Mordechai Kedar


 IRAN’S SUPREME LEADER Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a televised message last month. One could argue that he despises Azerbaijan almost as much as he despises the US, says the writer.

Khamenei’s personal hatred of Azerbaijan - opinion

 THE AFTERMATH of an Israeli strike on a building in Tehran, June 2025.

The Iran-Israel war and Azerbaijan: a delicate balancing act - opinion

 Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, performs "New Day Will Rise," during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, May 17, 2025

Iran angered by Israel’s Eurovision success - opinion


The road to normalization runs through Israel - opinion

With President Donald Trump in the White House, Azerbaijan hopes for a shift in American policy through stronger integration with Israel.

 TURKEY’S President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Istanbul last week. Syria has effectively became a Turkish proxy; now Israel and Turkey share a de facto border, turning a diplomatic rift into one with potential for military confrontation, the writer warns.

Azerbaijan, Israel likely to further expand cooperation in energy - opinion

Azerbaijan and Israel’s cooperation continues to grow, both through SOCAR’s purchase of a 10% stake in the Tamar field and its activities in gas exploration in Israel’s economic waters.

 ENERGY MINISTER Eli Cohen attends a Knesset Economic Affairs Committee meeting in December.

Israel should support the South Azerbaijan's independence from Iran - opinion

Since we assume that Iran fears the independence of Southern Azerbaijan and given the strong ties between Northern Azerbaijan and Israel, why shouldn't Israel have ties with Southern Azerbaijan?

A funeral is held for late Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, last year. The term ‘Southern Azerbaijan’ refers to the Iranian provinces of East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, Ardabil, and Zanjan, the writer clarifies.

Azerbaijan struggles to normalize ties with Iran - opinion

There are still several issues on which Azerbaijan and its southern neighbor, Iran, do not agree, making a normalization of relations between the two countries very difficult.

Former Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi meets with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on the Azerbaijan-Iran border, May 19, 2024.

President Pezeshkian of Iran is culturally oppressed - opinion

The cultural week is a great opportunity to learn about the local culture, which harmoniously blends Azerbaijani and Persian traditions, offering a special experience. 

 IRANIAN PRESIDENT Masoud Pezeshkian attends a news conference in Tehran last week. At a cultural event, he was told not to read poetry in Azerbaijani, says the writer.

It is in Israel’s interest backing Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia - opinion

Azerbaijan's strategic location is crucial for Israel’s security, necessitating a clear support policy for this ally.

 Azerbaijan & Israel Cooperation

Iran’s Shia crescent falters: How regional power shifts after October 7 – opinion

Iran’s regional influence weakens as the Shia crescent collapses post-October 7.

 HOUTHI MILITARY spokesman Yahya Saree delivers a statement during a demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, in Sanaa, Yemen, earlier this month. The writer asks: ‘The Houthis are still acting on Iran’s behalf, but frankly, how much are they really contributing to Iran?’

Why Jews need Azerbaijan, a country of peaceful coexistence - opinion

Jewish civilization in Azerbaijan dates back over 1,500 years. Oral tradition states that Jews first arrived in the South Caucasus country during the eighth century BCE.

Flag of Azerbaijan

Is Turkey set to become the new regional power instead of Iran? - opinion

When peace is obtained between Armenia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, this will be another blow for Iran.

 SYRIANS LIVING in Turkey hold a picture of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as they celebrate in Istanbul on Sunday after Syrian rebels ousted president Bashar al-Assad. The rebellion, while it weakened Iran and its proxies, might not be a good development for Israel, the writer cautions.

France’s ambassador sparks outrage with support for Persian hegemony in Armenia – opinion

Diplomatic posts from French ambassador highlight growing Paris-Tehran ties amid regional tensions.

 FRENCH PRESIDENT Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron welcome Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during arrivals at the 19th Francophonie Summit of French-speaking nations, in the castle of Villers-Cotterêts, France, in October.