Caspian Sea Trade Takes Center Stage in Regional Politics

Azerbaijani leaders are still seething over Russia’s refusal to take responsibility for causing the deaths of 38 people in the accidental shoot-down of an Azerbaijani jetliner over Russian territory. But Baku’s anger is not getting in the way of trade considerations. The state-controlled Azerbaijani press continues to express indignation and defiance over Russia’s response to the December 25 jetliner incident, which a preliminary investigation confirmed was caused by “external” metal objects, or anti-aircraft flak.…