George Meneshian
European Interest, July 11, 2025
“In this context, the growing prospects for peace could come with the potential expansion of the Abraham Accords into the South Caucasus.”
As most analysts and policymakers focus on the potential normalisation of relations between Israel and key Arab states (such as Saudi Arabia and even post-Assad Syria) another pair of candidates has quietly entered the conversation: Azerbaijan and Armenia. With President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the prospect of expanding the Abraham Accords beyond the Arab world has gained traction in U.S., Israeli, and regional policy circles.
Since March 2025, voices from pro-Azerbaijani circles within the U.S. Jewish lobby, Republican-affiliated think tanks, and Israeli analysts have advocated for Azerbaijan’s inclusion in the Accords. Some have also floated the idea of expanding the framework to include other Muslim-majority nations, such as Kazakhstan. Such developments would not be surprising, particularly in light of Azerbaijan’s close strategic relationship with Israel, encompassing cooperation in energy, security, and intelligence.
How does Armenia fit into this?
In March 2025, Armenia and Azerbaijan announced the finalisation of a draft peace deal aimed at ending decades of conflict. However, core disagreements remain. Azerbaijan has issued additional demands that Armenia considers unacceptable due to their implications for its sovereignty.
One of the most contentious issues remaining is the proposed so-called “Zangezur Corridor,” a transport link through Armenia’s southernmost province of Syunik, connecting Azerbaijan to its exclave, Nakhchivan. While Armenia has agreed to reopen regional transit routes, it rejects Baku’s demand for extraterritorial access, which would undermine Armenian sovereignty. Yerevan also opposes any Russian role in securing the corridor, citing Moscow’s past failures to act decisively. ….SOURCE