Heydar Aliyev experienced a fate that was common among Soviet leaders. However, unlike many of them, he rose to the highest position not just once, but twice. He first led the republic during the Soviet era, and later stepped down until 1993, when he returned to power and again rose to the top. For me, this is a special aspect of his fate. Heydar Aliyev managed the impossible, twice responding to the demands of his country and his people and thereby rising to the top.