New Azeri Military Doctrine

Azerbaijan is rolling out a new military doctrine that has some neighbors on edge.

Azerbaijan's military doctrine aims to restore the country's territorial integrity, Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee member Zahid Oruj said.

"The doctrine identifies as threats economic and financial crises, international terrorism and transnational organized crimes," he said. "In the regional context, the doctrine considers as unacceptable individual countries denying territorial integrity, separatism, and the deployment of military bases near the Azerbaijani border."

The Azerbaijani parliament adopted the doctrine at an extraordinary meeting June 8.

The document consists of seven sections and 75 items, reflecting such issues as national security, regional military threats, military aggression, Armenian military aggression against Azerbaijan, and problems and challenges facing the Azerbaijani armed forces.

The doctrine also identifies exceptional situations when foreign military bases can be deployed in Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Armenia is indicated as an aggressor, and Azerbaijan's regional priorities are also stressed. The doctrine similarly addresses the issue of global crises, struggles waged for energy resources, and the support of separatism.

By: Brant