Shifts in Azerbaijani discourse: Heydar Aliyev's rhetorical transformation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict negotiation process

This article examines Heydar Aliyev's political discourse on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during his presidency, focusing on the negotiation process and proposed solutions. While much scholarly attention has been given to the broader geopolitical and military aspects of the conflict, this study analyzes Aliyev's evolving rhetoric within the context of shifting geopolitical and regional dynamics. Using discourse and narrative analysis to examine a wide array of his speeches in Azerbaijani, English, and Russian, the article identifies key shifts in Aliyev's discourse regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict negotiations. It uncovers two significant shifts in his approach to conflict resolution: the transition from active criticism of the OSCE to a willingness to cooperate, and the movement from a cooperative tone in the early years to a narrative of war as a solution. This analysis offers insights into how geopolitical and domestic political pressures influenced Aliyev's negotiation tactics and ultimately shaped Azerbaijan's approach to conflict resolution.