Tag: Azerbaijan
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Georgia’s Joint Customs Initiative with Armenia and Azerbaijan: Economic Signalling and Implications for Caucasus Stability
This report assesses Georgia’s recent agreement to establish joint customs checkpoints with Armenia and Azerbaijan and its broader strategy to position itself as a regional logistics hub.
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Caucasus Geopolitical Risk 2026
The Caucasus region enters 2026 in a state of profound transformation, characterised by the shift from traditional “frozen conflicts” to a high-stakes competition over transcontinental trade corridors.
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Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Consolidated Their Regional Cooperation and Strategy
The visit of President Ilham Aliyev to Astana on October 20-21, 2025, strengthened the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
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US-Brokered Armenia–Azerbaijan Peace Deal and the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity
Executive Summary This report examines the peace agreement signed at the White House between Armenia and Azerbaijan, brokered by US President Donald Trump.
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South Caucasus: Strategic Security Risk and Russia’s Geopolitical Dynamics
Geopolitics in the Caucasus is constantly shifting, showing both division and lasting patterns. Despite pressure and diplomatic confrontation, particularly with Azerbaijan and Armenia, Russia retains influence in the South Caucasus through economic and cultural ties.
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ECO Summit in Stepanakert, Baku’s Strategy and Azerbaijan-Iran Relations
The 17th Eurasian Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit held on 3–4 July 2025 in Stepanakert (Khankendi) stressed Azerbaijan’s domestic and regional strategy and Iran’s attempt to normalise relations with Baku.
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Geopolitical Implications of the Iran-Israeli Conflict for the Southern Caucasus
This report analyses the developing geopolitical dynamics involving the South Caucasus, especially Armenia and Azerbaijan, set against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. It explores the threats posed to both Armenia and Iran by Israel’s military cooperation with Baku and examines the broader implications for regional stability.
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Pezeshkian’s Official Visit to Baku and Iran-Azerbaijan Relations
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s official visit to Azerbaijan is a significant step towards restoring bilateral relations between Tehran and Baku after years of tensions. Several cooperation agreements signal a cautious but realignment of Iranian-Azerbaijani relations in a highly competitive geopolitical landscape.
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Azerbaijan Deepens Ties with China during Aliyev’s Visit to Beijing
This report assesses the geopolitical implications of President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to China from April 22 to 24, 2025, within the broader context of Azerbaijan’s developing foreign policy. The growing economic interdependence with China, however, poses complex strategic implications for Azerbaijan’s geopolitical balancing act.
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Russia’s Cultural Diplomacy in Armenia and Azerbaijan to Counter the West and Turkey
This report focuses on recent developments in the geopolitical dynamics between Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, with a particular emphasis on Moscow’s efforts to reinstate its cultural influence in the South Caucasus. Russia’s waning influence in Armenia and Azerbaijan’s increasing alignment with Western powers provide the context for understanding these actions.
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Navigating a Sea of Mistrust: The Negative Informational Climate of Armenia and Azerbaijan Negotiations
This report examines Azerbaijan’s recent escalation of information dissemination strategies, particularly through the Ministry of Defence’s daily reports of alleged Armenian ceasefire violations. Historically, similar narratives have been employed to shape public perception and create a justification framework for strategic manoeuvres.
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Impact of Turkey-Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Trilateral Cooperation on the Post-Soviet Space
This report examines the outcomes of the second trilateral meeting Turkey-Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan held in Ankara on January 29th, 2025. The meeting focused on advancing cooperation in trade, investment, and transport, with particular attention to the development of the Middle Corridor as a vital trade route between Asia and Europe.
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Azerbaijan: Increasing Saudi Investments Might Boost Economic Diversification
The recent Azerbaijani-Saudi business forum underlined Baku’s attempt to diversify its economy and Riyadh’s desire to increasing its investment and economic presence in Azerbaijan and, therefore, in the South Caucasus region.
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Azerbaijan’s Foreign Policy Amidst the East-West Dichotomy
This report investigates Azerbaijan’s strategy to differentiate its partnerships, maximise economic opportunities, and maintain strategic autonomy amid shifting geopolitical dynamics characterised by the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and the East-West competition.
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Putin’s Visit to Baku: Assessing the Geopolitical Implications for the South Caucasus
This report analyses recent developments in the bilateral relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, focusing on the outcomes of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s official visit to Baku and its implications for regional geopolitics.
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Azerbaijan SWOT Analysis
Its strategic location, natural resources, and complex history shapes Azerbaijan’s geopolitical landscape. This SWOT analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of Azerbaijan’s current socioeconomic and political environment and guides investors in understanding the country’s potentialities and challenges.
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Ep. 13 – Simona Scotti’s Analysis of Azerbaijan’s Foreign Policy in the Caspian Sea and Central Asia
In our recent Geopolitical Report Podcast, we delved into Azerbaijan’s ongoing economic diversification efforts and Baku’s foreign policy initiatives in the Caspian Sea region and Central Asia with Simona Scotti, a Senior Researcher at the Topchubashov Centre of Baku
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Azerbaijani Volunteer Fighters in Ukraine
The Russian-Ukrainian conflict, which began in 2022, attracted the attention of volunteers from all over the post-Soviet space interested in supporting Kyiv in the fight against Russian forces. Among these volunteers, there are also Azerbaijani fighters who have sided with Ukrainian forces against the Russian armed forces.
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Ep.1 – Assessing current Caucasus’ geopolitical dynamics
In the first episode of SpecialEurasia podcast – Geopolitical Report, we discussed recent Azerbaijani presidential elections, Russian support and friendship with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Putin’s accusation against the United States of supporting terrorism in the North Caucasus in the past.
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Azerbaijan’s Suspended Engagement With PACE: A Geopolitical Scenario
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has decided not to ratify the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation, citing concerns about the country’s failure to fulfil major commitments related to democratic processes, human rights, and the Nagorno-Karabakh situation. Azerbaijan has subsequently suspended its cooperation with PACE.
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Armenia-Azerbaijan: Iran’s Rising Mediation Role in the South Caucasus
The diplomatic meeting held in Tehran stressed that Iran has emerged as a key actor in supporting the peace process regarding confrontation over Nagorno-Karabakh in the South Caucasus. It also indicated a possible shift of geopoltical influence from Europe towards East regarding the region.
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Strategic Significance of the new Azerbaijan-Iran Railway Project: Shaping South Caucasus Geopolitics
Azerbaijan-Iran recent bilateral agreement to initiate a collaborative rail project signifies a pivotal development in the geopolitical landscape of the South Caucasus. This strategic infrastructure venture holds the potential to bring about a measure of stability to the region.
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Examining The Relations Between Iran and Azerbaijan. Is There a Possibility of War Between Two Countries?
The recent Azerbaijani military offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh, culminating in the capitulation of Stepanakert, coupled with the subsequent meeting between Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Nakhchivan, has engendered heightened concerns within the international community, notably within Iran.
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OSINT Report: Nagorno-Karabakh Crisis, Armenophobia and the so-called ‘Azerbaijani Telegram Channels’ in Russian language
Our OSINT report shows that a segment of Azerbaijani society or Azeri Diaspora in the post-Soviet space on different Telegram channels in Russian language exhibits pronounced sentiments of Armenophobia, manifesting in a discernible hostility towards Armenians in occasion of the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis.
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Erdogan-Aliyev’s Meeting in Nakhchivan Alarms Armenia and the Syunik Province
Erdogan’s planned visit to Nakhchivan following Baku’s military offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh has raised significant concerns regarding the territorial integrity of Armenia since Azerbaijan and Turkey may actively seek to establish the conditions for a potential military intervention in Armenia’s Syunik Province, with the ultimate aim of securing the Zangezur Corridor.
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Nagorno-Karabakh Crisis and Russia’s Strategy in the Region
The recent capitulation of Nagorno-Karabakh in the face of Azerbaijan’s military offensive has brought to light Russia’s recalibrated strategic approach in the region. This shift focuses on forging a robust alliance with both Baku and Ankara, a move designed to bolster the INSTC and leverage Turkish land as a potential hub for its new energy approach.
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Nagorno-Karabakh Crisis Exposed Italy’s Weak Foreign Policy Among Natural Gas and Human Rights
The Azerbaijani military incursion into the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh has brought to light Italy’s precarious foreign policy in the South Caucasus. Driven by a web of Rome’s imperatives and constraints, the Italian government finds itself torn between justifying Azerbaijan’s regional strategy and acknowledging the resulting humanitarian crisis and civilian casualties.
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Azerbaijan’s Military Offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh: A Risk Assessment
The recent military operation conducted by Azerbaijan against the defence forces in the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh attests to the prevailing instability within the South Caucasus region. This development has sounded alarm bells amongst both international and regional stakeholders, who are now confronted with the prospect of a renewed conflict in this highly sensitive geopolitical theatre.
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Jewish Heritage Preservation in the Caucasus: Azerbaijan’s Cultural Diplomacy to Strengthen Relations with Israel
The conference held in Baku on the Jewish community of the Caucasus underscored the positive state of relations between Azerbaijan and Israel. Notably, it shed light on Baku’s strategic use of cultural diplomacy to foster stronger ties with Tel Aviv and garner support from the global Jewish community.
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Armenia, Export e Sanzioni nelle Dinamiche Geopolitiche Eurasiatiche
Nel contesto geopolitico attuale, caratterizzato dal conflitto ucraino e dallo scontro tra Bruxelles e Mosca, l’incremento dell’export europeo verso l’Armenia ha sollevato dubbi sulla possibilità che questo permetta di aggirare le sanzioni, dilemma che però non coinvolge il vicino Stato azerbaigiano la cui politica estera sfrutta il supporto europeo, ma non tralascia gli accordi commerciali con la Russia.
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Geopolitics of the Humanitarian Crisis in the Republic of Artsakh because of the Azerbaijan Blockade
The Republic of Artsakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh, has found itself embroiled in a dire humanitarian crisis because of the Azerbaijan blockade imposed since December 2022.
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Countering Terrorism: Azerbaijani Authorities Thwart Afghan Citizen’s Plot to Destabilise National Security
The Azerbaijani State Security Service recently detained an Afghan citizen who had been planning a terrorist attack within the country. This alarming development highlights the ongoing global threat of terrorism and the importance of maintaining public stability and security.
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Il vertice Armenia-Azerbaigian di Bruxelles e la questione dei confini nazionali
Il vertice Armenia-Azerbaigian che si è tenuto a Bruxelles permette di concentrare l’attenzione sulla questione dei confini nazionali armeni e azerbaigiani la cui soluzione dovrebbe portare alla stabilità e non creare ulteriori tensioni regionali.
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Will Growing tension between Azerbaijan and Iran destabilise the Southern Caucasus?
The recent ‘diplomatic crisis’ between Iran and Azerbaijan, which has involved the Iranian diplomatic staff in Baku, underlined the potential political and military escalation between the countries, whose consequences might hugely influence the security in the South Caucasus.
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CSTO ready to send a mission on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border
In the last months, the South Caucasus has again experienced regional turbulence. While there have been protests in Georgia over a controversial draft law that would have required some organisations receiving foreign funding to register as “foreign agents”, Armenia and Azerbaijan might be again on the edge of an escalation involving the CSTO and, therefore, Russia.
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Iran: a geopolitical scenario of the new escalation with Israel and Azerbaijan
The South Caucasus and the Middle East have long been at the epicentre of geopolitical, ideological and ethnic tensions. While the Israel-Iran hybrid war is experiencing a new momentum, ongoing tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan might open a second front in which both Tel Aviv and Tehran might be involved.
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Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh: Azerbaijan’s strategy might lead to a humanitarian crisis and a military escalation
Azerbaijan’s transport and gas supply blockade of the Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh might cause a regional humanitarian crisis and evolve into a military escalation capable of destabilising the South Caucasus.
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Dagestan – Azerbaijan cooperation in transport and logistics supports Russian regional strategy
The commercial and political partnership between Dagestan and Azerbaijan might support the increasing relations between Moscow and Baku and implement the Russian foreign policy in the South Caucasus and the Caspian Sea region.
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Moscow’s involvement in Ukraine allows the European Union to accredit itself as a mediator between Armenia and Azerbaijan
After almost three decades on the sidelines of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict negotiation process, the European Union has now stepped in, positioning itself as a mediator in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conciliation process.
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Azerbaijani military aggression against Armenia threatens the stability of the South Caucasus
The Azerbaijani army’s aggression against Armenia raises concerns about the stability of the South Caucasus, an area which plays a fundamental role in the EU Energy Security Strategy.
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Geopolitics of Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Italy
Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Italy confirmed Baku’s interest in strengthening commercial and business partnerships with Rome and attracting Italian investments in the reconstruction process in the Nagorno-Karabakh territories, which are now under Azerbaijani control.
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Geopolitics of the Caucasus between Armenian protests and Azerbaijani strategies
Against the backdrop of the Ukrainian conflict, several frozen conflicts of the post-Soviet space have witnessed new tensions. Two critical events promoted by Azerbaijan sparked protests in Armenia and might prompt a new escalation over Nagorno-Karabakh.
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Nagorno-Karabakh conflict might influence Moscow-Baku relations
The recent military escalation at the Nagorno-Karabakh/Azerbaijan border, which caused victims from both sides, could negatively affect relations between Moscow and Baku and plunge the region into a new geopolitical, security, and socio-political crisis.
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Russia and Azerbaijan discussed the “Green Corridor”
Russia and Azerbaijan discussed the “Green Corridor” project, which might become an alternative trade route to counter Western sanctions and strengthen Moscow-Baku relations in the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea region.
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Storia del Caucaso: l’eccidio di Sumgait trentaquattro anni dopo
Nella storia del Caucaso l’eccidio di Sumgait è un evento che ricopre particolare importanza le cui conseguenze sono ancora visibili nelle relazioni tra Armenia e Azerbaigian e nella narrativa che oppone Yerevan a Baku, in special modo a seguito del conflitto del Nagorno-Karabakh.
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Summary of the Webinar “Geopolitics and conflicts in the Caucasus: current challenges and future developments”
On January 27th, 2022, SpecialEurasia organised the Webinar “Geopolitica e conflitti nel Caucaso: sfide attuali e sviluppi futuri” to analyse with scholars and experts the current situation of the Caucasus and discuss future developments and challenges in the region.
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Iranian Azeri, the (almost) forgotten minority and their (in)direct impact on Iranian regional policies
Geopolitical Report ISSN 2785-2598 Volume 15 Issue 2 – Among the numerous issues that impact Iran-Azerbaijan relations, considering the recent events which have interested the Caucasus region and the Iranian-Azerbaijani dialogue, it is fundamental to analyse the ethnic minority of Azeri who live on the Iranian territory and influence Tehran’s domestic and regional policies.
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Pakistan strategy in the Caspian Sea between Iran and Azerbaijan
Islamabad strategy in the Eurasian geopolitical chessboard aims at strengthening cooperation with Iran and Azerbaijan on the Caspian Sea to create a transit corridor that might boost Pakistani import-export and commercial trade in the region.
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Azerbaijan-Iran crisis and Tehran-Yerevan’s new transit route
The growing tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan (backed by Turkey) might destabilise the Caucasus and create problems for the transit corridors which cross the region. In this context, to counter the Azerbaijani project of the Zangezur transit corridor, Tehran might establish a new transportation route with Armenia.
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Nagorno-Karabakh: and the winner is… Russia
After a long meeting, the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, supervised by Russia, agreed on the ceasefire, which should precede the peace negotiation between Baku and Yerevan on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Although Azerbaijan is claiming its victory in the conflict, the Russian Federation is the real winner in Nagorno-Karabakh.
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The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict might destabilise the entire Eurasian region
The Caucasus might become the theatre of a new conflict whose consequences will impact the entire Eurasian region if the international community does not stop the military escalation at the borders of the de-facto Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan.
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Tensioni Armenia – Azerbaigian, stabilità del Caucaso meridionale e dinamiche geopolitiche
Gli scontri militari tra Armenia ed Azerbaigian lungo la linea di confine registrati il 12 luglio 2020 riportano l’attenzione sul conflitto ‘congelato’ mai risolto o mal gestito del Nagorno-Karabkh che minaccia la stabilità del Caucaso meridionale e gli interessi degli attori regionali e internazionali.
