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Algeria has launched its second operation to clear the territory of a former French nuclear test site in the Sahara Desert, accusing Paris of withholding information essential to the cleanup efforts.

The Algerian Ministry of Defence said the operation began on Sunday. It involves identifying areas contaminated with radioactive materials, collecting nuclear waste and storing it in specially designed concrete containers.

The defence authorities accused France of evading responsibility and refusing to provide archival documents and maps indicating the locations where nuclear waste was buried.

France conducted its first nuclear test in the Reggane region of the Sahara on February 13, 1960, when Algeria was still under French colonial rule. A total of 17 nuclear tests were carried out in the Algerian Sahara between 1960 and 1966. Paris continued its testing programme for four years after Algeria gained independence in 1962.

For decades, Algeria has been seeking access to documents and maps detailing the locations of nuclear tests and radioactive waste disposal sites. The information is considered essential for identifying contaminated areas and addressing the consequences of the nuclear tests.

The legacy of French colonial rule remains one of the main sources of tension between the two countries.

The October issue of Ulduz magazine has been dedicated to the 900th anniversary of the birth of renowned Azerbaijani poet Khagani Shirvani.

The special edition, published as a joint project by the Institute of Literature named after Nizami Ganjavi of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), T?hsil Publishing and Printing LLC, and Ulduz magazine, opens with the Azerbaijani President’s Order on commemorating the 900th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet.

The issue features articles about Khagani Shirvani written by scholars and literary researchers from different periods.

Among the contributions are ‘The Life of Khagani Shirvani’ by Doctor of Philological Sciences and Professor Gafar Kandli Herisçi; ‘The Great Azerbaijani Poet Khagani Shirvani’ by ANAS President, Academician Isa Habibbayli; ‘Khagani Shirvani and Middle Eastern Literature’ by literary scholar, translator and PhD in Philology Mammadaga Sulatnov; and ‘Khagani’s ‘Self’ in His Art’ by ANAS Corresponding Member Azada Rustam.

The edition also includes ‘In Prison’ by ANAS Corresponding Member Mahmud Ismayilov; ‘Khagani’s Influence on Nava’i’s Philosophical Odes’ by ANAS Corresponding Member Nushaba Arasli; and ‘A Comparative Study of the Arab Poet Buhturi’s ‘Shiniyya’ Ode and Khagani Shirvani’s ‘The Ruins of Madain” by Doctor of Philological Sciences and Professor Imamverdi Hamidov.

Other contributions include ‘The Artistic Depth of Khagani Shirvani’s Lyric Poetry’ by PhD in Philology and Associate Professor Lala Alizada; ‘On Distortions in the Translation of Khagani’s Odes’ by Doctor of Philological Sciences and Associate Professor Konul Hajiyeva; and ‘Aspects of Arab-Islamic Culture in the Works of Khagani Shirvani’ by PhD in Philology and Associate Professor Elnara Zeynalova.

The issue also features ‘Cry, So That You May Weep…’ by poet Farid Huseyn, chairman of the Youth Council of the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union, and ‘Khagani Shirvani’s Literary Legacy in the Context of Modernity’ by Dilara Adilgil.

While Azerbaijan is certainly not one of the world’s 20 largest economies, it is neither a permanent member of the G20 nor does it wield enough financial clout to be a regular attendee. Nevertheless, in December, President Ilham Aliyev was invited to attend the G20 summit in Miami. In the above, we see an aspect of contemporary diplomacy that is telling in itself; namely, that what matters to major nations is not necessarily their economic size but their strategic importance. America has offered to host this summit from the 14th to the 15th of December, where Azerbaijan is among the guest countries along with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Singapore, and some European countries. The invitation was announced in July and has been mentioned in the summit’s participant information. This is merely a matter of diplomacy, not the addition of the country to the G20.

The economies represented by the G20 account for 85% of global production, says the International Monetary Fund. The G20 gatherings introduce invited nations to those who affect commerce, money flows, energy policy and geopolitical risks. They do not guarantee agreement, investment or power. But they place the nation’s concerns before a very influential group.

Guest invitations are also a sign of who holds the key to the door. It is up to the host country to open up dialogue with countries it finds necessary without necessarily giving them membership in the club. This selective approach works two ways. It means that the visit by President Aliyev is significant, but Washington still holds the keys.

Washington’s map has expanded

While we are in the early stages of the 2020s, the idea of the US being number one has significantly diminished. Perhaps the world order aspires to transition into a multilateral system, which some might argue is inevitable. Realistically speaking, however, Uncle Sam still holds a stronger hand in international relations – like it or not. With that being said, what makes the guest list intriguing is the company Azerbaijan keeps. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have joined the dialogue as well. This indicates that America is beginning to view the Caspian and Central Asia not just as the far-off places that lie between Russia and China but also as an area that has options of its own. A better way to showcase the value of these countries is to put them under the bright lights on a grand stage like this.

Azerbaijan sits on the western pivot of this geography. Trade from Central Asia via the Caspian that moves on to Europe does so using ports and rail lines in Azerbaijan in conjunction with those in Georgia and Trkiye. According to estimates in 2023 by the World Bank, the Middle Corridor has the potential to triple volumes of cargo and halve transit times by 2030, provided there is significant development of infrastructure and processes. The energy equation becomes much more immediate. According to the European Commission, Azerbaijan and its state energy corporation delivered 12.5 billion cubic meters of gas to the member countries of the European Union in 2025 – a 53.8 percent increase from 2021. This is not sufficient for Azerbaijan to be the solution to Europe’s energy woes. It is sufficient, however, for the country’s energy network to become a part of the Continent’s effort to diversify its sources of energy.

However, there is a more political reason for Trump’s involvement. In August 2025, he received President Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the White House, where they signed a joint declaration and their foreign ministers initialled a peace accord. The difference is significant; an initialled document is not the same as a signed and implemented treaty. Still, the meeting put the South Caucasus on the US diplomatic agenda. In addition to having an interest in ensuring peace and prosperity in this part of the world by developing the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, which would involve transit through Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave via Armenia, the proposed route creates another interest for the United States in the region’s stability.

In participating in the Miami event, Baku would be creating the opportunity for itself to have its priorities recognized in the countries which would have the financial and political capability to assist, or conversely, hinder, such a development. For the United States, Azerbaijan is the partner in the peace process and the important transit hub between two continents. However, there is a diplomatic disparity in this situation. While the US can use diplomacy to draw attention and investment to the table, it cannot change the geographical reality nor force the neighboring countries to trust each other. Whether this will be an example of a real peace dividend for both sides, or yet another dispute over borders, is completely up to Baku and Yerevan.

The autonomy calculation

Strategic independence is one of the themes of the Azerbaijani President’s foreign policy, which has been a recurring theme over the past few months. Azerbaijan wants good relations with different centers of power, and not exclusive patronage from any of them. The same state that gives gas to Europe also has ties with China, Russia, Turkey, and the United States. This can be risky, because good relations with various centers of power bring chances for bargaining but also various demands.

The visit to Miami is a much less exaggerated measure of prestige than the claim about the indispensability of Azerbaijan. Washington may invite countries without accepting all the things they do. Equally, the presence of Baku does not mean solving any criticism from the outside world about its governance and freedoms. International presence and international acceptance are not the same things.

That is exactly why the offer merits consideration beyond ritualistic discourse. Involving Azerbaijan has clear interests at stake: the sustainability of peace with Armenia, the robustness of the Eurasian transit route, and the reliability of the energy corridor. These interests afford Baku a voice, but also a test of credibility.

Value of being in the room

The most recent G20 summit was held in Johannesburg in 2025. Miami will provide something new in terms of a host country, a different political focus, and a carefully selected set of guest nations. The inclusion of Azerbaijan in the summit reflects a broader trend where medium-sized powers can hold some sway through corridors of cooperation.

However, what really matters will emerge when all the limousines have departed from Florida. Are there now better guarantees for transportation? Is the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan moving forward? Have business ties moved past declarations and into binding agreements and actual facilities? These are tougher issues than whether anyone shows up at the summit itself.

The invitation presents the chance for Azerbaijan to put across the point that its regional significance has become global. The proof of such an assertion comes later on. Miami provides Baku a platform. It is what they make of it that matters.

A delegation from the Central Bank of Uzbekistan has paid a working visit to the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) to exchange experience in financial technology and innovation.

According to the CBA, on the first day of the visit, Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank Vusal Khalilov met with the Uzbek delegation.

The meeting focused on the importance of sharing expertise, promoting innovation in the financial sector, and prospects for strengthening cooperation between the central banks of the two countries.

During the visit, Azerbaijani officials presented initiatives implemented under the Central Bank’s Financial Sector Development Strategy for 2024-2026, including developments in financial technology, innovation and payment systems, regulatory approaches and the results achieved.

The discussions also covered efforts to develop the digital financial ecosystem, promote innovative financial solutions, improve payment systems and products, upgrade relevant infrastructure and expand access to financial services.

Representatives of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, in turn, shared their country’s experience in developing a financial technology strategy, outlining key priorities and major areas of development in the sector.

On November 3, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Jonah Maina Mwangi, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kenya to Azerbaijan.

The ambassador presented his credentials to the head of state.

President Ilham Aliyev fondly recalled the visit of Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto to Azerbaijan, as well as his meetings with him both in Azerbaijan and on the sidelines of international events.

Highlighting the positive state of political relations between the two countries, President Ilham Aliyev noted that these ties create broad opportunities for expanding cooperation in other areas, including the economy and trade. He also emphasized the significant potential for bilateral cooperation across various fields.

President Ilham Aliyev wished the ambassador success in his diplomatic activities.

Thanking the head of state for the reception, the ambassador noted that bilateral relations had developed in recent years. He said he would spare no effort, in line with the instructions of both heads of state, to further strengthen cooperation.

Jonah Maina Mwangi stressed the importance of reciprocal visits at various levels in expanding bilateral cooperation.

The sides also exchanged views on prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kenya in various fields.