Latest Articles about Azerbaijan
GROWING AZERI DEFENSE BUDGET BUILDUP—IN EARNEST OR FOR SHOW?
Last August the long-frozen conflict between Georgia and Russia suddenly defrosted, erupting in a bitter, five-day military clash. Now a sudden rise in defense spending by Azerbaijan may be a seismic precursor to a possible thawing of a second unresolved Caucasian conflict, the standoff between... MORE
After Azerbaijan’s Presidential Election: The Look Ahead (Part Two)
In the aftermath of the presidential election (see EDM, October 20) and looking several years ahead, Azerbaijan faces a new mixture of daunting security challenges. This will necessitate a strategic re-engagement of the United States with Azerbaijan and a long-overdue EU engagement. Azerbaijan had advanced... MORE
AFTER AZERBAIJAN’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: THE LOOK AHEAD (PART ONE)
Azerbaijan's reelected president Ilham Aliyev was inaugurated on October 24 for a second five-year term (www.day.az, October 24, 25). As had been expected, voters gave Aliyev a strong mandate for continuing his policies. International observers noted clear improvements in the electoral process and practice on... MORE
RUSSIA TAKES INITIATIVE IN INTERNATIONAL PUSH FOR KARABAKH PEACE
Russia has taken the center stage in international efforts to resolve the Karabakh conflict, which could yield a breakthrough before the end of this year. President Dmitry Medvedev is expected to host a potentially decisive meeting of his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts next month. Moscow... MORE
AZERBAIJAN’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: A NATIONAL MANDATE FOR POLICY CONTINUITY
The final returns of Azerbaijan’s October 15 presidential election, released by the Central Electoral Commission, show President Ilham Aliyev winning reelection for another five-year term with 88.7 percent of the votes cast. Six other candidates received between 2.86 and 0.65 percent each. Nearly 76 percent... MORE
RUSSIAN-AZERBAIJAN RELATIONS: TIME FOR A GRAND BARGAIN?
The Georgian-Russian conflict in early August brought negative economic and humanitarian consequences for the South Caucasus. Carefully built East-West transport and energy corridors have come under question. Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Russia presents another diplomatic difficulty for the countries of the region.... MORE
AZERBAIJAN’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF
Azerbaijan’s presidential election campaign opened officially on September 17 and will run until October 14, the day before the balloting. President Ilham Aliyev, in office since 2003, is set to win a second term of five years, on the strength of economic growth at world-record... MORE
AZERBAIJAN LEAPS FORWARD IN MAKING ITS ECONOMY ATTRACTIVE TO BUSINESS
As presidential elections approach in Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev scored a major winning point in domestic politics. It was announced by the World Bank that Azerbaijan has set a world record in reforming its economic and business regulations. In the annual “Doing Business 2009” report,... MORE
AZERBAIJAN EXPANDS COMMITMENT TO NATO TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN
Last month's confrontation between Russia and Georgia over South Ossetia and Abkhazia had an immediate impact on Georgia's neighbor Azerbaijan, highlighting the vulnerability of its oil exports to hostile military action. Azeri oil exports through Georgia, already diminished by the August 5 closing of the... MORE
VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY’S VISIT TO BAKU RAISES SPECULATIONS
On September 3, US Vice President Dick Cheney arrived in Baku as part of his tour to the region of the former Soviet Union. The visit was the first such high-ranking visit by a US official and drew much attention because of the recent events... MORE