INTERNATIONAL – ASIA
8 SEPTEMBER 2025
- The main dispute is over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but historically populated mostly by ethnic Armenians.
- Tensions began in the early 20th century but escalated as the Soviet Union collapsed in the late 1980s–1990s.
First Nagorno-Karabakh War (1988–1994)
- Ethnic Armenians, supported by Armenia, fought Azerbaijani forces.
- Result: Armenia took control of Nagorno-Karabakh and 7 surrounding Azerbaijani districts.
- Ceasefire (1994): Brokered by Russia; created a “frozen conflict.”
Second Nagorno-Karabakh War (2020)
- Duration: 27 September – 10 November 2020.
- Outcome: Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey and using modern drones, recaptured much of its lost territory.
- Ceasefire: Brokered by Russia; Russian peacekeepers deployed to the region.
2022–2023 Developments
- Azerbaijan blockaded the Lachin Corridor (the only road connecting Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh).
- In September 2023, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale offensive, forcing Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh to surrender.
- By the end of 2023, tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians fled Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.
- This effectively ended Armenian control of the region.
- Armenia has grown increasingly distant from CSTO and Russia due to lack of support, leaning more towards the EU and Western partners.
