Putin Underestimated Zelensky: A Key Strategic Miscalculation, Analyst Says

Aze.US Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine exposed a major strategic miscalculation by Moscow, which did not anticipate the scale of Ukrainian resistance or the political resilience of President Volodymyr Zelensky, Azerbaijani political analyst Chingiz Mammadov said in an interview with Musavat TV. The war in Ukraine has significantly reshaped the global balance of power while … Read more

After Munich, One Thing Became Clear: Europe Will Have To Defend Itself

Aze.US The latest Munich Security Conference underscored a turning point for Europe: the post-World War II security model built around U.S. guarantees is weakening, forcing European states-led by Germany-to reconsider their own military responsibility and strategic autonomy. For decades, Europe’s stability rested on a simple assumption: the United States would remain the ultimate security guarantor … Read more

“Not To Allow Another War”: Mammadov On The Meaning Of The Peace Agenda

Aze.US Azerbaijani political analyst Farhad Mammadov said the current stage of dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia is primarily aimed at preventing a renewed conflict, stressing that the durability of the peace process will depend on political developments in Armenia and the formalization of a peace agreement. Farhad Mammadov took part in a recent meeting of … Read more

Housing Prices in Azerbaijan to Keep Rising in 2026 Despite Slower Growth

Aze.US Housing prices in Azerbaijan are expected to continue rising in 2026, although at a slower pace than in previous years, according to projections by S&P Global Ratings and local market analysts. Inflation-adjusted residential property prices are forecast to increase by around 5% to 6% this year. That compares with a significantly stronger rise in … Read more

Armenia’s Strategic Shift Raises Risks as Yerevan Moves to Reduce Reliance on Russia

Aze.US Armenia’s deepening engagement with the United States is evolving from diplomatic outreach into a potential strategic realignment, a shift that could reshape power dynamics in the South Caucasus while exposing Yerevan to significant political and economic risks. During the recent visit of the U.S. vice president to Yerevan, the sides discussed large-scale cooperation in … Read more

Tax Breaks End, Car Imports Slow as Baku Auto Market Enters Adjustment Phase

Aze.US Car imports into Azerbaijan have dropped sharply at the start of the year after tax and customs incentives expired, leaving the Baku customs terminal largely empty following a surge in deliveries late in 2025. Economists say the slowdown was expected. Businesses and private buyers accelerated purchases ahead of the incentives’ expiration, pushing vehicle imports … Read more

Private Clinics in Azerbaijan to Be Allowed to Provide Cancer Treatment Under New Law

Aze.US Azerbaijan’s parliament has approved legislative amendments allowing licensed private medical institutions to provide oncology services, a move expected to expand patient choice and improve access to treatment, particularly outside the capital. Under current regulations, cancer care is largely restricted to specialized state-run facilities, limiting patients’ ability to choose their physician or hospital despite broader … Read more

After Munich, No Real Normalization Seen Between Russia and Azerbaijan

Aze.US Tensions between Moscow and Baku remain unresolved despite recent diplomatic contacts, Ukrainian political analyst Vitaliy Portnikov said, pointing to continued disputes linked to the war in Ukraine and attacks affecting Azerbaijani interests. Speaking after the Munich Security Conference, Portnikov noted that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev publicly rejected the idea that repeated shelling incidents targeting … Read more

Azerbaijan’s Aliyev Visits Serbia for Talks on Energy, Investment and Strategic Ties

Aze.US Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade on Saturday for talks focused on expanding energy cooperation, investment flows and broader strategic ties between the two countries. Following the meeting, the leaders said they planned to deepen political and economic cooperation, with particular emphasis on natural gas supplies, electricity generation projects … Read more

Armenia Speaker Signals EU Path While Defending Cautious Balance With Russia

Aze.US Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan said his recent visit to Moscow and meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov took place in a working and non-confrontational atmosphere, despite sharply critical coverage in Russian state media. Simonyan said the discussions contained “no aggression and no topics that could not be addressed,” adding that media … Read more