Bloomberg takes notice

Imagine my surprise today when a Wall St. MSM outlet took notice in my favorite subject.  Unfortunately, this blog has turned more into a "coverage of the coverage" of the situation.  This subject really deserves an unbiased look at the historical realities by someone in a full time manner.  However, I'm just another working slob and cannot devote the time to the subject.  Mere survival in the "land of the free" is just too difficult.  

At any rate, the article warns that the conflict may soon "escalate" due to "rising violence" and an "arms buildup" in the region.  The articles expert on the subject is Lawrence Scott Sheets, head of the South Caucasus section of the "International Crisis Group".  I still need to read their paper on this subject.  It should be good!

The article was a tad dire, but it wouldn't do more than raise an eyebrow of a typical Bloomberg reader.  Nothing to see here folks, move along.... 

"trouble maker from Baku"

Due to work and other responsibilities, I've fallen behind in my writing.  I just now got to a rather poorly written or translated article in the Armenpress denouncing some cultural leader from Azerbaijan for stirring up trouble inside of Turkey for both Iran and Armenia.  Obviously, Azerbaijan is no match for the two of them, so Turkey must be brought to bear on them.

The allegations seem to center on the property of some church near the Armenian Turkish border, and the meddling of the Iranians by stoking grievances of the Armenians living in Turkey.

Such gossip should be of no interest to anyone, but everything must be examined in this powder keg.

‘Liberate Karabakh’

According to the Asbarez website, the Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, vowed to “end the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia.”  Sound like fighting words to you?  They do to me.  

More interesting than the article itself was the comment section.  I guess as long as Russia/Armenia can maintain a military presence in the South Caucasus, there is a threat to the BTC pipeline.  If they can build more pipelines, the Russian dominance of the European energy market can be broken.  Hence, Russia is finished.

Poetry

Another interesting development in the culture war between Azerbaijan and Iran today, Panorama revealed that the "5 manat banknote will bear the picture of a classic Iranian poet Nizami Ganjevi, who is considered an Azerbaijani poet in Azerbaijan."

Why is this important?  Well, for this blogger, Azerbaijan seems to be claiming that ancestral Azerbaijanis who 'happened to live in Iran' were really Azerbaijanis all along.  Iran is simply a foreign occupying power.  A simple analogy might be to call Ritchie Valens a great 'Mexican' musician.  However, this particular poet died over 800 years ago, and Azerbaijan is only 20 years old.

Iran's Deputy Minister of culture and Islamic orientation, Bakhman Dari, responded with the expected denunciation, claiming that a country with 'no culture' is forced to steal one from others.

It does seem to be a provocative move.

addenda

According to Armenpress, the Armenian army won't confirm that 5 Azeri soldiers were killed during the August 8 flare up.

Back at it

Dear Non-Existent Readers,

I'm back.  This topic really deserves a full-time blogger.  I'd rather read one, but since nobody else will step up to the plate, I'll do what I can.

August 6, according The Guardian, a 75 year old Georgian woman cut off internet access to 90% of Armenia while scavenging for scrap copper.  Sure!  Did she use a backhoe?  Haha!  There is nothing too ridiculous for the paid press to print.  Georgia/NATO is showing Armenia who is the boss.

On the 5th anniversary of the Georgia Russia war (can you really call it a war?), gunfire was exchanged by the Armenians and Azerbaijanis.  According to Azernews, the Armenians were the aggressors, and the Azeris 'gave due rebuff to the enemy.'  On the same night, an Armenian soldier lost his way and was apprehended by the Azeri authorities.

On August 9, senior fellow at the Cato institute, Doug Bandow, penned a commentary deploring the idea of admitting Georgia into NATO.  Does NATO really want to fight for South Ossetia and Abkhazia?  I would think not, but then I don't stand to gain anything either.

August 14, the Armenian Panorama noted that in the first meeting between Iran's new president and the Azeri speaker of the parliament, the Azeri flag was missing.  Strangely, the flag has been absent, upside down, or mis-colored at various international events.  Are they getting ready for a new flag?  New boundaries?

Putin was visiting with the President at the same time, and according to the Panorama, doused Aliyev's desire for NK with a "cold shower."  Aliyev has always maintained that 'all options are on the table.'  In other words, Putin told him to fuggedaboutit.

Mr. Merry speaks on Nagorno-Karabahk

Big time interview on the Voice of Armenia youtube channel.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_enGmtbE-o

A Mr. E Wayne Merry, "Senior Fellow for Europe and Eurasia at the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington DC," was interviewed by the ARMVOA anchor.  The AFPC's board of directors include Newt Gingrich, and Dov Zakheim.  I'll let the reader draw his own conclusions.

Despite his self-righteousness, Mr. Merry was quite informative.  He enlightened this blogger about the history of  the Kazan negotiations and did a decent job of outlining the major players and the issues involved.  However, he protested a little too much that the failure to arrive at a deal on N-K was in no way the fault of "Washington."  I thought that choice of words was quite interesting.  The ARMVOA anchor mentioned to possibility of the outbreak of war a couple of times hoping to get Mr. Merry to play his hand.  Mr. Merry kept his cards rather close to his vest.

Highly recommended!