Dear Mrs.

Clinton, I am happy to say that the briefing materials for your trip to Azerbaijan have been written and completed. Your trip will be safe, sound, and secure and the information below will aide you as you travel across the Azerbaijan Republic. The Russian Empire had total control over Azerbaijan and many other Middle Eastern countries until 1917. In 1917, the Russian Empire had fallen and Azerbaijan declared independence from Russia on May 28th, 1918. Azerbaijan was the first Muslim country built on a western style of democracy. It gave rights all minorities, men, citizens, and women to vote, even when women in the United States could not vote. This democracy remained intact until 1920 when the country was seized by the Bolshevik Red Army. Azerbaijan remained as a part of the Soviet Union until it again declared independence after being ruled under the Soviet Union for 71 years. In 1991, the Republic of Azerbaijan was founded and a constitution was made. This constitution is influenced by the rights of when Azerbaijan was a democracy as well. Women still have the same rights as before Azerbaijan was seized. They can still vote but are underrepresented in office. After the country was seized, it formed a constitution which said the foreign policies. A very important one is that Azerbaijan wants to develop a pluralist democracy based on Market Economy and the supremacy of the law. Azerbaijan has one of the most interesting geographical locations. It is located in Southwestern Asia bordering the Caspian Sea. Azerbaijan also borders 6 countries: Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Russia, Turkey, and Turkmenistan. Since the country borders the sea, most of the water and resources come from it. Also, the water is converted into energy. The region is a mountainous one and contains only 7% arable land. The Kura Valley is the areas major agricultural zone. The borders and geographical location of Azerbaijan help keep security intact. The geographical location also gave the country a resource that would help the countrys economy: Oil. One of the priorities of economic policy of the Azerbaijan Republic was the preparation of oil strategy. This meant making contracts with global oil companies and many countries in the world. Azerbaijan and the United States are very similar and very different when it comes to strategic interests such as military. The Azerbaijans military has 126,400 active personnels versus the United States which has 1,456,852 active personnels. The general age for someone in the army in Azerbaijan is between 18-32 years old and the United States age is between 17-62 years old. One thing that is very similar is that both countries had helped in the U.S led war against Iraq. In June 29th 2011 American Ambassador Matthew Bryza said that the U.S and Azerbaijan share 3 sets of strategic interests: security, energy, and internal reforms. The U.S has been working with Azerbaijan and other international companies on investing in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and the South Caucasus pipeline to help ensure that the physical activity of the projects will be maintained. The two are working together to find oil and gas in the bordering Caspian Sea. Bryza also said the two countries views on specific subjects have been exchanged to achieve common strategic goals and how to find more goals for the future. Security isnt the greatest thing in Azerbaijan. The country isnt very friendly with its neighboring countries (Turkmenistan, Iran, and Armenia). Russian policy in the South Caucasus threats the stability of

the region. Azerbaijan also shares a long border with Iran which could become a problem if the nuclear industry in Iran rises. There are also problems in Azerbaijan with torture, political prisoners, and lack of judiciary. Azerbaijan has the potential to become a regional leader. Its relations with powering countries such as the United States are promoting this potential. The U.S is increasing its influence in the Caspian Region. The countries cooperate on energy and security, but relations could be improved in areas concerning governing. If Azerbaijan creates relations with other countries, it could become the leader in its region. Creating relations with other countries doesn't only help in taking power, but the economy of the country. More jobs would become available because the other country might need favors from Azerbaijan. Extending the geopolitical influence could help the economy, the region as a whole, relations with other countries, and social status. The United States and Azerbaijan have many relations in the subjects of security cooperation, energy, and economic and democratic reforms. The most important relations are in the NagornoKarabakh Conflict with Armenia, Security Partnership, and Economic Partnerships. The NagornoKarabakh conflict was there was this piece of land in Azerbaijan and Armenia owned 20% of it. Azerbaijan wanted it back. The U.S took part on the conflict and had a big influence on it, until the U.S Congress adopted Section 907 in the Freedom Support Act. The act banned any direct U.S aid to Azerbaijan. Presidents George H.W Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush opposed the act and thought it opposed mediation efforts towards Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan also helped the U.S in war in the Middle East. Azerbaijan provided with over flights, refueling, and landing rights for the U.S and to fly aircrafts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Also, 1/3 of all non-military equipment such as food, fuel, and clothing used by the U.S military came from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The U.S State Department offered Azerbaijan $10 million dollars to enhance its security structures in the Caspian Sea that year. The two countries relations are mostly circled around Caspian energy resources and the transportation of the resources to western markets. U.S companies are involved in the development of Caspian hydrocarbons on the offshore oilfields. The U.S has signed a bilateral trade agreement with Azerbaijan and gave Azerbaijan the status of a "most favored nation". The U.S also supports Azerbaijan in the World Trade Organization. I hope this is sufficient information for your trip to Azerbaijan. Have a safe trip.

- Sahil Khoja