WASHINGTON, June 12 (UPI) -- Since Sept. 11, 2001, the Bush administration has pursued a "global war on terror" and a mission to advance democracy around the world. The latter campaign, however, elicits muffled criticism when an oil-rich state is holding elections, even in the former Evil Empire post-Soviet space.

WASHINGTON, June 6 (UPI) -- The peaceful implosion of the Soviet Union in December 1991 completely changed the geography of the Caspian Sea region: Where Iran had previously shared the Caspian with the Soviet Union, in its place arose four new states -- the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Opposition parties in Azerbaijan are boycotting their parliamentary seats and calling for new elections, alleging fraud in this month's voting.

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Azerbaijan's ruling party appears to be the winner of parliamentary elections, with half of the votes counted, an election official said Monday.

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The body of former Azerbaijan president Heydar Aliyev was flown home to the capital of Baku as a week of mourning officially began Sunday.

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Pressure is mounting in Azerbaijan for the resignation of Prime Minister Ilham Aliyev, who is also the son of the country's president.