The re-election of President Barack Obama will not bring dramatic shifts in U.S. policy on the South Caucasus, Jeff Sahadeo, a director of the Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies at Carleton University said in an interview with Turan agency.

The administration will continue efforts into finding solution to the Karabakh conflict but they will hardly bring anything new to the table, “perhaps at best pressing the interested parties to do so.”

He emphasized that the growth of oil and gas production means U.S. might be less interested in Azerbaijan.

“Azerbaijan might be used as an example of a relatively secular Muslim country across the region. But I think that much will depend on who is named the next Secretary of State to follow Hillary Clinton, and how her or his team views the South Caucasus,” Sahadeo said adding that Azerbaijan has a considerable role in terms of logistical support to Afghanistan, and the issues concerning Iran.

As to Karabakh peace process, the political analyst does not believe Washington has really taken initiative beyond encouraging dialogue within the Minsk Group.

“For the Turkey-Armenian rapprochement, I am sure the last thing Washington wants to do is get entangled in a delicate situation when there are clear political risks at stake. Any change that will come in these issues will come from the states themselves; if any bold initiatives are produced, then that will increase the pressure on the US administration to get involved,” he added.