Baku: Ergun Kirlikovali, a prominent Turkish engineer and founder of Integrated Polymer Industries, has publicly criticized writer Nassim Nicholas Taleb's decision to boycott Baku due to Ruben Vardanyan's detention. Kirlikovali, known for his work with stealth coating materials for the B-2 bombers and his commitment to Turkish-Azerbaijani relations, expressed his views in an exclusive interview with AZERTAC. According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Kirlikovali wrote to Taleb, challenging his choice to avoid visiting Baku while Vardanyan is detained. He emphasized his dedication to defending Azerbaijan, stating that any insult to the country is also an insult to Trkiye and himself. Kirlikovali has a history of writing extensively to counter negative perceptions of Turkish and Azerbaijani communities. Kirlikovali highlighted the long-standing anti-Turkish and anti-Azerbaijani propaganda in the United States, attributing some of it to historical Christian missionary activities in Anatolia. He urged young peo ple to read Professor Justin McCarthy's work on enduring prejudices against Turks in America and emphasized the need for continuous advocacy against such narratives. He outlined a three-pronged approach for Turkish and Azerbaijani communities in the U.S. to counteract these challenges. In the short term, he called for immediate opposition to political and media campaigns targeting them. In the medium term, he encouraged active participation in local political and social life. For the long term, he stressed the importance of providing quality education and promoting public service careers among young people. Addressing the controversy surrounding Vardanyan, Kirlikovali criticized Taleb's defense of the detained figure. He questioned Taleb's understanding of the situation, suggesting that Vardanyan's philanthropic image is a façade, pointing to alleged financial and political misconduct associated with Vardanyan, including the 'Troika Laundromat' scheme. Kirlikovali expressed concern over Taleb's call for Va rdanyan's release, arguing that it inadvertently supports mechanisms financing regional violence. He also highlighted the serious accusations against Vardanyan, including financing terrorism and creating illegal armed groups, which led to a 20-year prison sentence by the Baku Military Court in 2026. Kirlikovali criticized Taleb for overlooking the historical suffering of Azerbaijani people, particularly during the military conflict from 1992 to 2020 and the 1992 Khojaly massacre. He urged Taleb to reconsider his stance and focus on the ethical implications of supporting an individual with alleged ties to illicit activities. In conclusion, Kirlikovali invited Taleb to reflect on the humanitarian aspect of the situation, emphasizing the importance of standing with victims rather than powerful financiers benefiting from human suffering.