Azerbaijan is emerging as a voice of balance and diplomacy in the Middle East, a region long marked by rivalry, ideology, and conflict.
With the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Azerbaijan's experience, consistency, and wisdom have positioned it as a respected actor in the region.
In October 2025, Israel and Hamas agreed on the first phase of a peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, with negotiations held in Egypt and mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye.
The negotiations resulted in a fragile but hopeful ceasefire.
President Ilham Aliyev's diplomatic manoeuvring and decades-long peacebuilding record in the South Caucasus have built Azerbaijan's credibility as a mediator.
Azerbaijan's emergence is a significant development in the shifting architecture of peace in the Middle East.
Author's summary: Azerbaijan emerges as a diplomatic force in the Middle East.