Fuad Alakbarov
@alakbarov.bsky.social
Political Commentator. Journalist. Photographer. Interests: South Caucasus, Central Asia, football. Director at Caspian Circle.
Bylines at Daily Sabah, Open Democracy, The Jamestown Foundation, The Jerusalem Post.
Bylines at Daily Sabah, Open Democracy, The Jamestown Foundation, The Jerusalem Post.
Kazakh authorities are courting Chinese companies to help build a futuristic city, dubbed #Alatau, just outside the nation’s current commercial hub, Almaty.
Launched by President Tokayev in January 2024, AlatauCity aims to become Central Asia’s answer to Dubai and Singapore.
Launched by President Tokayev in January 2024, AlatauCity aims to become Central Asia’s answer to Dubai and Singapore.
September 11, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Kazakh authorities are courting Chinese companies to help build a futuristic city, dubbed #Alatau, just outside the nation’s current commercial hub, Almaty.
Launched by President Tokayev in January 2024, AlatauCity aims to become Central Asia’s answer to Dubai and Singapore.
Launched by President Tokayev in January 2024, AlatauCity aims to become Central Asia’s answer to Dubai and Singapore.
Photo of the day:
The hands on this pocket watch recovered from Nagasaki are frozen at 11:02 A.M...the moment the atomic bomb exploded on August 9, 1945.
#NeverAgain
The hands on this pocket watch recovered from Nagasaki are frozen at 11:02 A.M...the moment the atomic bomb exploded on August 9, 1945.
#NeverAgain
August 6, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Photo of the day:
The hands on this pocket watch recovered from Nagasaki are frozen at 11:02 A.M...the moment the atomic bomb exploded on August 9, 1945.
#NeverAgain
The hands on this pocket watch recovered from Nagasaki are frozen at 11:02 A.M...the moment the atomic bomb exploded on August 9, 1945.
#NeverAgain
David Fromkin, author of A Peace to End All Peace, laid bare the origins of the modern Middle East — a region shaped by empires, conflict, and fragile borders.
In 2007, when asked about its future, he didn’t mince words: "The Middle East has no future."
In 2007, when asked about its future, he didn’t mince words: "The Middle East has no future."
July 20, 2025 at 8:49 PM
David Fromkin, author of A Peace to End All Peace, laid bare the origins of the modern Middle East — a region shaped by empires, conflict, and fragile borders.
In 2007, when asked about its future, he didn’t mince words: "The Middle East has no future."
In 2007, when asked about its future, he didn’t mince words: "The Middle East has no future."
🧵 I recently found out about Donald MacDonell — a British flying ace who made his mark in the Royal Air Force during World War II. He’s credited with taking down at least ten enemy aircraft.
What’s even more fascinating? He was born on November 15, 1913, in Baku.
What’s even more fascinating? He was born on November 15, 1913, in Baku.
July 20, 2025 at 7:18 PM
🧵 I recently found out about Donald MacDonell — a British flying ace who made his mark in the Royal Air Force during World War II. He’s credited with taking down at least ten enemy aircraft.
What’s even more fascinating? He was born on November 15, 1913, in Baku.
What’s even more fascinating? He was born on November 15, 1913, in Baku.
Armenian and Azerbaijani delegations have left the hall where the meeting was held.
July 10, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Armenian and Azerbaijani delegations have left the hall where the meeting was held.
Baku’s early 20th-century architectural boom was shaped by multiethnic teams.
Armenian architect Gabriel Ter-Mikelov designed Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall and several other important landmarks in Baku.
Armenian architect Gabriel Ter-Mikelov designed Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall and several other important landmarks in Baku.
July 10, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Baku’s early 20th-century architectural boom was shaped by multiethnic teams.
Armenian architect Gabriel Ter-Mikelov designed Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall and several other important landmarks in Baku.
Armenian architect Gabriel Ter-Mikelov designed Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall and several other important landmarks in Baku.
Today could mark a significant turning point for Azerbaijan and Armenia — a step toward lasting peace in the South Caucasus.
July 10, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Today could mark a significant turning point for Azerbaijan and Armenia — a step toward lasting peace in the South Caucasus.
A tragic paragliding accident has claimed the life of a solo flyer on Mount Beshbarmaq, Azerbaijan.
According to reports, Nurlana Majidova lost control of her parachute mid-air and fatally crashed into the rocky terrain.
According to reports, Nurlana Majidova lost control of her parachute mid-air and fatally crashed into the rocky terrain.
July 7, 2025 at 11:04 PM
A tragic paragliding accident has claimed the life of a solo flyer on Mount Beshbarmaq, Azerbaijan.
According to reports, Nurlana Majidova lost control of her parachute mid-air and fatally crashed into the rocky terrain.
According to reports, Nurlana Majidova lost control of her parachute mid-air and fatally crashed into the rocky terrain.
Russian authorities have shut down Baku Plaza and Kaspiy Café in Yekaterinburg as part of a broader crackdown on the Azerbaijani diaspora.
June 30, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Russian authorities have shut down Baku Plaza and Kaspiy Café in Yekaterinburg as part of a broader crackdown on the Azerbaijani diaspora.
I’ve noticed that many sleek, mixed-use skyscrapers opened in Tirana last year:
* The Book Building
* Downtown One
* Eyes of Tirana
* Vertical Forest Tirana
#Albania
* The Book Building
* Downtown One
* Eyes of Tirana
* Vertical Forest Tirana
#Albania
June 29, 2025 at 6:17 PM
I’ve noticed that many sleek, mixed-use skyscrapers opened in Tirana last year:
* The Book Building
* Downtown One
* Eyes of Tirana
* Vertical Forest Tirana
#Albania
* The Book Building
* Downtown One
* Eyes of Tirana
* Vertical Forest Tirana
#Albania
From the 1960s through the 1990s, the Dutch Rijkspolitie (the national highway patrol) operated a fleet of Porsche sports cars, primarily used for high-speed motorway patrol.
This is the police equivalent of telling your parents that you need a gaming PC for school.
This is the police equivalent of telling your parents that you need a gaming PC for school.
June 28, 2025 at 11:44 PM
From the 1960s through the 1990s, the Dutch Rijkspolitie (the national highway patrol) operated a fleet of Porsche sports cars, primarily used for high-speed motorway patrol.
This is the police equivalent of telling your parents that you need a gaming PC for school.
This is the police equivalent of telling your parents that you need a gaming PC for school.
Facebook and Twitter are losing ground among U.S. teenagers, as platforms like Instagram and Snapchat continue to gain popularity.
June 25, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Facebook and Twitter are losing ground among U.S. teenagers, as platforms like Instagram and Snapchat continue to gain popularity.
🧵 The price of wool in Azerbaijan has fallen due to weak demand, currently standing at 5-6 AZN per kilogram, with prices in Mingachevir dropping as low as 1 AZN per kilogram.
Buyers are increasingly favouring modern, easy-care synthetic materials like sintepon.
Buyers are increasingly favouring modern, easy-care synthetic materials like sintepon.
June 16, 2025 at 6:57 AM
🧵 The price of wool in Azerbaijan has fallen due to weak demand, currently standing at 5-6 AZN per kilogram, with prices in Mingachevir dropping as low as 1 AZN per kilogram.
Buyers are increasingly favouring modern, easy-care synthetic materials like sintepon.
Buyers are increasingly favouring modern, easy-care synthetic materials like sintepon.
🧵 Iran's ethnic faultlines in focus
Iran is not a monolith. While Persians dominate the state apparatus, the country is home to large non-Persian communities: Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Baluchis, Arabs, and Turkmen — many of whom live in border regions.
Iran is not a monolith. While Persians dominate the state apparatus, the country is home to large non-Persian communities: Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Baluchis, Arabs, and Turkmen — many of whom live in border regions.
June 14, 2025 at 2:50 PM
🧵 Iran's ethnic faultlines in focus
Iran is not a monolith. While Persians dominate the state apparatus, the country is home to large non-Persian communities: Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Baluchis, Arabs, and Turkmen — many of whom live in border regions.
Iran is not a monolith. While Persians dominate the state apparatus, the country is home to large non-Persian communities: Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Baluchis, Arabs, and Turkmen — many of whom live in border regions.
Azerbaijan stepped in to help evacuate foreign nationals from Iran through the Astara border, supplying transport, medics, basic aid and food.
June 14, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Azerbaijan stepped in to help evacuate foreign nationals from Iran through the Astara border, supplying transport, medics, basic aid and food.
Good morning, Glasgow...I mean Gotham City
June 6, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Good morning, Glasgow...I mean Gotham City
After 34 years, the Petrograd District Court of St. Petersburg delivered a verdict in the 1991 murder of Russian rock singer Igor Talkov.
April 27, 2025 at 9:13 PM
After 34 years, the Petrograd District Court of St. Petersburg delivered a verdict in the 1991 murder of Russian rock singer Igor Talkov.
Azerbaijan’s Faiq Hasanov is now officially a Guinness World Record holder — the longest-serving male chess arbiter with 60 years and 149 days on the job! 🏆
The announcement came during his 85th birthday celebration.
The announcement came during his 85th birthday celebration.
April 15, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Azerbaijan’s Faiq Hasanov is now officially a Guinness World Record holder — the longest-serving male chess arbiter with 60 years and 149 days on the job! 🏆
The announcement came during his 85th birthday celebration.
The announcement came during his 85th birthday celebration.
I've tried to "Ghiblify" my image in the style of Hayao Miyazaki, but somehow, I ended up looking like a brutal character from a Shinichirō Watanabe anime.
April 2, 2025 at 2:29 AM
I've tried to "Ghiblify" my image in the style of Hayao Miyazaki, but somehow, I ended up looking like a brutal character from a Shinichirō Watanabe anime.
It gave me vibes of Bjork's second album - Post.
April 1, 2025 at 1:36 PM
It gave me vibes of Bjork's second album - Post.
A long-hidden Gustav Klimt portrait of a West African prince was unveiled at the European Fine Art Fair after nearly a century.
Painted in 1897, it depicts Prince William Nii Nortey Dowuona of the Ga people (now Ghana) in profile against a floral backdrop. #art
Painted in 1897, it depicts Prince William Nii Nortey Dowuona of the Ga people (now Ghana) in profile against a floral backdrop. #art
March 31, 2025 at 6:02 PM
A long-hidden Gustav Klimt portrait of a West African prince was unveiled at the European Fine Art Fair after nearly a century.
Painted in 1897, it depicts Prince William Nii Nortey Dowuona of the Ga people (now Ghana) in profile against a floral backdrop. #art
Painted in 1897, it depicts Prince William Nii Nortey Dowuona of the Ga people (now Ghana) in profile against a floral backdrop. #art
Gordievsky was married to Azerbaijani woman named Leila Alieva when he defected to the UK in 1985.
She and their two daughters were left behind in the USSR, where she was interrogated and detained for several years.
She and their two daughters were left behind in the USSR, where she was interrogated and detained for several years.
March 31, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Gordievsky was married to Azerbaijani woman named Leila Alieva when he defected to the UK in 1985.
She and their two daughters were left behind in the USSR, where she was interrogated and detained for several years.
She and their two daughters were left behind in the USSR, where she was interrogated and detained for several years.
It was an absolute pleasure to meet Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize winner and the current Honorable Chief Adviser to the Interim Government of #Bangladesh.
His unwavering devotion to social innovation and economic empowerment continues to inspire millions worldwide.
#Microfinance
His unwavering devotion to social innovation and economic empowerment continues to inspire millions worldwide.
#Microfinance
March 30, 2025 at 3:20 AM
It was an absolute pleasure to meet Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize winner and the current Honorable Chief Adviser to the Interim Government of #Bangladesh.
His unwavering devotion to social innovation and economic empowerment continues to inspire millions worldwide.
#Microfinance
His unwavering devotion to social innovation and economic empowerment continues to inspire millions worldwide.
#Microfinance
Just two months ago, Canada's governing Liberals appeared on the brink of a historic downfall, with Conservative leader Pierre Polievre almost certain to become the next prime minister.
Polievre has been working to shed his image as a Canadian version of Trump. But look what happened
Polievre has been working to shed his image as a Canadian version of Trump. But look what happened
March 27, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Just two months ago, Canada's governing Liberals appeared on the brink of a historic downfall, with Conservative leader Pierre Polievre almost certain to become the next prime minister.
Polievre has been working to shed his image as a Canadian version of Trump. But look what happened
Polievre has been working to shed his image as a Canadian version of Trump. But look what happened
Happy Novruz to all.
Just as spring brings new life, may Novruz bring you new opportunities and happiness.
Just as spring brings new life, may Novruz bring you new opportunities and happiness.
March 20, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Happy Novruz to all.
Just as spring brings new life, may Novruz bring you new opportunities and happiness.
Just as spring brings new life, may Novruz bring you new opportunities and happiness.