Azerbaijan's Drones Were The Magic Bullet That Defeated Armenia In Their 6 Week War

The Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 armed unmanned aerial vehicle played a key role in Azerbaijan's success. The drone has been exported to several other allies, this one to Northern Cyprus ANADOLU AGENCY 

Forbes: The ‘Magic Bullet’ Drones Behind Azerbaijan’s Victory Over Armenia 

Azerbaijan’s drone-led assault seems to have scored a decisive victory over Armenian forces in the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, with a peace deal coming into effect at 01:00 am local time this morning. 

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reluctantly agreed to the deal under which Azerbaijan will retain possession of territory it has seized in the fighting, calling it "incredibly painful both for me and both for our people." 

The region is recognized as Azerbaijani under international law, but has been ruled by ethnic Armenians since 1994. 

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WNU Editor: The leader of Nagorno-Karabakh agrees .... Nagorno-Karabakh Leader Explains Why they Lost The War Against Azerbaijan (November 10, 2020).

Azerbaijans Got To The Polls Today To Elect A New Parliament

Radio Free Europe: Azerbaijani Voters Head To Polls In Snap Elections Called By Longtime Ruler Aliyev

BAKU -- Voting continues across Azerbaijan in snap parliamentary elections amid pledges of reform in the wake of a government shakeup by entrenched President Ilham Aliyev.

Meanwhile, irregularities including multiple voting, interrupted video feeds at polling stations, and hindrance or abuse of independent observers were reported in the early hours of voting.

Officials said turnout was around 27 percent by noon local time.

Some opposition parties are not participating in the elections over continued lack of access to fair coverage among government-dominated media. Critics have cast serious doubt on hopes of genuine reforms that might strengthen the country's long-beleaguered opposition.

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WNU Editor: The Aliyev run Azerbaijan as their personal fiefdom. There are no doubts on who is going to win.

Azerbaijan Is The Poster Child On How A Nation Can Squander Its Oil Wealth

Vanand Meliksetian, OilPrice.com: The Oil Nation That Squandered Its Wealth

Some of the world’s first ever commercial oil wells were operational near Baku in 19th century Imperial Russia in today’s Azerbaijan. The oil abundance produced some of the wealth that Alfred Nobel later put towards the creation of the famous Nobel Prizes for the sciences. Also, the enigmatic Calouste “Mr. Five Percent” Gulbenkian began his career in Baku.

After more than 150 years of extensive oil production activities, the new-found country’s energy-wealth hasn’t been depleted yet. Shortly after the Cold War the independent Republic of Azerbaijan struck a deal with western super-majors for what was dubbed “the deal of the century”. The country’s existing oil fields and future discoveries were supposed to lessen Europe’s dependence on Russian energy. Although Azerbaijan has failed to meet these expectations, the nation of 9 million souls has earned a tremendous amount of money over the past decades. The effectiveness of the positive cashflow, however, on health care, education and income per capita is questionable as the level of development is fairly similar to its neighbors who lack major energy deposits.

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WNU Editor: All good things come to an end. In the case of Azerbaijan, it will probably happen sooner rather than later.

This Reporter Gets Way Too Close To Low Flying Hind Attack Helicopters

Warzone/The Drive: Azerbaijani Reporter Gets Way Too Close To Low Flying Hind Attack Helicopter

This reporter got more than she bargained for from a group of low-flying Hinds in an attempt to get the perfect shot.

There's a certain type of filming style that has come out of Russia in which a host or reporter covering a military topic is filmed with all types of action going on around them as they stoically deliver their copy. It has a hint of Top Gear and a hint of Michael Bay, but it is definitely a unique style. Apparently, this production method is popular in Azerbaijan, too.

Certainly, we know the country has a flair for packaging its defense capabilities creatively on video, but in this case, the host may have gotten a bit more than she bargained for in an attempt to frame the perfect shot. Yet amazingly, she never flinched, even as a Hind attack helicopter gets too close for comfort as it rips by.

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WNU Editor: I am not sure if the reporter is from Azerbaijan. Her Russian accent is not from the region. Still .... that is one very close call.

Azerbaijan's President Appoints His Wife As Vice President

DW: Azerbaijan President appoints wife as First Vice President

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has appointed his socialite wife Mehriban as the country's 'First Vice President.' The opposition denounced the move as a 'first step to the establishment of an absolute monarchy.'

Azerbaijan's president, Ilham Aliyev, on Tuesday appointed his wife Mehriban, a prominent socialite, to the second highest position in the oil-rich Caspian nation. The appointment places her next in line to the president in the country's hierarchy and has sparked condemnation from the opposition.

"Mehriban Aliyeva is a very professional, clever, experienced, principled and benevolent person," Aliyev told Azerbaijan's Security Council. "It is not mere chance that the Azeri people love her very much."

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WNU Editor: Whose idea was it? His or hers?

More News On Azerbaijan's President Appointing His Wife As Vice President

Azerbaijan Leader Names His Wife as Country’s First Vice President -- Bloomberg
Azerbaijan strongman Ilham Aliyev names wife as vice-president -- Financial Times
President Ilham Aliyev appoints wife as vice president -- Al Jazeera
First lady turned first vice president: Azerbaijan leader Aliyev appoints wife to top post (PHOTOS) -- RT
Government in Azerbaijan: It's a Family Affair! -- Global Voices

Russian President Putin In Baku For Meetings With Presidents Of Azerbaijan And Iran

Euronews: Putin in Baku for talks with Azerbaijan and Iran

Russian President Vladimir Putin is in the Azerbaijan capital Baku for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, and Iran’s President Hassan Rohani ahead of his meeting with Turkey’s president on Tuesday in St Petersburg.

The three men are expected to issue a joint declaration on spheres of co-operation and mutual interests that will be be picked over in fine detail by their neighbours, Europe, and the USA.

“We should be thankful to Azerbaijan’s President, Mr Ilham) Aliyev, for organizing this meeting which gives us an opportunity to discuss the situation in the region in the three-party format,” said Putin.

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More News On The Presidents Of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran Meeting In Baku

Putin arrives in Baku for meetings with presidents of Azerbaijan and Iran -- TASS
Russia Ready to Discuss Joint Caspian Pipeline Use With Iran, Azerbaijan - Putin -- Sputnik
Putin eager to talk trade with leaders of Iran, Azerbaijan -- AP
Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia can step up co-op in fight against terrorism – envoy -- Trend News Agency
Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran to unite against terrorism -- Azer News
Rouhani, Putin to meet in Azerbaijan with aim of boosting security -- Jerusalem Post
Putin: Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran Could Discuss New Caspian Projects -- Sputnik International

Azerbaijan's Currency And Financial Markets Collapsed Today

Radio Free Europe: Azerbaijanis Reel As Currency Tanks

A massive tumble in Azerbaijan's currency has shuttered shops and sent people scrambling to convert their manats into foreign currency or durable goods.

"This is such a miserable situation for the whole nation," a Baku man told RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service. "Everyone wants to buy dollars and only a few [banks and exchange officies will] sell.... There are almost no dollars left at exchange points."

The Azerbaijani Central Bank's decision to float the country's currency on December 21 led to the loss of some 48 percent of the manat's value -- from 1.05 to 1.55 manats to the dollar.

The drop led stores and even entire shopping malls across the country to close as people rushed to buy things before store owners raised their prices.

More News On Azerbaijan's Currency Collapse Today

Azerbaijani manat collapses after government abandons dollar peg -- Financial Times
Azerbaijan cuts its currency loose, triggering 32 pct plunge -- Reuters
Azerbaijan's Shift to Free Float Sends Manat to 20-Year Low -- Bloomberg
Azerbaijan's currency lost almost half its value overnight -- Business Insider
Oil price slump forces Azerbaijan to stop propping up currency -- AFP

Azerbaijan Finds Itself In The Middle Of Israel's And Iran's Spy Wars

'Like Casablanca In World War II': As Iran Tensions Grow, Azerbaijan Becomes Den Of Spies -- MSNBC

A Soviet-legacy oil nation is emerging as a hotbed of global espionage as tension escalates between Israel and Iran.

Azerbaijan, which links Russia to the Middle East, has strategic importance as a bridgehead for the West in its war of diplomacy with Tehran.

A secular dictatorship with a long border with Iran, it is one of the few remaining countries than can act as a reliable listening post for America and Israel, turning its capital, Baku, into a hotbed of intelligence activity.

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Azerbaijan Arrests 22 Suspects In Alleged Iran Spy/Terror Plot

Azerbaijan Arrests 22 Suspects In Alleged Iran Spy Plot -- BBC

The authorities in Azerbaijan have arrested 22 people on suspicion of spying for Iran, accusing them of links to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

The undated arrests were confirmed in a brief statement by the Azerbaijani national security ministry.

Azerbaijani TV reported last month that a plot to attack the Israeli embassy and a Jewish centre had been foiled.

At the time, Iran was also suspected of attacking Israeli targets in Thailand, India and Georgia.

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More News On Azerbaijan Arresting 22 Suspects In An Alleged Iran Spy/Terror Plot

Azerbaijan Arrests 22 For Allegedly Plotting U.S., Israeli Attacks -- Radio Free Europe
Azerbaijan 'arrests Iran-backed attack plotters' -- AFP
22 arrested in Azerbaijan in plot on US, Israeli embassies -- FOX News
Azerbaijan Arrests Armed Group With Alleged Ties to Iran’s Sepah -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Azerbaijan Unveils Iran-Backed Plot -- Voice of America
Azerbaijan arrests 22 it says spied for Iran -- CNN
Azerbaijan arrests 22 over terror plot -- Jerusalem Post
Azerbaijan arrests 22 suspects in plot to attack Israeli, U.S. targets -- Haaretz
Azerbaijan Detains 22 ‘Iran Spies’ -- RIA Novosti

Azerbaijan Uncovers Terror Group With Links To Iran And Lebanon

Azerbaijan Says It Uncovered Terrorists With Iran, Lebanon Ties -- Bloomberg Businessweek

Feb. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Azerbaijan’s Ministry of National Security said it uncovered a terrorist group with ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, or Sepah, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, state television channel AzTV reported.

The authorities have detained an unspecified number of the group’s members, who’d acquired weapons and explosives and were planning attacks against the Israeli embassy and a Jewish cultural center in Baku, the Caspian Sea nation’s capital, AzTV said today. They had also collected intelligence for Sepah, it added. The U.S. deems Sepah and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations.

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More News On Azerbaijan Uncovering An Iranian Linked Terror Group

Azerbaijan: Iranian, Hezbollah operatives arrested for plotting attack against foreign targets -- Haaretz
Azerbaijan police arrest 'Iran-linked' attack plotters: Report -- Times of India/AFP
Azerbaijan says it busts alleged pro-Iran group -- AP
Did Iran plot to kill Israelis in Azerbaijan? -- CBS/AP
New claims suggest sweep of Iran's covert plots -- CBS/AP
Azerbaijan arrests Iran-linked terror suspects -- Jerusalem Post
Azerbaijan arrests Iranian journalist as tensions rise over Israel and alleged Iranian plots -- Washington Post/AP
Terrorist group established by Sepah and Hezbollah disarmed in Azerbaijan -- APA (Azerbaijan)

The Covert War Against Iran Comes To Azerbaijan

Credit: Julia Ro/NPR

The Iran Conflict Comes To The Caucasus -- Radio Free Europe

When police in Tbilisi discovered and defused a bomb on the car of an employee of the Israeli Embassy on February 13, it marked the second time in less than a month that the Jewish state's diplomats had become the target of an attack in the South Caucasus.

The other incident came in late January when Azerbaijani security officials said they had foiled an Iranian plot to assassinate the Israeli ambassador, a local rabbi, and other prominent Jews in that country. Police arrested two Azerbaijani nationals in connection with that plot.

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Update: Azerbaijan: Where East Meets West, A Den Of Spies -- NPR

My Comment: Relations between Iran and Azerbaijan were already strained .... but Iran's demands are only making this situation worse.

Is Azerbaijan Mossad's Entry Point Into Iran?

Mossad Using Azerbaijan As Hub For Iran Spying -- Jerusalem Post

'Times of London' interviews alleged Israeli intelligence agent who says Eurasian country a gateway to intel on Iran.

Azerbaijan, a small Eurasian country which shares a border with Iran, is teeming with Mossad agents working to collect intelligence on the happenings within the Islamic Republic, The Times Of London reported Saturday, citing testimony from an anonymous agent active in the country referred to only as "Shimon."

“This is ground zero for intelligence work," Shimon told The Times. "Our presence here is quiet, but substantial. We have increased our presence in the past year, and it gets us very close to Iran. This is a wonderfully porous country.”

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My Comment: Azerbaijan is an excellent entry point to enter (or leave) Iran. I find it interesting that Azerbaijan has not put restrictions on this human traffic

Israel And Iran Are Using Azerbaijan In Their Covert War

Iran's Covert War With Israel In Caspian -- UPI

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- A senior Iranian general has warned Azerbaijan about getting too close to Israel, underlining fears in Tehran that the Jewish state could use Iran's northern neighbor to launch pre-emptive strikes against Iran's nuclear program.

Israel has been quietly building intelligence and military links with oil rich Azerbaijan, a largely secular Muslim state, since the collapse of the Soviet Union two decades ago.

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Update: Iranian General Makes Veiled Threat Against Azerbaijan -- Eurasianet.org

My Comment: The government in Azerbaijan is not amused by these Iranian threats.

Azerbaijan Seen As New Front In Mideast Conflict

(Click the Map to Enlarge: Image from Global Security)

From The L.A. Times:

Officials say they foiled a plot by Hezbollah and Iran to bomb the Israeli Embassy in revenge for the 2008 slaying of Imad Mughniyah. Anti-terrorism officials fear a new militant hub.

Reporting from Paris -- It happened in Baku, transforming the capital of Azerbaijan into a battleground in a global shadow war.

Police intercepted a fleeing car and captured two suspected Hezbollah militants from Lebanon. The car contained explosives, binoculars, cameras, pistols with silencers and reconnaissance photos. Raiding alleged safe houses, police foiled what authorities say was a plot to blow up the Israeli Embassy in Azerbaijan, a former Soviet republic that borders Iran.

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My Comment: Azerbaijan is important to Iran .... but Iran cannot get directly involved in this "new front". Enter Hezbollah .... Iran's front man for black ops.

Reports From Azerbaijan -- What Is Happening To Georgia's Neighbour

Azerbaijan Resumes Light Oil Transport via
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline -- Trend Capital

Azerbaijan, Baku, 21 August / Trend Capital corr. E.Ismayilov, S.Ilhmgizi / The light oil transport via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline was restored on 20 August, Huseyn Sagir, head of the Botas International Limited company on media issues, told Trend News. The first Azerbaijani oil has already been filled to terminal reserves.

“The oil transport was launched yesterday. The repaired section was also tested on 20 August. Oil has already reached Ceyhan and goes into terminal,” Sagir said. It is expected that oil will be loaded to tankers since the next week.

According to a source from the regional oil transport market, the tanker is expected to reach Ceyhan on 25 August.

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More News On Azerbaijan

BP says Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline to resume operations -- Reuters
Attack on Mosque in Azerbaijan's Capital Baku -- Huliq News
Blast at Abu Bakr Mosque Aimed at Violating Stability in Azerbaijan: Imam of Mosque -- Trend News
Russian govt restricts flow of foreigners across border with Azerbaijan,Georgia -- Interfax
Turkish PM Off To Azerbaijan For Talks On Georgia Conflict -- Nasdaq
Some Observations From Rob Long

My Comment: Rob Long's comments and observations deserve to be read. Azerbaijan must be looking at Georgia and pondering that they can be next. Everyone in the Caucasus will be walking on eggshells for the next few months.