Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev is pushing for the creation of a Turkic trade corridor that connects Central Asia’s resource riches to Western markets. In Aliyev’s view, Turkic states should work in 2026 not only to increase coordination on connectivity and trade but also start building a robust defense and security component. Aliyev outlined his vision during an expansive news conference on January 5, where he designated the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) as the corridor’s foundation.…