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.

Guest:

Topics:

  • New Leadership Coming to Many Countries
  • Aliyev Continues to Thumb the Nose of The West
  • Permanent US Defense Attaché to Armenia
  • Mid-year Review of our 2024 Predictions

Episode 347 | Recorded: July 22, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia, Azerbaijan, at NATO Summit
  • Border Talks Still in Chaos
    • Srbazan in Syunik
    • Pashinyan in Syunik
  • Srbazan Movement
  • Arms, or Alms for Armenia?
    • Orban, Aliyev’s Man inside the EU
    • Eagle Partner 2024 in Armenia

Episode 342 | Recorded: July 8, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia, Azerbaijan, at NATO Summit
  • Border Talks Still in Chaos
    • Srbazan in Syunik
    • Pashinyan in Syunik
  • Srbazan Movement
  • Arms, or Alms for Armenia?
    • Orban, Aliyev’s Man inside the EU
    • Eagle Partner 2024 in Armenia

Episode 342 | Recorded: July 8, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Unconstitutional “Delimitation” Process
  • Could the Opposition Trigger New Elections?

Episode 340 | Recorded: June 21, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Unconstitutional “Delimitation” Process
  • Could the Opposition Trigger New Elections?

Episode 340 | Recorded: June 21, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Srbazan Movement: Pause & Regroup?
  • EU Parliamentary Shift to the Right
    • Armenia and EU Membership
  • Renewed Azerbaijani Threats of War
    • Armenia Reports CAESAR Artillery Acquisition
  • Did Pashinyan Get Marching Orders from Erdogan?

Episode 339 | Recorded: June 23, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Srbazan Movement: Pause & Regroup?
  • EU Parliamentary Shift to the Right
    • Armenia and EU Membership
  • Renewed Azerbaijani Threats of War
    • Armenia Reports CAESAR Artillery Acquisition
  • Did Pashinyan Get Marching Orders from Erdogan?

Episode 339 | Recorded: June 23, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Police Brutality, Violence & Repressions
  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Armenia Russia Relations

Episode 337 | Recorded: June 17, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Police Brutality, Violence & Repressions
  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Armenia Russia Relations

Episode 337 | Recorded: June 17, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Peace Treaty and more Aliyev Demands
  • James O’Brien in Yerevan
  • Russia Armenia Relations
  • Srbazan Movement

Episode 335 | Recorded: June 10, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Peace Treaty and more Aliyev Demands
  • James O’Brien in Yerevan
  • Russia Armenia Relations
  • Srbazan Movement

Episode 335 | Recorded: June 10, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran President and FM Killed in Helicopter Crash
  • Bagrat Srbazan Leads Mass Protests in Armenia
  • Armenian Russian Relations

Episode 333 | Recorded: May 27, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran President and FM Killed in Helicopter Crash
  • Bagrat Srbazan Leads Mass Protests in Armenia
  • Armenian Russian Relations

Episode 333 | Recorded: May 27, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Tavush Demarcation and Delimitation
  • Bagrat Srbazan Coming to Yerevan
  • Hungary Blocks EU Aid to Armenia

Episode 328 | Recorded: May 5, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Tavush Demarcation and Delimitation
  • Bagrat Srbazan Coming to Yerevan
  • Hungary Blocks EU Aid to Armenia

Episode 328 | Recorded: May 5, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trilateral US-EU-Armenia Meeting
  • Talks with Azerbaijan
    • Tavush: What has Pashinyan Promised
  • Relations with Russia in Freefall
  • Pashinyan Suppressing Artsakh Leadership

Episode 323 | Recorded: April 8, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trilateral US-EU-Armenia Meeting
  • Talks with Azerbaijan
    • Tavush: What has Pashinyan Promised
  • Relations with Russia in Freefall
  • Pashinyan Suppressing Artsakh Leadership

Episode 323 | Recorded: April 8, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia Stalled
    • Stalled with Enemies
    • Stalled with Allies
  • Economic Diversification
  • Fish Rots from the Head

Episode 313 | Recorded: Mar 11, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia Stalled
    • Stalled with Enemies
    • Stalled with Allies
  • Economic Diversification
  • Fish Rots from the Head

Episode 313 | Recorded: Mar 11, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia’s Security in Danger
  • Munich Security Conference
  • Relations with Regional Allies

Episode 310 | Recorded: February 18, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia’s Security in Danger
  • Munich Security Conference
  • Relations with Regional Allies

Episode 310 | Recorded: February 18, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Yerevan City Politics
  • Aliyev “Elections”
  • Armenia-Georgia Strategic Partnership
  • Latest MPG Poll Review

Episode 309 | Recorded: Feb 11, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Yerevan City Politics
  • Aliyev “Elections”
  • Armenia-Georgia Strategic Partnership
  • Latest MPG Poll Review

Episode 309 | Recorded: Feb 11, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations
  • Is Armenia Rearming itself?
  • Pashinyan and the Constitution

Episode 305 | Recorded: January 29, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations
  • Is Armenia Rearming itself?
  • Pashinyan and the Constitution

Episode 305 | Recorded: January 29, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ruling Party Power Grabs
    • Why is Civil Contract so Adamant on Total Municipal Control
    • Political Prisoners
  • Early/Snap Elections?
  • Armenia’s Controlled Judiciary
  • About Yenokian’s new book: Ալտերնատիվ պատմություն Հայոց

Episode 298 | Recorded: December 13, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ruling Party Power Grabs
    • Why is Civil Contract so Adamant on Total Municipal Control
    • Political Prisoners
  • Early/Snap Elections?
  • Armenia’s Controlled Judiciary
  • About Yenokian’s new book: Ալտերնատիվ պատմություն Հայոց

Episode 298 | Recorded: December 13, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • “No Peace” Treaty Negotiations
    • Turkish-Azeri goal: Demilitarized Armenia (aka Batumi Treaty 2.0)
    • Humiliating Swap of Azeri Criminals for Armenian Hostages
  • Aliyev Calls for Snap Elections
  • Russia-Armenian Relations
  • Russia-Ukraine War

Episode 297 | Recorded: December 10, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • “No Peace” Treaty Negotiations
    • Turkish-Azeri goal: Demilitarized Armenia (aka Batumi Treaty 2.0)
    • Humiliating Swap of Azeri Criminals for Armenian Hostages
  • Aliyev Calls for Snap Elections
  • Russia-Armenian Relations
  • Russia-Ukraine War

Episode 297 | Recorded: December 10, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • What are the different status options?
  • Armenian Passport and Citizenship
  • What is Authority Code 070, how is it being treated?
  • What Hurdles are Artsakhtsis facing in Armenia and Why?
  • What is the Armenian Government’s Posture on all this?
  • Aliyev’s Deadline and What Armenian Should do about it
  • Does the Rome Statute Help?

Episode 294 | Recorded: November 13, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • What are the different status options?
  • Armenian Passport and Citizenship
  • What is Authority Code 070, how is it being treated?
  • What Hurdles are Artsakhtsis facing in Armenia and Why?
  • What is the Armenian Government’s Posture on all this?
  • Aliyev’s Deadline and What Armenian Should do about it
  • Does the Rome Statute Help?

Episode 294 | Recorded: November 13, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Crossroads of Peace
  • 3+3=5 in Tehran
  • Relations with Russia
  • Defense Deal with France
  • Artsakh Status

Episode 291 | Recorded: October 31, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Crossroads of Peace
  • 3+3=5 in Tehran
  • Relations with Russia
  • Defense Deal with France
  • Artsakh Status

Episode 291 | Recorded: October 31, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • At the Brink of a New War?
  • Relations with Russia
  • Platform Shuffle: Brussels vs. Moscow
  • Update on Yerevan Mayor

Episode 286 | Recorded: October 17, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • At the Brink of a New War?
  • Relations with Russia
  • Platform Shuffle: Brussels vs. Moscow
  • Update on Yerevan Mayor

Episode 286 | Recorded: October 17, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Outstanding Causes of the Conflict
  • Why did Aliyev Bail out of Granada?
  • Could Azerbaijan Attack Armenia?
  • How Might Events Unfold?

Episode 283 | Recorded: October 5, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Outstanding Causes of the Conflict
  • Why did Aliyev Bail out of Granada?
  • Could Azerbaijan Attack Armenia?
  • How Might Events Unfold?

Episode 283 | Recorded: October 5, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • The Game of Alternatives
  • How does it apply to Negotiations?
  • Is Armenia Negotiating Effectively?

Episode 281 | Recorded: October 1, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • The Game of Alternatives
  • How does it apply to Negotiations?
  • Is Armenia Negotiating Effectively?

Episode 281 | Recorded: October 1, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Azerbaijan Attacks Artsakh
  • Genocide in Progress

Episode 280 | Recorded: Sep 25, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Azerbaijan Attacks Artsakh
  • Genocide in Progress

Episode 280 | Recorded: Sep 25, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Day 264 - Ep 276, September 1, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - September 1, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Arayik Harutyunyan resignation
  • Samvel Shahramanyan state minister
  • Kirill Kulakov new commander of Russian PKs
  • September 2 - 32nd anniversary

Episode 276 | Recorded: September 1, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Day 264 - Ep 276, September 1, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - September 1, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Arayik Harutyunyan resignation
  • Samvel Shahramanyan state minister
  • Kirill Kulakov new commander of Russian PKs
  • September 2 - 32nd anniversary

Episode 276 | Recorded: September 1, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Situation in Artsakh
  • Yerevan Elections Heating Up
  • July MPG Survey Outtakes
  • August MPG Survey Outtakes
  • Baku Poll
  • Thoughts on the Economy

Episode 273 | Recorded: August 15, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Situation in Artsakh
  • Yerevan Elections Heating Up
  • July MPG Survey Outtakes
  • August MPG Survey Outtakes
  • Baku Poll
  • Thoughts on the Economy

Episode 273 | Recorded: August 15, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations
  • Azerbaijani Propaganda in Shushi
  • Situation in Artsakh

Episode 271 | Recorded: July 31, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations
  • Azerbaijani Propaganda in Shushi
  • Situation in Artsakh

Episode 271 | Recorded: July 31, 2023

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!?!?!?!?
  • “National Movement” Launched on July 14, 2023
    • What is the message to the world, and goals?
  • HayaQve (.am)

Episode 270 | Recorded: July 19, 2023

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!?!?!?!?
  • “National Movement” Launched on July 14, 2023
    • What is the message to the world, and goals?
  • HayaQve (.am)

Episode 270 | Recorded: July 19, 2023

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

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

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations
  • US, Armenian NSC Advisors Meet
  • New MPG Poll
  • Haya-Qve [.am]

Episode 268 | Recorded: July 10, 2023

Guest:

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

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

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

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

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

Guest:

Topics:

  • Erdogan Reshuffles Cabinet, First Visit to Baku
  • Latest Developments in Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations, Baku Postpones
  • Economic Developments, More Subsidies to IT Sector
  • MPG Poll: Pashinyan’s Rating is Falling

Episode 252 | Recorded: June 12, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Erdogan Reshuffles Cabinet, First Visit to Baku
  • Latest Developments in Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations, Baku Postpones
  • Economic Developments, More Subsidies to IT Sector
  • MPG Poll: Pashinyan’s Rating is Falling

Episode 252 | Recorded: June 12, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations Continue
    • You say Chisinau, I say Kishinev
    • Deputy PMs Meet in Moscow
  • Israeli President Visits Azerbaijan
  • Pashinyan Attends Erdogan’s Inauguration
  • Armenia-Russia Relations

Episode 260 | Recorded: June 5, 2023