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.

Armenian Foreign policy Between War and Peace | Ep #80 - July 22, 2021 [EP80]

Posted on Thursday, Jul 22, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Artsakh, Ukraine, Georgia, China, India, Syria, Economy, Middle East, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO, European Union | Series: cog

Armenian Foreign policy Between War and Peace A Conversation with Dr. Pietro Shakarian and Yeghia Tashjian

Topics:

  • Sparring Partners: Moscow and Ankara
  • Yerevan’s Diplomatic Dilemmas
  • Aliyev’s Appetite and Ambitions

Guests

  • Dr. Pietro Shakarian
  • Yeghia Tashjian

Guest(s):

Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 80 | Recorded: July 21, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/CoG-20210722.html

Armenian Foreign policy Between War and Peace | Ep #80 - July 22, 2021 [EP80]

Posted on Thursday, Jul 22, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Artsakh, Ukraine, Georgia, China, India, Syria, Economy, Middle East, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO, European Union

Armenian Foreign policy Between War and Peace A Conversation with Dr. Pietro Shakarian and Yeghia Tashjian

Topics:

  • Sparring Partners: Moscow and Ankara
  • Yerevan’s Diplomatic Dilemmas
  • Aliyev’s Appetite and Ambitions

Guests

  • Dr. Pietro Shakarian
  • Yeghia Tashjian

Guest(s):

Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 80 | Recorded: July 21, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/CoG-20210722.html

Preserving Armenian Heritage - Maghakyan, Khatchadourian, Maranci | Ep #77 - June 30, 2021 [EP77]

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 30, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Artsakh, Armenian Church, Human Rights, Genocide, Syria, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO | Series: cog

Guest(s):

Preserving Armenian Heritage

Topics:

  • What is Armenian Art and Architecture?
  • Where does Artsakh’s Heritage fit in the larger Armenian picture?
  • What Armenian Heritage fell under Azerbaijani Control in 2020?
  • What is Caucasus Heritage Watch and What does it do?
  • What can International Organizations do for Artsakh?
  • How do International Instruments fail in Preserving Armenian Heritage?

Host:

  • Simon Maghakyan is an independent researcher of cultural destruction and lecturer in International Relations at the University of Colorado Denver.

Guests

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Preserving Armenian Heritage - Maghakyan, Khatchadourian, Maranci | Ep #77 - June 30, 2021 [EP77]

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 30, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Artsakh, Armenian Church, Human Rights, Genocide, Syria, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO

Guest(s):

Preserving Armenian Heritage

Topics:

  • What is Armenian Art and Architecture?
  • Where does Artsakh’s Heritage fit in the larger Armenian picture?
  • What Armenian Heritage fell under Azerbaijani Control in 2020?
  • What is Caucasus Heritage Watch and What does it do?
  • What can International Organizations do for Artsakh?
  • How do International Instruments fail in Preserving Armenian Heritage?

Host:

  • Simon Maghakyan is an independent researcher of cultural destruction and lecturer in International Relations at the University of Colorado Denver.

Guests

 Read More

Pashinyan in Moscow | Azerbaijan's Geo-politics | Baku Domestic Politics | Baku's Losses (Ep. 43) [EP43]

Posted on Monday, Jan 18, 2021 | Category: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia, Turkey, Syria, Georgia, Iran, Artsakh, Economy, Israel, Human Rights, Nagorno Karabakh | Series: wir

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 17, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • Outcomes from Nikol Pashinyan’s trip to Moscow
  • What is Azerbaijan’s geo-political situation after the war?
  • Domestic politics in Baku
  • Azerbaijan’s losses from the second war in Artsakh

Guests

  • Edgar Elbakyan
  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210117.html Recorded: January 17, 2021

Pashinyan in Moscow | Azerbaijan's Geo-politics | Baku Domestic Politics | Baku's Losses (Ep. 43) [EP43]

Posted on Monday, Jan 18, 2021 | Category: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia, Turkey, Syria, Georgia, Iran, Artsakh, Economy, Israel, Human Rights, Nagorno Karabakh

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 17, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • Outcomes from Nikol Pashinyan’s trip to Moscow
  • What is Azerbaijan’s geo-political situation after the war?
  • Domestic politics in Baku
  • Azerbaijan’s losses from the second war in Artsakh

Guests

  • Edgar Elbakyan
  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210117.html Recorded: January 17, 2021

Armeenia and Artsakh in the Arab Media (Ep #24) - 10/28/2020 [EP24]

Posted on Monday, Nov 2, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Middle East, Genocide, Armenian Genocide, Iran, Artsakh, Israel, Russia, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh | Series: cog

Guest(s):

Conversations on Groong: Artsakh in the Arab Media - Oct 28, 2020

Since September 27, Azerbaijan has been waging an all out war on Artsakh, cluster-bombing towns and villages and killing civilians and destroying churches and cultural centers, with the aim to destroy and depopulate the region. The worldwide Armenian Diaspora has come together to fight this existential threat.

We’ve read much about the Diaspora’s activities around most of the world, but what about the Arab world? This episode explores some of the challenges and opportunities that

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Armeenia and Artsakh in the Arab Media (Ep #24) - 10/28/2020 [EP24]

Posted on Monday, Nov 2, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Middle East, Genocide, Armenian Genocide, Iran, Artsakh, Israel, Russia, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh

Guest(s):

Conversations on Groong: Artsakh in the Arab Media - Oct 28, 2020

Since September 27, Azerbaijan has been waging an all out war on Artsakh, cluster-bombing towns and villages and killing civilians and destroying churches and cultural centers, with the aim to destroy and depopulate the region. The worldwide Armenian Diaspora has come together to fight this existential threat.

We’ve read much about the Diaspora’s activities around most of the world, but what about the Arab world? This episode explores some of the challenges and opportunities that

 Read More

Stepanakert Cluster Bombed | Turkey's Role | Russia Quiet | What's Next? | Ep. 20 - Oct 4, 2020 [EP20]

Posted on Monday, Oct 5, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Iran, Syria, Geopolitics | Series: wir

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 4, 2020

Topics:

  • Stepanakert under persistent bombardment using banned cluster bombs.
  • Turkey’s role in the war.
  • Why is Russia quiet?
  • What can we expect next?

Guests:

Episode 20 | Recorded: Oct 3, 2020

Stepanakert Cluster Bombed | Turkey's Role | Russia Quiet | What's Next? | Ep. 20 - Oct 4, 2020 [EP20]

Posted on Monday, Oct 5, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Iran, Syria, Geopolitics

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 4, 2020

Topics:

  • Stepanakert under persistent bombardment using banned cluster bombs.
  • Turkey’s role in the war.
  • Why is Russia quiet?
  • What can we expect next?

Guests:

Episode 20 | Recorded: Oct 3, 2020

Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict in Regional Context - Libaridian / De Waal (Ep. 19) [EP19]

Posted on Saturday, Oct 3, 2020 | Category: Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Middle East, Genocide, Artsakh, China, Geopolitics, Georgia, Human Rights, India, Lebanon, Syria, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO | Series: cog

Guest(s):

Conversations on Groong - October 3, 2020

It has now been 7 days since Azerbaijan initiated a wide-scale attack against Armenia and Artsakh. The tragic news of deaths and destruction continue to stream in every hour.

In today’s conversation on Groong, we talk to Jirair Libaridian and Thomas DeWaal about the regional geopolitics that helped create a ripe environment for renewed fighting and various potential scenarios that may develop as a result of it.

Questions explored:

  • What was the path leading to the latest escalation?
  • Why has Turkey taken an
 Read More

Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict in Regional Context - Libaridian / De Waal (Ep. 19) [EP19]

Posted on Saturday, Oct 3, 2020 | Category: Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Middle East, Genocide, Artsakh, China, Geopolitics, Georgia, Human Rights, India, Lebanon, Syria, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO

Guest(s):

Conversations on Groong - October 3, 2020

It has now been 7 days since Azerbaijan initiated a wide-scale attack against Armenia and Artsakh. The tragic news of deaths and destruction continue to stream in every hour.

In today’s conversation on Groong, we talk to Jirair Libaridian and Thomas DeWaal about the regional geopolitics that helped create a ripe environment for renewed fighting and various potential scenarios that may develop as a result of it.

Questions explored:

  • What was the path leading to the latest escalation?
  • Why has Turkey taken an
 Read More

ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #18) - 09/27/2020 [EP18]

Posted on Monday, Sep 28, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Israel, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Syria, Artsakh, China, Economy, Genocide, Lebanon, Ukraine, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Genocide | Series: wir

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #18) - 09/27/2020

Topics:

  • The 29th Anniversary of Armenian Independence;
  • Armenia’s foreign policy;
  • Azerbaijan war of disinformation; and lastly
  • Opposition trio rally and Tsarukyan’s arrest

Guests

  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • Marine Manucharyan
  • Emil Sanamyan

Hosts

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200927.html Episode 18 | Recorded on September 26, 2020

ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #18) - 09/27/2020 [EP18]

Posted on Monday, Sep 28, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Israel, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Syria, Artsakh, China, Economy, Genocide, Lebanon, Ukraine, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Genocide

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #18) - 09/27/2020

Topics:

  • The 29th Anniversary of Armenian Independence;
  • Armenia’s foreign policy;
  • Azerbaijan war of disinformation; and lastly
  • Opposition trio rally and Tsarukyan’s arrest

Guests

  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • Marine Manucharyan
  • Emil Sanamyan

Hosts

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200927.html Episode 18 | Recorded on September 26, 2020

ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #16) - 09/20/2020 [EP16]

Posted on Monday, Sep 21, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Genocide, Human Rights, Israel, Armenian Church, Armenian Genocide, NATO | Series: wir

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/20/2020

Topics:

  • Constitutional Court Appointment
  • Armenia’s Growing National Debt
  • Calls for the Resignation of the Minister of Education
  • Escalated Tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border
    • Armenian Soldier dies amidst escalation
    • Azerbaijan again slams negotiations, turns away Russian AWACS
  • Khodorkovsky Publishes New Dossier on Armenian & Azerbaijan
  • Bob Dole hired by Embassy of Armenia as a Lobbyist

Guests

  • Hrant Mikaelyan
  • Emil Sanamyan
  • Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan
 Read More

ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #16) - 09/20/2020 [EP16]

Posted on Monday, Sep 21, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Genocide, Human Rights, Israel, Armenian Church, Armenian Genocide, NATO

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/20/2020

Topics:

  • Constitutional Court Appointment
  • Armenia’s Growing National Debt
  • Calls for the Resignation of the Minister of Education
  • Escalated Tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border
    • Armenian Soldier dies amidst escalation
    • Azerbaijan again slams negotiations, turns away Russian AWACS
  • Khodorkovsky Publishes New Dossier on Armenian & Azerbaijan
  • Bob Dole hired by Embassy of Armenia as a Lobbyist

Guests

  • Hrant Mikaelyan
  • Emil Sanamyan
  • Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan
 Read More

ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #14) - 09/13/2020 [EP14]

Posted on Monday, Sep 14, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Israel, India, China, Georgia, Ukraine, Nagorno Karabakh | Series: wir

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/13/2020

Topics:

  • Electoral Reforms in Armenia
  • Journalist Dana Mazalov passes away
  • ANSEF Reorganization
  • My Step MP Arsen Julfalakyan Resigns from Parliament
  • Russian Opposition Leader Navalny’s Poisoning and Recovery
  • What is going on in Baku?
    • Azeri pressure on Arms Providers to Armenia
    • Aliyev vs. Aliyeva?
    • Caucasus 2020 Joint Military Exercises and those MIA

Guests

  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • Emil Sanamyan
  • Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website:

 Read More

ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #14) - 09/13/2020 [EP14]

Posted on Monday, Sep 14, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Israel, India, China, Georgia, Ukraine, Nagorno Karabakh

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/13/2020

Topics:

  • Electoral Reforms in Armenia
  • Journalist Dana Mazalov passes away
  • ANSEF Reorganization
  • My Step MP Arsen Julfalakyan Resigns from Parliament
  • Russian Opposition Leader Navalny’s Poisoning and Recovery
  • What is going on in Baku?
    • Azeri pressure on Arms Providers to Armenia
    • Aliyev vs. Aliyeva?
    • Caucasus 2020 Joint Military Exercises and those MIA

Guests

  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • Emil Sanamyan
  • Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website:

 Read More

ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #11) - 08/30/2020 [EP11]

Posted on Sunday, Aug 30, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Azerbaijan, Russia, Syria, Artsakh, Lebanon, USA, Middle East, Turkey, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union | Series: wir

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/30/2020

Topics:

  • Armenian POW Gurgen Alaverdyan
  • Armenia’s Humanitarian Aid to Aleppo
  • Serge Sargsyan’s Interview and the Four-Day War Deliberations
  • National Awards
  • Vagharshak Harutyunyan’s Appointment as Chief Advisor to Pashinyan

Guests:

  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • Emil Sanamyan
  • Alen Zamanyan

Guest(s):

Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200830.html Episode 11 | Recorded on August 30 2020

ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #11) - 08/30/2020 [EP11]

Posted on Sunday, Aug 30, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Azerbaijan, Russia, Syria, Artsakh, Lebanon, USA, Middle East, Turkey, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/30/2020

Topics:

  • Armenian POW Gurgen Alaverdyan
  • Armenia’s Humanitarian Aid to Aleppo
  • Serge Sargsyan’s Interview and the Four-Day War Deliberations
  • National Awards
  • Vagharshak Harutyunyan’s Appointment as Chief Advisor to Pashinyan

Guests:

  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • Emil Sanamyan
  • Alen Zamanyan

Guest(s):

Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200830.html Episode 11 | Recorded on August 30 2020