When Moscow’s shadow fades: China’s expanding influence in Georgia

Introduction  The geopolitical landscape of the South Caucasus is undergoing a historic transformation. Russia’s long-standing unchallenged dominance has visibly eroded due to the war in Ukraine and the resulting international sanctions. In this context, a new actor is asserting itself with confidence: China. Beijing is strategically leveraging the emerging vacuum to advance its Belt and…

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SHAPING EURASIAN SECURITY OUTCOMES OF THE AZERBAIJAN–U.S. THINK TANK FORUM “BRIDGING VISIONS”

On November 18, 2025, Baku hosted the inaugural Azerbaijan–United States Think Tank Forum, titled “Bridging Visions: Azerbaijan–United States Dialogue for a Strategic Partnership”. Organized by the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), the forum represented a critical milestone in intellectual diplomacy, providing a structured platform to examine the operational and strategic dimensions of the August…

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Sustainable peace in the South Caucasus: The strategic role of public diplomacy

  The future of the peace agenda in the South Caucasus depends primarily on the psychological readiness of societies, the transformation of collective memory, and the deepening of mutual acceptance. An analytical perspective shows that although formal diplomacy establishes the institutional framework of conflict resolution, it cannot construct the social architecture of peace. This gap…

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Military power balance: The regional reality of the U.S.–China rivalry

The likelihood of military confrontation between the United States and China has, in recent years, become one of the most manipulated and simultaneously most misinterpreted subjects in global politics. Although many describe this rivalry as a simple “clash of two superpowers,” the actual dynamics are far more complex: a structural mismatch has emerged between Washington’s…

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The strategic logic of Azerbaijan–U.S. relations in a multipolar era

Azerbaijan–U.S. relations today transcend the binaries of historical friendship and past discord. They reflect the convergence of strategic rationality, shifting geopolitical configurations, and the maturation of Azerbaijan’s multi-vector diplomacy. President Ilham Aliyev’s remark that “Azerbaijan–U.S. relations entered a new phase following Donald Trump’s election” encapsulates a profound strategic transition — one rooted in the transformation…

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Kazakhstan joins the Abraham Accords: Pragmatism or Symbolism?

Kazakhstan’s accession to the Abraham Accords—anticipated in some political circles—may still raise eyebrows. Unlike the original signatories, who were establishing relations with Israel from scratch, Kazakhstan has long maintained cordial ties with the Jewish state. Israel was among the first countries to recognize Kazakhstan’s independence in 1992, and since then, the bilateral cooperation has expanded…

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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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The Washington calculus: expected outcomes of Al-Sharaa’s visit to Washington

Speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack announced that Syrian President and HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa would visit Washington. It will be the first time a Syrian head of state has visited Washington since the country’s independence in 1946….

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Vusal Gasimli to present the book “Middle Corridor” in Brussels

Professor Vusal Gasimli, Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC), will present the book “The Middle Corridor: Navigating Current Realities and Embracing Future Prospects” in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. The presentation will take place on November 24, 2025, during a conference on the “Middle Corridor” hosted by the…

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