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Beyond the Gulf – Trump Eyes Azerbaijan and Central Asia in Abraham Accords Expansion

While much of the media focus remains on Saudi Arabia, the Trump administration is quietly pursuing an equally ambitious goal: expanding the Abraham Accords to include Azerbaijan and several Central Asian states.

Why This Matters

These nations—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan—already maintain diplomatic ties with Israel, but accession to the Abraham Accords would formalize and elevate those relationships into a multi-lateral framework. It would also signal that the Accords are not limited to Arab states, but are a flexible model for Muslim-majority countries worldwide.

The Azerbaijan Factor

as deep energy ties with Israel and shares strategic interests in countering Iranian influence. But its ongoing tensions with Armenia are a stumbling block. U.S. officials have hinted that a peace agreement between Baku and Yerevan would be a prerequisite for full participation in the Accords.

Central Asia’s Calculus

For Central Asian republics, the appeal lies in Israeli technology, agricultural innovation, and potential investment in infrastructure. Aligning with Israel also strengthens ties with the U.S., offering a counterbalance to Russian and Chinese influence.

Strategic Signaling

For Trump, bringing these countries into the Accords sends a message: the framework is a global brand of peace-through-cooperation, not a one-off Gulf experiment. It also deepens the security network encircling Iran—politically, economically, and strategically.

The Challenges

Regional rivalries, domestic politics, and external pressures from Moscow and Beijing will complicate the path. But the very act of outreach demonstrates a confidence in the Accords’ scalability.

In MERLOWS.com’s view, this is the logical next chapter: a broadening of the peace architecture from the Arab Gulf to the greater Muslim world, anchored in mutual interests and reinforced by the proven principle that trade builds trust.

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