Dear Friend,

While Azerbaijan promotes peace with Armenia, the truth is far more troubling.

In a new Just Security op-ed, “Threats Lurk Behind the Scenes in Azerbaijan’s Talk of Peace with Armenia,” our Co-Founder John Prendergast puts a spotlight on the continuing threat of Azerbaijan's military expansion into Armenia. He warns that, despite a high-powered international campaign by the Azerbaijan regime to whitewash its reputation, billion-dollar corruption and brutal repression continue unchecked.

The op-ed builds on recent investigations by The Sentry that reveal how President Aliyev’s daughters—backed by a global web of enablers—have secretly amassed a $13 billion empire of offshore assets, luxury real estate, and global investments. Meanwhile, repression intensifies: More than 30 journalists and media workers have been imprisoned. And the risk of regional war is growing.

But this trajectory is not inevitable.

As John outlines, governments and the private sector—especially professionals like lawyers, bankers, and corporate service providers—can all play important roles to counter the Aliyev kleptocracy.

This ongoing work is part of The Sentry’s broader mission to investigate and expose corruption and to advance solutions that promote accountability, human rights, and peace.

Justyna Gudzowska
Executive Director, The Sentry