DISINFO: Creation of military-political chaos in South Caucasus is in the US strategic interests
SUMMARY
The creation of military-political chaos in the South Caucasus fully meets the strategic interests of the United States and the West.
RESPONSE
A recurring anti-Western disinformation narrative claiming that the U.S. and the wider West create turmoil and dragging the South Caucasus into chaos. There is no evidence provided to support the claim. Rather the opposite: the West is a source of stabilisation and development.
The U.S. has close relations with South Caucasus countries, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. In 2021, the US - Azerbaijan trade was 517 million USD, the US - Armenia trade was 140 million USD. The US - Georgia trade was 921 million USD in 2019. In 2020, the US provided assistance in the field of democracy, economic growth, education and security to Azerbaijan (9.9 million USD) , Armenia (31.5 million USD), and to Georgia (133 million USD). During the COVID, the total assistance of the US to Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia amounted to 47.7 million USD.
Additionally, the US supports peace and security in the South Caucasus region. In terms of Abkhazia and the South Ossetia, the U.S. recognises the territorial integrity of Georgia. As regards to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the US strongly supports efforts to pursue a lasting and sustainable political solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and promote regional stability, peace, and prosperity.
More broadly, the EU-Georgia Association Agreement entered into force in July 2016 and strives for political association and economic integration between the EU and Georgia. The EU and Georgia have also entered into a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), while Georgian citizens have benefitted from visa-free travel to the Schengen area since 28 March 2017. The EU is Georgia's largest trading partner and provides over €100 million to Georgia annually in technical and financial assistance.
Since 1991, the EU has gradually become closer to Azerbaijan. It wants to build on this by deepening economic integration and increasing political cooperation with the country.
The European Union and Armenia have committed themselves to work together for the benefit of the citizens of Armenia and the European Union, to contribute to the strengthening of democracy and of political, economic and institutional stability. Both sides are committed to promote, preserve and strengthen peace and stability at regional and international level and to enhance cooperation in the area of freedom, security and justice thus reinforcing the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
See similar disinformation cases: The West sees elections in Russia as opportunity to create chaos; The US seeded chaos in Afghanistan to undermine China and Russia.