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

On January 19, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called for a new constitution in a meeting with senior officials from the Armenian Ministry of Justice. Pashinyan asserted that Armenia needs “a new constitution, not constitutional changes,” adding that the new foundational document would make the country “more competitive and viable in the new geopolitical and regional environment” (Azatutyun.am, January 19). He highlighted that the new constitution would maintain the present parliamentary system and underscored “external security” and “internationally recognized sovereign territory” as the main issues to be addressed. Mutual respect for one another’s territorial integrity remains a sticking point in peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. If Yerevan proceeds with Pashinyan’s proposal, the new constitution will eliminate certain hurdles to signing a peace treaty with Baku. READ MORE

• January 30, 2024

By Fuad Shahbazov, Baku-based independent regional security and defence analyst

On January 8, Mohammad bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MBZ), the leader of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), paid an official visit to Azerbaijan upon the invitation of his counterpart, President Ilham Aliyev. While MBZ’s visit to Baku signaled an era of deepening economic and energy ties between Azerbaijan and the UAE, it also reflected significant progress made in recent years. Indeed, the bilateral relationship has seen a raft of new projects and investments, particularly in the renewable energy sector. Notably, according to 2022 data, the Gulf countries are now among Azerbaijan’s top investment partners, though reciprocal investment remains low, compared to Azerbaijan’s other partners. READ MORE

• January 30, 2024

UK says Houthis attacked British military vessel in the Red Sea, resulting in no damage and no injuries.

• January 29, 2024

Resistance to further aid for Kyiv is growing ahead of meeting that comes almost two years into Russia’s war in Ukraine.

• January 29, 2024

Protesters are demanding better pay and fewer environmental regulations, which they say are impacting their livelihoods.

• January 29, 2024

A senior Russian lawmaker says Ukraine was given “complete information” 15 minutes before a Russian military plane flew over the Belgorod region and claimed Ukrainian air forces had confirmed receipt of that information before the plane went down.

• January 26, 2024

Russia claims Ukraine shot down military transport plane in Belgorod, killing 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war on board.

• January 26, 2024

After ratification by Turkey, Hungary is the only country left effectively holding up Sweden’s NATO membership.

• January 26, 2024