International Crisis Group
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Azerbaijan | Caucasus
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Recent reports and briefings

President Ilham Aliyev needs to embrace the democratic process and dismantle autocratic rule. Failure to do so threatens instability in a country already unsettled by its 'frozen conflict' in Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia. That instability has the potential to spill into the rest of the region and tempt strong neighbours to fill a power vacuum. Strategic interests related to oil muted expressions of concern about October 2003's fraud-filled election, which saw Ilham take over from his dying, autocratic father. However, if the regime and the international community maintain a disregard for democracy, long-term problems will most likely be exacerbated. Democratic change will not be simple or quick; the young president's best chance is to nurture a new generation of technocratic professionals while steadily dismantling the corrupt patronage network that strangles politics and keeps the economy overly dependent on oil.

Our Azerbaijan reports are listed below, starting with the most recent. You can also search for relevant reports using the search box in the top right hand side of this page.

Articles, op-eds, speeches and media releases can be found under the media section.

 Crisis Group Podcast: "Nagorno-Karabakh: Getting to a Breakthrough" (30 September 2009)


Recent reports & briefings