Kavkaz

Has the South Caucasus become the new Middle East? Or has it become a second playing field for the Middle East’s geopolitical interests? Analysts often use the Syrian file to link both regions. We notice in both these files the same players: Turkiye, Russia, Iran and, in the background, the …

They’re already being tested like never before after some congressional representatives lent false credence to the ultra-nationalist Armenian lobby’s lies that Azerbaijan “ethnically cleansed” their co-ethnics from Karabakh. A leaked draft of the so-called “Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act of 2024” circulated on Monday ahead of its reportedly planned tabling sometime …

Abstract: Through its promotion and dissemination of disinformation, Russia’s practice of public diplomacy forms a close nexus with information warfare. While Russia no doubt seeks to win the hearts and minds of foreign state publics, its strategic aim in doing so is not to build sincere two-way cultural bridges but …

Georgia’s ruling party is pushing ahead with plans to pass legislation tightening restrictions on civil society, despite widespread domestic alarm along with expressions of concern from the EU and US. The new law mirrors earlier draft legislation that was shelved in spring 2023 following widespread protests and comes as the …

Since the start of Russia’s expanded invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, underground militants, both ethnic and Islamist, in the North Caucasus have been relatively quiet. This lull is the result of Russia’s security services and, perhaps more importantly, the product of the militants’ decision not to take action lest …

“EU is closer to using Russian asset profits for Ukraine arms”, the foreign (non-Russian) media reported Thursday based on the outcomes of the first day of the two-day EU summit. The European Union could use proceeds from frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine within a few months under a plan …

French President Emmanuel Macron recently caused a kerfuffle over Ukraine, dropping a bombshell suggestion that NATO troops could be deployed in the Russian-Ukrainian war. Over in the South Caucasus, garnering far less attention in the West, French actions are also stirring tension. While Atlantic Alliance allies quickly shot down Macron’s …

Just last week, four Armenian soldiers were killed in the first violent incident with Azerbaijan since its mid-September takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh, prompting concerns from Armenia’s government of potential Azerbaijani war plans centered around the Zangezur Corridor. Armenia and Iran each have territory within the proposed corridor and strongly oppose its …

Israel has emerged as Azerbaijan’s top oil purchaser, solidifying an alliance that transcends mere economic transactions. In January 2024, amidst the backdrop of the Munich Security Conference, it was revealed that Israel leads the list of countries importing oil from Azerbaijan, purchasing a substantial 523.5 thousand tons valued at approximately …

On February 15, two days after he resigned his post, former Armenian Economy Minister Vahan Kerobyan was charged with abuse of office. The following day a court ordered him placed under house arrest. Armenia’s Investigative Committee said in a statement that ministry officials, including Kerobyan, disqualified a private entity from …