Category: Azer News

In recent months, amid growing fractures within the European Union and against the backdrop of the Ukraine-Russia war, a range of new interpretations has emerged regarding NATO and the Western camp. France’s increasing drive towards militarisation and the legalisation of private military structures now openly signals Paris’s intention to challenge cohesion within the Western alliance, including NATO, an organisation that is over seventy years old. In reality, France’s tensions with the Western bloc are not new. As early as September 15, 2021, when France was excluded from the AUKUS security pact and responded with decisions that contradicted allied unity, deeper and more risky strategic ambitions became visible. Today, new information sheds further light on the dangers inherent in France’s evolving security policy.

At the centre of this shift lies France’s move to formalise the role of so-called trusted operators within its defence framework. Legislative amendments adopted recently allow the French Ministry of the Armed Forces to engage selected private organisations and companies for international military cooperation, training, support missions and foreign operations. Although Paris avoids the explicit term private military companies, the substance of the policy suggests precisely that. The rebranding appears designed to reduce political backlash while expanding France’s operational flexibility abroad.

Under the new framework, contracts with these trusted operators may last up to ten years. These entities would be authorised to take part in military operations in support of third countries facing a crisis or armed conflict. Their remit would include training, operational assistance, technical support and logistics. Their activities would extend across land, sea, air and cyber domains. This scope closely mirrors that of private military companies operating in other global theatres, from Africa to the Middle East.

The legalisation of such actors marks a strategic departure for France. It enables Paris to project power indirectly while limiting formal accountability. Unlike the French Foreign Legion, which remains an official component of the French armed forces and operates openly under the national flag, trusted operators provide plausible deniability. This distinction is critical. It allows the French state to distance itself from direct responsibility while still shaping outcomes on the ground.

The timing of this policy is not accidental. In November 2025, President Emmanuel Macron announced a declaration of intent to sell up to one hundred Rafale fighter jets to Ukraine over a ten-year period. Training Ukrainian pilots to operate these advanced aircraft would take considerable time. In this context, trusted operator companies could provide a convenient solution. French pilots and retired officers could be deployed through private structures to train Ukrainian personnel. The possibility that they could also participate directly in combat operations cannot be ruled out.

Such an arrangement would allow France to maintain a public narrative that its official armed forces are not engaged in the conflict. This would support claims that NATO is not directly intervening in Ukraine. In turn, it would reduce the legal and political grounds for Russia to justify retaliatory military action against France. The use of private military actors thus becomes a strategic tool to manage escalation while still influencing the battlefield.

This approach reflects a broader trend in contemporary warfare. States increasingly rely on indirect means to advance strategic interests while avoiding formal thresholds that trigger collective defence obligations or international retaliation. For France, trusted operators represent a way to assert influence without the constraints imposed by alliance politics and public opinion.

However, this strategy also carries risks. It weakens transparency and undermines established norms of state responsibility in armed conflict. The blurred line between state and non-state actors complicates accountability under international law. It also raises ethical concerns, particularly when private entities are granted authority to operate across multiple domains, including cyberspace, where attribution is already difficult.

The implications extend beyond Ukraine. France maintains close relations with Armenia, a country that has become increasingly militarised following its regional conflicts. Armenia already hosts various private military-style organisations, such as VOMA. It is not implausible that French-trusted operators could establish cooperation with Armenian counterparts. Through lobbying networks and political connections, such collaboration could develop with limited public scrutiny.

If France were to provide military support to Armenia through private structures, it would further illustrate how this model can be used to influence sensitive regional conflicts while avoiding diplomatic costs. This could destabilise already fragile balances in the South Caucasus and increase tensions with regional powers. Once again, the use of trusted operators would allow Paris to deny direct involvement while shaping outcomes in line with its strategic preferences.

The French government may present this policy as a pragmatic adaptation to a changing security environment. Yet it also reflects a deeper ambition to act independently of collective Western frameworks. By creating parallel instruments of force projection, France signals dissatisfaction with existing alliance mechanisms and constraints. This risks further fragmentation within NATO and the European Union at a time when unity is already under strain.

Historically, France has pursued strategic autonomy. From its withdrawal from NATO’s integrated military command in the Cold War era to its more recent disputes with allies, Paris has consistently sought freedom of manoeuvre. The trusted operator model fits neatly into this tradition. It allows France to maintain influence without full alignment, cooperation without subordination, and intervention without overt responsibility.

Nevertheless, the long-term consequences may be destabilising. The normalisation of private military actors by a major European power sets a precedent. Other states may follow suit, further eroding international norms governing the use of force. Conflicts could become more opaque, more fragmented and harder to regulate.

In conclusion, France’s move to legalise private military activity under the guise of trusted operators represents a significant shift in European security policy. It reflects a desire for strategic flexibility and political insulation but also exposes deeper fractures within the Western alliance. In the context of the Ukraine war and broader geopolitical competition, this approach may offer short-term advantages. Yet it also risks undermining collective security structures and accelerating the privatisation of warfare. The challenge for Europe lies in recognising these dynamics before they reshape the security order in irreversible ways.

ADA University’s newly established School of Design and Architecture has organized a series of seminars within the Azerbaijan Urban Planning Awareness Campaign to strengthen the exchange of scientific and practical knowledge and to create a platform for intellectual dialogue ahead of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF 13), to be held in Baku in 2026, Azernews reports.

Lectures delivered by the School’s professors – Ángel Ampuero Cordero, Ermes Invernizzi, Melania Vicentini, and Dina Jovanovic Lombardo – brought together academic and professional audiences to explore themes such as the interaction between architectural spaces and human experience, the relationship between collective memory and national identity, the role of new technologies in the preservation and management of cultural heritage, and user participation in spatial design.

The seminars also focused on the application of user-centered and participatory design approaches in shaping contemporary work environments, as well as examining the role of emerging technologies in protecting and managing cultural heritage. These discussions encouraged the adoption of multidisciplinary approaches in Azerbaijan’s design and architecture sector, strengthening constructive dialogue between international expertise and local context.

The School is also committed to expanding cooperation with international academic and creative networks. Professor Tijen Rosko from the University of Manitoba in Canada delivered a guest lecture, speaking about innovative and sustainable design practices, the relationship between academia and the creative industries, and sharing her professional experience on international creative platforms with young designers and students.

In 2026, ADA University’s School of Design and Architecture will continue this series of seminars to support the development of innovative, inclusive, and globally informed design and architecture education in Azerbaijan.

A total of 22 railcars carrying 1,300 tons of A95-grade gasoline entered Armenian territory via the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Armenia railway, Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan announced on his official Facebook page, Azernews reports.

“This delivery represents not only the first commercial-economic operation between the two countries since peace was restored but also the first such exchange since Armenia gained independence,” Papoyan emphasized.

On December 18, Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR dispatched the first batch of locally produced oil products to Armenia.

The shipment included 1,220 tons of RON-95 motor fuel, loaded into 22 railcars, transported by ADY freight train from Baku freight station to Boyuk Kesik station.

The operation is purely commercial and reflects the growing economic cooperation between the two countries under the peace process framework.

The Australian government has announced the launch of a ‘public firearms buyback’ program following the recent terrorist attack in Sydney, Azernews reports.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated, ‘We expect that hundreds of thousands of firearms will be collected and destroyed as part of this program.’ He noted that more than four million firearms are currently in private hands across the country.

Albanese emphasized that the tragic events in Bondi highlighted the urgent need to reduce the number of guns on the streets. ‘We know that one of the terrorists held a firearms license and legally purchased six weapons, despite living in the heart of Sydney’s suburbs,’ he said.

The Prime Minister also announced that flags will be flown at half-mast on December 21 at all government buildings, and that next year will be declared a national year of mourning.

The attack occurred on December 14, during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Police have classified the incident as a terrorist act specifically targeting the Jewish community.

Analysts note that this buyback program could become one of the largest in Australia’s history, reflecting a growing global debate over balancing public safety with gun ownership rights. The government hopes it will not only prevent future attacks but also send a strong message about national security and community protection.

The premiere of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker was held on December 18, 2025, at Mexico City’s renowned National Auditorium under the baton of Eyyub Guliyev, Honored Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The project marked a landmark cultural event, as it was the first time an Azerbaijani conductor was invited to lead such a prestigious production organized by Mexico’s leading cultural institutions. Guliyev, who serves as chief conductor of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater and conducts the Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra named after Gara Garayev, took part in the project with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Mexico.

The ballet was performed by the orchestra of the Art Theater of Mexico’s National Institute of Arts and Literature (INBAL), together with the ballet troupe of the National Dance Group. The premiere was staged to a full house, with more than 100 ballet dancers, including children’s ballet performers, and an orchestra of over 80 musicians involved in the production.

Founded more than seven decades ago, the Art Theater Orchestra is among Mexico’s leading musical ensembles. The National Auditorium, with a seating capacity of around 10,000, is one of the largest and most prominent concert venues in Latin America and regularly hosts major international performances.

According to the organizers, all ten scheduled performances of The Nutcracker, which will run until December 23, have already sold out. Overall attendance is expected to reach around 100,000 spectators, underscoring the strong public interest and the success of the production led by the Azerbaijani maestro.

Google has officially unveiled a new artificial intelligence model: Gemini 3 Flash. Positioned as a faster iteration of the chatbot, this version retains the advanced reasoning, multimodal analysis, and tool-handling capabilities that characterize the Gemini 3 Pro model, Azernews reports.

According to the developers, Gemini 3 Flash outperforms the previous Gemini 2.5 Flash in a variety of tests, and in certain tasks even surpasses Gemini 2.5 Pro, all while remaining significantly faster and more resource-efficient. In particular, the model demonstrates superior performance in multimodal logic, workflow execution, and tool usage-matching or exceeding the capabilities of Gemini 3 Pro in some assessments.

For developers, this means enhanced support for demanding scenarios such as video analysis, data extraction, visual question answering, and the creation of specialized agency applications. The model is optimized for large-scale deployment and real-time operations, thanks to its lower computing resource requirements.

Gemini 3 Flash is already becoming the default model in the Gemini app, replacing Gemini 2.5 Flash. Users can choose between two modes: one for quick responses and another for tackling more complex tasks. The Gemini 3 Pro version, designed for advanced computing and programming, remains available separately.

The new model will also serve as the core engine for AI-powered features in Google’s global search, enabling the processing of more complex queries and expanding the scope of interactive, multimodal search experiences. Analysts note that Gemini 3 Flash signals a growing trend in AI development toward models that are not only highly capable but also optimized for speed, efficiency, and real-world usability.

Toyota Motor Corp. has announced plans to launch three American-built vehicles in Japan starting in 2026, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

The Camry sedan and Highlander SUV will make a return to the Japanese market after being discontinued earlier, while the Tundra pickup truck will be introduced for the first time in Japan. These launches are part of a broader initiative to strengthen trade ties between the United States and Japan.

‘By bringing these three popular American models to Japan, Toyota aims to meet the diverse needs of a wide range of customers while also supporting stronger Japan-U.S. trade relations,’ the company said in a statement.

Industry analysts note that this move reflects a growing trend of global automakers leveraging their international production networks to tap into new markets. The introduction of the Tundra in particular is expected to attract enthusiasts seeking larger, American-style pickups, a segment that has been relatively niche in Japan.

President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of his birthday, Azernews reports.

“Dear Ilham Heydar oglu,

Please accept my sincere congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of your birthday.

Under your wise leadership, fraternal Azerbaijan has achieved remarkable successes in strengthening its statehood, enhancing its international authority, and improving the well-being of its people.

I would like to express my satisfaction that Turkmen-Azerbaijani relations, founded on strong principles of good neighborliness, friendship, and mutual understanding, have recently gained new momentum. These relations are distinguished by a high level of mutual trust and openness, providing a solid foundation for their continued successful development.

On this joyful occasion, I wholeheartedly wish you robust health, happiness, family well-being, and continued success in your state activities, as well as peace, further progress, and prosperity to the fraternal people of Azerbaijan,” the letter reads.

The digitalization of the Republican Emergency and Urgent Medical Care Center is expected to significantly improve the quality and responsiveness of emergency medical services in Azerbaijan.

As reported by Azernews, Vugar Gurbanov, Executive Director of TABIB, made the remarks today in Baku during a briefing on the results of 2025 and future plans.

Gurbanov said the new digital system will enable faster and more flexible responses to emergency calls, while aligning institutional management with modern standards. He noted that work is currently underway to introduce features such as GPS-based tracking, real-time map-based management, automatic calculation of ambulance team workloads, and efficient route optimization.

He added that the full digitalization of data flows will not only accelerate the processing of emergency calls but also enhance transparency and overall service effectiveness in the long term.

An event marking the 10th anniversary of the ‘ASAN Mektub’ social program was held on December 18 at the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of the IDEA Public Association, attended the event.

The event, attended by ASAN volunteers, children in need of social care, and other guests, began with a familiarization tour of the ‘ASAN Service’ and ‘Bilim Baku’ centers. Guests were informed about the activities of Baku ASAN Khidmet Center No. 7, as well as innovative solutions applied in ASAN service centers and public services. It was noted that Azerbaijan’s intellectual products are currently exported to more than 30 countries.

Leyla Aliyeva undertook one of the letters placed on the ‘ASAN Mektub’ tree.

During the familiarization with the mobile ASAN service bus, it was emphasized that the main goal is to provide public services to everyone in a more convenient, innovative, and accessible manner.

The activities of the ‘Bilim Baku’ center were also highlighted. It was noted that the center focuses on developing the knowledge and skills of students aged 6-14 in the fields of technology, innovation, science, and entrepreneurship, aiming to increase interest in these areas and equip students with skills that meet modern requirements.

The official part of the event began with the screening of a video highlighting the 10-year activity of the ‘ASAN Mektub’ social program. The program, implemented by the ASAN Volunteers Organization since 2015, aims to fulfill the wishes of children aged 3-14 in need of social care and bring them joy, attention, and care. To date, wishes corresponding to 10,512 letters across 56 regions have been fulfilled.

Guests were also informed about the You Warm a Heart Too project. Within the framework of the project, with the support of citizens, the wishes of children aged 3-14 in need of social care are fulfilled throughout December. So far, the wishes of more than 2,500 children in various regions of the country have been realized.

This was followed by musical and dance performances presented within the framework of the ‘Cultural Herald’ program of the ASAN Volunteers Organization.

Leyla Aliyeva also visited the ‘ASAN Mektub,’ ‘Green ASAN,’ and ‘ABAD’ stands.

The event continued with a tree-planting campaign organized in the courtyard of the State Agency.

As part of the event, various gifts were presented to children from Children’s Homes No. 1, 2, and 3 and from Social Service Centers.