Who will succeed in Azerbaijan

Central Asian Affairs, 2018

In some countries, the death of an authoritarian leader raises concerns among political scientists, analysts and political decision-makers about subsequent instability. Informal mechanisms for regime change are seldom in place. Two recent transitions in Central Asia—Turkmenistan in 2006 and Uzbekistan in 2016—have shown that authority can be transferred calmly and peacefully. This paper examines the reasons for the stable transition process—and the factors governing it—in the two territories. It is my contention that three principal conditions have to be met in order to make the changeover relatively smooth: a lack of viable opponents, a narrow circle of people with real power and a common interest in maintaining stability, and a clearly designated new leader at the moment when the death of the incumbent is officially announced. At the same time, despite some similarities between the Turkmen and Uzbek cases, substantial differences also existed, making these two experiences—like oth...

The article applies the model of the clan-state / captured state on the case of Azerbaijan. It discusses the types and forms of informal political institutions in Azerbaijan and explains restructuring of the informal networks that has occurred after Ilham Aliev’s arrival to the presidential office. The core of the article are several mini case studies based mostly on an analysis of local media resources and a primary data collected during field researches conducted in 2006–2014. The article shows that Azerbaijan’s informal political structures based on clientelism and endemic corruption have de facto taken over the country’s formal political scene and using manipulated public tenders transfer a large proportion of oil rents to bank accounts of the ruling elite.

2008

This report discusses the win by incumbent Ilkham Aliyev in Azerbaijan's October 15, 2008, presidential election. It describes the campaign and results, and examines implications for Azerbaijani and U.S. interests. This report will not be updated. Related reports include CRS Report RL33453, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, updated regularly.

Rovshan Ibrahimov, "After the 2013 Azerbaijani Presidential Elections: Challenges and Expectations", Elections in Eurasia: Reflections and Prospects, Caucasus International, Vol. 3 • No: 4 • Winter 2013-2014, http://cijournal.az/post/caucasus-international-vol-3-o-no-4-o-winter-2013-2014

2012

Azerbaijan is an important power in the South Caucasus by reason of its geographic location and ample energy resources, but it faces challenges to its stability, including the unresolved separatist conflict involving Nagorno Karabakh (NK). Azerbaijan enjoyed a brief period of independence in 1918-1920, after the collapse of the Tsarist Russian Empire. However, it was re-conquered by Red Army forces and thereafter incorporated into the Soviet Union. It regained independence when the Soviet Union collapsed at the end of 1991. Upon independence, Azerbaijan continued to be ruled for a while by its Soviet-era leader, but in May 1992 he was overthrown and Popular Front head Abulfaz Elchibey was soon elected president. Military setbacks in suppressing separatism in the breakaway Nagorno Karabakh (NK) region contributed to Elchibey's rise to power, and in turn to his downfall. In June 1993, forces in Ganja challenged Elchibey's power, spurring Elchibey to invite Heydar Aliyev-the leader of Azerbaijan's Nakhichevan region and a former communist party head of Azerbaijan-to Baku to mediate the crisis. The Ganja forces marched on Baku, causing Elchibey to flee the city. Heydar Aliyev was elected chairman of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, and was granted temporary presidential powers. A national referendum held in August 1993 formally stripped Elchibey of the presidency, and Heydar Aliyev was elected president of Azerbaijan in October 1993. In July 1994, a ceasefire agreement was signed in the NK conflict. Heydar Aliyev served until October 2003, when under worsening health he stepped down. His son Ilkham Aliyev was elected president a few days later. According to the Obama Administration, U.S. assistance for Azerbaijan aims to develop democratic institutions and civil society, support the growth of the non-oil sectors of the economy, strengthen the interoperability of the armed forces with NATO, increase maritime border security, and bolster the country's ability to combat terrorism, corruption, narcotics trafficking, and other transnational crime. Cumulative U.

The Middle East Journal, 2001

2012

With the democratic transition of power progressing in Georgia, the focus of the regional and international community is increasingly shifting to the upcoming elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan. notably, Azerbaijan has scheduled presidential elections for october 2013, which are regarded by many observers as crucial for the democratic development of the country. Marion Kipiani was recently in Baku and she spoke with four experts about their perceptions of the political system, the upcoming elections, and the possible impacts of the change of government in Georgia on the electoral environment in Azerbaijan.

VISIONS OF AZERBAIJAN, 2011

In our issues of March-April, May-June and September-October 2010, we presented three parts of the project Azerbaijani History: from the Furthest Past to the Present Day, by Karim Shukurov, PhD in History. In this issue we present the fourth part of the project. Part IV Atropatena-Albania (4th century BCE-7th century CE) The states of Atropatena and Albania: from their establishment to the Sassanids. The Seleucids, the Roman-Parthian wars in Azerbaijan (4th century BCE-3rd century CE). Atropatena and Albania within the Sassanid Empire. (3rd-7th centuries CE) The states of Atropatena and Albania: from their establishment to the Sassanids. The Seleucids, the Roman-Parthian wars in Azerbaijan (4th century BCE-3rd century CE) Atropatena. Following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE in Babylon, a council was convened and Atropat's son-in-law, Perdikka, was made regent of the state. The first division of the satraps took place here, but Lesser Media was not affected. This gave Atropat the opportunity to strength his rule. In 321 BCE, after Perdikka's death, a second division took place, but Atropatena retained its territorial integrity. Thus, from that time onwards, Atropatena was