Fariz Ismailzade

is a freelance writer based in Baku. He holds a master’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis and currently works for Cornell Caspian Consulting. The views expressed in this article are solely his own and do not represent the views of this organization.

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    Articles by Fariz Ismailzade

    Azerbaijan Boosts Its Public Diplomacy Efforts

    On July 23, Elnur Aslanov, the head of the Presidential Administration’s Department for Political Analysis and Informational Provision stated: “For the better promotion of history, politics and the culture of

    Azerbaijan Intensifies Diplomacy Vis-à-Vis Turkey

    As Turkey’s Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, visited the US on April 12 to discuss regional security matters, including the Turkish-Armenian protocols and the resolution of the Karabakh conflict, the

    Azerbaijan’s Public Diplomacy Vis-à-Vis Russia

    Azerbaijan recently achieved a major public diplomacy success in late January by organizing the first Russian-Azerbaijan Humanitarian Forum in Baku, which assembled more than 100 representatives of the Russian intelligentsia.

    Deep Concern in Baku after CSTO News

    The summit of the heads of states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) on February 4 in Moscow brought unexpected, yet alarming news for Baku. The members of the

    Who’s Who in the Azerbaijani Opposition

    On October 15, Azerbaijanis will go to the polls to elect their next president. Seven candidates are running for the most prestigious and powerful position in the country. Who will

    THE GEORGIAN-RUSSIAN CONFLICT THROUGH THE EYES OF BAKU

    The escalating conflict in Georgia--with its unexpected military developments and great humanitarian losses--seems to have caught Azerbaijani officials and the public off guard. Azerbaijanis are not new to the world

    AZERBAIJAN’S RELATIONS WITH MINSK GROUP HIT NEW LOW

    Azerbaijanis have long distrusted the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Minsk group, co-chaired by Russia, France, and the United States. All three countries have large Armenian diasporas and

    RUSSIAN SOFT-POWER INCREASING IN AZERBAIJAN

    Following Ukraine’s Orange Revolution in 2004, political analysts predicted that the Kremlin would step up its efforts to conquer the hearts and minds of people living in the post-Soviet region.

    KARABAKH AGAIN THE FOCUS OF FOREIGN POLICY

    After rather a calm year in 2007, conflict over Karabakh is once again emerging as a primary foreign policy focus in both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Last year, Azerbaijani and Armenian

    AZERBAIJAN MOVES TO SHAPE IMAGE OF ISLAMIC WORLD

    On April 26 a major international conference, “The Role of Media in the Promotion of Tolerance and Understanding,” opened in Baku, Azerbaijan. The conference was held under the auspices of

    ARMENIAN DIASPORA GROUPS FACE NEW AZERI CHALLENGE

    On March 9, the first meeting of a new “Forum of Azerbaijani-Turkish Diaspora Organizations” convened in Baku, Azerbaijan. But as one participant described the event, “Lots of talk, but I

    REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON TOP OF ALIYEV’S AGENDA

    On February 13, the government of Azerbaijan organized a major conference on the implementation of the “State Program on Regional Socioeconomic Development.” The program was adopted in 2004, immediately following

    FINALLY, PROGRESS ON KARABAKH PEACE TALKS?

    Recent statements by Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian at the Armenian National Assembly have raised hopes in Azerbaijan that a peaceful resolution to the Karabakh conflict is near. Specifically, Oskanian

    AZERBAIJAN BECOMING POPULAR DRUG TRAFFICKING ROUTE

    Last week the Ministry of National Security of Azerbaijan broke up a transnational network funneling illegal drugs from Iran toward Europe via Azerbaijan. Two citizens of Azerbaijan were arrested in

    AZERBAIJANIS TAKE SIDES IN ISRAELI-LEBANESE WAR

    The ongoing military operations between Israel and Lebanon have sparked popular protests and heated debates in Azerbaijan. Although a predominantly Muslim country, Azerbaijan prides itself on being a secular country

    RULING PARTY CONTINUES TO LOSE GROUND IN AZERBAIJAN

    Recent sweeping changes in the ministerial positions in Azerbaijan's government have brought a new dynamic to the country's internal political developments. Whereas these developments highlighted the growing and consolidating position

    MUSAVAT DECIDES TO JOIN NEW AZERBAIJAN PARLIAMENT

    After weeks of mutual accusations and growing distrust, the founding members of Azerbaijan's largest opposition coalition Azadliq (Freedom) -- Musavat, Popular Front and the Democratic Party -- have filed for

    LONG-EXPECTED PERSONNEL CHANGES BEGIN IN AZERBAIJAN

    Immediately following Azerbaijan's November 6 parliamentary elections, President Ilham Aliyev began cadre changes in the government. Some local experts believe the changes are long overdue. On December 14, he replaced