Azerbaijan's geopolitical position: searching for balance between global powers

Abstract

Azerbaijan’s geopolitical position significantly enhances its strategic importance both in the Caucasus region and globally. Located at the crossroads of East and West, North and South, Azerbaijan has become a key actor in the region due to its energy resources and transport-logistics capabilities. Maintaining balanced relations with major powers such as Russia, Iran, Turkey, and the West remains a core strategic priority for Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan’s balancing policy is based on a complex network of relations  cooperation with Russia within the CIS and CSTO frameworks, strategic partnership and military-political alliance with Turkey, and energy security and economic ties with Western countries. At the same time, ethno-political issues and border security concerns with Iran remain geopolitical risks. This balancing strategy increases Azerbaijan’s maneuverability in the multipolar world order, preserves domestic stability, and enables flexible responses to shifting regional power dynamics. In the future, deepening energy diplomacy, strengthening security cooperation, and advancing regional integration can further consolidate Azerbaijan’s geopolitical position.