The U.S. wants to show that they have not lost interest in the post-Soviet states, particularly in the South Caucasus, Alexander Rahr, the director of Russia and CIS Programs for the German Council for Foreign Policy told NEWS.am.
According to him, U.S. influence in the South Caucasus has been recently weakened and it proves they do not need anything in this region any more. There were speculations that the U.S. left the region to fight with terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan, he noted. The expert deems that Hillary Clinton’s regional visit is a way to show the speculations are wrong.
The U.S. should not be expected to intensify its activities. There will be no military interference. NATO expansion to Georgia has been put off. The U.S. has military bases in Central Asia and they will remain there. If the U.S. finds new economic interests, it will seek influence, he stressed.
As to Clinton’s visit to the Memorial to Armenian Genocide victims, Rahr said it is a token gesture showing a certain attitude by the U.S. He added that no serious moves should be expected. The expert stressed that the U.S. has energy interests and would not like “to carry it too far.” Washington does not wish to confront Azerbaijan so as not to lose a chance to maneuver in the Caspian region.
