Vasif Huseynov
Dr. Vasif Huseynov is a senior fellow at the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) and Adjunct Lecturer at Khazar University in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Contact Vasif Huseynov
Articles by Vasif Huseynov
Azerbaijan-Russia Relations Remain Stuck in Airplane Crash Crisis
Executive Summary: On May 7, Azerbaijan announced that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev would not attend Moscow’s May 9 Victory Day parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory
Azerbaijan-Georgia Ties Strengthened by Shared Stances on Key Regional Issues
Executive Summary: Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili’s first official foreign visit to Azerbaijan reflects a pivot in Georgia’s foreign policy toward regional partnership amid strained relations with the European Union and
Azerbaijan, Israel, and United States Seek Trilateral Cooperation Format
Executive Summary: Israel announced on March 6 that it is in discussions with the United States to establish trilateral cooperation with Azerbaijan, deepening long-standing ties between Israel and Azerbaijan in
Stalemate Persists in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Process
Editor's Note: This article reflects an Azerbaijan analysis of the peace process with Armenia. A similar article reflecting an Armenia analysis of this issue is available here. Executive Summary: Armenia
Airplane Crash Exposes Flaws in Baku-Moscow Relations
Executive Summary: On December 25, 2024, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243, planned to fly from Baku to Grozny, Chechnya, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, after a Russian surface-to-air missile exploded near the
Multiple Countries Strive to Enhance Middle Corridor Despite Challenges
Executive Summary: The European Union is working with the countries along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (also known as the Middle Corridor) to support infrastructure development and provide technical assistance for
Azerbaijan Applies for BRICS Membership
Executive Summary: Azerbaijan announced its application for BRICS membership on August 20, which has been backed by Russian leaders and emphasizes Azerbaijan’s goal of strengthening ties with China following the
The Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Treaty is ‘Within Reach’ but Out of Grasp
Executive Summary: September 2024 marks the fourth anniversary of the Second Karabakh War and the first anniversary of Azerbaijan’s “anti-terror operation” against the Armenian separatist contingency in the Karabakh region,
Putin’s Visit to Baku Stirs up Iran-Russia Tensions on Zangezur Corridor
Executive Summary: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Azerbaijan reinforced Russia’s ongoing efforts to maintain influence in the South Caucasus, where increased cooperation on food security, labor, and oil production
Military Supplies to Armenia Escalate Tensions in South Caucasus
Executive Summary: Armenia is making moves to distance itself from Russia and reduce economic and military dependence on Moscow through deals with other states, including France, India, and, allegedly, Iran.
Azerbaijan Strengthens Trilateral Cooperation With Pakistan and Türkiye
Executive Summary: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Islamabad and the trilateral meeting of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Türkiye in early July highlight growing cooperation in various fields among the three
United States Encourages Armenia and Azerbaijan to Sign Peace Treaty ‘Without Delay’
Executive Summary: The United States has expressed that it is willing to support the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, highlighted in US Deputy Secretary of State James O’Brien’s recent
Uncertainty Abounds in Talks on the Possible Export of Turkmen Gas to Europe
Executive Summary: Azerbaijan and Türkiye signed an agreement for cooperation with natural gas, which includes increased export of Central Asian and Azerbaijani gas to Türkiye with Turkmenistan being a primary
Armenia and Azerbaijan Step Up Work on Peace Deal
Executive Summary: The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan met for bilateral negotiations in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in April, following the start of the delimitation of the two countries’ shared interstate
Russia’s Peacekeeping Contingent Leaves Karabakh
Executive Summary: On April 16, Russia began withdrawing its peacekeeping troops from Karabakh—18 months before their deployment officially ends. This marks the first instance that Russian armed units have left
Yerevan’s ‘Crossroads for Peace’ Remains Elusive
Executive Summary Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s “Crossroads for Peace” initiative is struggling to gain any momentum largely due to the lack of direct consultations with Baku and Ankara. Azerbaijan
Geopolitics of the South Caucasus Intensifies
Executive Summary: NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s tour of the South Caucasus was closely observed by Moscow, whose centuries-old hegemony in the region is at stake. Armenia continues to pursue closer
The Organization of Turkic States Seeks Defense Cooperation
Executive Summary: Following the recent presidential elections, Azerbaijan turned its focus to the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and its role in connecting the Turkic world, indicating that Baku does
Aliyev Wins Snap Presidential Election
Executive Summary: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev called for snap presidential elections to be held on February 7, citing the need for fresh elections following the restoration of the country’s territorial
Armenia and Azerbaijan Address Concerns Over Territorial Integrity
Executive Summary: Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has proposed a new constitution to address matters of external security and territorial integrity, which continue to hold up peace negotiations between Baku
Armenia and Azerbaijan Conclude the Year With Hopeful Prospects for Peace
On December 13, Armenia and Azerbaijan exchanged prisoners that each side had detained at different times since the end of the Second Karabakh War in November 2020 (Turan.az, December 13).
Strained Relations Between Azerbaijan and the West
On November 16, Baku canceled a meeting between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan scheduled to take place on November 20 in Washington (Apa.az, November 16). The Azerbaijani Foreign
Azerbaijan Advocates for Regional Solutions to Regional Problems in the South Caucasus
On October 4, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev canceled a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
Azerbaijan Moves to Disarm Karabakh Separatists (Part Three)
*Read Part Two. On September 28, the leader of the separatist regime in Karabakh signed an order to dissolve all “state” agencies and organizations by the end of 2023 (Armenpress.am,
Azerbaijan Moves to Disarm Karabakh Separatists (Part Two)
*Read Part One. On September 20, Azerbaijan called for a ceasefire in the operation against armed detachments of the separatist regime in Karabakh (Trend.az, September 20). In a televised address
Azerbaijan Moves to Disarm Karabakh Separatists (Part One)
On September 19, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced it had launched an “anti-terrorist” operation against “illegal formations” in Karabakh (JAM-news, September 19). This move came after four Azerbaijani soldiers and
Armenia and Azerbaijan on the Brink of Renewed Conflict
On September 9, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke on the phone with the leaders of France, Iran, Georgia and Germany, as well as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
Russia Stresses Its ‘Red Lines’ as Armenia and Azerbaijan Continue Peace Negotiations
On July 15, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met for the sixth time in Brussels via the mediation of European Council President Charles Michel to
In Armenian-Azerbaijani Peace Talks, Disagreements Persist on Major Issues
From June 27 to 29, the second round of the United States–mediated negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan was held in Washington (State.gov, June 29; see EDM,
Armenia and Azerbaijan Inch Closer to a Peace Deal
On June 1, during the course of his visit to Chisinau, Moldova, to attend the second summit of the European Political Community (EPC), Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that
Dynamics Intensify in Armenian-Azerbaijani Peace Talks
On May 14, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met in Brussels for the fifth meeting on peace negotiations as mediated by European Council President Charles
Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers Hold Marathon Peace Talks in Washington
From May 1 to 4, the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov, respectively, held four-day peace talks facilitated by United States Secretary of State Anthony
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan Optimize Middle Corridor
On April 10, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev paid a one-day official visit to Kazakhstan (President.az, April 10). This visit took place about six months after the first official visit of
Regional Tensions Loom Over Multilateral Initiatives in South Caucasus
On March 20, at a joint press conference following his meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the West of attempting to
Baku Ramps Up Efforts to Re-Integrate the Karabakh Region
On March 1, the Azerbaijani authorities held a meeting with the representatives of the Armenian community of Karabakh at the headquarters of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Khojaly district in
Uncertainty Looms Over Zangezur Corridor as Armenian-Azerbaijani Disputes Persist
In late February 2023, the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads announced that 73 percent of the Horadiz-Jabrayil-Zangilan-Agbend highway has been completed (News.az, February 28). This highway, which runs to
Yerevan and Karabakh Separatists Divided Over Russia’s Regional Security Role
On January 23, the Council of the European Union agreed to establish a civilian monitoring mission in Armenia’s border areas to “ensure an environment conducive to normalization efforts between Armenia
Azerbaijan and Armenia Fail to Reach Agreement on Lachin Road
More than a month has passed since Azerbaijani eco-activists began protesting along the section of the Lachin road that passes close to the Azerbaijani city of Shusha. As discussed in
In Unprecedented Move, Baku Opens Embassy in Tel Aviv
On November 18, the Azerbaijani parliament approved a bill on the opening of Azerbaijan’s embassy in the Israeli capital of Tel Aviv (Report.az, November 18). This is a historic decision,
The Sochi Summit Raised More Questions Than Answers
On October 31, the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia came together in Sochi for their first such gathering since the last Moscow-mediated summit on November 26, 2021 (Kremlin.ru, October
In Prague, Armenia and Azerbaijan Make a Critical Move Toward Peace
On October 6, on the sidelines of the first gathering of the European Political Community, historic meetings were held between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as those
Azerbaijan and Armenia Agree to Start Work on Peace Treaty (Part Two)
On September 14, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed parliament in the wake of clashes at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Pashinyan announced that he would sign a document stipulating that “Armenia
Azerbaijan and Armenia Agree to Start Work on Peace Treaty (Part One)
On September 13, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry claimed that the Armenian Armed Forces had committed large-scale provocations in the areas of Dashkasan, Kalbajar and Lachin at the Azerbaijani-Armenian border (Mod.gov.az,
Azerbaijan and European Union Ink Deal on Strategic Partnership in Energy
On July 18, the European Commission signed the new Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy with Azerbaijan to increase imports of Azerbaijani natural gas to Europe
Armenia Pledges to Withdraw Armed Forces From Karabakh
On July 19, Security Council of Armenia Secretary Armen Grigoryan, in an interview with local media, declared that Armenia will withdraw its armed forces from the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan
Lavrov’s Yerevan Visit Raises Questions in Armenia and Azerbaijan About Russian Regional Intentions
On June 8–10, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov paid a two-day visit to Yerevan, where he met with Armenian leaders and attended a foreign ministerial session of the Collective Security
Moscow Warns EU Against ‘Geopolitical Games’ in South Caucasus
On May 22, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and President Ilham Aliyev, respectively, met in Brussels for talks under mediation by Charles Michel, the president
Russia Accuses West of Trying to Hijack Armenian-Azerbaijani Peace Process
On April 21, Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, denounced the European Union for allegedly seeking to inject itself into the high-level Russian-Azerbaijani-Armenian agreements on the
In Brussels, Armenia and Azerbaijan Make Progress in Peace Talks
On April 6, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, met in Brussels—their first and, so far, only physical meeting this year. The summit, organized by the
Amidst Russia-Ukraine War, Armenia Seeks to Normalize Relations With Turkey
On March 15, following a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Armenia’s top diplomat, Ararat Mirzoyan, told the Turkish Anadolu Agency
Tensions Escalate in Karabakh as Azerbaijan Demands Withdrawal of Armenian Armed Groups
On March 26, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan called on the Russian side to complete the withdrawal of “the remnants of the Armenian army and illegal Armenian armed detachments”
Post-War Status Quo in South Caucasus Trembles While Russia Fights on in Ukraine
On March 10, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense reported that the illegal Armenian armed detachment in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily deployed, fired at the positions
The Countries of the South Caucasus Cautiously Follow the Russia-Ukraine War
On February 26, Azerbaijan donated a reported €5 million ($5.6 million) worth of medicine and medical equipment as humanitarian relief to Ukraine (Marja.az, February 26). The aid was announced by
Azerbaijan and Russia Sign Declaration on Allied Cooperation
On February 22, just two days before Russian tanks and missiles started crossing the Ukrainian border, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Vladimir Putin of Russia signed a declaration
Construction of Zangezur Corridor Underway Despite Some Remaining Disagreements
On January 17, the government of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian appointed a ten-member working group to handle the reconstruction of the railway tracks connecting Yeraskh (Ararat province of Armenia)
Azerbaijani Perspectives on the Recent Unrest in Kazakhstan
In early January, the sudden outbreak of massive anti-government protests in Kazakhstan and subsequent intervention by the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) reverberated across the entire post-Soviet space, including
At Sochi Summit, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia Reach Critical Agreements on Post-War Regional Situation
On November 26, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan met for the second time since the end of the Second Karabakh War (September 27–November 9, 2020). The meeting took place
In Istanbul, Turkic Council Members Eye Closer Cooperation and Deeper Integration
On November 12, Istanbul hosted the eighth summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (Turkic Council), attended by the leaders of member states Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and
‘Zangezur Corridor’ Closer to Realization as Armenia Readies to Normalize Relations With Turkey and Azerbaijan
On October 15, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, in an online summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), declared his country’s readiness to provide both railway and highway connection
Azerbaijan Increasingly Critical of Russia’s Peacekeeping Mission in Karabakh
On September 6–10, Azerbaijan and Turkey held joint special forces exercises in the Lachin region of Azerbaijan, marking the first time Turkish troops carried out military operations in the Azerbaijani
Azerbaijan Boosts Trilateral Cooperation With Pakistan and Turkey
On July 27, the parliamentary speakers of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Pakistan signed a strategic partnership document—the “Baku Declaration”—in Baku, Azerbaijan, which creates a new format for political cooperation between the
Azerbaijan’s President Visits Moscow Amidst Uncertainties in Post-War Peace Process With Armenia
On July 20, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan paid a working visit to Moscow, upon the invitation of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin (President.az, July 20). This was the second
Tensions Escalate Again in Armenian-Azerbaijani Relations
On July 15, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan reported that Armenia’s Armed Forces had attacked positions of the Azerbaijani Army in the direction of the recently liberated Kalbajar region
Armenian-Azerbaijani Post-War Peace Process on Hold Ahead of Armenia’s Snap Parliamentary Elections
On June 1, 2021, Yerevan announced the suspension of the Armenian-Azerbaijani-Russian working group, which was established during the January 11 trilateral leaders’ summit and tasked with presenting action plans (including
Fate of Zangezur Corridor Unclear Amidst Precarious Tensions Between Armenia and Azerbaijan
On May 17, Armenia’s caretaker prime minister, Nikol Pashinian, convened a Security Council meeting to discuss the latest tense developments on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border (see EDM, May 18; see below).
Azerbaijan Embarks on Construction of Nakhchivan Railway (Part Three)
*To Read Part One, Please Click Here *To Read Part Two, Please Click Here The Zangezur corridor between mainland Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan across southern Armenia, if re-opened, will carry greater
Azerbaijan Embarks on Construction of Nakhchivan Railway (Part Two)
*To read part one, please click here The unblocking of the Zangezur corridor will have wide-ranging geopolitical reverberations for both the directly concerned states, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and surrounding countries.
Azerbaijan Embarks on Construction of Nakhchivan Railway (Part One)
On February 14, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, during his visit to the Azerbaijani territories retaken following the Second Karabakh War (September 27–November 9, 2020), ceremonially laid the foundation for
Azerbaijan Warns Against Threats That Might Undermine Peace Process With Armenia
On March 14, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan received the delegation of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), led by this year’s OSCE chairperson-in-office, Swedish Foreign Minister
Trilateral Summit of Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian Leaders
On January 11, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian met at a trilateral summit in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, at the latter’s initiative (Kremlin.ru,
Azerbaijan Demands Compensation From Armenia for Destruction of Previously Occupied Territories
On November 11, a day after he signed the trilateral accord with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan ending the Second Karabakh War, President Ilham Aliyev
Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict Ignites Again in Karabakh
The decades-long conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan escalated again, on September 27, with the second intense military confrontation in three months. According to the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, at
Armenian Resettlement From Lebanon to the Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan Endangers Peace Process
On August 25, the Armenian media announced the arrival of two ethnic-Armenian families from Beirut, Lebanon, to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan (Asbarez, August 25). This was declared part of
Azerbaijan, Turkey Hold Large-Scale Military Drills Amidst Escalation of Tensions With Armenia
On July 29, Azerbaijan and Turkey launched a two-week long round of joint military exercises with the participation of ground and air forces from both countries. The military drills involving
Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict Escalates With Intense Border Confrontation
On July 12, the decades-long conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan escalated into a major military confrontation along the state border straddling Azerbaijan’s Tovuz and Armenia’s Tavush regions (Jam-news, July 12).
Azerbaijan Hopes to Minimize Ramifications of Coronavirus Crisis
Thanks to having quickly adopted strict countermeasures, Azerbaijan, so far, appears to have succeeded in flattening the curve of new COVID-19 infections and slowing the domestic spread of the novel
Azerbaijan and Italy Boost Cooperation in Multiple Domains
On February 19–22, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev paid a historic state visit to Rome, Italy (Azertag, February 19). Before this latest trip, the Azerbaijani leader had made three official and
Azerbaijan, Armenia Respond to Growing US Engagement in South Caucasus
On June 19–20, the ministers of foreign affairs of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Elmar Mammadyarov and Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, respectively, visited Washington, where they met with United States National Security Advisor John
South Caucasus Eyes Becoming a Hub Along EU–China Transportation Route
On October 15, the European Union adopted a new strategy on connecting Europe and Asia (Consilium.europa.eu, October 15), which became a major theme at the latest Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit,