M. Bogdanov’s resignation in RF’s foreign policy general agenda
On July 9, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed two decrees, one of which dismissed Mikhail Bogdanov from his position of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the second – from the duties of the Russian leader’s Special Envoy for the Middle East and African countries.
On some aspects of erosion of Russian influence within Azerbaijan’s political system
The new and unprecedented round of Russian-Azerbaijani political and diplomatic escalation has revealed a significant asymmetry in the influence mechanisms between the countries.
Israel on the cusp of full-scale intervention in Syria
In the second decade of July 2025, the situation surrounding Syria’s Druze communities reached a critical point of tension. Raids by Arab-Bedouin militias in Druze-populated areas of Syria, particularly in the As-Suwayda governorate, instigated large-scale clashes.
U.S. foreign policy priorities: China
According to the South China Morning Post, which refers to some “informed sources”, during a meeting in Brussels with Kaja Kallas, the head of the European Union (EU) diplomacy, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Wand Yi stated that “Beijing would not benefit from Russia’s defeat in the Ukrainian conflict” .
About the signals from Baku to change the regional security balance
The most radical of these reports was the statement by Eldar Namazov, former head of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, which was released on July 3, 2025.
On the latest round of Russia–Azerbaijan encounter
The recent escalation in Russia–Azerbaijan relations, based on observable indicators, appears to be a deliberate rather than spontaneous development.
Destabilization of Iran as one of the “12-Day War” goals
The future of the fragile ceasefire reached by Israel and Iran with the “participation” of the United States is difficult to predict.
On the goals of NAR’s actual abolition
On June 20, 2025, it became known that the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan adopted in the first reading a bill according to which the Cabinet of Ministers of the Nakhijevan Autonomous Republic (NAR) will determine its work procedure “in agreement with the President of Azerbaijan”.
De-Christianization of the Middle East
The processes of geopolitical redivision in the Middle East, which began with the U.S. invasion of Iraq in March 2003, has had numerous unpredictable consequences. One of the most significant and alarming results has been the growing phenomenon – de-Christianization of the region.
On the Prospects of a Land Invasion into Iran
The possibility of a ground invasion of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) remains a matter of debate. According to Middle East insider sources on June 16, 2025, information is circulating about Israel and its allies’ alleged readiness for a ground operation that goes beyond the aerial bombardment of the IRI.
Demarches of N. Pashinyan and A. Pashazade against the Armenian Apostolic Church
The sequence of events indicates that the campaign unleashed by the political authorities of Armenia against Holy Etchmiadzin may not be associated with the reasons declared by Nikol Pashinyan, who purportedly initiated the campaign to “purify” the Church from unholy ministers and “return it to its people”.
The Caucasus Muslim administration in Baku’s Anti-Armenian Strategy
It appears that Azerbaijan's leadership, while seemingly refraining from openly escalating anti-Armenian rhetoric as the international community anticipates a peace treaty with Yerevan, may have authorized the Caucasus Muslim Administration (CMA) to undermine the peace process and potentially derail agreements.
Demographic Reshape of Ukraine: Conspiracy or Reality?
The ARVAK Comment is devoted to the current situation around the Ukrainian conflict and the negotiation process between Russia and Ukraine through the mediation of the USA.
Shallowing of Caspian Sea in regional politics of RF and IRI campaign
Azerbaijan has expressed significant concern about the environmental situation in the Caspian Sea. In recent assessments experts have posited the cyclical nature of the current shallowing of the world’s largest closed reservoir.
On challenges confronting Turkey in Central Asia
Recent developments in Central Asia have highlighted significant challenges for Turkey’s foreign policy in the region.
Azerbaijan and the Turkish-Israeli consensus on the SAR
The Turkish-Israeli negotiations on Syrian issues, held in Baku on April 9, 2025, were expected, and therefore the information disseminated by the Azerbaijani media about the supposed ownership of their initiative by I. Aliyev is exaggerated.
I. Aliyev and R. Erdogan about to deepen alliance with Pakistan
According to the news in the Azerbaijani and Pakistani media, the leader of Azerbaijan I. Aliyev will make an official visit to Pakistan this month.
On another attempt to resuscitate the case of so-called “Zangezur Corridor”
On April 4, 2025 the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen stated at the EU–Central Asia Summit held in Samarkand that “...the opening of the borders of Armenia with Turkey and Azerbaijan is going to be a game changer.
On the security of Syunik and the expected anti-Iranian campaign
The dynamics of the events around Iran once again updates the security problems of the Syunik region and the entire Armenia.
On the integration of France into the wake of British politics
On March 27, 2025 during the Paris Summit, also named the “coalition of the willing”, the French President E. Macron stated: “Europe needs Turkey, and Turkey needs Europe”.
