AIR Center

Situated at the crossroads of civilizations, cultures, and major transportation corridors stretching from east to west and north to south, and endowed with significant natural resources, the South Caucasus has historically occupied a central position in the geopolitical calculations of both regional and global powers. It is therefore no coincidence that American scholar Saul Bernard…

The relationship between Türkiye and the European Union is facing a critical juncture. For many years, the sides benefitted from unique economic arrangements which brought them closer, most notably through the Customs Union established between them in 1995. However, despite generating numerous advantages, the relationship is widely acknowledged not to have maximized its full potential, writes Huseyn…

Executive Summary: On January 29, AzerEnerji began construction of the Zangezur Energy Corridor, which aims to integrate Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Region exclave into Azerbaijan’s national energy grid via the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), also known as the Zangezur Corridor. The energy corridor’s goal is to enhance Azerbaijan’s domestic energy security while…

Developments in Azerbaijan’s energy sector throughout 2025 and early 2026 closely align with this assessment, reinforcing the country’s role not only as a stabilising gas supplier but also as an emerging hub for electricity transit and system balancing across multiple corridors. From the EU’s perspective, diversification remains the cornerstone of energy security. Despite the bloc’s…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…