Washington, March 24, AZERTAC

The Daily Caller newspaper has published Australian political commentator Justin Amler`s article entitled “Our allies deserve support”. The commentator highlights indifferent attitude of the United States to its allies.

Justin Amler, whose expertise is on the Middle East, Eurasia and the former Soviet Union, writes: “President Barack Obama has frequently referenced threats of instability in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Africa and warned how these areas can become safe havens for terrorist networks. But even without the threat of terrorism, instability can lead to ethnic and other conflicts, as already witnessed in parts of the former Soviet Union, the Middle East and throughout Africa.

The instability Obama refers to is the proliferation of “failed states” - states that due to instability, have effectively become unable to enforce its laws, unable to provide basic goods and services to its people and unable to protect its own borders and security.

The Middle East is a germane example, where the Arab Spring of hope quickly turned into the Arab Winter of discontent. Countries like Iraq and Syria have quickly devolved into chaos, allowing for groups like ISIS to gain a foothold by taking advantage of the complete breakdown of security, especially with the vacuum left by the U.S. pull-out.

Realistically, the U.S. lacks the resources and, indeed, the willpower to support each trouble spot the world over. Therefore, it is vital to proceed with a targeted strategy to allocate resources, diplomatic, political and military, to countries that can be of benefit to both global security and ideally ones with a shared value system.

Nations like Azerbaijan are perfect candidates.

Born out of the collapse of the Soviet Union, it could well have fallen into the “failed state” definition were it not for the drive toward Westernism by people of Azerbaijan, led by famous and genius politician Heydar Aliyev.”

The author noted that under Heydar Aliyev`s and President Ilham Aliyev`s leadership the nation has managed to build itself from restrained country into a successful nation and a regional leader in technology, energy, aerospace, military industry and an economic powerhouse.

The author underlined that Azerbaijan has also become an essential strategic partner in the global war on terror, as well as a partner to the U.S. and NATO in operations in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan and in nuclear non-proliferation undertakings.

“Azerbaijan has also provided to the U.S. and NATO blanket overflight rights, cooperation on intelligence and law enforcement, as well as the use of its bases. In addition to logistical support, it also supplies intelligence on terror financing,” he added.

The expert has also stressed Azerbaijan`s role in energy security of Europe and US, and added “Azerbaijan’s reputation for ethnic tolerance is especially laudable.”

In conclusion the author says: “When one considers the amount of money the U.S. wastes on countries with very little benefit it would make sense for them to show support for ones that actually work with it and contribute to the world in so many areas.”

Yusif Babanli

Special correspondent