The Abraham Accords must expand—but keep out Baku.

In their March 15 op-ed “Azerbaijan Is Israel’s New Friend in the Muslim World,” Seth Cropsey and Joseph Epstein argue that the U.S. and Israel should include Azerbaijan in the Abraham Accords. Their goal to counter Iran is noble but their prescription is naïve.

There are two Azerbaijans: a fictional one that Baku shows visitors and a real one it hides. Take its relations with Iran. Azerbaijan’s lobbyists say the two countries are adversaries, but behind the scenes they’re partners. In 2021 Baku signed a gas swap deal with Tehran, helping to relieve Iranian authorities from Washington’s “maximum pressure.” Armenia trades with Iran as a matter of necessity due to a blockade imposed by Azerbaijan and Turkey. Azerbaijan’s trade with Iran is nearly as high but a matter of choice.