#Conversations – 11.30.25 – 1 thenewsandtimes.blogspot.com…
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ttsmp3.com/created_mp3_ai/a4…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Nov 30, 2025
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Conversations – 11.30.25
‘Ilham Aliyev and the arrests of the opposition leaders’ is on #SoundCloud on.soundcloud.com/QI8zAKydZ9…
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Nov 29, 2025
https://x.com/mikenov/status/1994801611768488210 #SouthCaucasus #Azerbaijan #IlhamAliyev Audio in English: https://ttsmp3.com/created_mp3_ai/b2e360b6e5e46ce120b4cd072170a21c.mp3
Ilham Aliyev, arrests of the opposition leaders, political oppression, and the fabricated plots against him: assessments, analysis, predictions Current events as of November 29, 2025, mark a significant escalation: Azerbaijani police have raided the home of opposition leader Ali Karimli (Popular Front Party) and detained senior party members Faiq Amirli and Mammad Ibrahim. These actions are officially linked to an investigation into an alleged “coup attempt” attributed to Ramiz Mehdiyev, the former powerful Chief of Staff, whom the government accuses of plotting to seize power.Summary of Recent Developments (November 2025)
1. Assessments: The Current Wave of Repression
International organizations and human rights bodies describe the situation as a “vicious crackdown” and a “sharp decline” in fundamental freedoms, intensifying throughout 2024 and late 2025.
Targeting the Opposition: The raid on Ali Karimli’s home on November 29, 2025, is part of a broader campaign to dismantle the Popular Front Party (APFP), one of the few remaining organized opposition forces. Authorities allege Karimli was being “financed” by Ramiz Mehdiyev to destabilize the government.
Widespread Arrests: Beyond political leaders, the crackdown has targeted independent media and civil society. Prominent figures such as Gubad Ibadoghlu (economist), Tofig Yagublu (politician), and journalists from Abzas Media and Toplum TV (e.g., Sevinj Vagifgizi, Ulvi Hasanli) remain in detention on charges widely viewed as politically motivated, such as smuggling foreign currency or tax evasion.
Context of Control: This intensification coincided with the February 2024 presidential election—which monitors noted lacked genuine competition—and the hosting of the COP29 climate summit in Baku in November 2024.
2. Analysis: The “Fabricated Plots” & The Mehdiyev Case
The narrative of “fabricated plots” serves two primary functions: purging internal rivals (“old guard”) and delegitimizing external opposition.
The “Ramiz Mehdiyev Coup” Narrative: In October 2025, authorities arrested Ramiz Mehdiyev, 87, charging him with treason and attempting to seize power. The government’s narrative claims Mehdiyev proposed a “Provisional State Council” to replace President Ilham Aliyev and sought support from Russia.The “Russian Connection”: Pro-government media reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally informed Aliyev of this plot during a meeting in Dushanbe in October 2025. Analysts suggest this narrative conveniently frames the purge of Mehdiyev’s network as a defense of national sovereignty while simultaneously signaling a “loyalty test” for the elite. Strategic Utility: By linking the traditional opposition (Karimli) to the demonized “old guard” (Mehdiyev), the regime creates a unified pretext to crush both. Experts view the charges against Mehdiyev—an 87-year-old loyalist who served the Aliyev family for decades—as implausible, suggesting they are a tool to finalize the transfer of power to a younger, more loyal cadre.
Previous Narratives: This fits a historical pattern where the government alleges “terrorist financing” or “illegal armed formations” (often linked to Armenia or Iran) to justify strict domestic control.
3. Predictions: Future Outlook
Consolidation of Power: The purge of the “old guard” (Mehdiyev era officials) is likely to continue until the administration is entirely reshaped around figures solely loyal to Ilham Aliyev and the First Vice President, Mehriban Aliyeva.
Ilham Aliyev, arrests of the opposition leaders, political oppression, and the fabricated plots against him: assessments, analysis, predictions Current events as of November 29, 2025, mark a significant escalation: Azerbaijani police have raided the home of opposition leader Ali Karimli (Popular Front Party) and detained senior party members Faiq Amirli and Mammad Ibrahim. These actions are officially linked to an investigation into an alleged “coup attempt” attributed to Ramiz Mehdiyev, the former powerful Chief of Staff, whom the government accuses of plotting to seize power.Summary of Recent Developments (November 2025)
1. Assessments: The Current Wave of Repression
International organizations and human rights bodies describe the situation as a “vicious crackdown” and a “sharp decline” in fundamental freedoms, intensifying throughout 2024 and late 2025.
Targeting the Opposition: The raid on Ali Karimli’s home on November 29, 2025, is part of a broader campaign to dismantle the Popular Front Party (APFP), one of the few remaining organized opposition forces. Authorities allege Karimli was being “financed” by Ramiz Mehdiyev to destabilize the government.
Widespread Arrests: Beyond political leaders, the crackdown has targeted independent media and civil society. Prominent figures such as Gubad Ibadoghlu (economist), Tofig Yagublu (politician), and journalists from Abzas Media and Toplum TV (e.g., Sevinj Vagifgizi, Ulvi Hasanli) remain in detention on charges widely viewed as politically motivated, such as smuggling foreign currency or tax evasion.
Context of Control: This intensification coincided with the February 2024 presidential election—which monitors noted lacked genuine competition—and the hosting of the COP29 climate summit in Baku in November 2024.
2. Analysis: The “Fabricated Plots” & The Mehdiyev Case
The narrative of “fabricated plots” serves two primary functions: purging internal rivals (“old guard”) and delegitimizing external opposition.
The “Ramiz Mehdiyev Coup” Narrative: In October 2025, authorities arrested Ramiz Mehdiyev, 87, charging him with treason and attempting to seize power. The government’s narrative claims Mehdiyev proposed a “Provisional State Council” to replace President Ilham Aliyev and sought support from Russia.The “Russian Connection”: Pro-government media reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally informed Aliyev of this plot during a meeting in Dushanbe in October 2025. Analysts suggest this narrative conveniently frames the purge of Mehdiyev’s network as a defense of national sovereignty while simultaneously signaling a “loyalty test” for the elite. Strategic Utility: By linking the traditional opposition (Karimli) to the demonized “old guard” (Mehdiyev), the regime creates a unified pretext to crush both. Experts view the charges against Mehdiyev—an 87-year-old loyalist who served the Aliyev family for decades—as implausible, suggesting they are a tool to finalize the transfer of power to a younger, more loyal cadre.
Previous Narratives: This fits a historical pattern where the government alleges “terrorist financing” or “illegal armed formations” (often linked to Armenia or Iran) to justify strict domestic control.
3. Predictions: Future Outlook
Consolidation of Power: The purge of the “old guard” (Mehdiyev era officials) is likely to continue until the administration is entirely reshaped around figures solely loyal to Ilham Aliyev and the First Vice President, Mehriban Aliyeva.
#SouthCaucasus #Azerbaijan #IlhamAliyev
Audio in English: ttsmp3.com/created_mp3_ai/b2…
Ilham Aliyev, arrests of the opposition leaders, political oppression, and the fabricated plots against him: assessments, analysis, predictionsCurrent events as of November 29, 2025, mark a significant escalation: Azerbaijani police have raided the home of opposition leader Ali Karimli (Popular Front Party) and detained senior party members Faiq Amirli and Mammad Ibrahim. These actions are officially linked to an investigation into an alleged “coup attempt” attributed to Ramiz Mehdiyev, the former powerful Chief of Staff, whom the government accuses of plotting to seize power.Summary of Recent Developments (November 2025)
1. Assessments: The Current Wave of Repression
International organizations and human rights bodies describe the situation as a “vicious crackdown” and a “sharp decline” in fundamental freedoms, intensifying throughout 2024 and late 2025.
Targeting the Opposition: The raid on Ali Karimli’s home on November 29, 2025, is part of a broader campaign to dismantle the Popular Front Party (APFP), one of the few remaining organized opposition forces. Authorities allege Karimli was being “financed” by Ramiz Mehdiyev to destabilize the government.
Widespread Arrests: Beyond political leaders, the crackdown has targeted independent media and civil society. Prominent figures such as Gubad Ibadoghlu (economist), Tofig Yagublu (politician), and journalists from Abzas Media and Toplum TV (e.g., Sevinj Vagifgizi, Ulvi Hasanli) remain in detention on charges widely viewed as politically motivated, such as smuggling foreign currency or tax evasion.
Context of Control: This intensification coincided with the February 2024 presidential election—which monitors noted lacked genuine competition—and the hosting of the COP29 climate summit in Baku in November 2024.
2. Analysis: The “Fabricated Plots” & The Mehdiyev Case
The narrative of “fabricated plots” serves two primary functions: purging internal rivals (“old guard”) and delegitimizing external opposition.
The “Ramiz Mehdiyev Coup” Narrative: In October 2025, authorities arrested Ramiz Mehdiyev, 87, charging him with treason and attempting to seize power. The government’s narrative claims Mehdiyev proposed a “Provisional State Council” to replace President Ilham Aliyev and sought support from Russia.The “Russian Connection”: Pro-government media reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally informed Aliyev of this plot during a meeting in Dushanbe in October 2025. Analysts suggest this narrative conveniently frames the purge of Mehdiyev’s network as a defense of national sovereignty while simultaneously signaling a “loyalty test” for the elite.Strategic Utility: By linking the traditional opposition (Karimli) to the demonized “old guard” (Mehdiyev), the regime creates a unified pretext to crush both. Experts view the charges against Mehdiyev—an 87-year-old loyalist who served the Aliyev family for decades—as implausible, suggesting they are a tool to finalize the transfer of power to a younger, more loyal cadre.
Previous Narratives: This fits a historical pattern where the government alleges “terrorist financing” or “illegal armed formations” (often linked to Armenia or Iran) to justify strict domestic control.
3. Predictions: Future Outlook
Consolidation of Power: The purge of the “old guard” (Mehdiyev era officials) is likely to continue until the administration is entirely reshaped around figures solely loyal to Ilham Aliyev and the First Vice President, Mehriban Aliyeva.
Eradication of Organized Opposition: The linkage of the APFP to a “coup plot” suggests the government may move to ban the party or permanently imprison its leadership, effectively ending organized political opposition in the country.
“Precarious Stability”: While the regime appears secure in the short term due to oil wealth and security apparatus control, experts assess its long-term stability as “precarious.” The suppression of all dissent leaves no outlet for social grievances, making the state vulnerable to external shocks or economic downturns.
Relations with Russia: The “Mehdiyev plot” narrative allows Baku to manage its complex relationship with Moscow—simultaneously accusing Russian elements of interference while praising Putin for “revealing” the plot, thus maintaining a delicate diplomatic balance.share.google/aimode/p9w29rev…
–
Picture from:
Exposing Aliyev’s Masquerade: The Illusion of Democracy Behind COP29 – Human Rights
google.com/url?sa=i&url=http…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Nov 29, 2025
#SouthCaucasus #Azerbaijan #IlhamAliyev
Ilham Aliyev, arrests of the opposition leaders, political oppression, and the fabricated plots against him: assessments, analysis, predictions
Current events as of November 29, 2025, mark a significant escalation: Azerbaijani police have raided the home of opposition leader Ali Karimli (Popular Front Party) and detained senior party members Faiq Amirli and Mammad Ibrahim. These actions are officially linked to an investigation into an alleged “coup attempt” attributed to Ramiz Mehdiyev, the former powerful Chief of Staff, whom the government accuses of plotting to seize power.Summary of Recent Developments (November 2025)
1. Assessments: The Current Wave of Repression
International organizations and human rights bodies describe the situation as a “vicious crackdown” and a “sharp decline” in fundamental freedoms, intensifying throughout 2024 and late 2025.
Targeting the Opposition: The raid on Ali Karimli’s home on November 29, 2025, is part of a broader campaign to dismantle the Popular Front Party (APFP), one of the few remaining organized opposition forces. Authorities allege Karimli was being “financed” by Ramiz Mehdiyev to destabilize the government.
Widespread Arrests: Beyond political leaders, the crackdown has targeted independent media and civil society. Prominent figures such as Gubad Ibadoghlu (economist), Tofig Yagublu (politician), and journalists from Abzas Media and Toplum TV (e.g., Sevinj Vagifgizi, Ulvi Hasanli) remain in detention on charges widely viewed as politically motivated, such as smuggling foreign currency or tax evasion.
Context of Control: This intensification coincided with the February 2024 presidential election—which monitors noted lacked genuine competition—and the hosting of the COP29 climate summit in Baku in November 2024.
2. Analysis: The “Fabricated Plots” & The Mehdiyev Case
The narrative of “fabricated plots” serves two primary functions: purging internal rivals (“old guard”) and delegitimizing external opposition.
The “Ramiz Mehdiyev Coup” Narrative: In October 2025, authorities arrested Ramiz Mehdiyev, 87, charging him with treason and attempting to seize power. The government’s narrative claims Mehdiyev proposed a “Provisional State Council” to replace President Ilham Aliyev and sought support from Russia.The “Russian Connection”: Pro-government media reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally informed Aliyev of this plot during a meeting in Dushanbe in October 2025. Analysts suggest this narrative conveniently frames the purge of Mehdiyev’s network as a defense of national sovereignty while simultaneously signaling a “loyalty test” for the elite.Strategic Utility: By linking the traditional opposition (Karimli) to the demonized “old guard” (Mehdiyev), the regime creates a unified pretext to crush both. Experts view the charges against Mehdiyev—an 87-year-old loyalist who served the Aliyev family for decades—as implausible, suggesting they are a tool to finalize the transfer of power to a younger, more loyal cadre.
Previous Narratives: This fits a historical pattern where the government alleges “terrorist financing” or “illegal armed formations” (often linked to Armenia or Iran) to justify strict domestic control.
3. Predictions: Future Outlook
Consolidation of Power: The purge of the “old guard” (Mehdiyev era officials) is likely to continue until the administration is entirely reshaped around figures solely loyal to Ilham Aliyev and the First Vice President, Mehriban Aliyeva.
Eradication of Organized Opposition: The linkage of the APFP to a “coup plot” suggests the government may move to ban the party or permanently imprison its leadership, effectively ending organized political opposition in the country.
“Precarious Stability”: While the regime appears secure in the short term due to oil wealth and security apparatus control, experts assess its long-term stability as “precarious.” The suppression of all dissent leaves no outlet for social grievances, making the state vulnerable to external shocks or economic downturns.
Relations with Russia: The “Mehdiyev plot” narrative allows Baku to manage its complex relationship with Moscow—simultaneously accusing Russian elements of interference while praising Putin for “revealing” the plot, thus maintaining a delicate diplomatic balance.share.google/aimode/p9w29rev…
–
Picture from:
Exposing Aliyev’s Masquerade: The Illusion of Democracy Behind COP29 – Human Rights
google.com/url?sa=i&url=http…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Nov 29, 2025
#SouthCaucasus #Azerbaijan #IlhamAliyev
Ilham Aliyev, arrests of the opposition leaders, political oppression, and the fabricated plots against him: assessments, analysis, predictions
Current events as of November 29, 2025, mark a significant escalation: Azerbaijani police have raided the home of opposition leader Ali Karimli (Popular Front Party) and detained senior party members Faiq Amirli and Mammad Ibrahim. These actions are officially linked to an investigation into an alleged “coup attempt” attributed to Ramiz Mehdiyev, the former powerful Chief of Staff, whom the government accuses of plotting to seize power.Summary of Recent Developments (November 2025)
1. Assessments: The Current Wave of Repression
International organizations and human rights bodies describe the situation as a “vicious crackdown” and a “sharp decline” in fundamental freedoms, intensifying throughout 2024 and late 2025.
Targeting the Opposition: The raid on Ali Karimli’s home on November 29, 2025, is part of a broader campaign to dismantle the Popular Front Party (APFP), one of the few remaining organized opposition forces. Authorities allege Karimli was being “financed” by Ramiz Mehdiyev to destabilize the government.
Widespread Arrests: Beyond political leaders, the crackdown has targeted independent media and civil society. Prominent figures such as Gubad Ibadoghlu (economist), Tofig Yagublu (politician), and journalists from Abzas Media and Toplum TV (e.g., Sevinj Vagifgizi, Ulvi Hasanli) remain in detention on charges widely viewed as politically motivated, such as smuggling foreign currency or tax evasion.
Context of Control: This intensification coincided with the February 2024 presidential election—which monitors noted lacked genuine competition—and the hosting of the COP29 climate summit in Baku in November 2024.
2. Analysis: The “Fabricated Plots” & The Mehdiyev Case
The narrative of “fabricated plots” serves two primary functions: purging internal rivals (“old guard”) and delegitimizing external opposition.
The “Ramiz Mehdiyev Coup” Narrative: In October 2025, authorities arrested Ramiz Mehdiyev, 87, charging him with treason and attempting to seize power. The government’s narrative claims Mehdiyev proposed a “Provisional State Council” to replace President Ilham Aliyev and sought support from Russia.The “Russian Connection”: Pro-government media reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally informed Aliyev of this plot during a meeting in Dushanbe in October 2025. Analysts suggest this narrative conveniently frames the purge of Mehdiyev’s network as a defense of national sovereignty while simultaneously signaling a “loyalty test” for the elite.Strategic Utility: By linking the traditional opposition (Karimli) to the demonized “old guard” (Mehdiyev), the regime creates a unified pretext to crush both. Experts view the charges against Mehdiyev—an 87-year-old loyalist who served the Aliyev family for decades—as implausible, suggesting they are a tool to finalize the transfer of power to a younger, more loyal cadre.
Previous Narratives: This fits a historical pattern where the government alleges “terrorist financing” or “illegal armed formations” (often linked to Armenia or Iran) to justify strict domestic control.
3. Predictions: Future Outlook
Consolidation of Power: The purge of the “old guard” (Mehdiyev era officials) is likely to continue until the administration is entirely reshaped around figures solely loyal to Ilham Aliyev and the First Vice President, Mehriban Aliyeva.
Eradication of Organized Opposition: The linkage of the APFP to a “coup plot” suggests the government may move to ban the party or permanently imprison its leadership, effectively ending organized political opposition in the country.
“Precarious Stability”: While the regime appears secure in the short term due to oil wealth and security apparatus control, experts assess its long-term stability as “precarious.” The suppression of all dissent leaves no outlet for social grievances, making the state vulnerable to external shocks or economic downturns.
Relations with Russia: The “Mehdiyev plot” narrative allows Baku to manage its complex relationship with Moscow—simultaneously accusing Russian elements of interference while praising Putin for “revealing” the plot, thus maintaining a delicate diplomatic balance.share.google/aimode/p9w29rev…
–
Picture from:
Exposing Aliyev’s Masquerade: The Illusion of Democracy Behind COP29 – Human Rights
google.com/url?sa=i&url=http…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Nov 29, 2025
#SouthCaucasus #SSS of #Azerbaijan x.com/AzeriTimes/status/1994770242837311765
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Nov 29, 2025
Trump and Maduro spoke by phone last week to discuss a possible meeting in the United States, even as the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean intensifies. In a major development amidst escalating tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump and Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro
Key Developments
Secret Phone Call and Meeting Discussions: The two leaders held a phone conversation last week (late November 2025), a surprising diplomatic turn given years of hostility. They discussed the possibility of a face-to-face meeting in the U.S., though no firm plans have been set.
Military Escalation and Threats: The U.S. has amassed a significant military presence (including an aircraft carrier) in the Caribbean in an operation dubbed “Southern Spear,” ostensibly to combat drug trafficking.Trump announced on Saturday, November 29, 2025, that Venezuelan airspace would be shut “in its entirety”.
He also threatened land-based operations against alleged drug traffickers “very soon”. The U.S. has already conducted over 20 strikes on alleged drug boats since September, killing dozens.
Maduro has responded with strong rhetoric, brandishing Simón Bolívar’s sword at a rally and promoting military readiness exercises to defend against a potential U.S. offensive, which Caracas views as a pretext for regime change.Terrorist Designation: The U.S. State Department officially designated the “Cartel de los Soles” (which the administration claims is led by Maduro and senior government officials) as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), a move that provides Washington with new options for pressure.
$50 Million Bounty: The U.S. has doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction to an unprecedented $50 million on narco-terrorism charges.
Maduro’s Offers: Reports indicate that Maduro attempted to stave off pressure in recent months by offering U.S. companies a dominant stake in Venezuela’s oil and mineral wealth, an offer Trump reportedly rejected in October.
Covert Actions: The Trump administration has authorized covert CIA operations within Venezuela.
The situation remains highly volatile, balancing potential high-level diplomacy with the real risk of direct military confrontation.— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Nov 29, 2025
The conceptual origins, parallel developments, and the present state of the Christianity and Judaism in historical context – Google Search google.com/search?q=The+conc…
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Nov 29, 2025