ISIS Fighters Returning to Azerbaijan Seen Creating Serious Problems for Baku

Having submitted a reader commentary on ISIS Fighters Returning to Azerbaijan Seen Creating Serious Problems for Baku on Paul Goble's blog, it soon became clear that no comments submitted are posted, even though I saw a "Your comment will be visible after approval". One need only view the scores of other postings to note the lack of comments. My comment is below:

An interesting overview. It seems Baku has itself a problem. Azerbaijani authorities are very good in incarcerating political and media opponents yet somehow allowed over 1500 jihadists to leave the country to destabilize Syria. This no doubt pleased their brothers in Ankara. The Baku Sultanate has to: eliminate these jihadists, face the possibility of plunging the country into an unwinnable war with Armenia or an internal conflict, prevent the formation of an insurgent alliance with other Caucasian jihadists just over its expansive northeastern border or any and all of the aforementioned. In addition, these 1500+ jihadists can easily enter the Azerbaijani-populated Marnueli and even Adjar regions of Georgia.

Given the amount of intensely bellicose anti-Armenian rhetoric that has been pumped into its people for almost a generation, Baku should have expected somebody might actually believe the propaganda. Perhaps Baku can ask its oft-noted strategic partner, Israel, to provide identification information on these 1500+ jihadists.

Azerbaijan once tried recruiting Chechen warriors and Afghan mujaheddin, among others including Ukrainians, to fight the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. Chechen warriors walked away noting Azerbaijanis didn't want to fight. Shamil Basayev stated that he and his Chechen battalion had only been defeated once, and that came in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Armenians sent the Afghan mujaheddin back to Kabul in kafan shrouds.

For an ISIL cell(s) to exist in Azerbaijan, beyond the reach of its omnipotent security services, is somehow doubtful.

Yerevan, Armenia

Gaming Out Nagorno-Karabakh

I provided the following feedback on Stratfor's article, Gaming Out Nagorno-Karabakh. The article ends with "Send us your thoughts on this report.". I obliged them with:

I don't know who wrote your Gaming Out Nagorno-Karabakh article, but while appearing to be an analytic piece, in reality it accommodates what Azerbaijan demands and assumes that Azerbaijan has some kind of upper hand in events associated with Nagorno-Karabakh. You might recall Azerbaijan lost the right of sovereignty over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, notwithstanding having more fighters, foreign fighters, armament, and the support of powerful international oil investment structures.

While you suggest and generally state that Azerbaijan has some kind of intrinsic dominance in these affairs, I am sure you noted how yesterday Azerbaijan snipers killed three Armenian women – in Armenia proper – two of them very elderly, 84 and 90 years old. If soldiers killing old ladies at a distance is indicative of a strategic advantage I would suggest Strafor think again. What you perhaps didn't know is that the Armenian retaliation rendered the destruction of the Azerbaijani base and casualty count estimated on the order of 15:1. Perhaps Baku cares less about how many of their soldiers and civilians die, but Armenians do. This is not a “Game”.

I would suggest, rather than pleasing George Friedman and DC's Beltway with the tone of your analytic piece, you might give a moment of thought of the reaction to the quality of the risk analysis you undoubtedly provide your hydrocarbon-centric subscribers when Azerbaijan's transport pipelines are summarily destroyed in an escalation of hostilities. Armenia's rockets can also hit Baku's oil fields. Why these simple facts are ignored is telling. Ask yourself who would gain with the destruction of Azerbaijan's oil extraction and transport capabilities, and the tone of your analysis would change.

Yerevan, Armenia

‘To walk in an Islamic country and feel safe like I was in Tel Aviv was amazing'

The article in question,‘To walk in an Islamic country and feel safe like I was in Tel Aviv was amazing' appeared in the Jerusalem Post on September 20, 2015. The following reader comment was never posted. Even though it was posted via Disqus, and JPost states that Disqus reader comments are automatically posted, it never saw the light of day.

David Davidian • a few seconds ago Hold on, this is waiting to be approved by The Jerusalem Post.

Jpost made an interesting juxtaposition – on the same web page – of the corruption associated with MK Hazan and his visit to Azerbaijan. Maybe Hazan is looking for a new job. He would be in good company considering Azerbaijani president Aliyev was designated “Corrupt Person of the Year”. See: http://www.rferl.org/content/a....

I also note with interest that in the Azerbaijani press, Hazan's Baku visit was associated with an announcement by both Oran Hazan and Mendi Safadi of coordinated action to help Azerbaiian in its PR war against Armenia and Armenians, something that Jpost didn't state. In any case, such efforts have already begun and seen in various English-language sites.

One would think the Israel Knesset and any associated lobbies in the US have more important issues to address than to engage in unnecessary anti-Armenian rhetoric.

Yerevan, Armenia

Nakhchivan: Its Splendid Architecture Reflected In Bridges And Fortresses – OpEd

Even though EurasiaReview has an area for reader comments, almost none have ever appeared, certainly none of mine. So, I don't bother to wasting keystrokes. An article, dated July 20, 2015 and posted on EurasiaReview entitled, Nakhchivan: Its Splendid Architecture Reflected In Bridges And Fortresses – OpEd requires a response. Its author expects his readership to assume that Nakhichevan is some natural wonder that Azerbaijani culture has created. The author tries to accomplish this by the selective deletion of facts. Let's take a look at one BIG fact missing.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science published a study, updated July 17, 2015, showing clear proof that Azerbaijani authorities destroy Armenian cemeteries in Nakhichevan, the last known major cultural destruction took place in December 2005. I would have my readers look at High-Resolution Satellite Imagery and the Destruction of Cultural Artifacts in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan

If that is not good enough, perhaps a live video of Azerbaijanis destroying the Armenian culture of Nakhichevan. See: Azeri soldiers destroying Armenian Khachkars at Armenian cemetery Based on clear actions directed by the government of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani culture is typified by the elimination of the culture of others and calling what remains Azerbaijani.

Yerevan, Armenia

First east Ukraine, and now Armenia

This reader comment was not posted by Today's Zaman, June 26, 2015, regarding an article First east Ukraine, and now Armenia

David Davidian • a minute ago Hold on, this is waiting to be approved by Today's Zaman.

One item that never seems to be noted by reporters and analysts is that at the first sign of destabilization in Armenia, Azerbaijan will attack Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia with full fury, without waiting for Moscow's approval. Armenians know this well. This protest is over simple thievery! Even in this article there no mention of Azerbaijan or Karabakh, but the word Ukraine is mentioned 17 times!

Yerevan, Armenia

Europe’s Caspian gas dreams – a nightmare come true for human rights in Azerbaijan

Several days ago I posted a reader comment on article, Europe’s Caspian gas dreams – a nightmare come true for human rights in Azerbaijan. After several days the comment us still under moderation. Perhaps commentary was restricted due to the subject.

Here is that reader comment:

David Davidian says: May 18, 2015 at 4:30 pm

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

If Azerbaijan is an embarrassment to the EU, what difference does it make. Nobody is holding their breath waiting for BP and others to sell their interest in the BTC pipeline simply due to HR conditions in sovereign Azerbaijan. Apparently, Azerbaijan is not as bad as Nigeria, yet.

Easily predicted HR and oligarchic corruption were “non- issues” when the BTC and Southern Caucasus pipelines were being proposed, built, and as hydrocarbons began flowing to key customers. Now Azerbaijan is a nightmare? Is this hypocritical, probably, but this doesn’t make any difference either. NATO, EBRD and EIB representatives still flock to Baku, some bestowing praise, others bringing loans! All carrots. Perhaps Baku’s HR issues will magically disappear when it’s time to re-negotiate energy contracts.

Yerevan, Armenia

Today's Zaman: Armenia’s oligarchy in trouble

My comment regarding: Armenia’s oligarchy in trouble

David Davidian • a few seconds ago Hold on, this is waiting to be approved by Today's Zaman.

Everything is relative -- Armenia has its oligarchs and Turkey its megalomaniacs. The level of corruption in Turkey's construction industry alone makes Erdoğan's thousand room palace look inconsequential.

Yerevan, Armenia