Freshman To Tour Azerbaijan as One of 10 National Essay Winners

Student Nicolas Tuccillo likely knows more about foreign policy than most adults ever will.

The Canton High School freshman was recently one of 10 students across the county picked for a two-week study tour of Azerbaijan.

All he had to do was write a winning 1,000-word brief as if he were Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Foreign Policy Advisor to the country. 

Tuccillo, who goes by Nico, is part of the Model United Nations Club at Canton High School, where he heard about the essay contest. He does admit he knew little, if anything, about the Southwestern Asian county.

“I just thought I’d enter it and do some research on a new country,” he said.

That research was intensive, he said, adding that it took him two to three hours a weekend for two months.

“It was a lot of work,” he said.

He said his mother Susana also helped him with research.

Nico said it was a challenge to limit the essay to 1,000 words. He also didn’t expect to win in a nationwide contest.

“I didn’t really think I stood a chance,” he said.

The World Affairs Council sponsored the contest.

“This exciting opportunity offered by the World Affairs Council is one that offers high school students a chance to learn about the complex foreign policy issues that face our Secretary of State and our nation in the volatile Eurasian arena,” Eve Pech, educational director at the World Affairs Council of Connecticut, stated in a press release.  

The Winning Essay: 

Azerbaijan:

Briefing Materials

Present Day Influence of ADR

The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic/ADR, achieving independence in 1918, was hailed as a seminal attempt to launch a democratic, secular Muslim republic. Rejecting Tsarism, the ADR initiated ideologies novel within its region. The ADR reached out to the world diplomatically. Parliament, created by free elections, granted women equal political rights, a first among Muslim nations, preceding the U.S. by 50 years. Unfortunately, in 1920, Soviet Russia, enticed by Azerbaijani oil, extinguished the Muslim world’s groundbreaking experiment.

1991 marked the “rebirth” of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The ADR’s ideals resurfaced and fused into a new constitution. Today, Azerbaijan, a beacon of democracy, relates diplomatically with 158 countries and participates in 38 international organizations. Azerbaijan constitutionally retains the ADR’s principles, publically refuses to isolate itself within its Muslim boundaries, and continues to reach out to the West.

However, Azerbaijan’s pivotal democracy is vulnerable. The 1918 world no longer exists. The Muslim, non-secular, world has traversed deeper into the global arena. Azerbaijan’s small size and its resilient, not necessarily likeminded neighbors continuously test Azerbaijan’s democracy.

Azerbaijani Geography and Its Influence on Security and Economic Policies/Perspectives for Expanding Geopolitical Influence

Azerbaijan exists within a geopolitically sensitive hot spot. Its Caucasus location positions Azerbaijan at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The Caspian Sea forms a natural eastern boundary. The Greater Caucasus Mountains buffer its Russian northern boundaries. Armenia and Turkey lie westward and Iran is to the south.

Azerbaijan takes full advantage of its strategic geography. Azerbaijan, the richest Caucasus nation, benefits from petroleum, natural gas reserves, underground water, and because of varying climatic zones, diverse crops. Since 2000, Azerbaijan generates a 10% annual economic growth. However, air and water pollution are widespread and pose challenges to economic development. Oil refineries, chemical, and metallurgical industries are principle culprits. Environmental reform is key to long-lasting economic development and stability.

To ensure geopolitical influence beyond the Caucasus, Azerbaijan is in need of severe democratization. Free elections and civil liberties are fundamental. Reiterations of religious tolerance and freedom are inescapable mandates. Such notions are cornerstones of Western life and are blossoming throughout the Muslim world (i.e., Egypt, Tunisia, Syria). Stronger influence will follow if Azerbaijan takes a leading role. Mere observances to civil liberties are insufficient and open doors to discontent. Disconcerting impediments to media freedom persist in Azerbaijan, including the “suspicious” imprisonment of journalists. The international community continues to express concerns about such convictions as circumventing political criticism. An Azerbaijani commitment to democratic reforms is vital in securing international prosperity.

Likewise, job security is fundamental to economical stability. 70% of Azerbaijanis think their economy is going in the right direction but 40% say that employment security has worsened (Populus Limited, 2011). A forceful dedication to job security is crucial to national and regional stability. Employment concerns are important among a population’s youth. Given recent uprisings, fueled by the young, employment initiatives are key to continued stability.

Energy should remain the focus of Azerbaijan's economic future. Substantial future production levels will give Azerbaijan political and economic stability, regionally and beyond. Natural gas deposits will provide exports beyond the Caucasus. Strengthening Azerbaijani infrastructure will prepare the nation for modernized trade.

The resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh territorial dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia will also improve Azerbaijan’s international standing.

Converging/Diverging Strategic Interests

Overall, the Azerbaijani strategic agenda is in line with our own. Its location is pivotal. Azerbaijan provides the U.S. traction with which to interact diplomatically with the Middle East, Asia, and Eastern Europe.

Azerbaijan is a focal point for securing global energy supplies. It is noteworthy that U.S. companies operate in an overlapping industry. However, sustainable energy supplies should not be a wholly self-centered endeavor. Skillful diplomacy makes room for multiple players.

Azerbaijan, committed to non-violent, diplomatic relations, has proven a reliable partner in fighting terrorism and nuclear irresponsibility.

However, national interests relating to the Nagorno- Karabakh disputed lands cannot be ignored. A nationally charged agenda may diverge from U.S. peace initiatives. Azerbaijan acknowledges that a recent Israeli weapons purchase occurred to “…liberate occupied Azerbaijani lands,” (Tehran ambassador, Javanshir Akhundov). Such language exemplifies the volatile nature of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Furthermore, Azerbaijan’s cease-fire violations are troubling along with dramatic increases in the nation’s military budget. Both threaten to destabilize Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks.

Once more, the continued imprisonment of journalists and other impediments to free speech, diverge from U.S. policy. Geopolitical stability and economic prosperity will fail without a strong U.S./Azerbaijani civil liberties agenda.

Foremost Issues in U.S.-Azerbaijan Relations/Recommendations for U.S. Policy
U.S.-Azerbaijan Relations

Given the region’s critical influence upon the Muslim and Eastern world, a principle focus in U.S.-Azeri relations embraces continuing peace and stability. A secure Caucasus is a gateway to a peaceful and stable Middle East to the South and Eastern Europe to the North. Wholehearted attempts at resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute should not waiver. An assertive commitment to the Minsk Group, charged with eradicating the dispute, is crucial.

Azerbaijan’s security concerns are complicated because of its close proximity to Iran (recently increasing its military presence near the Azerbaijani border). Azerbaijan recently dismissed Iranian concern over a $1.5 billion arms deal with Israel. Azerbaijani officials were summoned to Iran’s foreign ministry and received warnings that Azerbaijan not act as a springboard for Israeli terrorism. Azerbaijan contends that such purchases are not intended to threaten Iran. As with the U.S., Azerbaijan’s security policies towards Iran are paramount. Azerbaijani demonstrations of strength, verbally and militarily, are welcomed. However, such demonstrations require moderation with continued, open dialogue between the neighbors.

Recommendations

*Avoid legislation/statements/actions that might inflame public opinion on either side of the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict and may upset the momentum towards peace. Promote U.S./Western dominance in the Minsk Group until Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is settled.

*U.S. should remain steadfastly committed to democratic/human rights reform. However, this agenda should not be presented as a reprimand but rather a bi-lateral challenge to improve human rights and democracy nationally as well as globally.

*U.S. should continue to foster a united front against terrorism, nuclear instability, and autocracy along with encouraging ties with Israel and other democracies. Both fronts should be endeavored through careful, open, diplomatic means.

Nicolas Tuccillo 
Canton High School 
March 1, 2011