Caucasus

Regional connectivity is expanding through new air routes and energy diplomacy. Turkish Airlines began direct Istanbul-Yerevan flights, Red Wings resumed Yekaterinburg-Baku service, and the EU turned to Azerbaijan for gas after Qatar cut supplies. A national carrier also established a new route via Afghanistan and Azerbaijan to Europe.

• 1Moscow-Baku flight hits bird, returns to departure airport
• 1Russian power company cuts net loss by 30.5% in a year
• 1Picsart now allows creators to ‘hire’ AI assistants through agent marketplace
• 1Red Wings resumes direct flights from Yekaterinburg to Baku
• 1Turkish Airlines begins direct Istanbul-Yerevan flights as ties ease

Diplomatic relations with Iran are severely strained, centering on security incidents and mutual accusations. Azerbaijan evacuated its diplomats from Iran, sent humanitarian aid amid regional escalation, and a French national was jailed in Baku for spying. High-level diplomatic exchanges with Turkey, Belarus, and Georgia's Prime Minister continued.

• 4French national jailed for 10 years in Azerbaijan for spying
• 4Azerbaijan sends humanitarian aid to Iran amid regional escalation
• 3Azerbaijan says it is evacuating its diplomats from Iran for their own safety
• 2Iran does not strike territory of Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Turkey — MFA
• 2Who could invade Iran for the US? Kurds, Azerbaijan, and the risk of a new proxy war

A direct security crisis with Iran is underway, featuring drone attacks on Nakhchivan airport and foiled terror plots. Azerbaijan blamed Iran for the attack and promised a response, while also claiming to have dismantled an Iranian spy cell and foiled plots targeting a pipeline, a synagogue, and the Israeli embassy.

• 22Azerbaijan blames Iran for drone attack and promises to respond
• 13Iranian drones crash into Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan airport, damaging it
• 3Azerbaijan says it foiled Iranian terror attacks on synagogue, Israeli embassy
• 2Amid Murtuzov Grew Up in Azerbaijan Near Iran. An Iranian Missile Ended His Life in Israel
• 2Azerbaijan says it foils Iranian plots including plan to attack major pipeline

The region serves as a critical evacuation corridor for foreign nationals fleeing conflict in Iran, with Armenia and Azerbaijan facilitating exits. Concurrently, Georgia is navigating a period of societal transition following the death of its long-reigning Patriarch Ilia II.

• 1Some 330 Russian nationals evacuated from Iran via Armenia since Middle East hostilities
• 1Georgia buries Patriarch Ilia II as succession stirs fears of Russian influence
• 1Stranded Indian students use Armenia, Azerbaijan to exit war-torn Iran, slow pace leaves parents anxious
• 1Supporters of jailed Armenian govt critic clash with police (VIDEOS)
• 1Azerbaijan-Turkey ties targeted in media influence campaign