Baku: Azerbaijan has consistently demonstrated its resilience against both internal betrayal and external threats, maintaining its sovereignty and independence amidst continuous challenges. Since gaining independence, Azerbaijan has faced numerous threats, including attempts to stage coups, provoke chaos, and incite civil war. Over the past 34 years, the country has successfully navigated these challenges, underscoring its strength and unity.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the early years of Azerbaijan’s independence were particularly difficult, marked by domestic instability and external pressures. The attempted coup of October 3-4, 1994, exemplifies the threats faced by the young nation. During this period, amidst the ongoing war with Armenia and economic decline, the people of Azerbaijan united under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev, thwarting the coup attempt and defending their statehood. Despite attempts by anti-national forces and foreign political circles to undermine Azerbaijan’s independence, the country’s strategic energy policies and economic reforms prevailed.
Azerbaijan’s strategic location and oil wealth have made it a focal point for global power struggles. The revival of the Great Silk Road, linking Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Turkey, highlights the region’s economic and political significance. However, external forces have consistently opposed regional projects that promote independence, attempting to block Azerbaijan’s strategic growth.
President Ilham Aliyev, addressing the opening of the Military Trophies Park in Baku in April 2021, highlighted the ongoing coup attempts against him since he assumed office in 2003. His leadership during the Patriotic War marked a significant turning point, restoring Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and enhancing its international standing. The war also marked the end of longstanding international pressures and allowed Azerbaijan to emerge as a sovereign power.
Despite these successes, foreign circles have continued to challenge Azerbaijan’s independence. Programs by Western organizations like USAID and the National Endowment for Democracy have attempted to influence Azerbaijan’s internal affairs under the guise of promoting democracy and civil society. However, Azerbaijan’s law enforcement and special services have successfully exposed and neutralized these foreign influence networks, safeguarding the nation’s informational sovereignty and ideological integrity.
The exposure of a French intelligence network in December 2023 underscores Azerbaijan’s capability to detect and counter threats to its national security. Additionally, hybrid threats from Iran between 2021 and 2023 aimed to create ideological discord within Azerbaijan. The dismantling of these networks further solidified Azerbaijan’s independence and regional influence.
By the end of 2023, Azerbaijan had effectively neutralized foreign elements seeking to destabilize the nation. This comprehensive security strategy protects not only the country’s borders but also its ideological, informational, and political spheres. Azerbaijan’s decisive actions have demonstrated its commitment to maintaining its sovereignty and independence, shaping a new security philosophy that strengthens the foundations of its statehood.
Azerbaijan’s rejection of foreign influence, including the closure of the ‘Russian House’ and restrictions on Russian media, highlights its commitment to political independence. Projects like the Southern Gas Corridor and Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline have bolstered Azerbaijan’s geopolitical strength, establishing it as a reliable regional partner.
Under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership, Azerbaijan has achieved internal stability and global influence, becoming a power center that makes independent decisions and influences regional processes. The nation’s strength and resilience serve as a testament to its determination to uphold its sovereignty and independence against both internal and external challenges.