Obama Reassures Aliyev Over Armenia-Turkey Thaw

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has had better weeks.

Now, Obama has given him a call to make him feel better. From a White House press release:

The President had a good conversation with President Aliyev. He reaffirmed U.S commitment to a strong relationship with Azerbaijan and to supporting progress toward a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The President also underscored the importance of Turkish-Armenian reconciliation, which will lead to greater peace and security in the region.

Is this "Group-Hug Diplomacy" in practice?

-- Luke Allnutt