Tel Aviv: The Israeli defence industry is a major supplier of advanced weapon systems to Azerbaijan. Contracts worth billions of US dollars have been inked, and systems have been supplied. Massive others are being negotiated.
Now, by utilising its special ties to both Israel and Syria, Azerbaijan is becoming a major diplomatic player in the Middle East. Due to their lack of official diplomatic relations and frequent positions on opposing sides of regional wars, Israel and Syria have historically been enemies. Azerbaijan is positioned as a crucial mediator in the new discussion opportunities brought forth by recent political changes in Syria and shifting regional alliances.
Azerbaijan enjoys strong diplomatic and economic ties with Israel, serving as a major arms supplier and strategic partner. Simultaneously, Azerbaijan has worked to restore and enhance its relations with Syria, especially after the recent change in Syrian leadership.
Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, has hosted several rounds of secret and public meetings between Israeli and Syrian officials. These talks have taken place on the sidelines of official visits, such as Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s recent trip to Azerbaijan. The meetings in Baku have focused on sensitive security issues, including the Israeli military presence in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime.
While full normalisation between Israel and Syria remains unlikely in the short term, Azerbaijan’s mediation has enabled direct dialogue, confidence-building, and the groundwork for potential future agreements. Current efforts focus on security guarantees and commitments rather than formal diplomatic recognition or embassy openings.
Azerbaijan has positioned itself as a pivotal mediator in the nascent rapprochement between Israel and Syria. By providing a trusted venue, facilitating sensitive discussions, and promoting economic cooperation, Baku is helping to lay the foundation for new relations between two long-standing adversaries. The process remains fragile and incremental, but Azerbaijan’s diplomatic efforts have already led to tangible breakthroughs and a significant reduction in regional tensions.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
