As tensions around Iran are increasing in their level every day and the Syrian crisis is far from over, the situation also under scrutiny of the countries that are close to the epicenter of the problems and can be affected in case something will go terribly wrong, such as Azerbaijan and Israel.

Israel’s concern with Iranian nuclear program is quite clear. The possibility that Iran might acquire a nuclear weapon is considered a threat to the security of Israel. For Israel the change of the regime in Syria in that sense seems like a positive transition due to the fact that it would severely threaten and weaken Iranian positions there. On the other hand the turmoil that might be caused by the regime change – can be a threat to security of Israel if the terrorists will be unchecked on their bases close to the Israeli border.

Some experts say that changing the regime in Syria might sever the links of Iran with Hezbollah and Hamas thus making the situation more preferable to Israel. However as the situation in Syria becomes more and more dire, the likely outcome of that internal struggle is chaos and uncertainty. In the face of such possibility there are some worries about the rise of Al Qaeda and acquisition of large stock of weaponry in Syria by someone very unfriendly to Israel like Hezbollah.

From another angle of the region Azerbaijan is also experiencing difficulties. Iran worried about the tensions around its nuclear program started to apply a lot of political pressure on that neighboring state out of fears that Azerbaijan might serve as a ground from where the attack on Iran can come.

One month ago a criminal group that was allegedly drafted in Iran was caught by the authorities in Azerbaijan before they could make assassination of certain Israeli citizens. The process continued with yet another group caught on allegation of planning terrorist attacks on behalf of Iran in Azerbaijan. These last months the Iranian media was very active in making anti-Azerbaijani statements simultaneously condemning Azerbaijan for its strategic relations with Israel. Iranian authorities went so far as to invite the ambassador of Azerbaijan in Iran and present him with the protest that alleged the close cooperation of Azerbaijani authorities with Israeli intelligence against Iran.

For Azerbaijan, a small state located between Iran and Russia, the tensions around Syria and Iran can be very dangerous for the security reasons. Any attack against Iran will inevitably create a large number of refugees that will rush to the Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan borders simply because they have little else to go. In all other directions there are either states that are not friendly to Iran or they are in a process of destabilization. At the same time the flow of refugees would fall in its bigger part on Azerbaijani side due to large ethnic minority of Azerbaijanis living on the northern part of the Iran.

As for Syria – Azerbaijan right now is very interested in the cessation of the violence and prevention of the chaotic situation in Syria as it may reduce tension in otherwise very unstable region right now. It seems only logical that on the latest vote in the UN Security Council Azerbaijan voted in favor of the resolution proposed by the U.S. and its allies.

In such a difficult regional situation the ties between Israel and Azerbaijan should be more stronger than ever as their collective security depends on the common goals.