By Eldar S., Special to Azerbaijan.US
President Ilham Aliyev’s recent visit to Washington has opened a new chapter in Azerbaijan–U.S. relations. At the White House, Aliyev and President Donald Trump signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a joint working group tasked with drafting a Strategic Partnership Charter within six months.
This Charter is intended to provide an institutional framework for cooperation in energy, trade, transit, digital infrastructure, defense, and counterterrorism. It also reflects a shared interest in anchoring Azerbaijan more firmly within Washington’s regional strategy at a moment of renewed U.S. focus on Eurasia.
Strategic Context
The suspension of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, long a sticking point in bilateral ties, was another notable outcome of the visit. By removing this obstacle, Washington signaled readiness to reset relations that had cooled under the Biden administration.
For the U.S., Azerbaijan’s role as an energy corridor and its strategic location on the Caspian Sea make it an indispensable partner. Analyst Andrew Korybko notes to Media.Az, that closer alignment with Baku could accelerate Europe’s shift away from Russian energy, while also allowing NATO to expand its reach across the South Caucasus and into Central Asia. The proposed Zangezur corridor — dubbed the “Trump Route” — is seen as a potential link in this larger strategy.
Balancing Great Powers
This new dynamic places Moscow in a difficult position. Russia, preoccupied with Ukraine, must weigh whether to contest Washington’s growing role in the Caucasus or accept a more pragmatic coexistence. For now, the Kremlin appears cautious, aware that direct confrontation could backfire.
For Azerbaijan, the shift reflects careful calculation. By deepening ties with Washington, Baku gains leverage while not formally breaking with Moscow. Professor Fikret Sadikhov of Western Caspian University stresses that the U.S. is now emerging not only as a political and economic partner but also as a potential guarantor of peace in the South Caucasus — including support for a future Armenian–Azerbaijani peace deal.
Outlook
The months ahead will determine whether the partnership solidifies into lasting structures or remains at the level of promising declarations. The drafting of the Strategic Partnership Charter will be a key test.
What is clear, however, is that both sides see new value in cooperation. For Washington, Azerbaijan is a reliable partner in a contested region. For Baku, U.S. engagement brings fresh opportunities for investment, security, and regional influence.
In this sense, the “Trump Route” is not just about infrastructure. It symbolizes a broader reorientation in which Azerbaijan positions itself at the crossroads of competing powers — and seeks to turn geography into long-term strategic advantage.
