The Gordian Knot of the Caucasus. The Conflict Over Nagorno-Karabakh
The Gordian Knot of the Caucasus. The Conflict Over Nagorno-Karabakh

Author(s): Wojciech Górecki
Subject(s): Government/Political systems, Military policy, Comparative politics, Post-War period (1950 - 1989), Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), Present Times (2010 - today), Geopolitics, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: OSW Ośrodek Studiów Wschodnich im. Marka Karpia
Keywords: Nagorno‑Karabakh conflict; Azerbaijan and Armenia; conflict’s history; The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic;
Summary/Abstract: The conflict over the state affiliation of Nagorno‑Karabakh, which has been ongoing since 1987 (and led to full‑scale war in 1992–94) has determined Armenia and Azerbaijan’s post‑Soviet history. It remains the greatest security challenge for both states, and still has a serious impact on their entire foreign and domestic policies. In both states the conflict has brought political elites to power who in the case of Armenia ruled the state until 2018, and in the case of Azerbaijan are still in power, and who have pre‑determined the homogenous nature of both Azerbaijan’s and Armenia’s societies. This latter is a result of mass expulsions and forced migrations, as well as intensive propaganda presented by both governments, who have exploited the struggle for Nagorno‑Karabakh in their state‑building narratives and have deliberately cultivated the images of their mutual enemy.

• Details
• Contents