During a visit timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of his accession to the presidency, Ilham Aliyev trampled on the flag of his vanquished foes and delivered an aggressive and gloating speech.
Azerbaijan's state oil company, SOCAR, will receive a $1.5 billion loan from Russia's Lukoil as part of a deal to supply crude oil to SOCAR's oil refinery in Turkey.
Armenia doesn't trust Azerbaijan's recent actions and rhetoric indicating that it's deprioritizing its ambition for a corridor through Armenia to its exclave Nakhchivan.
As Baku rejects French involvement in peace talks, the leaders of Georgia and Azerbaijan seem to agree that the countries of the South Caucasus should "address regional issues themselves."
The decision comes amid the mass exodus of Armenians from Karabakh and after the arrest by Azerbaijan of one of the region's most prominent former officials.
Russian diplomacy and Turkmenistan's evolving foreign relations amidst president Berdymukhamedov’s growing influence. And more in this week's Akhal-Teke Bulletin.
The Armenian prime minister said that, while Armenia was prepared to accommodate those leaving Karabakh, they would not be under direct threat if they stayed put, under Azerbaijani rule.
Many Armenians believe the strategic partnership with Russia has brought their country nothing but ruin and want to look elsewhere, but Moscow retains ample levers to exert pressure.