Loading...
Loading...
The Caucasus is defined by a US-led diplomatic surge, with Vice President Vance securing a nuclear deal with Armenia and advancing a peace corridor, which has triggered Russian security concerns and intensified regional alignments with Azerbaijan deepening ties with Israel and Iran.
Editorially curated conflicts and rivalries Caucasus is party to. Open a panel to see the specific friction points inside it.
The South Caucasus -- Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia -- at the intersection of Russian, Turkish, Iranian and Euro-Atlantic interests. The region carries several unresolved disputes: the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict centred on Nagorno-Karabakh, the question of Armenia's alignment between the Russian-led blocs and the European Union, the status of Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, transit corridors across the region, and competition among external powers over influence, energy routes and security ties. It has seen repeated wars, including the Nagorno-Karabakh wars and the 2008 Russia-Georgia war.
The regional economy is being reshaped by major energy and technology alignments. Azerbaijan is consolidating its role as a key EU energy partner while pursuing tech cooperation with Israel and economic integration with Iran. Armenia is pivoting towards the US with a landmark nuclear deal.
High-level US diplomacy is the dominant political force, with Vice President Vance making a historic visit to advance an Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal. This US push is creating new bilateral working groups and receiving international praise, while Azerbaijan simultaneously reassures Iran about its territory.
Security dynamics are strained by the US-Armenia nuclear agreement, which has provoked a sharp Russian reaction. Armenia is diversifying its military suppliers with US drones, while Iran offers expanded military cooperation, and Azerbaijan alleges a deliberate Russian attack on its embassy.
Societal tensions are dominated by historical grievances and government accountability, ignited by the US Vice President's controversial post on the Armenian Genocide. This episode sparked public outrage and protests, while media scrutiny focuses on the trial of Azerbaijani journalists.