By Vasif HUSEYNOV, PhD, Head of Department, AIR Center, Adjunct Lecturer, ADA and Khazar Universities, Baku

On July 10, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met in Abu Dhabi, marking a historic milestone in their ongoing peace process. This summit, as the first bilateral meeting in recent decades without the mediation of a major power, signalled a new phase of direct dialogue between Baku and Yerevan, and followed a format of relations proposed by Baku in December 2024. Unlike previous talks held in EU capitals or Moscow, the United Arab Emirates provided a neutral and geopolitically unaligned platform, enhancing the credibility and focus of the negotiations. The choice of Abu Dhabi, proposed by Azerbaijan, underscored a push for strategic autonomy and a departure from stalled, externally brokered talks that have historically struggled to deliver results. READ MORE

• July 24, 2025

By Benyamin POGHOSYAN, PhD, Senior Research Fellow at the APRI Armenia

The June 2025 12-day Iran–Israel War and US military strikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites created shock waves in the Middle East and beyond. Iran and Israel exchanged strikes twice in 2024, but these were limited and mostly symbolic operations. While the war did not solve critical issues between Iran and Israel, and there is a possibility of another escalation, it demonstrated the volatile nature of Middle Eastern geopolitics, shaped by evolving balance of power. Armenia is a neighbour of Iran, and this fact alone is enough to mean that Armenia will be affected by any Iran–Israel confrontation. However, there are other factors that can amplify the implications for Armenia of a potential long-term war against Iran. READ MORE

• July 24, 2025

By Vusal GULIYEV, Policy Advisor at the Center of Analysis of International Relations and Head of Shanghai Office at AZEGLOB Consulting Group

With the Middle Corridor emerging as a secure and strategic land- and sea-based trade route, major stakeholders are making extensive efforts to develop the necessary infrastructure for further modernization and digitalization of such a complex multimodal trans-regional pathway. Nevertheless, government-led digital transformation strategies have enabled the political leadership of the involved states to implement advanced digital solutions, seamlessly integrating multiple services and optimizing cargo flows within the Sino-European trade network in a secure and intelligent manner. To meet international market demands and strengthen integration into the global transport network, the development of technologically advanced facilities has become a top priority in ensuring both the resilience and sustainability of the Middle Corridor. As geopolitical and economic dynamics continue to evolve dramatically, a strategic focus on digital transformation, automation, and intergovernmental coordination will become increasingly instrumental in positioning the Middle Corridor as a key pillar of trans-Eurasian trade, reinforcing its role as a secure, efficient, and future-ready trade and transportation corridor. READ MORE

• July 24, 2025

UK’s Starmer says plan in place in event of ceasefire in Ukraine once Russia’s Putin agrees to ‘unconditional’ truce.

• July 18, 2025

European Union says move amounts to one of the strongest sanctions packages against Russia to date linked to the war.

• July 18, 2025

Foreign minister says Slovenia acted after EU foreign ministers failed to agree on joint action against Israel.

• July 18, 2025

More details emerge on June assassination attempt on President Masoud Pezeshkian and other officials by Israel.

• July 14, 2025

US president makes announcement amid growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

• July 14, 2025