The OSCE Minsk Group Has a New American Co-Chair: An International Expert on the Change

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has appointed Philip Reeker as the U.S. representative in Caucasian negotiations and co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, according to the U.S. State Department's press service. The State Department also confirmed its readiness to assist Armenia and Azerbaijan in negotiations to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

International relations expert Suren Sargsyan commented on the new appointment, stating:

“A change in the Minsk Group: Philip Reeker has been appointed as the U.S. representative in Caucasian negotiations. The newly appointed ambassador will not only co-chair the Minsk Group but will also work in the format of 'Geneva International Discussions' as the U.S. representative. This means that he will coordinate all American diplomatic efforts in all conflicts in the South Caucasus. Overall, U.S. interests in the South Caucasus are characterized more by a broader regional nature rather than an emphasis on deepening bilateral relations with the three states. In other words, the U.S. is interested in the region and is in competition with regional players.

The South Caucasus is geographically located near the long-time U.S. adversary Iran, the strategic ally and key NATO member Turkey, as well as the historical rival and main adversary Russia. This explains everything. This appointment directly confirms the aforementioned.”