Joseph Epstein

Iranian analysts close to the IRGC now call the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline “Hormuz 2.0.” It carries nearly half of Israel’s oil and Kazakhstan’s main route around Russia. In @Newsweek, I explain why Washington should harden it before Tehran tests it.

newsweek.com/the-worlds-oth…

Azerbaijan is Turkey’s closest ally and one of Israel’s closest partners. In 2025, it hosted the talks that gave Ankara and Jerusalem a deconfliction line over Syria. When the two decide to make up, Baku is the likeliest broker. My latest for @TheNatlInterest:

nationalinterest.org/blog/silk-road…

Every country that can’t be a superpower now wants to be called a middle power. In @Newsweek, I argue the title belongs to states that built real military and economic independence like Poland, South Korea, Taiwan and Azerbaijan. Recent and loud converts like Canada and Western Europe have yet to earn it.

Read here: newsweek.com/real-middle-po…

The Caspian, the world's largest lake, now carries one of the few reliable trade routes between China and Europe. Russia uses the same waters to rearm Iran, and a treaty bars outside navies. Washington's partners there are Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. My piece in @dcexaminer:
washingtonexaminer.com/op-eds/4747209…

Azerbaijan just became the latest post-Soviet Muslim nation to ban the hijab in the classroom.

In my latest for @TuranCenter, I examine why the hijab has become the point where sovereignty, national identity, secular statehood and control over religion meet.

Read here: turancenter.org/analysis/the-h…