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Monday February 16 2026
Border once sealed, now reconsidered: Ankara, Yerevan and politics of passage

Border once sealed, now reconsidered: Ankara, Yerevan and politics of passage

Efforts to reopen the Alican–Margara border crossing between Türkiye and Armenia have accelerated, signaling a potentially significant shift in regional dynamics. While no official opening date has been announced, Ankara has repeatedly stated that once technical work is finalized and political conditions align, the process is ready to move forward. But what would reopening this border really mean, for Türkiye-Armenia relations, for regional connectivity, and for the broader South Caucasus?

Nation
Nizami Ganjavi International Center hosts high-level event at Munich Security Conference [PHOTOS]

Nizami Ganjavi International Center hosts high-level event at Munich Security Conference [PHOTOS]

A high-level discussion on the future of global cooperation was held on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference as part of MSC 2026, bringing together political leaders, diplomats, and strategic thinkers amid growing geopolitical fragmentation.

Oil & Gas
SOCAR’s first major project in Serbia takes shape as gas power plant near niš advances

SOCAR’s first major project in Serbia takes shape as gas power plant near niš advances

The gas-fired thermal power plant planned near the Serbian city of Niš will become the first major joint project of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) in Serbia, with work on the project already under way, AzerNEWS reports.

Business
Azerbaijan’s private sector debt remains low as S&P highlights banking stability

Azerbaijan’s private sector debt remains low as S&P highlights banking stability

Azerbaijan’s private sector debt-to-GDP ratio stands at around 26 percent, remaining lower than in Georgia, Armenia, and Uzbekistan, and broadly in line with levels seen in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The country also continues to have the lowest share of foreign currency lending in the region, which stood at about 16 percent as of the end of 2025, according to S&P Global Ratings, AzerNEWS reports.

Analysis

Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
Press conference held in Yerevan after Azerbaijan–Armenia civil society talks [VIDEO]

Press conference held in Yerevan after Azerbaijan–Armenia civil society talks [VIDEO]

A press conference was held on February 14 in Armenia following a roundtable discussion between representatives of Azerbaijani and Armenian civil society under the framework of the “Peace Bridge” initiative.

Armenian Aggression
President Aliyev: Sentenced separatist leaders were “masterminds of war crimes”

President Aliyev: Sentenced separatist leaders were “masterminds of war crimes”

“These are the leaders of the illegal separatist regime, which illegally functioned on our territory, on the territory of the sovereign Azerbaijani state, recognized as such by the entire international community, including Armenia."

World
US boards another oil tanker overnight

US boards another oil tanker overnight

The United States Department of Defense announced in a statement on Sunday that overnight, it boarded Veronica III, a crude oil tanker, in the US Indo-Pacific Command, AzerNEWS reports.

Travel
Azerbaijani pilgrims currently at Medina international airport

Azerbaijani pilgrims currently at Medina international airport
Second group of Azerbaijani pilgrims to depart for Hajj this month

Second group of Azerbaijani pilgrims to depart for Hajj this month
Astana celebrates Novruz with festive events and cultural celebrations [PHOTOS]

Astana celebrates Novruz with festive events and cultural celebrations [PHOTOS]
Albania’s impeccable hospitality and exuberant architecture

Albania’s impeccable hospitality and exuberant architecture
Experience charm of autumn season at Shahdag National Park

Experience charm of autumn season at Shahdag National Park
Georgian foreign travelers arrive in Shusha

Georgian foreign travelers arrive in Shusha

Lifestyle
Valentine's Day in Baku: where love meets city's most romantic spots

Valentine's Day in Baku: where love meets city's most romantic spots

Baku in February is a city of contrasts: the Caspian's cold breath mixes with the warm glow of street lamps, and the historic stone walls of the Old City stand beside modern towers of glass and steel.

Culture
Int'l Mugham Center presents major work by Uzbek thinker [PHOTOS]

Int'l Mugham Center presents major work by Uzbek thinker [PHOTOS]

International Mugham Center has hosted a presentation of the Azerbaijani translation of "Muqaddimat al-Adab", a seminal work by the renowned Uzbek thinker Al-Zamakhshari, AzerNEWS reports citing the center.

Events
From energy to AI: What US-Azerbaijan strategic partnership really means

From energy to AI: What US-Azerbaijan strategic partnership really means

J.D. Vance’s visit to Baku and the signing of a US–Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership Charter mark more than a routine diplomatic upgrade. They reflect a renewed American interest in the South Caucasus at a time when global energy insecurity, supply-chain disruption and geopolitical fragmentation are reshaping Washington’s priorities.

Sports
Vittozzi grabs gold for Italy in women's 10km pursuit at Milano Cortina Games

Vittozzi grabs gold for Italy in women's 10km pursuit at Milano Cortina Games

Italy's Lisa Vittozzi put on a superb display of shooting, hitting all 20 targets to win gold in a thrilling women's 10km biathlon pursuit race at the Winter Games on Sunday, AzerNEWS reports.

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