Whereas Ukraine never intended to implement the Minsk Accords and was preparing for an invasion this entire time, the dual deceptions of which have ended disastrously for it as is known, Georgian Dream wants Russia to help create a framework for bringing Georgia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia back together. Russian …
Read More »Islamist Radicalism Continues To Spread From Eastern North Caucasus Into Bi-National Republics In The Middle – OpEd
Since 1991, most of the Islamist violence in the North Caucasus has occurred in the three republics in the eastern part of that region, Dagestan, Ingushetia and Chechnya, while the surviving bi-national republics in the middle and the national republics in the west have remained relatively quiet. But since last …
Read More »Armenians, Azerbaijanis Still Dreaming Of Home A Year After Karabakh Recaptured – Analysis
While Tatevik Khachatrian was forced to leave everything behind one year ago, Vasila Mammadova was hopeful that, for the first time in 30 years, there was a chance she might get everything back. On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched an offensive to recapture Nagorno-Karabakh, the territory it had lost to …
Read More »Armenia Isn’t All That Important To Iran’s Economic & National Security
Iran has ulterior motives for opposing the Zangezur Corridor. Iran’s continued opposition to the Zangezur Corridor, which was earlier analyzed here and here, is predicated on the assumption that Armenia is very important to its economic and national security. The thinking goes that they’d be harmed if Azerbaijan and/or Turkiye …
Read More »Zangezur Transit Now At Center Of Conflicts In South Caucasus – Analysis
The Armenian-Azerbaijani dispute has always been about more than Karabakh. It has also been about transit routes. Now that Baku has succeeded in restoring control over Karabakh, it is now focusing on the Armenian region between the two non-contiguous parts of Azerbaijan, which Armenians call Syunik oblast and the Azerbaijanis …
Read More »In first major flare-up since Ukraine invasion, Iran slams Russia over transit project
The story: Apparent Russian support for a controversial corridor linking Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave has triggered outrage in Tehran. The proposed route has long been opposed by Iran as it would sever the country’s land connection to Armenia. The flare-up between Moscow and Tehran highlights lingering points of contention, …
Read More »Q&A: Georgia’s High-Stake Polls – US Concerns, Russian Claims, And Rising Tensions – OpEd
As Georgia gears up for its crucial parliamentary elections on October 26, 2024, tensions are running high both domestically and internationally. The election has been framed as a battle between pro-Western and pro-Russian forces, with significant implications for Georgia’s future. The Q&A delves into the key players, Russia’s accusations of …
Read More »Could escalating Iran-Israel tensions spill into the South Caucasus?
Analysis: Concerns are growing that ongoing tensions could impact the South Caucasus, where Iran’s neighbour Azerbaijan is a key ally of Israel. As Iran delays its retaliation to Israel’s assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, concerns are growing that the escalating tensions could extend beyond the Middle East and into …
Read More »Will Georgia’s Eurasian Pivot Lead to Rapprochement With Russia?
Amid deteriorating relations with the West, Georgia has embarked on a long-term pivot toward Eurasia, with the potential for the further stabilization of relations with Russia. A series of developments in the past couple of months indicates there is a long-term breach emerging between Georgia and its Western partners. What …
Read More »Iran reestablishes its presence in the Caucuses with Armenian arms deal
Iran and Armenia recently signed a $500 million arms deal, Iran International reported on July 24. The deal includes various military equipment Tehran will supply to Yerevan, including Shahed 136, Shahed 129, Shahed 197, and Mohajer drones, as well as air defense missile systems like the 3rd Khordad, Majid, 15th …
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