Media: Azerbaijan rises as transformative Middle East mediator

A new player is emerging in Middle Eastern diplomacy – Azerbaijan, says an article headlined "Azerbaijan, an Israel-Syria bridge of peace" published in The Jerusalem Post.

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, the article reads.

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

It further notes that 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," the article reads.

The author notes that though Baku has enjoyed strong cooperation with Jerusalem for years, it has never pursued a hostile policy toward Syria: "Today, the war-torn country (Syria - ed.) urgently needs economic partnerships and reconstruction assistance. Baku is stepping into this space with energy projects and infrastructure support."

Speaking about Azerbaijan's growing reputation of a neutral and reliable platform for dialogue, the expert noted that Baku has been quietly hosting technical “deconfliction” talks between Israel and Türkiye regarding their respective operations in Syria.

The material notes several factors that enhance Azerbaijan’s chances of success:

• Balanced policy: Constructive relations with both Israel and Muslim states.

• Energy diplomacy: Economic influence as a major oil and gas exporter.

• Strategic alliance with Türkiye: The Ankara-Baku tandem opens key diplomatic doors in the region.

• Secular governance: Azerbaijan’s non-ideological, pragmatic approach inspires trust.