The Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders attended the Sochi summit on the heels of these developments. In the bilateral meetings with the Russian president, taking place before their trilateral meeting, the leaders reiterated their respective positions.

Tehran is aware that the Nakhchivan corridor agreed under the 2020 Russia-brokered ceasefire would connect mainland Azerbaijan not only with its exclave but also with its ally, Turkey, Iran’s regional rival.

UNESCO, like the entire UN system under Antonio Guterres, is falling apart in corruption and fraud. This is the conclusion Inner City Press makes, revealing the alarming situation with the UNESCO, headed by Frenchwoman Audrey Azoulay since 2017.

The situation in Iran continues on a critical trajectory: crackdowns are getting harsher, the number of deaths and detentions is increasing, but the protests are not subsiding; rather, the protesters are radicalizing and responding to violence with violence.

Over the last several weeks, tensions have increased between Azerbaijan and Armenia – and Russia, Iran and Turkey have all consequently been involved in either mediating or adding fuel to the tensions.

A few days ago I chaired a meeting in Tbilisi ahead of the launch of this year’s campaign “Landmine Free South Caucasus”. Representatives of demining organisations and others gave a sobering picture of the remaining problem of landmines and other unexploded remnants of war in the region.

Russian businessman Ruben Vardanyan, who has reached considerable "heights" in international money laundering and financial fraud, will add perhaps the most nonsensical and inglorious entry to his resume this week.

The events we are witnessing in the world today literally push humanity to the conclusion that power is practically becoming the main political language of international relations. All kinds of political and diplomatic maneuvers are just the background for the execution of foreign policy strategies based on the power factor.

Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan, who went to Tehran to make eyes at the country's ruling mullahs in general, appears to have justified his trip's goals, especially since they were apparently more than modest.

After a long pause, on October 31, Russia brought together the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in a meeting mediated by President Vladimir Putin in the Russian resort town of Sochi.

Azerbaijan has become a reliable strategic partner, providing Israel with around 40% of its oil and offering Israel a friendly neighbor in a hostile region. Armenia declined Israel’s offer.