Is the South Caucasus region a part of the middle east?

The term 'Middle East' has replaced or at least become far more employed than the term 'Near East' over the last century. It is true that the countries of the South Caucasus still are connected economically with Russia to varying degrees as almost three-quarters of developing those ties and that Russia currently employs political leverage in a religion that it still regards as the 'near abroad' that is to say, its own backyard. The South Caucasus countries, and especially Georgia and Azerbaijan, Armenia is the poorest of the three and still depends on Russia for military and economic security, have been assertive in expanding economic connections with Middle East. In conclusion, the South Caucasus is an important region for US interests and one which should be viewed as an extension of the Middle East given the expanded connections mentioned.