I Wouldn't Rush to Celebrate What Happened, Says Azerbaijani Expert

Azerbaijani expert Angela Elibegova writes: “The logic behind Aliyev’s actions, if I understand correctly, is akin to shooting two rabbits with one bullet—allowing the social protests by the public to surface while also redirecting attention towards us. He has drawn clear rules of the game, with the red line being the building of the Milli Majlis. Before that, they were ‘not noticing’ the protests, but after direct impacts on the state structure, they dispersed it harshly.

Today, if the general’s farewell turns into a patriotic rallying cry, that would be the third rabbit—Aliyev’s warning to the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Staff. In any case, I wouldn’t rush to celebrate what has happened.”