Interview with Theodore Hopf, Associate Professor of Political Science, The Ohio State University.
Q: How can you explain the fact of more weak U.S. policy in post-soviet space during the last years? Isn't it a priority region for the U.S. foreign policy or there are some other reasons?
A: Never thought of it as weak.
Q: Can a membership of Georgia and Azerbaijan in NATO enhance security of these countries and secure them from military invasion outside?
A: Cant imagine who would invade Azerbaijan; As far as Georgia is concerned, its behavior in August 2008 moreorless guaranteed no NATO membership for years to come.
Q: Is it possible for Azerbaijan to go successfully towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration having such neighbors as Russia and Iran? Do you predict any resist measures from these countries?
A: Well, turn that question around. Wouldn't Azerbaijan going for EuroAtlantic integration just put additional pressure on Moscow and Teheran ruling elites? The more isolated they become, the more empowered domestic opposition becomes.
Q: What kind of role can the U.S. play in the Karabakh settlement being involved to military operations in Afganistan, Iraq, Lybia etc?
A: They are unrelated. US military power has nothing to do with a sensible settlement in Karabakh.
Q: There were several incidents with violations of ceasefire between Armenian and Azeri military forces in the Karabagh conflict zone. What a possibilities of a new war in the region and how U.S. would reflect on it if this happen?
A: I am sure the US would wish it never would happen, and if it does, that it be over very quickly. Certainly, it would not want to see Russia intervening on behalf of Armenia against Azerbaijani efforts to get Karabakh back, but it can’t be excluded.
Leyla Tagiyeva
News.Az
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