National Security Concept of the Republic of Azerbaijan - Report Example

Policy Analysis Paper: National Security Concept of the Republic of Azerbaijan By Candi s (This page intentionally left blank) On May 23, 2007, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr Ilham Aliyev, approved the National Security Concept (NSC) document by issuing instruction 2198. 1 This document examines critically the security environment for the Republic of Azerbaijan and its national interests to present threat perceptions together with goals, principles, approaches and measures for mitigating threats to the national security of the Republic. The NSC document reflects the desire of the Republic of Azerbaijan to maintain its independence and to transform itself into an economically and politically dynamic modern State by consolidating its regional and global position. The ultimate goal of the NSC document is to help ensure the prosperity, sustainable development and well-being of the Republic of Azerbaijan and to contribute to maintaining security and stability in the whole region. 2 The Republic of Azerbaijan is a part of the South Caucasus region, which is not only a bridge between Europe and Asia, but also a battleground between them because a large number of ethnic and religious groups living in this part of the world present a great potential for inter-ethnic strife. 3 Because Turkey, Iran and the Russian Federation, which represent three former imperial cores and a major contemporary power, surround the Republic of Azerbaijan, as depicted in the figure below, this newly independent nation, which emerged after the demise of the one common and longstanding political, military and security system presented by the former Soviet Union, must compete for strategic influence. In addition, a seven-year internal civil war and international conflict with the Republic of Armenia that presented many thousands dead and displaced persons with a level of violence that was rare for the region continues to present further security threats. 4 The continued occupation of one fifth of the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan by forces from the Republic of Armenia and the overt and illicit support provided to those in the occupied region by other States in the region presents a precarious position for the Republic of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus 5 Despite perceptions of military threats and threats of destabilisation, the NSC document of the Republic of Azerbaijan extends the concept of national threats to include threats arising from international terrorism, illegal migration, trans-national organized crime, human and drug trafficking and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the region. 6 In addition, the NSC mentions economic destabilisation, threats to the environment, overdependence on external aid, threats to energy infrastructure, separatism and ethnic, political or religious extremism as well as inability to sustain education and training for Azerbaijanis that results in a shortage of human capital as threats to national security. Thus, the NCS places an emphasis on linked domestic and external, non-traditional and transnational threats, rather than only state-centric or conventional threats. War over the ownership of oilfields in Azerbaijan remains a threat because United States and its European allies do not want to sustain the energy hegemony of Russia and Iran. However, the NSC document presents a priority for preserving territorial integrity and inviolability of borders for the Republic of Azerbaijan. It is best to view national security in a wider sectorial framework to include economic, societal, political, environmental and military perspectives, as suggested by Barry Buzan. National security must include an emphasis on human and group security. A globalised world presents new types of threats and new opportunities for peace. Today, the economic, scientific and technological sources of national power are more dominant. However, only economic superiority will not neutralise a determined enemy. Thus, balanced and broad views are important in defining a national security concept. States must endeavour to try to provide human security to add to national capacity and fulfil international obligations. The NSC document for the Republic of Azerbaijan recognises this in both recognition of threats to the national security of the Republic of Azerbaijan and in deciding about ways for stabilisation of security. 7 The NSC document for the Republic of Azerbaijan explicitly mentions the promotion of security by foreign policy means, the strengthening of defence capability and promotion of security by domestic policy means as important for dealing with the multidimensional threats that confront the Republic of Azerbaijan. 8 Yet, although the NSC document places an emphasis on the use of foreign policy means for enhancing security, this document does not specifically mention Washington as an ally despite an acknowledgement of the need to participate in international counter-terrorism and peacekeeping initiatives in a post 9/11 world. On the other hand, the NSC document for the Republic of Azerbaijan recognises deepening cooperation between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey as a means for stabilising the region. 9 However, it is important to understand that, unless it is possible to balance Russia, which supports Armenia as a threat, it will be difficult to ensure security for the Republic of Azerbaijan when Iran has continued to present a tilt towards Armenia despite a religious and cultural affinity with Azerbaijan. History remains a testimony that neither Turkey nor Iran moved effectively to counter the situation created by the Moscow supported Armenian intervention in Azerbaijan, despite religious and cultural ties. Thus, it is important for Azerbaijan to try to strengthen its military capability and to engage more effectively with NATO when Iran continues to pursue its interests in the region. A deeper understanding between Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, etc. may hold a key for promoting greater stability and security. Although the NSC document for the Republic of Azerbaijan emphasises strengthening of the defence capability of Azerbaijan, it is important to understand that in a region, which still feels the influence of the considerable military, might of Russia, it is impossible for Azerbaijan alone to effectively balance Russian designs. 10 There are limits to what conventional military capacity Azerbaijan alone can sustain and excessive expenditure on military will prevent Azerbaijan from effectively sustaining expenditure in other sectors that will help contribute to the prosperity and progress of its people. Thus, collective security arrangements are important and Azerbaijan and its other vulnerable neighbours, including Georgia, must try to enmesh deeper into the security apparatus provided by NATO. However, it is not possible to guarantee that NATO and the United States can effectively protect States in the region when conflicting interests exist and when States in the region do not want a proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Thus, other collective security arrangements and multi-polar balancing efforts to maintain independence while retaining cooperation with more powerful States remain a viable alternative. Perhaps an opportunity may exist for States in the region that were formerly a part of the Soviet Union to try to enter into dialogue with those that wanted independent homelands to try to make permanent arrangements for deciding about the new political boundaries on the basis of the desires of a vast majority of the people. Although the NSC document for the Republic of Azerbaijan emphasises restoration of territorial integrity, it is neither possible nor desirable to force people supported by powerful States to remain connected to a State when they have no desire to do this. 11 It is important to understand that some territorial rearrangement was inevitable after the demise of the former Soviet Union, which itself could not sustain itself against the will of the people. Perhaps, negotiations with Armenia may result in a land corridor that will permit a connection between East and West Azerbaijan. Rampant poverty, low living standards, extremes of wealth and poverty, a desire for access to resources, corruption and human right abuses will continue to have the capacity for promoting extremist ideologies, which may result either in internal destabilisation or in interstate conflict. Thus, it is significant to note that the NSC document for the Republic of Azerbaijan makes mention of a desire to protect human rights and the welfare of the people. 12 However, sincere efforts must back sentiments and efforts must persist to try to propagate the spirit across the entire region. It is important to note that a large number of Azerbaijanis are still poor, despite the natural wealth of their homeland and a need exists to educate the masses to promote a true and informed democracy that exists in an environment that sustains ethnic and religious tolerance. The NSC document for the Republic of Azerbaijan recognises that preservation of moral foundations together with educational, scientific and cultural development of the people will help with sustaining economic and social development for progress. However, a need persists to ensure that a reasonable capability exists for deterring external aggression and efforts for destabilisation in a region that has presented particular savage acts of aggression and conflict without any moral restraints. Perhaps a time may come when a desire for a nuclear deterrent will exist in a coalition of nations facing a particularly aggressive Russia and its satellite States unless diplomacy can deliver. The overall impression presented by the NSC document for the Republic of Azerbaijan is one of a State trying to depend on a balanced foreign policy and efforts to enhance its people with values, education, economic development and the development of national institutions to strengthen national security. However, a need persists for Azerbaijan to try to enter into reliable security arrangements when others in the region are unwilling to restrain themselves from acts of savagery. Word Count – 1,538 Read More