Stories about Azerbaijan
In Azerbaijan, owning and operating drones is no easy feat
In Azerbaijan, drones are placed in the same category as weapons, explosive devices, and money-printing equipment, making it nearly impossible for citizens to access them.
Armenia's path out of Russia's orbit
A series of decisions taken by the government of Armenia in recent years signals the country moving further out of Russia's orbit of influence.
The election dance in Azerbaijan: Carousel voting and ballot stuffing
Independent election observers and journalists documented voter violations throughout the day, proving that Azerbaijan's most recent elections were staged just like elections in the past.
Despite promises, Azerbaijani people continue to face water shortages
Meanwhile, as experts voice concerns over the state’s failure to address the country’s water shortage problem, it is the local population and village residents who are paying a heavy price.
Azerbaijan clears out critics ahead of COP29
Azerbaijan has had one of the lowest international rankings on citizens’ rights and freedoms. Even so, Azerbaijani President Aliyev has insisted persecutions against civil society are justified.
Expectations ahead of parliamentary election in Azerbaijan are grim: Interview with an independent candidate
The last parliamentary election took place in 2020, with reports of irregularities and electoral violations. It is hard to say this election will be any different.
Azerbaijan: Continued arrests and allegations of mass torture ahead of COP29
The forms of ill-treatment and torture documented by the committee — slaps, punches, kicks and truncheon or wooden stick blows to the person’s head and/or body — are widespread.
Turkey and Armenia resume talks, marking historic diplomatic breakthrough
Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 during the first Karabakh war in a show of solidarity with its long-time ally Azerbaijan. Since then, ties between Turkey and Armenia have remained strained.
Erdoğan threatens to intervene in Israel, though pundits call it an empty threat
Since October 2023, Turkey went from trying to mediate between Israel and Hamas to recalling its ambassador to Tel Aviv and announcing total restrictions on all trade with Israel until the war on Gaza ends.
Azerbaijan cancels weddings during COP29
Several wedding halls confirmed that they were told to decline bookings before and during COP29 (Nov 8–22) for the comfort of the incoming international guests and to avoid traffic jams.
In Azerbaijan it isn't just the president for life, but the parliament too
Regardless of whether old faces will remain in the parliament, or will be replaced by their children, the upcoming snap parliamentary vote will have little impact on the country's future.
Azerbaijan ahead of COP29: Price hikes and construction works
Some experts estimate the indirect expenses for COP29 to exceed 1billionUSD, including expenditures on infrastructure, hotel, transport, logistics, communication, security, and other expenses.
A year after environmental protests rocked Azerbaijan's village of Soyudlu, it is business as usual
A year since the protest, it seems the company, the ministry, and the government of Azerbaijan are back to business as usual, with no new monitoring reports or investigations.
Azerbaijan State Oil Company (SOCAR) is caught in the midst of Israel-Gaza war
Azerbaijan's ties with Israel have long been based on trade in military and agriculture equipment, oil supply, surveillance equipment, and more recently aerospace technology.
Azerbaijan's President Aliyev cozies up to authoritarian leaders
In all of these cases, Azerbaijani government and its leadership got away with its dubious financial transactions and deals all the while, building new friendships and cracking down on freedoms.
Differences in tea culture in Azerbaijan and Turkey
While geographically close, Azerbaijan and Turkey have very different ways of preparing and drinking tea.
Azerbaijan, COP29 host, shows disregard for climate action and human rights
In Berlin, president Aliyev touched on recent investigations and arrests leveled against a series of independent and opposition media adding, "these investigations were lawful. Any given country must defend its laws.
Azerbaijan's FOMO moment
As it turned out, the meeting was indeed focused on Armenia and had nothing to do with Azerbaijan unlike claims leveled by the government of Azerbaijan ahead of the meeting.
In Azerbaijan authorities remain silent over the murder of a trans woman
In general, for many LGBTQ+ individuals who face discrimination and violence, there is little recourse through the police or any official judicial channels in Azerbaijan.
A recycled narrative of peace amid ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan impasse
Two wars, a military operation and a deadly flare-up later, the two countries are still negotiating. At the heart of the negotiations is a bilateral agreement proposed by Azerbaijan in 2022.
Independent media wage losing battle against censorship in Azerbaijan
Since 2017, independent and opposition online news outlets have faced censorship via blocking on spurious grounds.
