News for today's 2018

My wish for everyone attending #iste13

2:20 PM Tukiyooo 0

<p>If I had a wish for everyone at ISTE 2013, it would be:</p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rOU3aKu27gw/UccIxac8uvI/AAAAAAAAJ6g/5x1yhFgz4Hw/s972/C1B71406-38D2-4344-B67F-9B11C0CA8088-MOTION.jpg" target="_blank" style=" "><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="376" id="blogsy-1372022355001.3408" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rOU3aKu27gw/UccIxac8uvI/AAAAAAAAJ6g/5x1yhFgz4Hw/s500/C1B71406-38D2-4344-B67F-9B11C0CA8088-MOTION.jpg" width="500"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iste 2013 has opened just now in San Antonio. It is already Trending on Twitter. #iste13</td></tr></tbody></table> <ul>   <li><strong>Remember your students</strong>. Look for practical methods to teach.</li>   <li><strong>Remember your students</strong>. Technology doesn't engage - YOU DO when you use it well.</li>   <li><strong>Remember your students</strong>. Take notes for ACTION ITEMS you'll do when you return. (I keep a list of my big three.) They should see you learning and engaging at #iste13 like you want to see them engage in your classroom.</li>   <li><strong>Remember your health.</strong> If you run yourself down and you get sick, that isn't good for anyone. Pacing yourself is so hard, but take time to get sleep, eat, and rest.</li>   <li><strong>Remember your friends</strong>. Take time to say hello to those people who encourage and inspire you.</li>   <li><strong>Remember your friends. </strong>Not everyone could go. When you tweet good thoughts and ideas to the #iste13 hashtag, you join the #iste13 pln and inspire and reach others.</li>   <li><strong>Remember to make new friends</strong>. Make time in your circle. Seek out people who are alone at ISTE.It is hard to go to a conference alone. Involve and encourage them.</li>   <li><strong>Remember the presenters</strong>. Give credit. Look up the presenter's twitter handle or write it down at the beginning so you can cite what they said. It is good manners.</li>   <li><strong>Remember the presenters</strong>. Take time to follow presenters and give feedback. When you echo comments, it helps them know what resonated.</li>   <li><strong>Remember your profession</strong>. You are teachers and educators. Lots of people are watching. Behave in ways that make your profession proud. We are different and should be. I'm not saying not have fun, I am saying have a blast in ways that honor what you do. If you have on that ISTE badge, behave in ways that you'll be proud of. Tip well. Be kind. Be encouraging. Show San Antonio the nobility of educators. If you act up, for goodness sakes, take off the badge.</li>   <li><strong>Remember your students</strong>. They are watching. They are likely watching your stream and your updates. How does this relate to them? Do they see the kind of learner you want them to be reflected in what you share?</li>   <li><strong>Remember not to get caught up in the hype</strong>. There are things that give hope and there's hype. Hope usually comes from methods, strategies and people-centric activities. Hype comes in when someone begins to think that technology will solve a problem that requires personal intervention. Lots of things will be hyped - it isn't bad to get excited about new technology, I get excited too - but your hope should lie firmly in best practices and teaching. Seek out how to USe technology not just the technology.</li>   <li><strong>Remember yourself. </strong>You are at the center of your own attitude. It is easy to get jealous of others. It is easy to start making excuses. Do what you can - you can do something. There is always someone better off and worse off - doing more and doing less. This isn't a measurement process but a process of improving yourself. Are you better than you were when you left for the conference?</li>   <li><strong>Remember your administration</strong>. Give an overview of ideas and your notes to your administrators and peers. Give your administration 3 actions that you plan to do in the fall. Schedule a meeting to answer questions or discuss ideas.</li>   <li><strong>Remember the price</strong>. Everything costs you something. Nothing is free. It will cost you your time, sometimes your privacy, sometimes your data. It is time for educators to become laser focused. We've bought into the word "free" and given away far too much in return. Examine the fine print. Read disclosures and terms of service. It is time to wise up that NOTHING is free and to figure out the price of every service we use. Haven't we had enough experiences like Google Reader to wake us up that everything costs SOMETHING. We're working with students and have a responsibility not to be hooked by everything "free" that comes along.</li>   <li><strong>Remember to cut yourself some slack. </strong>Most of us are average every day teachers. We're not rock stars. We're not superheroes. We're just teachers and that is enough. So, you don't have a cool name and you don't go to a neat party. You don't remember to get a ticket to the sold out session. There is plenty to do and amazing places to be. You are at iste - a place that many want to be as evidenced by the #notatiste hashtag that is trending on Twitter right now. There are sometimes at ISTE where I feel insufficient. I get tired and feel uncool. This is normal. I also sometimes ignore the stream when I'm not there just because I wish I was there. You are where you are. You are enough. Soak in the learning - there is enough for all of us. Like a coral reef, we are all part of the beautiful ecosystem in a tiny way. Just enjoy the teeming life and color of a great profession on the cusp of transformation. Don't let yourself get down if you don't "feel cool" - if you're there, you're awesome enough already. If you're just following the hashtag and learning, you're "cool enough." too. I just know the maelstrom of feelings that accompany ISTE and hope to spare some of you the emotions.</li>   <li><strong>Encourage</strong>. Some of the amazing people you see at ISTE are in tough situations. Many of them take time to blog every day anyway. When you say thank you, you help make the sacrifice worth it. There are times I was secretly considering if the sacrifice of blogging was worth it. It always seems that during those down times, I've gotten an email or a kind word at a conference and it brought me back to reality. Encourage others, please. The world out there isn't kind to educators, so it is our job to be kind and encouraging to each other. With this goes the need NOT to bash. Bashing usually gets back to the one you're bashing. It isn't in good taste. Have dialog about issues, not about people. Most educators and presenters I know are some of the finest people you'll find anywhere. People who work hard every day to make a difference for every kid and teacher who comes their way. Encourage excellence wherever it shows up.</li>   <li><strong>Thank</strong>. Thank the volunteers and presenters. It is always a sacrifice.</li>   <li><strong>Remember</strong>. Use your external brain to capture notes.. Whether it is in evernote or diigo or whatever, set up a system to capture and remember. Use a personal note for things you want to pull back and review. *REVIEW or something of the sort. Plan ahead to remember.</li>   <li><strong>Share</strong>. #iste13 and blog posts are great ways to share. Hoping someone curates an #iste13 magazine on flipboard. (I'm putting mine in my education flipboard magazine and following the #iste13 hashtag.) Live blog. Invite others to participate with you. Be inclusive and transparent.</li>   <li><strong>Enjoy</strong>. Enjoy yourself  and have fun. This conference is always a highlight.</li></ul> <p>Finally. Please, remember your students. (Didn't I say that already? ;-) They are why our profession exists. It is about them. It is about helping build a bright hope for their future. It is about using technology that will help them learn and engage in the future. ISTE is a fantastic conference and I highly recommend it as a great learning experience. Next year it is in Atlanta and I plan to be there!</p> <p>I look forward to "attending" every year, even when it isn't in person. </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad</a></div>

innovation Technology My wish for everyone attending #iste13

If I had a wish for everyone at ISTE 2013, it would be: Iste 2013 has opened just now in San Antonio. It is already Trending on Twitter....

Today's archidose #686

2:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

Here are some photos of the <a href="http://www.museumdefundatie.nl/">Museum de Fundatie</a> expansion (2013) in Zwolle, Netherlands, by <a href="http://www.biermanhenket.nl/">BiermanHenket Architects</a>, photographed by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenlee2010/">Ken Lee</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenlee2010/9117946336/" title="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands by Ken Lee 2010, on Flickr"><img alt="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5463/9117946336_dac9927a5b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenlee2010/9117946796/" title="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands by Ken Lee 2010, on Flickr"><img alt="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands" height="480" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2819/9117946796_b9f290c870_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenlee2010/9117947210/" title="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands by Ken Lee 2010, on Flickr"><img alt="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands" height="384" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/9117947210_11101986be_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenlee2010/9115722351/" title="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands by Ken Lee 2010, on Flickr"><img alt="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5546/9115722351_514b913579_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><b>Update 06.25:</b> A couple interior shots:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenlee2010/9135964112/" title="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands by Ken Lee 2010, on Flickr"><img alt="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3718/9135964112_82cc1824c5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenlee2010/9135963476/" title="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands by Ken Lee 2010, on Flickr"><img alt="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands" height="800" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7366/9135963476_bc9d299169_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />To contribute your Flickr images for consideration, just:<br /><blockquote>:: Join and add photos to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/archi-dose/">archidose pool</a>, and/or<br />:: Tag your photos <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/archidose/">archidose</a></span></blockquote>

Today's archidose #686

Here are some photos of the Museum de Fundatie expansion (2013) in Zwolle, Netherlands, by BiermanHenket Architects , photographed by Ken L...

ISRAELI-AZERBAIJANI ALLIANCE AND IRAN Part 3

2:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

<br /> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdj3WNr2UpacCVOCq3Cogu27gLyDNFKGG2htW0soeUPFxwUKjOLWRVI2wx67y3BH4TY2rBtFe6poZn6k_QmECEC89rOzXpGCo4NslRfNBIBY7Fm_M5U5deHwA-4wN2aTjIYcWRo-Enlf4/s1600/129536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdj3WNr2UpacCVOCq3Cogu27gLyDNFKGG2htW0soeUPFxwUKjOLWRVI2wx67y3BH4TY2rBtFe6poZn6k_QmECEC89rOzXpGCo4NslRfNBIBY7Fm_M5U5deHwA-4wN2aTjIYcWRo-Enlf4/s320/129536.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">IRAN AND ISRAEL: REAL ARCH FOES OR JUST A FACADE? </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By <a href="http://www.gloria-center.org/author/mahir-khalifa-zadeh/" title="Posts by Mahir Khalifa-zadeh"><span style="color: windowtext;">Mahir Khalifa-zadeh</span></a></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A key element in the AZERBAIJAN-ISRAEL relationship has been their mutual concern over the Islamic Republic of IRAN. IRAN presents the most serious threat to ISRAEL. As result, Jerusalem has launched a strategy of active diplomacy in the region surrounding IRAN. At a May 2009 conference at the Center for IRANIAN Studies at Tel Aviv University, the former head of the ISRAELI Military Intelligence Directorate Major General Aharon Ze’evi Farkash said, “It is very important to form a coalition with the moderate Sunnite countries which… [fear the] IRANIAN nuclear threat.” In addition, according to ISRAELI analyst Uzi Rabbi, “ISRAEL must conduct active diplomacy in the regions surrounding IRAN,” and “to resist IRANIAN aggression several coalition alliances should be formed.”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn42" title="">[42]</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Comment by Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring: </span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As mentioned numerous times on this blog, mainstream media and to some extend even alternative media report that IRAN presents the most serious threat to ISRAEL, and that IRAN’S nuclear threat should be a concern for the entire world is mainly a convenient bargaining tool for both, ISRAEL and IRAN. In most likelihood the behind the scene scenario looks rather different. Like with AZERBAIJAN, ISRAEL may conduct secrete wheeling and dealings with the PERSIAN state, a scenario not at all impossible, since ISRAEL’S new political doctrine fosters geopolitical as well as economic alliances with non Arab Muslim stated. After all the two countries, in the not too distant past, had not always been arch enemies. See: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">ARE IRAN AND ISRAEL REALLY ARCHENEMIES, OR IS IT JUST A FACADE? </span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/05/iran-and-israel-real-archenemies.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/05/iran-and-israel-real-archenemies.html</a>and</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">IRAN SOFTENS TUNE ON ISRAEL</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/05/iran-and-israel-improvement-in.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/05/iran-and-israel-improvement-in.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISRAEL’S ARMENIAN, IRANIAN AND AZERBAIJAN EQUATION </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thus, AZERBAIJAN, with its strategic location along IRAN’S northern border, plays an important part of ISRAEL’S foreign policy agenda vis-à-vis the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). ISRAELI policymakers are aware of AZERBAIJAN’S insecurity and mistrust towards IRAN because of Tehran’s aid to ARMENIA, which occupies territory internationally recognized as part of AZERBAIJAN.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In view of these facts, ISRAEL has repeatedly declared that Jerusalem supported AZERBAIJANI territorial integrity. The former ISRAELI ambassador to TURKEY and the ex-deputy foreign minister, Pinkhaz Avivi, said, “Our position is the following: We recognize the principle of AZERBAIJAN’S territorial integrity. We don’t try to hide the fact that our relations with AZERBAIJAN are more intense and rewarding than our relations with ARMENIA and that relations with AZERBAIJAN are strategically important for us.” He also added in an interview, “We have common goals. We understand AZERBAIJAN’S concern with its IRANIAN neighbor better than anyone, and that’s a good ground for rapprochement. Our dialogue with ARMENIA, on other hand, has always been interconnected with our relations with TURKEY.”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn43" title="">[43]</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">TURKEY IS ESSENTIAL FOR ISRAEL’S FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJCngVWblHG953iGENfg6hGiAAcu5BfcjDAxkmXGHfH7F-mqA-nw6K9z5yNs7Ne3Rmq23KXTys8Vt4rdBu0YmBSsZZRP7QngvsW0vtj0DkZXcRZwfCkuF_OrL0Mllmr5eKn6RWTeuY_Rq/s1600/israel-turkey-relations-july-2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJCngVWblHG953iGENfg6hGiAAcu5BfcjDAxkmXGHfH7F-mqA-nw6K9z5yNs7Ne3Rmq23KXTys8Vt4rdBu0YmBSsZZRP7QngvsW0vtj0DkZXcRZwfCkuF_OrL0Mllmr5eKn6RWTeuY_Rq/s200/israel-turkey-relations-july-2010.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Undoubtedly, TURKISH cooperation is essential for ISRAEL’S foreign and security policy. ISRAEL considers the TURKISH-AZERBAIJANI alliance as a favorable factor for deepening and enhancing security and defense cooperation with AZERBAIJAN despite the cooling of ISRAEL’S relations with Ankara. ISRAEL, for its part, considers the expansion of political and defense cooperation with AZERBAIJAN an influential factor for improving its relations with TURKEY. The ISRAELI military industry is now a major provider of advanced aviation, anti-tank artillery, and anti-infantry weapon systems to AZERBAIJAN. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISRAELI DRONES FOR AZERBAIJAN </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Furthermore, ISRAELI Aeronautics Defense Systems have helped AZERBAIJAN assemble unmanned aircrafts.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn44" title="">[44]</a> In February 2012, ISRAELI defense officials reportedly confirmed a deal to sell unmanned military aircrafts as well as antiaircraft and missile defense systems to AZERBAIJAN for approximate $1.6 billion.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn45" title="">[45]</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">$1.6 BILLION ARMS AGREEMENT THAT PROVIDES AZERBAIJAN WITH SOPHISTICATED DRONES AND MISSILE-DEFENSE SYSTEMS</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/05/israel-azerbaijan-and-iran.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/05/israel-azerbaijan-and-iran.html</a>and </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/10/israel-azerbaijan-and-kazakhstan_6.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/10/israel-azerbaijan-and-kazakhstan_6.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">WAHHABI ORGANIZATIONS OPERATING IN AZERBAIJAN?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISRAEL and AZERBAIJAN maintain intense cooperate on security issues as well. In October 2001, President Heydar Aliyev met with ISRAEL’S ambassador, Eitan Naeh, and confirmed that “their positions in the fight against international terrorism… were identical.” According to ISRAELI experts, groups like Hizb al-Tahrir pose a threat both to Jerusalem and to Baku. ISRAELI analysts also argue that some Wahhabi organizations may be operating in AZERBAIJAN. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ORIGIN OF WAHHABISM</b> at:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/08/saudi-arabia-origin-of-wahhabism.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/08/saudi-arabia-origin-of-wahhabism.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ALLEGEDLY, IDF ELECTRONIC LISTENING STATIONS HAVE BEEN SET UP ALONG THE CASPIAN SEA AND IRANIAN BORDER</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Security cooperation between the two countries has entailed intelligence exchanges, data analysis (including satellite information), briefings, and other activities. ISRAEL also trains AZERBAIJANI security and intelligence services and provides security for the AZERI president on foreign visits. Some sources also report that ISRAEL has set up electronic listening stations along the Caspian Sea and IRANIAN border.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn47" title="">[47]</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISRAEL’S next priority is to counter the IRANIAN intelligence network in AZERBAIJAN and in other Muslim countries of the CIS. IRAN has attempted to expand its political influence to its immediate neighbors as well as to intensify intelligence operations, particularly in AZERBAIJAN. According to AZERBAIJANI media reports, the national security services have arrested 22 people who were sent by IRAN to carry out terrorist attacks against the U.S. and ISRAELI embassies, as well as against Western-linked groups and companies in Baku. In February 2012, the AZERBAIJANI Ministry of National Security announced the arrest of a terrorist group allegedly working for IRAN’S secret services. In January 2012, AZERBAIJAN’S secret service arrested two people accused of plotting to kill two teachers at a Jewish school in Baku. In 2007, AZERBAIJAN arrested 15 people in connection with an alleged IRANIAN-linked spy network accused of providing intelligence on Western and ISRAELI activities.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn48" title="">[48]</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">AZERI-ISRAELI security cooperation is vital and beneficial for both Baku and Jerusalem. The failure of the AZERBAIJANI-ISRAELI alliance to work together to counter IRAN would be irresponsible and would have unpredictable consequences for Baku and Jerusalem. Tehran’s attempts to expand its Shi’i and IRANIAN ideology could have a negative impact on AZERBAIJAN’S potential to be an independent and strong AMERICAN ally in the region. It is clear that the fall of secular AZERBAIJAN would badly damage ISRAEL’S security and AMERICA’S strategic interests. Moreover, this would strengthen IRAN and create a totally new balance of power in the GREATER MIDDLE EAST, particularly in the SOUTH CAUCASUS and CASPIAN basin, as well as in CENTRAL ASIA.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ENERGY FACTOR, ISRAEL AND AZERBAIJAN</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Last, AZERBAIJANI energy is a critical factor in ISRAEL’S strategic calculations. In 2011, AZERBAIJAN exported as much as to 2.5 million tons (about 18.5 million barrels) of oil with total worth of $2.1 billon to ISRAEL. Last year trade turnover between ISRAEL and AZERBAIJAN reached $4 billion, making AZERBAIJAN ISRAEL’S top trade partner within CIS countries.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn49" title="">[49]</a> According to Ariel Cohen, ISRAEL “… can benefit from projects designed to bring CASPIAN and CENTRAL ASIAN oil and gas to WESTERN markets as they allow ISRAEL to diversify supply and receive abundant energy at affordable price.”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn50" title="">[50]</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDzvfNGaSrW9MQ8Vmg4TEmK3AYE5VF5GPjMw8qGWytF5zHbiq8eHeu6FFHXs7YXjBTfMzyRE0IEquCHVboq2NE9c7xmjwSSfyQY-Whi0_nSxLcvptsbnd4q_6gvHa9J1xCCDwG9De0tk0/s1600/800px-Baku_pipelines.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDzvfNGaSrW9MQ8Vmg4TEmK3AYE5VF5GPjMw8qGWytF5zHbiq8eHeu6FFHXs7YXjBTfMzyRE0IEquCHVboq2NE9c7xmjwSSfyQY-Whi0_nSxLcvptsbnd4q_6gvHa9J1xCCDwG9De0tk0/s1600/800px-Baku_pipelines.svg.png" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISRAELI-AZERBAIJANI energy cooperation has clearly become an extremely important factor for ISRAEL’S energy security. This cooperation allows for the diversification of supplies of oil and gas and for exploration of ISRAEL’S energy resources. Baku provides Jerusalem with over one-third of ISRAEL’S oil supply.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn51" title="">[51]</a> As a result of former ISRAELI Foreign Minister Lieberman’s April 2012 visit to Baku, SOCAR will start drilling in Med Ashdod, ISRAEL’S oil field, located 16 kilometers off the MEDITERRANEAN coast.  The ISRAELI Ambassador to Baku, Michael Lotem said, “The drilling will begin soon. The work is at a very advanced stage and delivery of a drilling rig to the field is now expected.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn52" title="">[52]</a> The project is SOCAR’s first oil-production or drilling operation outside of AZERBAIJAN. The contract allows SOCAR to gain international experience and expand its operations in TURKEY, GEORGIA, ISRAEL, and other countries.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">IMPLICATIONS FOR THE UNITED STATES</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is well-known that the UNITED STATES has declared the CASPIAN basin as vital to its national interests. In this context, the ISRAELI-AZERBAIJANI partnership is an effective tool to strengthen and support AMERICA’S strategic presence in this very sensitive part of the world. Furthermore, the ISRAELI-AZERBAIJANI alliance to counter IRAN has strategic importance for U.S. interests, particularly in the GREATER MIDDLE EAST and CENTRAL ASIA. Unlike ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN and GEORGIA are AMERICA’S allies in the SOUTH CAUCASUS and the CASPIAN basin. The strengthening of AZERBAIJAN’S secular and pro-Western independence should be a strategic priority for U.S. diplomacy in the region.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, the Obama administration’s lack of focus on SOUTH CAUCASUS affairs jeopardizes AMERICA’S strategic interests in the region. Unlike the Clinton administration and the Bush administration, the Obama administration has not been active in managing IRANIAN and RUSSIAN influence in this part of the world. As result of the RUSSO-GEORGIAN war of 2008, the Tehran-Moscow axis effectively decreased AMERICA’S influence in the GREATER CASPIAN BASIN. Now, the axis continues to limit or minimize U.S. political activity and increases pressure on Washington’s allies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Indeed, AZERBAIJAN is under double pressure from IRAN and RUSSIA and needs strong U.S. support to secure its national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. AZERBAIJAN’S pro-WESTERN independence ensures a U.S. strategic presence in the CASPIAN basin and facilitates its power projection deep into ASIA. In this context, AZERBAIJAN is of the utmost geostrategic importance for the UNITED STATES. The loss of a secular and independent AZERBAIJAN, as previously discussed, would badly damage both U.S. and EU strategic interests.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">GEO STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Since the fall of the SOVIET UNION, the historically close and warm relations between Jews and Azeris became a solid base for mutual cooperation between the State of Israel and the Republic of AZERBAIJAN. Both countries are strategically located but in hostile environments. This has strengthened their rapprochement and led to expanded cooperation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Despite strong opposition from Tehran and Moscow, AZERBAIJAN has established a close partnership with ISRAEL. Today, Baku and Jerusalem are partners on a wide range of issues. The insecurity and regional threats have pushed both AZERBAIJAN and ISRAEL to create a strategic alliance that enhances security and defense capabilities.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, the future of the ISRAELI-AZERBAIJANI relationship depends on the political nature of the ruling power in AZERBAIJAN. IRAN continues its attempts to spread its Islamic Revolution ideology into AZERBAIJAN through Shi’i propaganda, while expanding its intelligence network in Baku and other major AZERBAIJANI cities.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The strengthening of pro-Islamist or Shi’i political forces would have a catastrophic impact on AZERBAIJAN’S political future as a secular state and a strong ISRAELI and AMERICAN ally. In this light, the strengthening of ties in all areas is crucial in order to combat IRANIAN influence. It is also of fundamental importance that the AZERI-JEWISH/ISRAELI-AZERBAIJANI alliance is cultivated as a long-term and mutually advantageous relationship.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SIGNIFICANCE OF RICHARD MORNINGSTAR’S NOMINATION AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With its pro-WESTERN foreign policy, AZERBAIJAN is strategically important for U.S. and ISRAELI interests in the GREATER MIDDLE EAST and in the post-Soviet space. Ensuring AZERBAIJAN’S future as a secular, independent state should be a key priority for ISRAEL and the UNITED STATES. It is likely that the new U.S. administration will intensify efforts to support AZERBAIJAN’S independence and territorial integrity in order to position it under NATO’s security umbrella and to protect the strategic WESTERN oil infrastructure in the CASPIAN basin. Richard Morningstar’s 2012 nomination as U.S. Ambassador to AZERBAIJAN was a strategic move aimed to revive and push forward U.S. diplomacy in the SOUTH CAUCASUS and CASPIAN basin.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information on RICHARD MORNINGSTAR:</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Read below extracts from</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">COMPLEXITY-OF-EASTERN-MED-ENERGY-GAMES</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">US SPECIAL ENVOY FOR EURASIAN ENERGY, AMBASSADOR RICHARD MORNINGSTAR AND THE USA’S GEOPOLITICAL AGENDA</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOKHJ6xSjc0Y9Tfpdy-QuhM8jeF7OjraLfdzxJlF9nGdb85LHbRJvQHP-YsP8bSTyZ2lvjj_gfyYzVQer9zAmE1yBMV6hmzC8t8r3lfZYl8X54x1JdEHi-IdLYXIzns6lZ77cB2MlNY_j/s1600/Turkey_to_israel_pipes.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOKHJ6xSjc0Y9Tfpdy-QuhM8jeF7OjraLfdzxJlF9nGdb85LHbRJvQHP-YsP8bSTyZ2lvjj_gfyYzVQer9zAmE1yBMV6hmzC8t8r3lfZYl8X54x1JdEHi-IdLYXIzns6lZ77cB2MlNY_j/s320/Turkey_to_israel_pipes.gif" width="320" /></a></i></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In July 2011 Washington joined the GREEK energy game. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton flew to Athens with energy on her mind. That was clear by the fact she brought along Special Envoy for EURASIAN Energy, Richard Morningstar. Morningstar was husband Bill Clinton’s Special Advisor to the President on CASPIAN Basin Energy Diplomacy. Morningstar, along with his controversial aide, Matthew Bryza, have been the key Washington architects of Washington’s geopolitically-motivated oil and gas pipeline projects that would isolate RUSSIA and its Gazprom gas resources from the EU. Bryza is an open opponent of RUSSIAN Gazprom’s South Stream gas pipeline that would transit the EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN states. The USA seems to have its own agenda regarding GREEKS recent oil and gas discoveries, for three days after Hillary left Athens the GREEK government proposed creation of a new government agency to run tenders for oil and gas surveys and ultimate drilling bids.<br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">US SPECIAL ENVOY FOR EURASIAN ENERGY, AMBASSADOR RICHARD MORNINGSTAR  - </span></b></span></i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">THE US SPECIALIST IN “ECONOMIC WARFARE”</span></i></b>:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He was instrumental in backing the controversial B-T-C oil pipeline from Baku through Tbilisi in GEORGIA across to the TURKISH Mediterranean port of CEYHAN, a costly enterprise designed solely to bypass RUSSIAN oil pipeline transit. </span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Entire article can be read at:</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/04/complexity-of-eastern-med-energy-games.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/04/complexity-of-eastern-med-energy-games.html</a></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With regard to any military option to stop IRAN’S nuclear program, AZERBAIJAN continues to attempt to remain neutral. On a May 29, 2012, visit to Tehran, the AZERBAIJANI minister of defense said, “The Republic of AZERBAIJAN, like always in the past, will never permit any country to take advantage of its land, or air, against the Islamic Republic of IRAN, which we consider our brother and friend country.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Indeed, Baku would like to avoid any possible military clashes with IRAN and maintain its neutrality. However, AZERBAIJAN’S actions and pragmatic foreign policy indicate that Baku’s position is more pro-Western than pro-IRANIAN. Baku will thus continue to cooperate with ISRAEL in order to protect and advance AZERBAIJANI national interests.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Mahir Khalifa-zadeh,</b> Ph.D. is a political analyst based in Toronto, Canada. He is affiliated with the Montreal-based Center for Research on Globalization and is a member of the Canadian Political Science Association. He is also Professor of Political Science at the International Eco-Energy Academy (Baku, Azerbaijan) and a regular contributor to international journals on global politics and security. His latest article is “Iran and the South Caucasus: A Struggle for Influence” (Sweden, 2011).</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Notes:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref42" title="">[42]</a> Artak Grigoryan, “Priority Directions in the Foreign Policy of Israel: South Caucasus and Central Asia,” <i>Noravank Foundation</i>, September 22, 2009, <u><a href="http://www.noravank.am/eng/articles/detail.php?ELEMENT_ID=3623">http://www.noravank.am/eng/articles/detail.php?ELEMENT_ID=3623</a>.</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref43" title="">[43]</a> “Pinkhaz Avivi: We Embrace the Potential of Economic Ties with the South Caucasus,” November 7, 2011, <i>Vestnik Kavkaza</i>, <u><a href="http://vestnikkavkaza.net/interviews/politics/19641.html">http://vestnikkavkaza.net/interviews/politics/19641.html</a>.</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref44" title="">[44]</a> “Azeris Get Israel UAVs Built Under License,” UPI, October 7, 2011, <u><a href="http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Azeris_get_Israel_UAVs_built_under_license_999.html">http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Azeris_get_Israel_UAVs_built_under_license_999.html</a>.</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref45" title="">[45]</a> “Israel Signs $1.6 Billion Arms Deal with Azerbaijan,” <i>Haaretz.com</i>, February 26, 2012, <u><a href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-signs-1-6-billion-arms-deal-with-azerbaijan-1.414916">http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-signs-1-6-billion-arms-deal-with-azerbaijan-1.414916</a>.</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref47" title="">[47]</a> Shamkhal Abilov, “The Azerbaijan-Israel Relations: A Non-diplomatic but Strategic Partnership,” <i>OAKA</i>, Vol. 4, No. 8 (2009), <u><a href="http://www.usak.org.tr/dosyalar/dergi/gm3veLfV7Q5rP83jaIV34UObvarinb.pdf">http://www.usak.org.tr/dosyalar/dergi/gm3veLfV7Q5rP83jaIV34UObvarinb.pdf</a>, </u>pp. 138-56.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref48" title="">[48]</a> “Azerbaijan Arrests Alleged Iran-hired Terrorists,” Fox News, March 14, 2012, <u><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/03/14/22-arrested-in-azerbaijan-in-plot-on-us-israeli-embassies/">http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/03/14/22-arrested-in-azerbaijan-in-plot-on-us-israeli-embassies/</a>.</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref49" title="">[49]</a> “Lieberman: The Trade Turnover Between Azerbaijan and Israel Reaches $4 Billion,” <i>Contact.az</i>, April 23, 2012, <u><a href="http://www.contact.az/docs/2012/Politics/04234650en.htm">http://www.contact.az/docs/2012/Politics/04234650en.htm</a>.</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref50" title="">[50]</a> Cohen and DeCorla-Souza, “Eurasian Energy and Israel’s Choices.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref51" title="">[51]</a> Jen Alic, “Azerbaijan’s International Energy Aspirations Raise Tensions in Middle East,” <i>Oilprice.com</i>, May 15, 2012, <u><a href="http://oilprice.com/Geopolitics/Middle-East/Azerbaijans-International-Energy-Aspirations-Raise-Tensions-in-Middle-East.html">http://oilprice.com/Geopolitics/Middle-East/Azerbaijans-International-Energy-Aspirations-Raise-Tensions-in-Middle-East.html</a>.</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref52" title="">[52]</a> Shahin Abbasov</span></div>

ISRAELI-AZERBAIJANI ALLIANCE AND IRAN Part 3

IRAN AND ISRAEL: REAL ARCH FOES OR JUST A FACADE? By Mahir Khalifa-zadeh A key element in the AZERBAIJAN-ISRAEL relationship has been the...

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ISRAELI-AZERBAIJANI ALLIANCE AND IRAN Part 3

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