Opinion: After the visit of US Vice President JD Vance, the South Caucasus is being rewired

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s February 9–11 visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan marked a structural turning point in the South Caucasus. Unlike previous high-level engagements of the United States that generated rhetorical alignment but limited follow-through, this visit embedded the region into long-term American economic, technological, and strategic frameworks. Taking place on the heels of…

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TRIPP and the Rise of a Trans-Regional Energy Corridor in the South Caucasus

The South Caucasus is entering a new phase of regional energy reconfiguration as Azerbaijan moves forward with plans to transmit electricity to its Nakhchivan exclave through southern Armenia, along the Zangezur corridor. What was once understood mainly as a transport initiative is now, under the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), evolving into an…

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Aliyev and Pashinyan Jointly Receive Peace Award in Abu Dhabi

Executive Summary: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian President Nikol Pashinyan jointly received the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi, signaling international recognition of the rapid pace of their peace progress and a shared commitment to normalization. Baku lifted transit restrictions, routine cargo shipments now cross its territory to Armenia, and bilateral trade…

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Geopolitical and military-institutional aspects of the participation of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan in peacekeeping operations – ANALYSIS

Since restoring its independence, one of the principal directions of the foreign and security policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan has been contributing to the strengthening of international peace and security. In this context, the participation of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan in international peacekeeping operations has become an integral component of the country’s integration…

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C5+1 Reframing Russia’s Position in Central Asia

Executive Summary: C5+1, the U.S. government’s platform to jointly engage all five Central Asian governments, has transformed from a consultative-level forum to a more operationally oriented framework focusing on economic diversification, connectivity, and critical minerals. The C5+1 shift toward “pragmatic and more deliverable goals” brings new channels for economic and logistical growth via external investment…

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Opinion: Is it time for Azerbaijan to reconsider its CIS membership?

In recent years, Azerbaijan’s relationship with Russia and Russia-led multilateral frameworks has entered a period of growing ambiguity. Statements by prominent Russian ideologues and narratives circulating in Russian state media increasingly question the sovereignty and independent foreign policy choices of post-Soviet states, including Azerbaijan. Against this backdrop, Baku faces a legitimate and timely question: what…

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US-Azerbaijan relations in the context of new geopolitical realities

In recent years, transformations in global and regional politics have elevated US-Azerbaijan relations to a qualitatively new level. In particular, the conclusion of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict in 2020 with Azerbaijan’s victory, followed by intensified competition among global powers, has generated new geopolitical realities in the South Caucasus. Against this complex global and regional backdrop, Azerbaijan…

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A Conceptual View Of Azerbaijan-European Union Relations – OpEd

Over the three decades since the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union (EU) have evolved dynamically. Encompassing political dialogue, economic cooperation, energy partnership, and security matters, these relations have become an important component of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy and the EU’s South Caucasus strategy. Official ties…

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A New Geopolitical Actor – Organisation of Turkic States – Stretches From China to Europe

Is the unipolar world dead? Competing groups – The SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa), and OTS (Organisation of Turkic States) – are becoming more influential and increasingly optimistic about their prospects. Of these, only the OTS has sought to maintain a balanced position between the West and East (Russia, China) without becoming embroiled…

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