Azerbaijan

Moscow is particularly important for Azerbaijan’s non-oil exports, whilst Armenia remains its main trading partner and a major tourist destination. Supplies of wheat and fuel are essential for the Georgian market.

Relations between Moscow’s eastern neighbours remain largely in limbo, as they seek to reduce their dependence without severing ties with Russia for good. Meanwhile, in Bishkek, Xi Jinping has, yet again, rejected Putin’s call to unblock the ‘Power of Siberia 2’ gas pipeline project.

The start of operations at Demirli, an open-pit mine under Azerbaijani control since the 2020 war against Armenia, has turned copper into one of the country's main non-oil exports, aided by the growing global demand for metals associated with the energy transition.

On Sunday, the Israeli cabinet approved a proposal for formal recognition of the genocide, which now goes before the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, for a vote. This has sparked criticism in Turkey and Azerbaijan. For Armenians, it is a political move that reflects current tensions and conflicts. For Kegham Balian, an activist with “Save The ArQ,” Israel’s action is an "insult to the memory" of the 1.5 million murdered by the Ottoman Empire.

The Middle Corridor is reshaping the region’s geopolitical landscape, offering participating countries a historic opportunity to free themselves once and for all from their role as ‘transit appendages’ to Moscow and become independent players.

From the Stepanakert Cathedral to Tatik-Papik—the monument on the hill symbolizing the unbreakable bond between Armenians and Nagorno-Karabakh—the destruction by Azerbaijani vandals continues, as they demolish churches, steles, and other objects of historical and cultural value to completely erase the identity of others. With no significant reaction from the international community (or from the Yerevan government itself).

Nakhchivan was hit in the enclave that is supposed to be reconnected to Baku with the corridor provided for in the agreement signed by Trump to end the war with Armenia. The historic dispute with Iran over overlapping territories and different interpretations of the Shiite variant of Islam. Tehran denies responsibility, but Aliyev says he is ready to “defend his country's security and territorial integrity”.

An opinion poll among immigrants from the former Soviet Union ranked Azerbaijan as the country closest to Israel and Aliyev second only to Trump among the world's most friendly leaders. A bond cemented by many factors, including historical reasons but also today's commercial agreements on energy and military cooperation.

Azerbaijan might provide troops for the Gaza international stabilisation force under Trump’s peace plan. For 30 years, the Muslim nation in the Caucasus has been a key ally of the Jewish state as well as a channel of communication with Turkey. Bilateral relations are based on the common fight against Islamic extremism and terrorism.

After representing the ruling classes for half a century, at 87 he has been accused of wanting to overthrow the Aliyev regime. His arrest is symbolic of Azerbaijan's new position on the international stage, which is bringing to fruition the military campaign to reconquer Karabakh and redefine relations with other countries in the Caucasus and the Middle East.

The disputed 40 kilometres between the Azerbaijani border and the Nakhchivan enclave through Armenian territory are of fundamental importance for the entire region. The Corridor will not only reunite Azerbaijani territories through Armenia, but will also significantly shorten the entire Eurasian and Trans-Caspian Corridor route, which is essential for transport that must avoid sanctions against Russia.

The Washington meeting confirmed the role of the US as mediator in place of Russia. Many issues remain to be resolved, including the international disputes between Yerevan and Baku, borders and prisoners. But the central issue is the opening of the so-called ‘Zangezur Corridor’, renamed the ‘Trump Corridor’ and under US control. The challenge for the Armenian Church.