Robert M. Cutler

Montreal

Eur&Eurasn energy/intl secur via @MITPoliSci @GVAGrad @umichpolisci @HarrimanInst &c. | @timesoca @HilltowerRA | Fellow @NATOCanada @WICIWaterloo @Strategy_Int

Articles

Wobbly legs, sandpaper and love

1 week ago | theliberum.com | Rafael Baroch |Paul Cliteur |Robert M. Cutler

April 15, 2025 | Europe, Lebanon, Middle East | Featured, Understanding, VoicesI never thought I’d fall for furniture restoration. I’m not talking about a “sip and craft” class fling. A two-hour flirt that you forget all about when you get home. I’m talking about the kind of love that doesn't announce itself, settles in without asking for permission. The type of love that sneaks up on you and quietly decides to stay. You don’t question it.
Will some NATO members invade Russia?

2 weeks ago | theliberum.com | Nikola Mikovic |Rafael Baroch |Paul Cliteur |Robert M. Cutler

April 10, 2025 | Europe, Russia, Turkey | Featured, UnderstandingAs the United States and Israel reportedly gear up to bomb Iran, the European Union prepares for a potential direct war with Russia. Although a large-scale conflict in Europe is not expected to occur this year, the ongoing transformation of the existing world order is unlikely to proceed without severe turbulence that could eventually lead to a significant confrontation between several European countries and the Russian Federation.
Systemic Constraints on the Armenia–Azerbaijan Settlement | The Liberum

3 weeks ago | theliberum.com | Robert M. Cutler |Ahmad Ghosn |Paul Cliteur |Rafael Baroch

April 1, 2025 | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Europe | Featured, UnderstandingDespite the finalisation of a draft peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia on 13 March 2025, the formal conclusion of hostilities remains elusive. Entitled the "Agreement on Peace and Interstate Normalisation", the text has garnered broad international support, yet behind the apparent consensus lies a complex array of structural and legal impediments. By Robert M.
Armenia and Azerbaijan Reshape their Future through Direct Negotiation

2 months ago | cacianalyst.org | Robert M. Cutler

By Robert M. Cutler The year 2024 saw a shift away from external mediation in the Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict, to direct bilateral negotiations. Despite widespread expectations of a finalized peace treaty by the end of 2024, no agreement was signed. This reflects a strategic decision to avoid an interim settlement that could entrench unresolved provisions.
Top Azerbaijani diplomat: Armenia holds the key to lasting peace with Azerbaijan

Jan 10, 2025 | theliberum.com | Arthur Blok |Ahmad Ghosn |Robert M. Cutler

The peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan have progressed much since Baku took back control over Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020. All progress was made possible through bilateral context and negotiations; instead of continuing on this path, Armenia insists on inviting more parties to the negotiation table. It remains unclear when Yerevan will cut the knot on changing its constitution with a territorial claim on Nagorno-Karabakh.
With the fall of Syria, Iran has many reasons to be afraid

Dec 9, 2024 | theliberum.com | Ahmad Ghosn |Robert M. Cutler |Nikola Mikovic |Ken van Ierlant

Image credits: The fallen Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in better days. Picture The Liberum archive. December 9, 2024 | Gaza, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, Russia, Syria, Yemen | Featured, UnapologeticIran's regional influence in the Middle East turns around ally Syria.
Challenges and opportunities for Azerbaijan’s regional connectivity

Dec 5, 2024 | theliberum.com | Robert M. Cutler |Arthur Blok

The conclusion of the Second Karabakh War in 2020 presented a potential turning point for the South Caucasus. The Trilateral Statement signed on 10 November 2020 by Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia ended active hostilities and outlined a framework for regional cooperation. Of particular importance was Article 9, which proposed reopening transport links, including a corridor to connect Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic via the Armenian town of Meghri. By Robert M.
Using NATO Partnership to Strengthen Strategic Autonomy for Azerbaijan and Central Asia in Rare-Earth Mining and Supply Chain

Nov 21, 2024 | natoassociation.ca | Robert M. Cutler

Robert M. Cutler, Director of the Energy Security Program, is represented NAOC at the Academic Conference on the 30th Anniversary Of Azerbaijan’s Joining NATO’s Partnership For Peace Programme, being held in Baku on 26–27 November 2024. This is an advance copy of his invited remarks. Executive Summary: NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) program can expand into critical rare-earth mining and supply chain security in Central Asia, leveraging Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan’s strategic capacities.
Conspiracy SF & Education SF

Sep 28, 2024 | theliberum.com | Emad El-Din Aysha |Arthur Blok |Robert M. Cutler

What does the combination of science and science fiction have in common? From that perspective, Dr Tarek El-Shennawy is a rarity in Arabic sci-fi. He’s an actual scientist and does a fair amount of research on the discipline of SF itself. By Emad AyshaDr El-Shennawy can look back on a fascinating career. He was born in 1972 in Alexandria, has a doctorate in electrical engineering, and is currently working in energy conservation in the petroleum sector.
Double standards on Western Sanctions Unmask anti-Azerbaijani Propaganda

Sep 23, 2024 | theliberum.com | Arthur Blok |Robert M. Cutler

It is evident that Azerbaijan is regularly targeted by Western political circles fueled by Armenian and pro-Armenian groups. One of the most prevalent issues raised to create anti-Azerbaijani sentiments and spoil its image is the November 2022 gas deal between Russia and Azerbaijan on purchasing 1 billion cubic meters (bcm) of Russian gas. By Vasif HuseynovAzerbaijan was extensively criticised for “reselling” Russian gas to Europe. Even the European Parliament stepped in and raised this question.