Azerbaijan cranks up volume as Russian gas alternative

But threat of war, poor governance and regional rivalries hamper Azeri dream of tapping into Central Asian reserves

With the help of Turkey and an eye on Central Asia, Azerbaijan has in recent weeks been staking out an ever louder claim that it can provide an alternative to Russian gas for Europe. However, securing the necessary quantities is a tall order, experts say, that could be exacerbated by a growing risk of war with Iran and/or Armenia. Few expect Russia to easily surrender its energy leverage over the EU to its former Soviet satellites, either. At first glance, Azerbaijan’s and the region’s energy trade prospects look good. Baku will double its gas exports by 2027, the country’s president, Ilham Aliyev, promised at the ninth ministerial meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council in ear