Reflection and Use of the Iran-Israel War in the South Caucasus

Israeli strikes on Iran and Iran’s ballistic missile attacks on Israel have made it clear where the two main rivals in the South Caucasus — Azerbaijan and Armenia — stand. Monitoring of media and social networks in both countries shows that Baku immediately adopted a neutral position, merely expressing concern over the consequences of military actions. In contrast, Armenian state-affiliated outlets, parties, and diaspora organizations worldwide took a clearly pro-Iranian stance.

Iran Expands Its Reach Into Central Asia Through Trade and Transport

Iran’s deepening engagement with Central Asia is no accident. It reflects a deliberate strategy to exploit power vacuum and turn the Islamic Republic into a central player in the region’s economic and political landscape.

“Russian” Israel’s view of the Russian-Ukrainian War and Moscow’s Policies in the Middle East

Since Benjamin Netanyahu’s return to power in February 2009, the intensification of Israel’s foreign policy toward Russia has been evident across nearly all levels — from intergovernmental and interparliamentary contacts to joint commissions on trade, economic and cultural cooperation.

Turkmenistan’s Shift Towards The Moscow-Tehran-Beijing Axis

In the ongoing geopolitical conflict between Iran and Israel, Iran’s relations with post-Soviet states—especially those with which it shares a direct border—play a crucial role. The tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan are well-known to experts, same goes for Iran’s close ties with Armenia. However, a less frequently discussed yet highly significant aspect is the nature of Iran’s relationship with the third post-Soviet state with which it shares a border—Turkmenistan.

Hezbollah’s Soul-Searching Reveals Its Defeat

Hezbollah's leadership cannot ignore growing voices supporting a new strategy for the movement that emphasizes its Lebanese identity. If adopted, this approach could mean a reduction of the organization's traditional dependence on Iran and a more practical and substantive integration into domestic Lebanese politics. Right now, the likelihood that Hezbollah will take the initiative to renew fighting with Israel seems slim.

Azerbaijan: One of the Pillars of Israel’s Regional Security System – A Brief Overview for the Trump Administration

During a December 2024 meeting with the President of Azerbaijan, leaders of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) acknowledged that the U.S. had not fully appreciated Azerbaijan's longstanding support for Israel and contributions to regional stability.

Pool of Terror: Iran is Recruiting Operatives From the Former Soviet Union to Target Israelis

Recent events in the UAE and Central Asia show that Iran is again boosting recruitment of individuals from former Soviet republics for various purposes, including terrorist attacks and intelligence-gathering activities. Tehran plans to use these individuals directly against Israeli "targets" this time.

Not an End State but a Long Game:
Israel’s Strategic Goals in the Iron Swords War

Many commentators claim that Israel lacks a clear plan for “the day after” the end of the Iron Swords War. They argue that because of this supposed lack, Israel will not be able to hold onto its military achievements during the war, which will remain merely tactical. But Israel is not playing a short-term game. Beyond its declared war goals, Israel is aiming to create a new security reality in the region by weakening Iran and its proxies. This broader goal stems from the understanding that to Israel, this war is existential, and the removal of significant threats from Israel’s borders is non-negotiable. Israel understands that it cannot impose plans or political proposals on its opponents, be they Palestinian or Lebanese – but by demonstrating its clear military superiority over them, Israel will improve its position in future negotiations. Finally, there is potential for new regional arrangements, including normalization with more Arab countries, if Israel succeeds in significantly weakening the Iranian threat. If Israel can show potential allies major military achievements against a common enemy, it can suggest a political plan that will improve its position in the region – but not before then. For Israel there is no end game, only a long game.

Iran Fights for Influence in the post-Soviet Space: Turkic States Are Cautious

The war in Ukraine has substantially weakened Russia's position in Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus, requiring an increasing amount of resources to sustain. Iran is endeavoring to fill the power vacuum that Russia left in these post-Soviet regions while simultaneously exercising caution to prevent conflict. Tehran is committed to the economic integration of the post-Soviet republics in these regions, with an emphasis on fortifying its relationships with the Eurasian Economic Union.

The Issue of the Zangezur Corridor: International contradictions and Israeli Interests

The Zangezur corridor is a proposed route that would link the main part of Azerbaijan to the Nakhchivan enclave through Armenian territory. Azerbaijan and Turkey support the project, but Armenia opposes it, fearing it might change the region’s borders. Iran views the corridor as a possible threat to its influence in the region.