Azerbaijan Likely to Enter 2021 with New Leadership, Says Karen Hovhannisyan

Military expert Karen Hovhannisyan stated on his Facebook page: “I believe that in the coming months, Azerbaijan's internal political situation will reach a peak of escalation. What is happening there these days resembles preparatory work for a major operation. Besides the propaganda machine of the dictator in Baku, all other media outlets and influential social media users have joined forces not only to neutralize Aliyev but also his family members. They do not spare even his children.

I think that Turkey also plays a role and significance in this situation, as Aliyev has failed to create fertile ground for Turkey in the region to establish itself. Propagating alternative narratives about the general’s elimination through non-governmental media, framing military exercises in a non-military context—although Azerbaijan is trying to give them a military nature, it has not been successful so far—along with several other factors lead me to believe that Azerbaijan will likely enter 2021 with new leadership. As for what this means for us, it is almost clear: renewed tension and again attempts to escalate the situation at the border.”