The signing of a new memorandum on the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway in Almaty may at first seem like another routine agreement between Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Georgia. In reality, however, it is a calculated move to strengthen the BTK’s competitiveness at a moment when the region is openly discussing a potentially disruptive alternative: the reopening of transit routes through Armenia. The question that now arises is whether Armenian transit could become a genuine rival to the BTK, or whether the trilateral project will remain the undisputed backbone of the Middle Corridor.

South Korea’s Justice Ministry barred President Yoon Suk Yeol from leaving the country on Monday as officials investigate whether his brief declaration of martial law last week amounted to leading an insurrection, News.az reports citing Reuters.

Türkiye and Italy issued travel advisories Sunday for their citizens who are in Lebanon or plan to travel there amid an escalation of tensions following the assassinations of a top commander of Hezbollah and the political chief of Hamas.