Georgia on the crossroads: three scenarios
The 26 October Parliamentary elections in Georgia, quite as expected, turned out to be very…
Georgia on the crossroads: three scenarios
The 26 October Parliamentary elections in Georgia, quite as expected, turned out to be very divisive and controversial. While the voting outcome of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) was officially declared at the level of 53.9%, the opposition parties refused to recognise it, accusing the government of launching a large-scale fraud and intimidation campaign which…
Horns Crossed: Geopolitical struggle over the Eastern edge of Africa
The Horn of Africa for years has been a hotbed of conflicts, but the events of the last year have increased the tensions in the region even more. In January an important issue emerged between Ethiopia and Somalia, when Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland to rent 20 km of the coastline. One of the…
Multiple Countries Strive to Enhance Middle Corridor Despite Challenges
Executive Summary: The European Union is working with the countries along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (also known as the Middle Corridor) to support infrastructure development and provide technical assistance for improving standards, digitalization, and regional interoperability. Disruptions along the trans-Russia northern route due to Western sanctions against Russia and the unavailability of the trans-Iran southern…
COP29 and Armenia-Azerbaijan Relations
Azerbaijan will host the United Nations Framework Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29) from November 11 to 22, 2024. The global event is expected to attract up to 100,000 participants, including heads of state and government from over 180 countries, to Baku, the capital of the South Caucasus republic. As the country presiding over the summit, Azerbaijan…
Paradoxical aspects in Armenia-Russia relations
Over the past four years, mutual verbal exchanges and diplomatic tensions between Armenian and Russian officials have been accompanied by Yerevan’s attempts to shift closer to the West. Armenia’s efforts to establish closer ties with the Western world have created the image of a serious crisis in its relations with Russia. Armenia seeks to forge…
The AIR Center’s delegation attended the 12th meeting of the CICA Think Tank Forum
Chairman of the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) Farid Shafiyev and leading advisor Roza Bayramli attended the 12th Meeting of the CICA Think Tank Forum themed “Asia’s New Role in a Multipolar World” on October 24-25, in Shangai, China. Addressing the first session titled “Development of a Multipolar World from an Asian Perspective,”…
Opinion: Third meeting of 3+3 and reconfiguration of the South Caucasus geopolitics
On 18 October, the 3+3 regional cooperation platform which hypothetically includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia “plus” three surrounding powers (Türkiye, Iran, and Russia) convened the third meeting at the ministerial level, though again without the participation of Georgia. Hosted by Türkiye in Istanbul, the meeting took place amidst a sensitive security situation in the wider…
COP29: Azerbaijan Focusses on Environmental Protection and Global Peace Efforts
With less than one month until the next UN climate conference, COP29, which will be held in Baku from 11 to 22 November, Azerbaijan is finalising the agenda. Hosting such a prestigious international conference for the first time in the region is a great responsibility, and COP29 initiatives demonstrate Azerbaijan’s focus on critical issues to tackle…
Azerbaijan Applies for BRICS Membership
Executive Summary: Azerbaijan announced its application for BRICS membership on August 20, which has been backed by Russian leaders and emphasizes Azerbaijan’s goal of strengthening ties with China following the China-Azerbaijan joint strategic partnership declaration in July. The increased importance of the South Caucasus region and Azerbaijan’s potential membership in BRICS places it in a…
Think Tanks Platform and its online portal presented in Azerbaijan
On October 21, the presentation of the Think Tanks Platform and its online portal (think-tanks.az) was held in Azerbaijan. The Think Tanks Platform is a network of think tanks in Azerbaijan specializing in political, economic, domestic, environmental, and other critical areas. The main purpose of establishing the platform is to encourage the activities of think…