinov, Rashid. “Azerbaijani Ministry Purchases 30,000 Microsoft Licenses.” AzerNews.az , 12 July 2018, www.azernews.az/business/134683.html/ . 15 “United States-Azerbaijan Economic Partnership.” Caspian Policy Center , 22 Sept. 2017, www.caspianpolicy.org/united-states-azerbaijan-economic-partnership/ . 16 Ibid. 17 Trump, Donald J. “From Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America.” Official Web-Site of Republic - DOCUMENTS " Letters , 3 Dec. 2019, https://en.president.az/articles/33318/ . 18 Trump, Donald J. “From Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America.” Official Web-Site of President of Azerbaijan Republic - DOCUMENTS " Letters , 3 Dec. 2019, https://en.president.az/articles/33249/ .

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19 Coffey, Luke. “America Needs Strategic Partners like Azerbaijan.” The Heritage Foundation , 2018, www.heritage.org/global-politics/commentary/america-needs-strategic-partners- azerbaijan?fbclid=IwAR3MLSu1XMpLuO4VIjjy3zxy-BBK4w2SbF-ezSSXccXtqzPwkIdi8hVbBtI/ . 20 Heritage Foundation. “Azerbaijan.” Azerbaijan Economy: Population, GDP, , Business, Trade, FDI, Corruption , 2019, www.heritage.org/index/country/azerbaijan/. 21 Ibid. 22 Ibid. 23 AFP. “Azerbaijan Drops Charges Against Turan News Agency, Director.” RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty , Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, 2 Nov. 2017, www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-drops-charges-against-turan- news-agency-director/28831686.html/ . 24 Coffey, Luke. “America Needs Strategic Partners like Azerbaijan.” The Heritage Foundation , 2018, www.heritage.org/global-politics/commentary/america-needs-strategic-partners- azerbaijan?fbclid=IwAR3MLSu1XMpLuO4VIjjy3zxy-BBK4w2SbF-ezSSXccXtqzPwkIdi8hVbBtI/ .

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