Ilham Aliyev
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Ilham Aliyev has led Azerbaijan since succeeding his father Heydar Aliyev in 2003, consolidating an authoritarian system built on hydrocarbon wealth and a foreign policy defined by strategic patience and the eventual use of force in the Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict. Aliyev is one of the most frequently discussed figures in Groong’s coverage, appearing across more than 200 episodes.
The two defining events of Aliyev’s tenure in Groong’s coverage are the 44-Day War of 2020 and Azerbaijan’s military offensive of September 2023. The 2020 war — launched with Turkish military support — ended with Armenia’s defeat and the Russian-brokered ceasefire of November 9. Aliyev then used the three-year interregnum to progressively squeeze the remaining Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh through the Lachin Corridor blockade before the September 2023 offensive that expelled the entire Armenian population of Artsakh — what international human rights organizations have characterized as ethnic cleansing.
In Groong’s analysis, Aliyev’s post-2023 posture has continued to pressure Armenia on multiple fronts: demanding constitutional changes, pursuing the Zangezur Corridor through Syunik , and keeping Armenian prisoners of war — including former Artsakh leaders — in Azerbaijani detention. Episodes also examine Aliyev’s foreign policy relationships: his alliance with Turkey, Azerbaijan’s growing ties with Israel and other arms suppliers, his use of energy leverage over Europe, Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29 in Baku in 2024, and Baku’s uneasy balance between Russia and the West.
Groong episodes covering Aliyev address the state of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process , the human rights situation inside Azerbaijan, and the broader implications of Azerbaijani regional ambitions for Armenian security.
Groong episodes that include this tag
Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Ilham Aliyev.
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 270, July 19, 2023 [EP270]
Posted on Thursday, Jul 20, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Artsakh Blockade, Human Rights, Russia, Turkey
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 270, July 19, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - July 19, 2023
Guest:
Topics:
- Continuing Azeri Aggression
- Daily shootings, mortar fire
- Constant shooting at farmers in the fields
- Level of hardship
- Level of determination
- Azerbaijan claims Armenians can use road through Aghdam
- Chales Michel welcomes this!?!?!?!?
- âNational Movementâ Launched on July 14, 2023
- What is the message to the world, and goals?
- HayaQve (.am)
Episode 270 | Recorded: July 19, 2023
Hrant Mikaelian - Latest on Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations | Economic State in Armenia | September Yerevan Mayoral Elections | Estimating the War Dead | Hayaqve [.am] [EP269]
Posted on Monday, Jul 17, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Poll, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Russia, Economy, Artsakh Blockade, Human Rights, Turkey, Ukraine | Series: wir
Guest:
Topics:
- Latest on Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations
- Economic State in Armenia
- September Yerevan Mayoral Elections
- Estimating the War Dead
- Hayaqve [.am]
Episode 269 | Recorded: July 17, 2023
Hrant Mikaelian - Latest on Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations | Economic State in Armenia | September Yerevan Mayoral Elections | Estimating the War Dead | Hayaqve [.am] [EP269]
Posted on Monday, Jul 17, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Poll, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Russia, Economy, Artsakh Blockade, Human Rights, Turkey, UkraineGuest:
Topics:
- Latest on Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations
- Economic State in Armenia
- September Yerevan Mayoral Elections
- Estimating the War Dead
- Hayaqve [.am]
Episode 269 | Recorded: July 17, 2023
Benyamin Poghosyan - Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations | US Armenia NSC Advisors Meet | MPG Poll on Current Afaairs | Ep 268 - July 9, 2023 [EP268]
Posted on Monday, Jul 10, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Artsakh Blockade, Armenian Genocide, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Iran, Israel, European Union, NATO, China | Series: wir
Guest:
Topics:
- Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations
- US, Armenian NSC Advisors Meet
- New MPG Poll
- Haya-Qve [.am]
Episode 268 | Recorded: July 10, 2023
Benyamin Poghosyan - Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations | US Armenia NSC Advisors Meet | MPG Poll on Current Afaairs | Ep 268 - July 9, 2023 [EP268]
Posted on Monday, Jul 10, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Artsakh Blockade, Armenian Genocide, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Iran, Israel, European Union, NATO, ChinaGuest:
Topics:
- Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations
- US, Armenian NSC Advisors Meet
- New MPG Poll
- Haya-Qve [.am]
Episode 268 | Recorded: July 10, 2023
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 267, July 7, 2023 [EP267]
Posted on Friday, Jul 7, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, USA, Artsakh Blockade, Russia, Iran, Israel | Series: artsakhblockade
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 267, July 7, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - July 7, 2023
Guest:
Topics:
- Catastrophic Situation in Artsakh - Gegham Stepanyan
- Zakharova Confirms Conditions, Calls on Azerbaijan to Drop Blockade
- Hakari video fiasco - Pashinyan propaganda?
- Azeri preconditions to Baku-Stepanakert talks
- ANCA supported NDAA resolutions in US Congress
Episode 267 | Recorded: July 7, 2023
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 267, July 7, 2023 [EP267]
Posted on Friday, Jul 7, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, USA, Artsakh Blockade, Russia, Iran, IsraelArtsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 267, July 7, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - July 7, 2023
Guest:
Topics:
- Catastrophic Situation in Artsakh - Gegham Stepanyan
- Zakharova Confirms Conditions, Calls on Azerbaijan to Drop Blockade
- Hakari video fiasco - Pashinyan propaganda?
- Azeri preconditions to Baku-Stepanakert talks
- ANCA supported NDAA resolutions in US Congress
Episode 267 | Recorded: July 7, 2023
Arthur G Martirosyan - Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue | Self-Determination for Artsakh | Hayaqve [.am] [EP266]
Posted on Tuesday, Jul 4, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh Blockade, European Union, Georgia, Ukraine, Genocide, Human Rights, India, Iran, Middle East, NATO | Series: wir
Guest:
Topics:
- Armenian Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue
- Negotiations in DC: chances of progress
- Vartan Oskanian on negotiations
- Rights and Security
- Self-Determination for Artsakh
- Border Demarcation
- No Unblocking or Guarantees
- Hayaqve.am
- Rants
Episode 266 | Recorded: July 4, 2023
Arthur G Martirosyan - Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue | Self-Determination for Artsakh | Hayaqve [.am] [EP266]
Posted on Tuesday, Jul 4, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh Blockade, European Union, Georgia, Ukraine, Genocide, Human Rights, India, Iran, Middle East, NATOGuest:
Topics:
- Armenian Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue
- Negotiations in DC: chances of progress
- Vartan Oskanian on negotiations
- Rights and Security
- Self-Determination for Artsakh
- Border Demarcation
- No Unblocking or Guarantees
- Hayaqve.am
- Rants
Episode 266 | Recorded: July 4, 2023