DAO Ming

(№.4,2011)

Abstract: After the Soviet Union collapse, the U.S. tried hard to weaken Russia’s control and influence on the traditional sphere of influence and Russia that sought renaissance strived to integrate the geopolitical space of the USSR. Azerbaijan became the target of strategic contention between Russia and the United States, because Azerbaijan had a superior geographical position and rich oil and gas resources. Competition between Russia and the U.S. in Azerbaijan involved politics, economy and security, etc. Both Russia and the United States wanted to bring Azerbaijan into their own dominant framework. Azerbaijan carried out multi-directional diplomacy and maintained a cautious and balanced attitude. This was the most basic attitude it took in the interest of its own, as an important and small geopolitical country.
Key words: Azerbaijan; foreign strategy; Russia; U.S