The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh has been a long-standing issue in the South Caucasus region. The dispute dates back to the early 20th century when the region was part of the Russian Empire. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the debate resurfaced and escalated into a full-scale war in the 1990s, which ended with a ceasefire in 1994. However, the conflict reignited in 2020, leading to a bloody battle lasting 44 days, causing thousands of deaths on both sides.

The world witnessed Armenia’s vandalism and destruction of Azerbaijani homes, infrastructure, and cultural heritage after Azerbaijan recaptured its occupied land during the second Karabakh war in 2020. The devastation caused a significant humanitarian crisis, disrupted trade routes, and caused damage to the region’s cultural identity. The international community has condemned the vandalism and called for restoring the region’s cultural heritage. The perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions.

The international community has called for a peaceful resolution in the aftermath of the conflict. The United States, as a global leader, needs to take an active role in promoting peace and stability in the region. The US has significant interests in the South Caucasus, including economic, strategic, and diplomatic interests. A peaceful resolution to the conflict could have significant benefits.

The humanitarian aspect of the conflict is one of the most pressing issues. The war caused a significant number of casualties and displaced many people. Many homes and infrastructures have been destroyed, making the situation dire for those affected. The US can play an essential role in helping to alleviate the humanitarian suffering by encouraging both sides to engage in meaningful negotiations that lead to a peaceful resolution.

Another critical aspect of the conflict is the impact on regional stability. The South Caucasus region is a strategically important location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia has the potential to destabilize the entire region, which would have implications for the global community. A peaceful resolution would stabilize the region and create economic cooperation and development opportunities.

The US has a significant economic interest in the South Caucasus, as the region is a key transit route for energy resources from the Caspian Sea to Europe. The conflict has disrupted trade routes and created economic instability, which could negatively affect the US economy. Encouraging both sides to make peace would create economic cooperation and development opportunities, which could benefit all parties involved.

The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh has caused significant human suffering, disrupted trade routes, and created obstacles to establishing the Zangazor Corridor. The corridor would connect Azerbaijan and its exclave Nakhichevan with Turkey, bypassing Armenia. Establishing the corridor has significant economic and strategic importance for the region and the global community, which makes it necessary to encourage peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The Zangazor Corridor has economic benefits for Azerbaijan and Turkey as it would create a direct transportation route for goods, thereby reducing transportation costs and boosting trade. It would also allow Azerbaijan to access its exclave Nakhichevan without relying on Armenia, increasing its economic independence.

Establishing the Zangazor Corridor is also important for Armenia as it would provide an opportunity for the country to engage in regional economic cooperation, which could lead to economic benefits for Armenia. Establishing the corridor would also remove one of the sources of conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, contributing to regional stability.

Meanwhile, Iran has opposed the opening of the Zangezor Corridor. It has repeatedly issued a statement indicating that it may resort to military action if Azerbaijan continues to pursue the creation of the corridor.

The United States and Western powers should not leave Azerbaijan alone in dealing with Iran, especially given the complex geopolitical dynamics and potential for regional conflicts in the South Caucasus region. Iran’s negative role in the region and its history of destabilizing actions in neighboring countries highlights the need for international cooperation and support for Azerbaijan.

The establishment of the Zangezor Corridor, in particular, has the potential to create economic opportunities and enhance regional stability. However, Iran’s opposition to the creation of the corridor highlights the need for careful diplomacy and negotiation to address Iran’s concerns and ensure that the corridor benefits all parties.

The US and Western powers should not leave Azerbaijan alone in dealing with Iran’s negative role in the region. Establishing the Zangezor Corridor has significant economic and strategic implications for the region. Careful diplomacy and negotiation are necessary to ensure that all parties benefit. The US and the international community should actively promote peace and stability in the region and support constructive dialogue among the parties involved.

The US has a significant interest in promoting the establishment of the Zangazor Corridor as it would increase economic cooperation and development in the region and reduce the risk of conflict. Encouraging both sides to make peace and engage in constructive dialogue that leads to establishing the corridor would be in the interest of the US and the global community.

The establishment of the Zangazor Corridor is of significant economic and strategic importance for the South Caucasus region and the global community. Encouraging peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia is necessary for establishing the corridor and would contribute to regional stability and economic cooperation. The US has a crucial role in promoting peace and stability in the region, and encouraging both sides to engage in constructive dialogue that leads to the establishment of the corridor would be in the interest of the US and the global community.

Furthermore, promoting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia would demonstrate US leadership on global peace and security issues. The US has a long-standing commitment to promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and helping to resolve the conflict would align with these values. The US can use its diplomatic influence to encourage both sides to engage in constructive dialogue and negotiations that lead to a peaceful resolution.

In conclusion, the US is essential in promoting peace and stability in the South Caucasus region. The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia has caused significant human suffering, disrupted trade routes, and destabilized the entire region. The US can use its economic, strategic, and diplomatic influence to encourage both sides to make peace and engage in constructive dialogue. By doing so, the US can demonstrate its commitment to global peace and security, enhance its diplomatic prestige, and bring economic benefits to the region.

*Babek Chalabi is a South Azerbaijani activist based in Washington DC; Chalabi also is the founder of ArazNews.org. Babek tweets at @BabekChelebi. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.