Political scientist: USA take into account that Islam civilization is an important player on the world arena

- There has been a regular activation of the White House and the Kremlin in the processes of our region. U.S. President Obama made an official visit to Turkey, Secretary of State Clinton visited Iraq, met in Moscow with the Kremlin leadership of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Serzh Sargsyan, the Turkish prime minister Erdogan is expected to visit the Russian capital. How can you explain the current activity of Russia and the United States in the region?

- This process continues today and will happen in the future. The United States - a world superpower, which plays an increasing role in regional and global processes. Especially after the collapse of the bipolar system the United States became the world's undisputed leader. The global financial economic crisis has had a major impact on the behavior and the capacities of Washington. This, of course, made its correctives, but in general the parameters of American foreign policy have remained the same - this is a assertion of its leadership, protection of its national interests, increasing its sphere of influence. This process is taking into account the characteristics of the global economic crisis.

With regard to our region, this is region of the Islamic world, which is in the presentation of some Western thinkers and politicians opposed to the Christian and Jewish worlds. Islam is one of the most dynamic events in world history and civilization. And I think that America is paying a great attention to the Islamic world not only because of oil, not so much because of the space that is occupied by Muslims, but because of the quality of human material because of its passionate nature, its dynamism, as it is the only one that spreads its influence on the western world and penetrates into all spheres of life in Europe and in America. The number of Muslims increases, and this in itself makes Islam and Islamic culture, Islamic civilization an important player on the world stage, so America is taking it into account.

In addition, of course, Washington also does not forget about the immediate things, including the oil, the fight against terrorism. In general, all this is interconnected. And the U.S. has consistently involved in the Islamic world, including Western Asia. This is Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Pakistan, China, Afghanistan.

And Democratic and Republican Party of the United States hold the same foreign policy, shifting of the emphasis only occurs depending on certain nuances. But in general the general parameters of foreign policy remain the same. And American policy has continued, of course, to fight and does it quite successfully using the dollar, economic power, military power where necessary, their symbols - Hollywood, McDonalds, Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola. That is, they continue their penetration, the dominance of their lives, their property, including in the Islamic world.

- At what stage of its development is  the resistance of Moscow and Washington as to the dictating of their provisions in the South Caucasus?

- The South Caucasus became the arena of struggle between Russia and America after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Since then the United States has been steadily increasing its diplomatic, economic, cultural, military, intelligence, human presence in the region, which in turn leads to a reduction in the role of Moscow here.

In the post-Soviet period Russia experienced a period of disintegration under Yeltsin, when Putin managed to stop the process. Today, Moscow is trying to regain its former influence, but the tools of Russian foreign policy are totally ineffective. These conflicts and coups, and finally, the war, are now ineffective in view of the fact that Russia is very weak and unable to propose the development of South Caucasian peoples.

Today, many countries turn not to Russia but to Europe. Many countries have already rejected the model of the world that Russia has proposed - communism. And the fact that it now offers in the form of capitalism or the ruthless exploitation is rejected by the modern world. That is why Moscow has big problems in foreign policy.

Russia has a great potential, but after the collapse of the Soviet Union it loses all the crucial battles for control over the region. Its last trump cards is a conflict zone in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Karabakh, Armenia, which is its outpost. I do not think they would be able to keep it. This is a matter of time - sooner or later Russia will become a completely secondary power in the region, though for us it will continue to be an important neighbor, market, supply market, and in a sense very close to a spiritual partner. But it will not be a great power, will not be able to rule the fate of these people. And the fates will be decided by the West and, above all, the United States of America. But this too will happen for the time being, unless the Chinese hegemony is established.

- The energy summit was held in Sofia last week. Do you think, in connection with the global economic crisis, that the issues related to the diversification of energy routes are urgent today?

- The issue of energy flows was solved considering both geopolitical and commercial ideas. Despite the fact that it is still very important, its relevance is being reduced. Why? Because energy prices are declining and industrial production is falling, and demand for oil and gas is reducing. In the result, proposal on the energy market is higher than demand.

In conditions of falling demand and prices for energy, pipeline routes are not so relevant. It could regain relevance in a year or two, if economic growth starts along with the increase in industrial energy production. Now, Russia does not know where to put its gas and in this connection it even rejects Turkmen gas. And Turkmenistan, in turn, does no longer see Russia  as loyal customer, even at reduced prices, and in my opinion, it even found a customer in the face of China in the East.

And as for our country, Azerbaijan says to Russia and the West - you want our gas, please, take an objective position in the Karabakh issue, quit supporting the aggressor. This is a normal position. But this process will continue for some time.

I do not think that Nabucco is completely buried. But due to the fact that now in the energy market there is an excess of supply over demand, Nabucco has become less relevant.

/Day.Az/