By Matt Underwood Iran and Russia Begin Joint Naval Drills in Caspian Sea: So, the news is out that Iran and Russia have kicked off joint naval drills in the Caspian Sea, and, well, it’s stirring up quite a bit of discussion. You’ve got folks joking about the “world’s most incompetent navies,” and even tossing around the idea of the exercises being target practice for Ukrainian drone boats or Storm Shadows. Honestly, the image of those two navies together just conjures up some pretty wild mental scenarios, doesn’t it? Some are envisioning Francis playing with those warships in his enormous indoor-pool-bathtub.
Considering the players involved, there’s speculation swirling around the actual purpose of these drills. Some think it’s a show of force, perhaps even a prelude to something more serious, like trying to grab Azerbaijan’s oil and gas fields. There’s definitely a worry that it could be a precursor to something more intense, potentially involving a ground war against Azerbaijan. The political dynamics are complex, with Russia potentially feeling the heat from Azerbaijan’s closer ties with the EU, while Iran might be ticked off about Israel allegedly using a base in Azerbaijan to launch attacks. And, of course, there’s the looming question of whether Turkey and Israel will get involved, adding fuel to the fire.
The Caspian Sea itself is a critical area, holding significant energy reserves, even boasting a major oil field in Kazakhstan’s waters. It’s not just about the oil, though. Other countries around the Caspian Sea, like Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, have been distancing themselves from Russia lately, and that’s a factor that can’t be ignored. Some are speculating that these countries could be in Moscow’s crosshairs. The geopolitical stakes are pretty high, and the energy crisis that Italy and Greece are expected to face doesn’t help. It’s important to consider the broader implications, particularly with the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Let’s be real, the Iranian and Russian navies aren’t exactly known for being world-beaters. The discussion around this brings up the different types of navies and how they operate. While the world’s navies aren’t necessarily deep-sea powerhouses, Iran’s navy, considered a green-water navy, works just fine for its own specific needs. It’s designed for coastal operations and for defending its own waters. That makes a lot more sense than trying to project power across the globe.
Of course, it’s a complicated situation and people have strong feelings about how to approach it. There are those who question why countries like Iran even bother trying to have a navy, given the potential for their assets to be easily taken out, and then there are those who suggest that this is a great time for the US to de-escalate the situation by easing up on aid to aggressive countries. It is worth pointing out that both Russia and Iran have their own roles to play in de-escalation and need to make that a priority. And, realistically, the US hasn’t exactly been a neutral party in the region.
The situation involving Russia and Iran’s actions are clear. Russia is currently embroiled in a full-scale invasion of a neighboring country. At the same time, Iran has been backing proxy terrorist groups for years. There’s a valid point in the conversation about how the US’s actions influence the dynamics in the Middle East. However, ignoring the history and actions of Iran and Russia is missing the point.
Looking back, it is worth mentioning that Russia has supported Armenia in the past in the conflict with Azerbaijan. Armenia has since distanced itself from Russia, creating a shift in the balance of power in the Transcaucasus region. The focus is shifting toward a show of force to maintain its influence. This, potentially, is a driving force for these joint exercises.
In the end, it’s a complex situation with no easy answers. But one thing is clear: the joint naval drills between Iran and Russia in the Caspian Sea are a sign of some serious geopolitical maneuvering, and it’s a situation everyone should be keeping an eye on.