Delicate diplomacy in action: Baku’s rising role in Middle East Article by The Jerusalem Post

The Jerusalem Post has published an article analysing Azerbaijan’s mediating role in relations between Israel and Syria. Caliber.Az reprints the piece with minor modifications.

Editorial note: The author of the article is Mordechai Kedar – a Middle East scholar and commentator on the region, and a lecturer at Bar-Ilan University.

“Usually, in negotiations, the parties are the important element, while the mediator plays only a secondary, technical role. There are instances, however, where the parties are so far apart that the entire deal depends on the mediator, transforming him into the deal’s main character.

Israel and Syria represent the second situation.

The State of Israel, a democratic, developed, and strong state, stands on one side; on the other side is Syria, a ruined state, a fractured society, and a failed economy. 

In such a situation, with such stark contrasts, it is of profound importance who the mediator is and what method of mediation is employed.

A new player

A new player is emerging in Middle Eastern diplomacy – Azerbaijan. Long known for its flexible strategy in energy policy and regional security, Baku now appears ready to assume the role of mediator between Jerusalem and Damascus.

Azerbaijan is one of the few countries capable of maintaining parallel and balanced relations with both Israel and the Muslim world.

Baku has enjoyed strong cooperation with Jerusalem for years, particularly in defense, intelligence, and technology. 

Azerbaijan has never pursued a hostile policy toward Syria.

Today, the war-torn country urgently needs economic partnerships and reconstruction assistance. Baku is stepping into this space with energy projects and infrastructure support.

Meeting in Baku

On July 12, 2025, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Baku. The meeting focused on energy cooperation, particularly Azerbaijan’s plan to supply natural gas to Syria via Türkiye and help rebuild its devastated energy infrastructure.

In addition, Baku has been quietly hosting technical “deconfliction” talks between Israel and Türkiye regarding their respective operations in Syria. These moves underscore Azerbaijan’s growing reputation as a neutral and trustworthy platform for dialogue.

Several factors enhance Azerbaijan’s chances of success:

• Balanced policy: Constructive relations with both Israel and Muslim states.

• Energy diplomacy: Economic influence as a major oil and gas exporter.

• Strategic alliance with Türkiye: The Ankara-Baku tandem opens key diplomatic doors in the region.

• Secular governance: Azerbaijan’s non-ideological, pragmatic approach inspires trust.

Remaining challenges

Challenges still remain.

• Iran is wary of Azerbaijan’s growing alignment with Israel and could try to undermine Baku’s initiatives.

• Syria’s political fragmentation persists, and no peace process can move forward without considering the past influence of Russia and Iran in Damascus.

• Moreover, balancing the interests of Türkiye, Israel, and Arab states will require delicate diplomacy.

A reliable actor

Azerbaijan’s diplomatic rise is no coincidence. Years of energy-driven partnerships and strategic foresight have transformed Baku into a reliable regional actor.

Today, it hosts Israel-Türkiye discussions and initiatives with Syria.

If genuine peace talks between Israel and Syria ever begin, there is a real chance that this historic dialogue will take place in Baku, on the shores of the Caspian Sea,” the article reads.