Summary: Russia wants to expand its transit networks – and its influence – south, but doing so will not be easy.
Russia wants to expand its transit networks – and its influence – south to Iran, but doing so will not be easy.
Summary: Editor's Note: This is the fourth installment of a five-part series that explores the past, present and future of the confrontation between Russia and the West on the Eurasian landmass. Part one explored the origins of the conflict, part two examined Ukraine, and part three looked at Eastern Europe.
Strategic Europe continues the second phase of its Capitals Series exploring how EU foreign policy is viewed by six countries in Europe’s Eastern neighborhood.
For all the geopolitical tensions between Iran, Russia, Turkey and the West in the South Caucasus, China has slowly but steadily continued to emerge as an important player in the embattled region.
Sandwiched between Turkey and Russia, and for centuries a battleground for the erstwhile empires, the South Caucasus is bracing for fallout from the geopolitical furor sparked by the Turkish downing of a Russian fighter jet.
Paris and Syria share the headlines today, but worrying developments in the South Caucasus raise alarm bells about weak governance and the risk of war.
The South Caucasus comprises the former Soviet states of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Russia’s involvement in a conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is likely to do more harm than good.