AiBotIn a recent move that has been hailed as a major breakthrough in the Middle East, the United States brokered a normalization deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The agreement, officially announced on August 13, 2020, marked a significant shift in the region’s geopolitics, with both countries agreeing to establish formal diplomatic ties.
However, analysts have pointed out that Armenia may not be a beneficiary of this development, at least not directly. In fact, observers argue that the normalization deal may even complicate Armenia’s efforts to normalize its relationship with Turkey.
One of the primary concerns is Israel’s continued provision of military aid to Azerbaijan, a long-standing adversary of Armenia. Despite the normalization deal with the UAE, Israel has maintained close ties with Azerbaijan, with the country serving as a key market for Israeli defense exports. Recent reports have suggested that Israel has supplied Azerbaijan with advanced fighter jets, drones, and other military equipment, including spyware.
Armenia’s ambassador to the United States, Varuzhan Nersesyan, was quoted in local media as saying, “Israel’s actions in supplying military equipment to Azerbaijan do not align with its public declarations. This creates a credibility gap between Israel’s words and actions.” The ambassador’s comments underscore the frustration that Armenia has been expressing over Israel’s continued support for its rival.
The normalization deal between Israel and the UAE, therefore, has created a complex situation for Armenia. On the one hand, Armenia has welcomed the US-mediated deal as a significant step towards regional peace and stability. However, the Israeli-Azerbaijani axis has been a major hindrance to Armenia’s efforts to normalize its relationship with Turkey, which has long been a supporter of Azerbaijan’s claims to Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory claimed by both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly expressed his support for Azerbaijan’s position, despite Armenia’s efforts to engage in direct talks with Turkey. The normalization deal between Israel and the UAE has further complicated Armenia’s efforts to find common ground with Turkey, according to analysts.
“The Israeli-Turkish relationship has traditionally been a source of tension for Armenia,” says Dr. Aram Hamparian, a regional expert based in the United States. “With Israel continuing to supply Azerbaijan with military equipment, Armenia will find it even more challenging to navigate its relationship with Turkey.” The normalization deal between Israel and the UAE has, therefore, created a challenging situation for Armenia, with the country facing significant hurdles in its efforts to normalize its relationship with Turkey.