The Zangezur Corridor and Neoimperial Confrontations: Azerbaijan s Balancing Role

This article analyses the geopolitical, geoeconomic and strategic importance of the Zangezur Corridor in the context of the contemporary international relations system. The main objective of the study is to demonstrate that the corridor is not only a transport route, but also a strategic platform where the neo-imperial interests of global powers intersect and regional power balances are reshaped. It is emphasised that Azerbaijan has become not only a transit country but also an initiator and organiser of regional cooperation and stability mechanisms. India and Iran's objections to the corridor are evaluated within the framework of geopolitical concerns. India's prioritisation of the North-South Transport Corridor and its perception of Zangezur as a strategic competitor contradict the principles of open access of the Ashgabat Agreement. Iran's declaration of this corridor as a ‘red line’ is interpreted as a neo-imperial attitude reflecting its desire to maintain its influence over regional transport networks. The study also assesses the corridor's compatibility with China's Belt and Road Initiative, its advantages over the INSTC, and its contribution to Azerbaijan-Turkey economic-logistics relations.