Russia-Azerbaijan Relations in Freefall with No End in Sight

Tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia have been on an escalatory track since the crash of the Azerbaijani Airlines commercial airplane in December 2024. In the past, similar disputes were usually resolved quickly, leaving little lasting impact. This time, however, the crisis is far more complex and shows no signs of de-escalation. On the contrary, almost…

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Despite threats and challenges, the Washington Agreements may bring lasting Peace to the South Caucasus

There was a celebratory mood at the White House on August 8, as U.S. President Donald J. Trump hosted the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan. The signing of the Washington Agreements was hailed by all three leaders as historic and presented as a potential end to…

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Fragmentation as Strategy: Why the New Global Order May Leave the UN Behind

Introduction As the G7 recalibrates its global priorities around economic resilience and geopolitical control, a new architecture of fragmentation is emerging, which is one that sidelines multilateral institutions. This piece examines how recent shifts in trade, security, and climate diplomacy reflect not a failure of global coordination, but a deliberate strategy of selective engagement. Drawing…

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Russia-Azerbaijan Tensions Escalate to Unprecedented Level

Executive Summary: A Russian raid in Ekaterinburg targeting ethnic Azerbaijanis on June 27 resulted in deaths, injuries, and allegations of torture. This ignited a severe diplomatic crisis, with Baku accusing Moscow of ethnic violence and launching a criminal investigation. Russia-Azerbaijan relations have been deteriorating since the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 in December 2024,…

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Azerbaijan strengthens energy diplomacy and green transition at Baku Energy Week 2025

Azerbaijan continues to implement an effective energy strategy and diplomacy, focusing on increasing the production of energy resources, expanding the use of renewables, and broadening its export geography. From June 3–5, 2025, the country hosted Baku Energy Week 2025, an integrated platform that brought together the 31st International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition, the 14th…

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The Organization of Turkic States Is Emerging as a Key Geopolitical Actor in Eurasia

The Informal Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), held on May 20-21, 2025, in Budapest, Hungary, marked a significant milestone in the organization’s growing geopolitical influence. Hosted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the summit brought together leaders from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan, alongside observer states Hungary, Turkmenistan, and the Turkish…

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Russia Aims to Strengthen Armenia Ties Amid Stagnating Relations with Azerbaijan

On May 20–21, 2025, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Yerevan marked a significant moment in the evolving dynamics of Armenia–Russia relations, signaling Moscow’s intent to stabilize and reinforce ties with its long-standing ally in the South Caucasus. Set against the backdrop of deteriorating Russia–Azerbaijan relations following the tragic crash of an Azerbaijani airliner…

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