Last updated: May 29, 2026
Ilham Aliyev, who has led Azerbaijan since 2003, is one of the most frequently discussed figures in Groong’s coverage. His government’s decision to launch the 44-Day War in 2020 and the subsequent military operation in September 2023 that ended Armenian control of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) — and resulted in the ethnic cleansing of over 150,000 Armenians from the region — fundamentally reshaped the South Caucasus.
Groong episodes examine Aliyev’s relationship with Turkey, his use of energy leverage over Europe, Azerbaijan’s growing ties with Israel and other arms suppliers, his government’s human rights record, and Baku’s demands in ongoing negotiations with Armenia over a peace treaty. Coverage also addresses Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29 in 2024 and what that meant for international scrutiny of the country’s domestic policies.
Episode 404 | Recorded: January 14, 2025
Episode 403 | Recorded: December 31, 2024
Episode 403 | Recorded: December 31, 2024
Episode 399 | Recorded: December 19, 2024
Episode 399 | Recorded: December 19, 2024
Episode 397 | Recorded: December 18, 2024
Episode 397 | Recorded: December 18, 2024
Episode 396 | Recorded: December 13, 2024
Episode 396 | Recorded: December 13, 2024