Last updated: June 10, 2026
Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, with a population of approximately 3 million people. Located on the western coast of the Caspian Sea, it has served as a major regional economic center for over a century due to its strategic position and vast oil and natural gas reserves. The city is home to Azerbaijan’s government institutions, including the presidential office and parliament, and hosts the country’s financial and banking sectors. Baku’s urban landscape reflects its oil wealth, with modern skyscrapers, cultural institutions, and infrastructure development alongside older Soviet-era architecture. The city is connected to European energy markets through major pipelines, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor, making it a critical node in global energy infrastructure. Baku also serves as a transportation hub, with an international airport and port facilities connecting Azerbaijan to regional and international trade networks.
Baku functions as the political and diplomatic hub of Azerbaijan’s regional strategy. As the capital, it hosts the machinery of Ilham Aliyev ’s government and serves as the venue for high-level regional negotiations, including Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process talks and state visits from regional and international powers. The city’s prominence in South Caucasus geopolitics has intensified since Azerbaijan’s military victory in the 44-Day War and its subsequent complete capture of Artsakh in a 24-hour offensive on September 19–20, 2023, which ethnically cleansed the territory of its more than 150,000 Armenian inhabitants. Baku’s role as the administrative center for Azerbaijan’s control over the now-dissolved enclave has made it the focal point for disputes over the territory’s future status, the rights of its former Armenian population, and the implementation of peace agreements.
Baku has emerged as a destination for high-profile diplomatic visits that signal shifting regional alignments. In February 2026, Vice President JD Vance visited both Yerevan and Baku as part of the Trump administration’s engagement with the South Caucasus, a visit framed around the TRIPP corridor project and U.S. strategic interests in the region. The Baku leg of Vance’s trip included a “Strategic Partnership Charter” announcement and reflected the depth of U.S.-Azerbaijan ties, a dynamic that differs markedly from the American approach to Armenia. Baku has also become a destination for European and other international leaders seeking to navigate Azerbaijan’s role in regional energy supplies and transit infrastructure, including TRIPP and broader pan-Turkic integration projects that connect Azerbaijan, Turkey , and Nakhijevan .
Baku’s significance as a capital reflects Azerbaijan’s strategic position as a supplier of natural gas to Europe following Russia ’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, a role that creates structural tensions in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process . Europe’s energy dependence on Azerbaijani gas supplies limits the willingness of Brussels to apply sustained pressure on Baku over Azerbaijan’s conduct toward Armenia or the enforced displacement of Artsakh’s Armenian population. Azerbaijan’s ties with Israel have also deepened, particularly after the capture of Artsakh, positioning Baku as a diplomatic hub in a broader regional alignment that includes Turkey and excludes Iran. The Iran war , which erupted in early 2026, has further elevated Baku’s strategic value to the United States and Israel, with reports of potential northern front military coordination and constitutional changes in Nakhijevan that may reflect deeper shifts in Azerbaijan’s geopolitical orientation away from Tehran.
Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Baku.
Episode 224 | Recorded: February 12, 2023
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 221, Feb 4, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - Feb 4, 2023
Episode 221 | Recorded: February 4, 2023
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 221, Feb 4, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - Feb 4, 2023
Episode 221 | Recorded: February 4, 2023
Episode 219 | Recorded: January 29, 2023
Episode 219 | Recorded: January 29, 2023
Episode 206 | Recorded: January 15, 2023
Episode 206 | Recorded: January 15, 2023
“The Armenian government, under its legislation, is obliged to protect the independence of Artsakh” - Aram Orbelyan
As of earlier this week, Artsakh has introduced coupons to ration food. Other
Read More“The Armenian government, under its legislation, is obliged to protect the independence of Artsakh” - Aram Orbelyan
As of earlier this week, Artsakh has introduced coupons to ration food. Other
Read MoreArtsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 203, Jan 13, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - Jan 13, 2023
Episode 203 | Recorded: January 13, 2023
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 203, Jan 13, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - Jan 13, 2023
Episode 203 | Recorded: January 13, 2023
âThis is a repeat of Srebrenica. To gradually strangle and force the people to leave.â -Arthur Khachikyan
More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh)
Read MoreâThis is a repeat of Srebrenica. To gradually strangle and force the people to leave.â -Arthur Khachikyan
More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh)
Read MoreUsing art to prevent catastrophes instead of reacting to them
Ishkhanyan’s documentary “Sleep art”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzqzPpVsK-g
More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh) due to Azerbaijanâs blockade of the Lachin (Berdzor) corridor, as this crisis enters its 25th
Read MoreUsing art to prevent catastrophes instead of reacting to them
Ishkhanyan’s documentary “Sleep art”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzqzPpVsK-g
More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh) due to Azerbaijanâs blockade of the Lachin (Berdzor) corridor, as this crisis enters its 25th
Read More“This is not a humanitarian crisis. This is a political crisis, a crisis of statehood. -Karen Vrtanesyan”
This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this very serious humanitarian crisis in progress.
Links:
Episode 196 | Recorded: December 30, 2022
“This is not a humanitarian crisis. This is a political crisis, a crisis of statehood. -Karen Vrtanesyan”
This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this very serious humanitarian crisis in progress.
Links:
Episode 196 | Recorded: December 30, 2022
“Aliyev’s strategy is ’no Armenians, no problems’. What is our strategy?” -Benyamin Poghosyan
More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh) due to Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin corridor, as this crisis enters its 16th day.
This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this
Read More“Aliyev’s strategy is ’no Armenians, no problems’. What is our strategy?” -Benyamin Poghosyan
More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh) due to Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin corridor, as this crisis enters its 16th day.
This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this
Read MoreEpisode 194 | Recorded: December 26, 2022
Episode 194 | Recorded: December 26, 2022
“The Armenian authorities are trying to bury the issue of status of Artsakh” -Arthur Khachatryan
More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh) due to Azerbaijanâs blockade of the Lachin corridor, as this crisis enters its 15th day.
Read More“The Armenian authorities are trying to bury the issue of status of Artsakh” -Arthur Khachatryan
More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh) due to Azerbaijanâs blockade of the Lachin corridor, as this crisis enters its 15th day.
Read More“The problem is not resources or power, the problem is how you put forward your goals”
The blockade of Artsakh is now 13 days old. More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh). Supermarket shelves are empty. Essential medicine is running out.
On Friday, December 23, thatâs yesterday, a meeting between
Read More“The problem is not resources or power, the problem is how you put forward your goals”
The blockade of Artsakh is now 13 days old. More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh). Supermarket shelves are empty. Essential medicine is running out.
On Friday, December 23, thatâs yesterday, a meeting between
Read More“Turkish threats are going to disappear only when there is no Armenia” - Varuzhan Geghamyan
“Turkish threats are going to disappear only when there is no Armenia” - Varuzhan Geghamyan
“Current Armenian government blames everyone, but themselves, Azerbaijan and Turkey.” -Aram Orbelyan
This is Day 11 of the complete blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan. More than 120 thousand
Read More“Current Armenian government blames everyone, but themselves, Azerbaijan and Turkey.” -Aram Orbelyan
This is Day 11 of the complete blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan. More than 120 thousand
Read More“Armenia has to draw a red line - Artsakh can never be part of Azerbaijan” -Hayk Mamijanyan
This is Day 9 of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan.
This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this very serious humanitarian crisis in progress.
Links:
“Armenia has to draw a red line - Artsakh can never be part of Azerbaijan” -Hayk Mamijanyan
This is Day 9 of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan.
This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this very serious humanitarian crisis in progress.
Links:
âPashinyan, why don’t you go and shake Artak Beglaryanâs hand, like you did in Shushi in 2019â - Tevan Poghosyan
This is Day 9 of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan. This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more
Read MoreâPashinyan, why don’t you go and shake Artak Beglaryanâs hand, like you did in Shushi in 2019â - Tevan Poghosyan
This is Day 9 of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan. This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more
Read More“This is the policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide against the people of Artsakhâ -Arman Tatoyan
This is Day 9 of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan.
As we are recording this discussion, more than 120 thousand people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh). For 9 days, Azerbaijan has brazenly blocked
Read More“This is the policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide against the people of Artsakhâ -Arman Tatoyan
This is Day 9 of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan.
As we are recording this discussion, more than 120 thousand people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh). For 9 days, Azerbaijan has brazenly blocked
Read More“The full state-led attack against Artsakh and Armenia, which no-one in Europe condemned, was a case where the military solution worked. From 2020 onwards, many actors in the world see that you can attack and get away with it.”
This is Day 8 of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan. 120 thousand people are effectively being held hostage by the regime in Baku.
Groong and 168 Hours are continuing our
Read More“The full state-led attack against Artsakh and Armenia, which no-one in Europe condemned, was a case where the military solution worked. From 2020 onwards, many actors in the world see that you can attack and get away with it.”
This is Day 8 of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan. 120 thousand people are effectively being held hostage by the regime in Baku.
Groong and 168 Hours are continuing our
Read MoreWeâre going on to Day 6 of the Artsakh Blockade by Azerbaijan, and Groong and 168 Hours are teaming up to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this very serious issue, a major humanitarian crisis in Artsakh in progress.
“We somehow have this complex. We think weâre the sleeping beauty and the west is going to come and save us. And every time that it
Read MoreWeâre going on to Day 6 of the Artsakh Blockade by Azerbaijan, and Groong and 168 Hours are teaming up to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this very serious issue, a major humanitarian crisis in Artsakh in progress.
“We somehow have this complex. We think weâre the sleeping beauty and the west is going to come and save us. And every time that it
Read MoreEpisode 181 | Recorded: December 6, 2022
Episode 181 | Recorded: December 6, 2022
Episode 179 | Recorded: November 21, 2022
Episode 179 | Recorded: November 21, 2022
Episode 178 | Recorded: November 14, 2022
Episode 178 | Recorded: November 14, 2022
Episode 177 | Recorded: November 14, 2022
Episode 177 | Recorded: November 14, 2022
Episode 175 | Recorded: November 8, 2022
Episode 175 | Recorded: November 8, 2022
Episode 173 | Recorded: November 1, 2022
Episode 173 | Recorded: November 1, 2022
Episode 169 | Recorded: October 17, 2022
Episode 169 | Recorded: October 17, 2022
Episode 168 | Recorded: Friday, October 14, 2022
Episode 168 | Recorded: Friday, October 14, 2022
Episode 167 | Recorded: October 10, 2022
Episode 167 | Recorded: October 10, 2022
Episode 166 | Recorded: October 1 & 3, 2022
Episode 166 | Recorded: October 1 & 3, 2022
Episode 165 | Recorded: Sunday, September 18, 2022