Soaring trade and diplomatic ties, including a massive $1.6 billion arms deal, make it clear that Israel has more than a coincidental interest in Azerbaijan, and Israeli diplomats confirmed as much today, with one terming the nation the key to Israel’s “regional aspirations.”
For the “why” of Israel’s recent interest in Azerbaijan, one need only look at a map. The considerable border with Iran and Russia has long made the nation a notorious stomping ground for spies, and few have put as much effort into “infiltrating” Iran with spies, assassins and saboteurs than Israel.
Some reports have even had Israel securing airbases inside Azerbaijan that would be used in its oft-threatened attack on Iran, though this claim has been repeatedly denied by officials.
Still and all, the rumors and the very real arms deals have put Azerbaijan and Iran at serious odds. Both sides have carried out arrests of people suspected of spying for the other nation in recent months, and there is little reason to expect that the relations between the two won’t continue to worsen.
Sadly, it seems that way. Another country that falls victim to the greed of its puppet dictators.
What has Azerbaijan's relationship with Iran been like in the past 20 years? Teh intertubes sez that Az. is much more Shiite than Sunni, though it also sounds like the country isn't necessarily all that religious and that the sectarian divide between the two isn't so high there.
Azerbaijan has stated that there would be no attack on no one from its territory
I dont think Baku would b very happy if the zios launched from thier territory…and got pounded by Iran …
hopefully Baku is just playing the tribe for a few bucks…
I'm not a military logistical expert, but … couldn't Iran just 'pot-hole' those airstrips and render them useless?
Same with an aircraft carrier – screw up the flight deck and it's just a carrier / expensive cruise ship.
Basically, war-making techniques change with time as a result of advances in technology. Generals and the defense contractors who supply them (and subordinate officers whose careers depend on agreeing with the higher-ups) tend not to change with the times, because they are invested in the old technologies and don't have the expertise in the new ones. So, as the saying goes, they plan "for the last war", and as the saying suggests, they take a hit when they have to fight the "next" war.
Your observation about aircraft carriers is particularly apt. Anti-ship missiles and smart, mobile mines make carriers giant strategic and financial boondoggles.
I am hoping this backfires on the tribe…this time around…
Iran gets along fine with Baku….
and I doubt Baku is going to risk its oil industry for the tribe