Houston Mayoral Candidate Bill White's record in Azerbaijan is subject to many different interpretations. At worst, White's oil deal with the former Soviet Republic has propped up an inhumane regime that has harbored terrorists, including Al-Qaeda; resulted in drilling on a natural preserve in violation of Azerbaijan's environmental laws; and included as stakeholders Saudi Arabian oil magnates suspected of financing terrorism. At best, the deal has helped improve U.S.Azerbaijan relations, opened up a new source of oil that could decrease U.S. reliance on Middle East crude, and benefited Azerbaijan's economy. Indeed, it seems likely that there have been both positive...
