The oily hypocrisy of Ilham Aliyev – Google Search google.com/search?q=The+oily…
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The “oily hypocrisy” of Ilham Aliyev refers to the widespread criticism that his oil and gas-fueled government engages in corruption and human rights abuses while projecting a public image of progress and hosting major international events. Critics point to specific examples, including his controversial comments at the COP29 climate summit and the use of oil wealth to silence dissent. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
“Oily” connections to fossil fuels and wealthControversial COP29 speech: While hosting the COP29 climate conference in November 2024, Aliyev declared oil and gas a “gift from God,” defending fossil fuels and accusing Western nations of hypocrisy for their dependency on his country’s energy while criticizing its environmental record. His remarks drew strong condemnation from climate advocates and contrasted sharply with the conference’s official goals.
Corruption and personal enrichment: Investigations like the Pandora Papers and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) have revealed that Aliyev’s family and associates have secretly amassed vast wealth through offshore networks and control over lucrative industries, including the country’s oil and gas sectors. These schemes have allegedly siphoned billions from state coffers for personal gain.
Influence peddling (“Caviar diplomacy”): The Azerbaijani government has used its oil wealth for extensive lobbying, including a scheme known as “caviar diplomacy.” This involved using slush funds to pay off European politicians and deflect international criticism of human rights abuses.
Use of energy as a geopolitical tool: Azerbaijan’s role as a major gas supplier to Europe has strengthened its geopolitical position, allowing the Aliyev regime to leverage its energy resources while facing limited consequences for its authoritarian practices. [1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]“Hypocrisy” in governance and human rights
Stifling dissent: The Aliyev regime is widely criticized for suppressing free speech and silencing critics, including journalists, activists, and opposition figures.
Independent journalists, such as those from Abzas Media who investigated corruption, have faced arrest and politically motivated charges.
.Amnesty International has highlighted an escalating crackdown on freedom of expression ahead of recent elections, with the government harassing the families of state critics
Rigged elections: Aliyev’s rise to power in 2003 was marred by irregularities, and a 2009 referendum eliminated presidential term limits, effectively allowing him to rule indefinitely. His wife was appointed Vice President, consolidating power within the family..Ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh:Following Azerbaijan’s offensive to retake the Nagorno-Karabakh region in 2023, more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled their homes. Human Rights Watch characterized the displacement as ethnic cleansing, which occurred despite international warnings
Response to international criticism: Aliyev has rejected international criticism of his human rights record as a form of “political hypocrisy.” When U.S. lawmakers called for the release of political prisoners, Aliyev called their appeal “disgusting”. [2, 4, 7, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17]
AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/1…[2] rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-us-ri…
[3] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilham_…
[4] hrf.org/latest/azerbaijans-a…
[5] en.apa.az/official-news/pres…
[6] asbarez.com/at-cop29-aliyev-…
[7] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilham_…
[8] bbc.com/news/articles/cpqd1r…
[9] thecaliforniacourier.com/ali…
[10] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrup…
[11] occrp.org/en/investigation/b…
[12] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrup…
[13] icij.org/investigations/pana…
[14] hrw.org/world-report/2024/co…
[15] humanrightsnetwork.org/blog/…
[16] amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2…
[17] rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-us-ri…
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See Tweets – AI
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x.com/mikenov/status/1970414…
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x.com/mikenov/status/1970413…
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x.com/mikenov/status/1970412…
–— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Sep 23, 2025
Day: September 23, 2025
Dennis Tran
- Dennis Tran says being autistic helped him excel in quality assurance without a tech degree.
- Tran’s autism diagnosis in 2020 helped him understand his unique problem-solving skills.
- He now thrives in roles valuing neurodiversity, working with Community-led Autism Research.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Dennis V. Tran, a 32-year-old research collaborator in Los Angeles. Business Insider has verified Tran’s employment history with documentation. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
I wasn’t diagnosed with autism until late 2020 at 27 years old. But as a professional with autism, my skills gave me an edge in breaking into quality assurance (QA) without a tech degree.
During my undergraduate studies, I didn’t know what QA was or that it could be a viable career option. After graduating in 2015 with a degree in public health policy, I applied for an internship at a healthcare startup, and they assigned me to my first real taste of QA. From there, I transitioned into software QA almost by accident.
I’ve learned that autism isn’t a limitation. It allows me to innovate, problem-solve, and build systems that serve people better. It’s my superpower.
I never planned on working in the tech industry
While at the University of California, Irvine, I became involved in research labs and clinical research. I monitored metrics, kept experiments on track, and streamlined iPad processes in trials.
After graduating and completing my internship, a marketing colleague posted about me on social media to help me find work. A QA software company, Vablet, saw it and took me on.
I had no tech background, but I taught myself everything from scratch. I’d quickly glance over tutorial videos and the user guide, but most importantly, I just spent time playing and using the app and platforms. I was able to grasp platforms with ease within a couple of hours and days, which helped set me up for success in my role.
Before my autism diagnosis, I struggled to understand why I seemed to have more difficulty than others
I struggled with forming deep connections and friendships. After college, it became even lonelier.
Despite excelling in my QA role, the job ultimately became repetitive, and I needed novelty, innovation, and challenge. I worked at Vablet from 2016 to 2022. I had a difficult time finding a new job elsewhere. I’d send applications, but nothing landed.
After a family member suggested I might be autistic, I went to fill out questionnaires with a psychiatrist and was formally diagnosed. I started to understand I’d been living a neurodivergent life all along.
That’s when I learned the statistic that 85% of college grads with autism are unemployed or underemployed. I realized my brain works differently. I could accomplish tasks in months that employers thought required five years of experience, but I didn’t fit their expectations.
People often call me unique and rare. My diagnosis gave me a sense of empowerment, but it negatively affected my self-esteem and worth, as I kept getting turned down for jobs. Because I couldn’t get a full-time job, I felt like a failure, despite my previous achievements.
After my diagnosis, I had to unmask
After my diagnosis, it became clear that I wanted to thrive and coexist with my disability & neurodivergence, so I reached out to a life coach.
Since working with my life coach, I started my own podcast and journey to help others, and this led to the advocacy work I do today and being open about who I am, my mental health, and my disability. For years, I had operated in survival mode, adapting to fit environments that weren’t built for me. When I stopped masking, I had to relearn how to use my skills authentically.
My autism enables me to identify what others often miss: inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and trends. I translate those insights into strategy, making systems more intuitive, responsive, and human. When I’m engaged, I hyperfocus with precision and produce high-quality, thoughtful work. I approach problems differently, with creativity and nonlinear thinking, which often leads to innovative solutions.
My autism makes me a systems thinker with a big-picture vision. I don’t just fix problems, I redesign processes to be more inclusive and effective.
I thrive in spaces that value my differences
I wanted to work in the disability and neurodiversity space, so in May, I started my new role as a research collaborator for Community-led Autism Research, Engagement, and Service (CARES). Instead of struggling to fit in, I’ve found places where my autism is seen as an asset. These environments let me leverage my skills fully and communicate my needs more clearly.
It’s painful when people see disability or neurodivergence as less than, but the stigmas reflect a system that hasn’t caught up, not our worth.
Being autistic, ADHD, partially blind, queer, and Vietnamese American from a low-income household isn’t something to hide; it’s what makes me who I am. What once felt like a weakness has become my superpower.
Do you have a story to share about being neurodiverse in tech? Contact the editor Tess Martinelli at tmartinelli@businessinsider.com.
Read the original article on Business Insider
Mixing of Azeri and Russian oil to avoid sanctions – Google Search google.com/search?q=Mixing+o…
Pic:
“Sanctions hypocrisy: G7+ imports EUR 1.8 bn of Turkish oil products made from Russian crude – …”
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Reports suggest that Russian crude oil is being transported, processed, and exported via Azerbaijan to circumvent international sanctions. European countries have purchased fuel products from Azerbaijani refineries, though the raw material was primarily Russian crude. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The process of Russian oil blending and rebrandingRussian oil imports to Azerbaijan: Since Western nations, including the UK and EU, imposed sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, Azerbaijan has significantly increased its import of Russian crude oil.
Refining in Turkey: The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) refines Russian crude at its STAR refinery in Turkey. The refinery was built with the capacity to process different types of oil, including Russia’s Urals crude.
Mixing and rebranding: Once refined, the oil products are mixed with Azerbaijani crude. By transforming Russian crude into new products, its origin is obscured. The refined fuel is then exported from Turkey to international markets, including the European Union.
Tanker transport: The Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) is reportedly involved in transporting Russian crude via its tankers to the STAR refinery. The UK sanctioned an ASCO-owned tanker, the Zangezur, in May 2025 for its role in the “shadow” delivery of Russian oil. [1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]International response and ongoing challenges
UK and EU sanctions: In September 2025, the EU confirmed that the STAR refinery would be subject to sanctions under its 18th sanctions package. The UK has also targeted Azerbaijani entities, including the oil trading company Coral Energy Group, over ties to Russia’s oil trade. In June 2025, the EU announced a proposal to ban imports of refined products made from Russian crude in third countries, which is intended to close this specific sanctions loophole.
Market impact: Despite these measures, enforcement has been challenging. The use of a “shadow fleet” of tankers operating outside of normal regulations continues to facilitate the trade.
Azerbaijan’s position: Critics accuse Azerbaijan of conducting a geopolitical “balancing act”—maintaining its status as a Western energy partner while enabling Russia’s shadow oil trade for profit. European countries that rely on Azerbaijani oil are placed in a complex and diplomatically delicate position. [2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12]AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] oc-media.org/eu-sanctions-qu…
[2] armenianweekly.com/2024/10/0…
[3] business-humanrights.org/my/…
[4] crudeaccountability.org/bala…
[5] jam-news.net/shadow-russian-…
[6] facebook.com/armeniannationa…
[7] report.az/en/energy/azerbaij…
[8] interfax.com/newsroom/top-st…
[9] eurasianet.org/azerbaijans-s…
[10] reuters.com/sustainability/c…
[11] bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
[12] spglobal.com/commodity-insig…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Sep 23, 2025
Mixing of Azeri and Russian oil to avoid sanctions – Google Search google.com/search?q=Mixing+o…
Pic:
“Sanctions hypocrisy: G7+ imports EUR 1.8 bn of Turkish oil products made from Russian crude – …”
–
Reports suggest that Russian crude oil is being transported, processed, and exported via Azerbaijan to circumvent international sanctions. European countries have purchased fuel products from Azerbaijani refineries, though the raw material was primarily Russian crude. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The process of Russian oil blending and rebrandingRussian oil imports to Azerbaijan: Since Western nations, including the UK and EU, imposed sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, Azerbaijan has significantly increased its import of Russian crude oil.
Refining in Turkey: The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) refines Russian crude at its STAR refinery in Turkey. The refinery was built with the capacity to process different types of oil, including Russia’s Urals crude.
Mixing and rebranding: Once refined, the oil products are mixed with Azerbaijani crude. By transforming Russian crude into new products, its origin is obscured. The refined fuel is then exported from Turkey to international markets, including the European Union.
Tanker transport: The Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) is reportedly involved in transporting Russian crude via its tankers to the STAR refinery. The UK sanctioned an ASCO-owned tanker, the Zangezur, in May 2025 for its role in the “shadow” delivery of Russian oil. [1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]International response and ongoing challenges
UK and EU sanctions: In September 2025, the EU confirmed that the STAR refinery would be subject to sanctions under its 18th sanctions package. The UK has also targeted Azerbaijani entities, including the oil trading company Coral Energy Group, over ties to Russia’s oil trade. In June 2025, the EU announced a proposal to ban imports of refined products made from Russian crude in third countries, which is intended to close this specific sanctions loophole.
Market impact: Despite these measures, enforcement has been challenging. The use of a “shadow fleet” of tankers operating outside of normal regulations continues to facilitate the trade.
Azerbaijan’s position: Critics accuse Azerbaijan of conducting a geopolitical “balancing act”—maintaining its status as a Western energy partner while enabling Russia’s shadow oil trade for profit. European countries that rely on Azerbaijani oil are placed in a complex and diplomatically delicate position. [2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12]AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] oc-media.org/eu-sanctions-qu…
[2] armenianweekly.com/2024/10/0…
[3] business-humanrights.org/my/…
[4] crudeaccountability.org/bala…
[5] jam-news.net/shadow-russian-…
[6] facebook.com/armeniannationa…
[7] report.az/en/energy/azerbaij…
[8] interfax.com/newsroom/top-st…
[9] eurasianet.org/azerbaijans-s…
[10] reuters.com/sustainability/c…
[11] bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
[12] spglobal.com/commodity-insig…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Sep 23, 2025
Mixing of Azeri and Russian oil to avoid sanctions was done under the personal agreement between Putin and Aliyev – Google Search google.com/search?q=Mixing+o…
There is no publicly available evidence to confirm a personal agreement between Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev to mix oil for sanctions evasion. However, reports have detailed how Azerbaijan’s energy infrastructure and state-owned companies have been used to help Russia circumvent Western sanctions on oil exports. [1, 2, 3]
Allegations of Azerbaijan’s role in sanctions evasion“Invisible hand” accusations: Multiple reports have described Azerbaijan as an “invisible hand” behind Russian oil exports to Europe. By routing Russian oil through its territory, Azerbaijan has been accused of providing a lifeline for Russia to continue profiting from its oil exports, while allowing Europe to maintain its energy supply.
Shipments through Azerbaijan: Analysis published in October 2022 by the analytics firm Petrostrategies highlighted a significant increase in crude oil exports via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, even as Azerbaijan’s domestic production was in decline. This suggested that Russian oil was being shipped as Azeri Light, a higher-priced crude.
Refining and rebranding: The EU has confirmed that the Azerbaijani state-owned STAR refinery in Turkey is subject to sanctions for processing Russian crude oil. Reports indicate that over 90% of the refinery’s crude imports in early 2024 originated from Russia. The EU’s 18th sanctions package, adopted in July 2025, specifically bans imports of refined products made from Russian oil in third countries as an anti-circumvention measure.
Tanker activity: In 2025, the UK and EU sanctioned several Azerbaijani state-owned tankers for their role in transporting Russian-origin oil using “irregular and high-risk” shipping practices. These tankers, affiliated with the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) and SOCAR, were reportedly involved in transporting oil between Russian and Turkish ports.
Lukoil deal: In October 2023, Russian energy giant Lukoil provided a $1.5 billion loan to SOCAR and agreed to supply Russian crude to SOCAR’s STAR refinery. This was viewed by some as a workaround to avoid sanctions on direct purchases of Russian crude. [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]The political context
No proof of a personal deal: While Aliyev and Putin have met on multiple occasions and affirmed their close ties, no evidence of a personal agreement to coordinate sanctions evasion has been revealed in public reports.
Strategic balancing act: Azerbaijan has performed a delicate balancing act, presenting itself as a strategic energy partner to Western countries while allegedly enabling Russia’s “shadow” oil trade. Western sanctions on Azerbaijani entities have been described by analysts as a “warning shot” to signal that its role in sanctions circumvention carries risks to its diplomatic and economic standing.
Recent conflicts: In 2025, Russia has repeatedly attacked Azerbaijani energy facilities in Ukraine, signaling that the relationship is complex and not always cooperative. Romanian authorities also investigated a potential Russian sabotage effort that involved contaminating a shipment of Azerbaijani oil. [3, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] armenianweekly.com/2024/10/0…
[2] armenianweekly.com/2024/10/0…
[3] crudeaccountability.org/bala…
[4] civilnet.am/en/news/680193/r…
[5] eurasianet.org/azerbaijans-s…
[6] facebook.com/armeniannationa…
[7] facebook.com/ocmediaorg/post…
[8] news.am/eng/news/902900.html
[9] hetq.am/en/article/175817
[10] eurasian-research.org/public…
[11] neweasterneurope.eu/2025/07/…
[12] rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-russi…
[13] usnews.com/news/world/articl…
[14] euromaidanpress.com/2025/08/…
[15] caspianpost.com/analytics/ru…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Sep 23, 2025
Mixing of Azeri and Russian oil to avoid sanctions was done under the personal agreement between Putin and Aliyev – Google Search google.com/search?q=Mixing+o…
There is no publicly available evidence to confirm a personal agreement between Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev to mix oil for sanctions evasion. However, reports have detailed how Azerbaijan’s energy infrastructure and state-owned companies have been used to help Russia circumvent Western sanctions on oil exports. [1, 2, 3]
Allegations of Azerbaijan’s role in sanctions evasion“Invisible hand” accusations: Multiple reports have described Azerbaijan as an “invisible hand” behind Russian oil exports to Europe. By routing Russian oil through its territory, Azerbaijan has been accused of providing a lifeline for Russia to continue profiting from its oil exports, while allowing Europe to maintain its energy supply.
Shipments through Azerbaijan: Analysis published in October 2022 by the analytics firm Petrostrategies highlighted a significant increase in crude oil exports via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, even as Azerbaijan’s domestic production was in decline. This suggested that Russian oil was being shipped as Azeri Light, a higher-priced crude.
Refining and rebranding: The EU has confirmed that the Azerbaijani state-owned STAR refinery in Turkey is subject to sanctions for processing Russian crude oil. Reports indicate that over 90% of the refinery’s crude imports in early 2024 originated from Russia. The EU’s 18th sanctions package, adopted in July 2025, specifically bans imports of refined products made from Russian oil in third countries as an anti-circumvention measure.
Tanker activity: In 2025, the UK and EU sanctioned several Azerbaijani state-owned tankers for their role in transporting Russian-origin oil using “irregular and high-risk” shipping practices. These tankers, affiliated with the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) and SOCAR, were reportedly involved in transporting oil between Russian and Turkish ports.
Lukoil deal: In October 2023, Russian energy giant Lukoil provided a $1.5 billion loan to SOCAR and agreed to supply Russian crude to SOCAR’s STAR refinery. This was viewed by some as a workaround to avoid sanctions on direct purchases of Russian crude. [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]The political context
No proof of a personal deal: While Aliyev and Putin have met on multiple occasions and affirmed their close ties, no evidence of a personal agreement to coordinate sanctions evasion has been revealed in public reports.
Strategic balancing act: Azerbaijan has performed a delicate balancing act, presenting itself as a strategic energy partner to Western countries while allegedly enabling Russia’s “shadow” oil trade. Western sanctions on Azerbaijani entities have been described by analysts as a “warning shot” to signal that its role in sanctions circumvention carries risks to its diplomatic and economic standing.
Recent conflicts: In 2025, Russia has repeatedly attacked Azerbaijani energy facilities in Ukraine, signaling that the relationship is complex and not always cooperative. Romanian authorities also investigated a potential Russian sabotage effort that involved contaminating a shipment of Azerbaijani oil. [3, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] armenianweekly.com/2024/10/0…
[2] armenianweekly.com/2024/10/0…
[3] crudeaccountability.org/bala…
[4] civilnet.am/en/news/680193/r…
[5] eurasianet.org/azerbaijans-s…
[6] facebook.com/armeniannationa…
[7] facebook.com/ocmediaorg/post…
[8] news.am/eng/news/902900.html
[9] hetq.am/en/article/175817
[10] eurasian-research.org/public…
[11] neweasterneurope.eu/2025/07/…
[12] rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-russi…
[13] usnews.com/news/world/articl…
[14] euromaidanpress.com/2025/08/…
[15] caspianpost.com/analytics/ru…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Sep 23, 2025
