Jerusalem Post

ByMORDECHAI KEDAR

Azerbaijan’s diplomatic rise is no coincidence. Years of energy-driven partnerships and strategic foresight have transformed Baku into a reliable regional actor.

A new player
A new player is emerging in Middle Eastern diplomacy – Azerbaijan. Long known for its flexible strategy in energy policy and regional security, Baku now appears ready to assume the role of mediator between Jerusalem and Damascus.
Azerbaijan is one of the few countries capable of maintaining parallel and balanced relations with both Israel and the Muslim world.
Baku has enjoyed strong cooperation with Jerusalem for years, particularly in defense, intelligence, and technology. Israeli military technologies played a crucial role in Azerbaijan’s victory during the 2020 Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, further strengthening this strategic partnership.
Azerbaijan has never pursued a hostile policy toward Syria.
Today, the war-torn country urgently needs economic partnerships and reconstruction assistance. Baku is stepping into this space with energy projects and infrastructure support.