Category: Azer News

The events that unfolded in South Korea’s financial markets during the summer of 2026 offer a sobering lesson in how regulatory frameworks, when misaligned with investor behaviour patterns, can amplify market instability rather than contain it. Between June 19 and July 30, the KOSPI index shed over 40 percent of its value, a 3,792-point plunge that evaporated wealth equivalent to South Korea’s entire GDP.

The genesis of this crisis lies in a policy decision made with understandable objectives. In late 2025, South Korea’s Financial Services Commission faced a legitimate challenge: the domestic stock market had consistently underperformed global peers, spurring domestic capital to migrate toward U.S. equities. To revitalize the domestic market and recapture foreign investor confidence, regulators approved 2x leveraged ETF products in May 2026, anchored to blue-chip stocks like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

The regulatory logic was sound in principle-drawn from the mature U.S. leveraged ETF market. The critical oversight, however, was one of demographic reality. While U.S. leveraged ETF users tend to be sophisticated institutional investors with risk management protocols, South Korea’s investor base proved strikingly different. Within weeks of launch, young retail investors-predominantly aged 20 to 30-poured roughly 14 trillion won into leveraged products. This cohort committed not just savings but down payments for homes, pension funds, and even consumer loans to chase the upward momentum in semiconductor stocks.

The numbers tell a stark story: 62 percent of all leveraged traders were young investors. By late June, leveraged ETFs tracking Korean assets had swelled to approximately $50 billion in total size. The combined leverage balloon-including brokerage financing and leveraged ETFs-reached 120.6 trillion won, a sum that should have triggered regulatory caution.

The mechanism at the heart of this buildup was deceptively simple yet structurally flawed. Leveraged ETFs employ daily rebalancing to maintain their leverage ratios. When underlying stock prices fall, the ETF must automatically sell holdings-meaning price declines themselves trigger forced selling, creating what analysts call a “death spiral.” A falling market triggers margin calls; margin calls trigger forced liquidations; forced liquidations push prices lower. The process becomes self-reinforcing.

When the Architecture Fails

The collapse began subtly in mid-July 2026, when forward guidance on memory chip oversupply and the slower-than-expected monetization of AI applications dampened market sentiment. What followed was a textbook demonstration of how leveraged instruments amplify downside moves. Approximately 1.2 million retail leveraged accounts fell below maintenance margins, with between 320,000 and 460,000 accounts completely liquidated by July’s end-their principals erased entirely.

The data reveals a troubling pattern: by early August, over half of South Korea’s leveraged funds had contracted. The combined balance of leverage-which had peaked at 120.6 trillion won-shrank to 55.7 trillion won, a 54 percent contraction in mere weeks. Leveraged ETFs specifically contracted by 71 percent, from 82 trillion won to 23.5 trillion won.

More than 600,000 young Korean families faced devastating consequences. The Korea Financial Investment Association reported that forced liquidations in July totaled approximately 993 billion won, with 62 percent of liquidated accounts belonging to investors aged 35 or younger. As one retail investor wrote in despair: “I’ve not only lost all my savings, but I also owe a large sum to my broker.”

What makes this episode particularly consequential extends beyond immediate losses. The psychological blow to market participation has proven substantial. The share of individual investors in KOSPI trading volume collapsed from 48.1 percent in January to 31.2-31.5 percent by July, while foreign investor participation rose to 38-39 percent-capturing market influence for the first time in years.

More troubling is the explicit loss of confidence voiced by the affected generation. Social media posts reflect a resignation that has hardened into self-imposed exile: “I’ve set two rules for myself. First: don’t invest in the Korean stock market. Second: follow the first rule.” When an entire demographic withdraws from domestic capital markets, policymakers face a structural problem that transcends immediate market recovery. The foundation of a healthy market-broad retail participation-has been damaged, possibly for years.

Yet rather than embracing domestic markets, South Korean retail investors have pivoted to U.S. leveraged ETFs, particularly the 3x semiconductor ETF (SOXL), which saw inflows of $2.49 billion in a single month. The trauma of domestic losses has paradoxically driven them toward even more aggressive leverage vehicles abroad-a pattern that suggests not the restoration of confidence but rather a shift in venue for speculative excess.

The response from authorities came swiftly. The minimum margin requirement for leveraged ETFs was raised from 10 million won to 30 million won, causing related trading volumes to plummet from 12.4 trillion won to below 1 trillion won. The National Assembly launched accountability proceedings. The Finance Ministry pledged structural stability measures. These interventions address the immediate symptom but leave deeper questions unresolved: Why was a leveraged product aimed at a retail investor base without the institutional safeguards present in more mature markets? How were regulatory supervisors unable to detect the concentration risk in their own domestic market? What mechanisms ensure that future policy experiments do not replicate this pattern?

South Korea’s experience carries implications that ripple across Asia and beyond. Taiwan, with 48.93 percent foreign ownership in its weighted index and heavy concentration in semiconductors, mirrors several concerning characteristics. India has experienced equivalent foreign capital withdrawals. The underlying dynamic-markets dependent on single industries, heavily populated by foreign capital, and saturated with leveraged speculation-creates systemic vulnerability.

The architecture of global capital flows has evolved such that emerging markets often absorb the volatility that developed markets export. When U.S. markets require digestion of excess valuations, capital selectively withdraws from vulnerable periphery markets. South Korea’s policymakers believed they were designing a tool to attract capital. Instead, they may have constructed an instrument through which capital could profitably extract wealth from retail investors.

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Hadia Safeer Choudhry is an International Relations graduate with a solid academic basis in Diplomatic Relations, International Law, and Intercultural Communication. Her writings focus on international relations, feminism, and current trends

United States President Donald Trump stated on Monday that he might endorse “someone” in the Israeli legislative election, scheduled for October 27, AzerNEWS reports.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump remarked that, in his opinion, it would be best for him to stay out of Israel’s politics and internal matters. Moreover, he advised Israel against continuing its armed campaign in Gaza.

His comments came after it was reported that Trump would endorse Israel’s incumbent prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in the election.

However, he later said that Netanyahu was a great wartime leader, while adding about a potential endorsement that “I don’t know anything about his politics, I’m not sure.”

The resettlement of Azerbaijanis to territories liberated from occupation is continuing as part of the Great Return program, in line with the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev.

AzerNEWS reports that at the latest stage of the program, 11 families comprising 39 people have been relocated to the village of Kichik Galaderesi in Shusha, while 18 families, or 82 people, have returned to the village of Guzeykhirman in Khojavand district and another 21 families, totaling 103 people, have moved to Guneykhirman.

The families returning to their ancestral homes had previously been temporarily accommodated in different parts of Azerbaijan, mainly in dormitories, sanatoriums and administrative buildings.

For many of the returning residents, the resettlement marks the fulfillment of a dream they had waited decades to realize. They are now beginning new lives in their ancestral villages, contributing to the revival of communities that had remained empty for years.

Among those returning to Kichik Galaderesi is Orkhan Gasimov, for whom the move carries profound personal and emotional significance.

‘We are moving to Galaderesi village in Shusha district. We are returning to the land where our father fought. We are going there to revive our village and build a new life there,’ Gasimov said.

He said he was particularly happy to witness the revival of his native village, adding that rural life is a dream for many people who have spent years in cities. For him, however, Galaderesi represents much more: it is his ancestral land, his homeland and the place he had long hoped to return to.

‘That is our ancestral land, our homeland. Whatever work there is to be done, we will do it and live there. The beauty of nature and the air there make a person feel healthier and spiritually younger. They also give you a desire to live,’ the young Shusha resident said.

Gasimov said his feelings of admiration for Galaderesi’s natural beauty were accompanied by a deep sense of pride in returning to his homeland. He also viewed the return as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the struggle to liberate the territories.

‘Indeed, God has given us a great blessing. If we are returning there at the cost of so much bloodshed, we are going with a sense of pride and joy. God willing, everything will be better,’ he said.

The same sense of joy and pride is being experienced by families returning to Khojavand’s Guzeykhirman village.

Vagif Gozalov, one of the residents returning to the village, described the day as one of the happiest and most eagerly awaited moments of his life.

‘Today is truly one of the happiest days we have been waiting for with great hope. We are returning to our homeland, to Khojavand and to Guzeykhirman village,’ Gozalov said.

He praised the efforts undertaken by the Azerbaijani state to make the return possible and expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, while wishing good health to wounded veterans and other servicemen.

Gozalov also expressed his hope that other Azerbaijanis displaced from their ancestral homes would soon have the opportunity to return.

‘We are returning with great joy. What could be more beautiful or happier than these days? I wish everyone success and hope that our happy days will continue on those lands,’ he said.

For Gozalov, the return of displaced families is closely connected with the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. He also expressed optimism about the country’s future.

‘The path we are following for the sake of a united Azerbaijan shows that the course pursued by our Supreme Commander-in-Chief is the right one. May God rest the soul of our National Leader. Our President is successfully continuing his policy. All our lands are free,’ the former internally displaced person said.

He expressed the hope that people would no longer have to endure the suffering caused by displacement and would instead live peacefully and prosperously in their ancestral homes.

The latest resettlements underscore the broader transformation taking place across Azerbaijan’s liberated territories, where reconstruction, infrastructure development and the return of former internally displaced persons are gradually turning long-awaited homecomings into a new reality.

For the families arriving in Shusha and Khojavand, the Great Return is not simply a change of residence. It represents the restoration of family roots, the revival of local communities and the beginning of a new chapter of life in the places they have long regarded as home.

The United Arab Emirates has reportedly expressed readiness to fully finance a potential Syrian military operation in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, including covering fighters’ salaries and operational costs, AzerNEWS reports via Al Mayadeen.

The reported proposal was linked to a broader US-backed scenario under which Syria’s new leadership would deploy its forces into Lebanon to confront Hezbollah.

According to the report, Abu Dhabi was prepared to provide the financial resources required for such an intervention, including funding personnel and combat operations.

The plan was reportedly opposed by Iran, which warned Syria’s new leadership and regional governments that a Syrian military intervention against Hezbollah could trigger a broader regional confrontation.

The report comes amid continued uncertainty over the role of Syria’s post-Assad government in regional security arrangements and its relations with both Israel and Hezbollah. Tehran has maintained close ties with Hezbollah, while Gulf states have sought to expand their influence over Syria’s new political order.

Al Mayadeen’s report did not provide independent evidence confirming that the UAE had formally committed to financing such an operation. Neither Abu Dhabi nor Damascus has publicly confirmed the reported plan.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia.

According to AzerNEWS, the letter reads:

“Dear Mr. President,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend to you and, through you, to the friendly people of Indonesia my sincerest congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of August 17, the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia.

At present, Azerbaijan and Indonesia have ample opportunities to further expand cooperation in a number of areas of mutual interest, particularly in the economic, investment, humanitarian, and other fields.

I am confident that we will continue to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Indonesia for the well-being of our peoples.

On this significant day, I wish you robust health, happiness, and success in your high state office, and the friendly people of Indonesia lasting peace and prosperity.”

Nestlé is looking to turn the growing popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss medications into a new business opportunity. The company plans to use artificial intelligence and nutritional science to develop products aimed at millions of people taking drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, AzerNEWS reports.

The food giant believes the rise of these medications is creating a new market for products designed to help consumers deal with some of the challenges associated with rapid weight loss. These can include muscle loss, reduced nutrient intake and changes in facial fat – a phenomenon often referred to as ‘Ozempic face.’

According to Boston Consulting Group, around 16 million Americans are currently using medications that target the GLP-1 pathway, and that number could increase significantly by the end of the decade.

Nestlé Chief Technology Officer Stefan Palzer said the company’s scientists are studying the effects of rapid weight loss and developing products that could help consumers maintain muscle health, hydration and adequate nutrition. The company is also using AI to analyze large amounts of clinical research and identify combinations of nutrients that may be beneficial during weight loss.

Nestlé has already begun adapting some of its products. Its Vital Proteins brand has added collagen protein to certain products, targeting concerns related to skin, hair and nail health. In the US, the company has also launched Boost Advanced Nutrition Shake, which contains 35 grams of protein and is marketed as a way to support muscle health during weight loss.

Meanwhile, in Asia and Australia, Nestlé has introduced Milo PRO High Protein, a higher-protein version of its popular malt-based drink.

The company is also experimenting with AI-powered consumer models that can predict how customers might respond to new products and health claims before those products reach supermarket shelves.

However, not everyone is convinced that GLP-1 users need specialized foods. Amanda Avery, an associate professor in food and nutrition at the University of Nottingham, argues that many of the nutrients promoted in these products can already be obtained from ordinary foods such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, beans, nuts and other legumes.

Still, the potential market is enormous. As GLP-1 medications become increasingly common, food companies are beginning to compete for a new type of consumer – one who may eat less but pay more attention to protein, vitamins, hydration and overall nutritional quality.

An interesting twist is that the GLP-1 boom could change not only the pharmaceutical industry but also the entire food market. If millions of people have smaller appetites, companies may have to rethink what they sell – shifting from products designed to make people eat more toward smaller, nutrient-dense foods designed to deliver more nutrition in every bite.

The Iranian government is reportedly preparing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for a potentially wider confrontation with the United States, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited Iranian and Arab officials, AzerNEWS reports.

The report says Tehran has used the current period of negotiations with Washington not only to pursue diplomacy but also to strengthen its military position and prepare for a possible escalation.

According to the report, over the past two months Iran has increased the IRGC’s control over the country’s military structures, appointed new commanders, expanded missile and drone production and strengthened its domestic counterintelligence network.

The changes come amid a broader restructuring of Iran’s security establishment under Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Several veteran IRGC figures have been elevated to senior military and security positions, reflecting a harder line toward Washington and a greater emphasis on preparing for a prolonged confrontation.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that IRGC advisers have been sent to Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon, where they are coordinating with Iran-aligned armed groups. Intercepted communications reviewed by the newspaper reportedly indicate that Iranian advisers have been involved in preparations for a broader regional confrontation.

The developments come despite ongoing diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington. The two sides reached a memorandum of understanding in June that temporarily reduced hostilities, while the United States subsequently held off on a planned attack after mediators reported progress toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The reported military preparations suggest, however, that Iran’s leadership views diplomacy and military readiness as parallel tracks rather than mutually exclusive options. Recent reporting has similarly described the IRGC as gaining greater influence over Iran’s decision-making as negotiations with Washington remain uncertain.

German defence company Rheinmetall will supply another 149 mobile medical stations to the country’s armed forces, the Bundeswehr, under a contract worth more than pound 500 million, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the company, production is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027. The new order, placed in July, will increase the total number of mobile medical systems ordered by the Bundeswehr to 165, while the overall value of the contracts will rise to around pound 600 million.

The mobile medical stations are designed to provide first aid and emergency medical care to military personnel close to areas of operation. Each system consists of two containers and can operate independently, without requiring permanent infrastructure.

The stations can be deployed and dismantled relatively quickly by a team of just four soldiers. Their medical equipment can also be configured according to the mission, allowing the systems to be adapted for different operational requirements.

Another important advantage is their mobility. The units can be transported using various types of military vehicles and deployed even in difficult or remote terrain, giving the Bundeswehr greater flexibility when providing medical support to troops.

The contract is also notable because it highlights a broader shift in modern defence planning: medical support is increasingly being treated as an integral part of military readiness rather than simply a rear-area function. In a high-intensity conflict, the ability to provide treatment quickly and close to the battlefield can have a major impact on the survival and recovery of wounded personnel.

For Rheinmetall, the order further strengthens its position as one of Germany’s key defence suppliers as Berlin continues to expand and modernize the Bundeswehr’s capabilities.

A Spanish fighter jet deployed in Romania as part of a NATO mission shot down a drone that entered Romanian airspace near the borders with Ukraine and Moldova, AzerNEWS reports, citing Romania’s Defense Ministry.

According to the ministry, the drone, which had entered Romanian airspace from Moldova, was intercepted by an F-18 fighter jet at 5:01 a.m. local time.

The ministry also warned that debris from the drone could have fallen in an uninhabited area near Gala?i, close to the Ukrainian border.

Romania, a NATO member with a population of around 19 million, has been among the alliance’s countries most exposed to the consequences of the war in Ukraine. Its eastern border along the Black Sea lies close to areas that have been repeatedly targeted by strikes.

Other NATO members on the alliance’s eastern flank, including Poland and the Baltic states, have also reported repeated airspace violations.

On Friday, NATO said that a drone entering Latvian airspace had been shot down by Italian fighter jets.

In accordance with the training plan for 2026 approved by the Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the military oath-taking ceremonies for young soldiers were held in the Azerbaijan Army on August 10, AzerNEWS reports.

The ceremonies were declared open after the battle flags were brought to the parade grounds in accompaniment of military orchestras.

First, the memory of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, and Shehids, who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland, was honored with observing a minute of silence. Then the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was performed.

The young soldiers solemnly took the military oath and promised to be loyal to the Motherland.

Speaking at the events, representatives of the Ministry of Defense and commanders of military units congratulated the young soldiers on this significant occasion and urged them to remain loyal to the Motherland, the state, and the Commander-in-Chief, to serve as exemplary soldiers, to thoroughly learn the secrets of weapons and equipment, to constantly improve combat training, to precisely and promptly fulfill orders of the command staff, and to always be prepared to defend Azerbaijani lands.

The event participants expressed their pride in the young soldiers taking the military oath and thanked the head of state and the leadership of the Ministry of Defense for conditions provided.

The ceremonies ended with servicemen’s solemn marches in front of the grandstand.

In the end, military units held cultural and mass events in a patriotic spirit.