🚨⚡️ HUGE BREAKING:
President Putin ratifies STRATEGIC partnership with Venezuela! 🇷🇺🇻🇪
Treaty of friendship & cooperation signed — paving the way for massive expansion in economics, security, culture, and more. pic.twitter.com/kngXN52tSd
— RussiaNews 🇷🇺 (@mog_russEN) October 27, 2025
Category: Articles, Blog, and Tweets
Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign
🚨BREAKING: 🇩🇰❌🇮🇱 Denmark Cancels Deal for Israel’s Barak MX Air Defense System
In a surprising move, Denmark has officially canceled its planned purchase of Israel’s Barak MX air defense system, a deal that had been in the works for months.
— Worldwar_3_ (@Worldwar_3_) Oct 27, 2025
#SouthCaucasus #Azerbaijan #US
The financial contributions of Azerbaijan into the political system and election outcomes in the US – Google Search google.com/search?q=The+fina…
AI Overview
Investigations and reporting indicate that Azerbaijan has engaged in significant and, at times, illicit financial and lobbying activities to influence US politics. While there is no evidence that these actions have altered the outcome of a US election, they have been documented as attempts to shape US policy, particularly regarding the conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. [1, 2, 3]
Lobbying and political influence According to the nonpartisan research group OpenSecrets, the government of Azerbaijan has spent millions on lobbying and public relations firms to advance its interests in the US.• From 2015 to 2023, Azerbaijan spent nearly $9.2 million on traditional lobbying efforts. In 2024 alone, it spent at least $480,000.
• Azerbaijan hires prominent Washington D.C. lobbying firms, such as BGR Government Affairs, to act as liaisons to the US government.
• Lobbying efforts have aimed to secure favorable US military assistance for Azerbaijan and block negative amendments to bills like the National Defense Authorization Act.
• The government has also used its influence to organize events, such as the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan, and used lobbying firms like Teneo Strategy LLC to promote them in the US. [1, 3, 5, 6, 7]Illicit influence and corruption Beyond official lobbying, reporting indicates that Azerbaijan has engaged in corrupt activities, often referred to as “caviar diplomacy,” to influence foreign officials.
• Congressional bribery case: In May 2024, US Congressman Henry Cuellar and his wife were indicted on charges of accepting nearly $600,000 in bribes from Azerbaijan’s state oil company (SOCAR) and a Mexican bank. In exchange, Cuellar allegedly used his office to influence foreign policy in Azerbaijan’s favor.
• FARA violations: In 2018, an individual pleaded guilty to concealing that a 2013 trip to Azerbaijan for members of Congress was secretly funded by SOCAR, a violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). An FBI investigation into illicit Azerbaijani influence in the US led to the raiding of Congressman Cuellar’s home in January 2022.
• “Azerbaijani Laundromat”: The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) documented a $2.9 billion slush fund used between 2012 and 2014 to funnel money to European and American officials to buy influence. [1, 2, 8]Impact on election outcomes There is no public evidence to suggest that Azerbaijani financial contributions have directly altered the outcome of a US election. However, the goal of these financial contributions is to sway US policy in Azerbaijan’s favor by influencing key figures, not necessarily to swing an election.
• Critics argue that Azerbaijan’s illicit influence has contributed to a muted US response regarding military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Azerbaijan’s influence is countered by the efforts of the Armenian-American diaspora, which lobbies for increased US support for Armenia. [1]AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] responsiblestatecraft.org/az…
[2] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caviar…
[3] nytimes.com/2024/05/04/us/po…
[4] opensecrets.org/orgs/governm…
[5] opensecrets.org/federal-lobb…
[6] responsiblestatecraft.org/az…
[7] mirrorspectator.com/2025/06/…
[8] quincyinst.org/research/the-…
–
Pic.:
Azerbaijan’s Elections and the US-Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership – Jamestown
google.com/search?num=10&new…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 27, 2025
#SouthCaucasus
The financial contributions of #Azerbaijan into the political system and election outcomes in the #US – Google Search google.com/search?q=The+fina…
AI Overview
Investigations and reporting indicate that Azerbaijan has engaged in significant and, at times, illicit financial and lobbying activities to influence US politics. While there is no evidence that these actions have altered the outcome of a US election, they have been documented as attempts to shape US policy, particularly regarding the conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. [1, 2, 3]
Lobbying and political influence According to the nonpartisan research group OpenSecrets, the government of Azerbaijan has spent millions on lobbying and public relations firms to advance its interests in the US.• From 2015 to 2023, Azerbaijan spent nearly $9.2 million on traditional lobbying efforts. In 2024 alone, it spent at least $480,000.
• Azerbaijan hires prominent Washington D.C. lobbying firms, such as BGR Government Affairs, to act as liaisons to the US government.
• Lobbying efforts have aimed to secure favorable US military assistance for Azerbaijan and block negative amendments to bills like the National Defense Authorization Act.
• The government has also used its influence to organize events, such as the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan, and used lobbying firms like Teneo Strategy LLC to promote them in the US. [1, 3, 5, 6, 7]Illicit influence and corruption Beyond official lobbying, reporting indicates that Azerbaijan has engaged in corrupt activities, often referred to as “caviar diplomacy,” to influence foreign officials.
• Congressional bribery case: In May 2024, US Congressman Henry Cuellar and his wife were indicted on charges of accepting nearly $600,000 in bribes from Azerbaijan’s state oil company (SOCAR) and a Mexican bank. In exchange, Cuellar allegedly used his office to influence foreign policy in Azerbaijan’s favor.
• FARA violations: In 2018, an individual pleaded guilty to concealing that a 2013 trip to Azerbaijan for members of Congress was secretly funded by SOCAR, a violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). An FBI investigation into illicit Azerbaijani influence in the US led to the raiding of Congressman Cuellar’s home in January 2022.
• “Azerbaijani Laundromat”: The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) documented a $2.9 billion slush fund used between 2012 and 2014 to funnel money to European and American officials to buy influence. [1, 2, 8]Impact on election outcomes There is no public evidence to suggest that Azerbaijani financial contributions have directly altered the outcome of a US election. However, the goal of these financial contributions is to sway US policy in Azerbaijan’s favor by influencing key figures, not necessarily to swing an election.
• Critics argue that Azerbaijan’s illicit influence has contributed to a muted US response regarding military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Azerbaijan’s influence is countered by the efforts of the Armenian-American diaspora, which lobbies for increased US support for Armenia. [1]AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] responsiblestatecraft.org/az…
[2] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caviar…
[3] nytimes.com/2024/05/04/us/po…
[4] opensecrets.org/orgs/governm…
[5] opensecrets.org/federal-lobb…
[6] responsiblestatecraft.org/az…
[7] mirrorspectator.com/2025/06/…
[8] quincyinst.org/research/the-…
–
Pic.:
Azerbaijan’s Elections and the US-Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership – Jamestown
google.com/search?num=10&new…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 27, 2025
new oil-refinery project being rolled out in Georgia is being spearheaded by a family with direct business ties to senior figures in Russia’s military intelligence apparatus, the GRU according to an investigative report by the independent Russian media project Agentsvo.
The… pic.twitter.com/3tlQrGnaqx
— Formula NEWS | English (@FormulaGe) October 27, 2025
Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili, declared that the ruling Georgian Dream government “has already lost” and called on citizens to persevere through the final stretch of their resistance. Speaking on Rustaveli Avenue on the 333rd consecutive day of protests — marking one year since the disputed 2024 parliamentary elections — Zurabishvili addressed the crowd with a message of endurance and defiance.
“This regime has already lost. It no longer has any legitimacy to continue — its days are numbered. We are obliged to endure just a little longer,” Zurabishvili said. “I want to tell the parents of political prisoners — I understand that when I say ‘we must hold on a little longer,’ these are not easy words. They are not easy words for the activists who stand here every day and carry the weight of keeping this movement alive. But I know that nothing is ever easy when the goal is to save this country — not to surrender it to Russia or to those dressed in Georgian clothes who serve it,” she said.
— FormulaGe (@FormulaGe) Oct 27, 2025
The Kremlin is gripped by panic as it runs out of options to keep its power game alive while U.S. President Donald Trump tightens the screws, The Telegraph reported on Oct. 26, noting that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin now fears another coup as Russia’s position begins to…
— The New Voice of Ukraine (@NewVoiceUkraine) October 27, 2025
Venezuela calls the arrival a US warship in nearby Trinidad and Tobago a dangerous “provocation”
The ship’s arrival comes amid a mounting military campaign by Trump against alleged drug-traffickers in Latin America, which has largely targeted Venezuelans… pic.twitter.com/tkOMcWiJOd
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 27, 2025
Zohran is the future of the Democratic Party https://t.co/qwkBimPBby
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 27, 2025
share.google/aimode/hh1EuqVP…
Putin and the plot
the Kremlin is reportedly gripped by paranoia and fears of a potential coup. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) recently opened a criminal case against exiled businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky and other critics, accusing them of plotting to seize power. This follows heightened tensions and events, including the 2023 Wagner Group rebellion, that have raised questions about Putin’s grip on power.Based on recent news reports,
Here are the key plots and challenges related to Putin and his regime:
Recent coup allegations (2025)
The FSB investigation: In October 2025, the FSB accused prominent Kremlin critics, including exiled former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, of forming a “terrorist organization” and plotting a coup.
Response from critics: Khodorkovsky denied the allegations, stating that the opposition’s threat to Putin comes from functioning as an “alternative point of legitimacy”.
Kremlin’s paranoia: Analysts describe the move as a sign of the Kremlin’s growing paranoia and a tactic to discredit the opposition and blame the West for internal problems, thereby shoring up the regime.
2023 Wagner Group rebellion
Mercenary uprising: In June 2023, Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group, a private mercenary organization, initiated a short-lived armed rebellion against the Russian military leadership.
A challenge to authority: The rebellion saw Wagner forces occupy the city of Rostov-on-Don and advance toward Moscow, in a direct challenge to the Kremlin’s authority. The mutiny ended after Prigozhin reached a deal and ordered his troops to stand down.
Aftermath: Prigozhin was killed in a mysterious plane crash two months later. The event exposed the fragility of Putin’s power structure, as the public’s reaction was notably apathetic.
Assassination of opponents and critics
History of silencing opponents: Since taking power, Putin’s regime has been linked to numerous assassinations and suspicious deaths of political rivals, journalists, and critics.
Key figures:Boris Nemtsov: A liberal politician and vocal critic, Nemtsov was shot dead near the Kremlin in 2015.
Alexei Navalny: Russia’s most prominent opposition leader, Navalny survived a poisoning attempt in 2020 before dying in a remote prison colony in February 2024 under suspicious circumstances.
Yevgeny Prigozhin: The leader of the Wagner Group died in a plane crash after his 2023 mutiny.Alleged foreign plots
Kremlin drone attack: In May 2023, two drones exploded over the Kremlin. Russia labeled it a Ukrainian assassination attempt on Putin, a claim Kyiv denied.
Ukraine coup plot: In January 2022, the UK accused Russia of plotting to install a pro-Moscow leader in Ukraine, which was denied by Russia.
“The Plot to Destroy Democracy”: Some analyses of Russian tactics describe a wider “plot” by Putin and Russian intelligence to undermine Western democracies through cyber warfare and disinformation. Leaked documents from 2021 reportedly revealed Putin’s involvement in a plan to help elect Donald Trump in the U.S..— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 27, 2025