nagorno-karabakh Politics, Relations & Current Affairs

Lebanese of Armenian origin raise Armenian and Nagorno-Karabakh flags as they take part in a rally in Beirut's neighborhood of Bourj Hammoud on Oct. 9.

The Diaspora May Be Armenia’s Biggest Asset in Nagorno-Karabakh

From online to the front lines, the 7 million-strong Armenian diaspora is rallying to the fight in Nagorno-Karabakh.

An unexploded BM-30 Smerch missile is seen on the outskirts of Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, on Oct. 12.

Tehran’s Worst Nightmare

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict could spill over to Iran’s Azeri minority, setting off a battle the government can’t contain.

Argument |

Alex Vatanka

Paramilitary police march near the U.S. consulate in Chengdu, China.

Our Top Weekend Reads

A history lesson on pandemics and their aftereffects, Putin becomes Pashinyan’s playmaker, and Selina Meyer humbles Donald Trump.

5 Top Reads |

Allison Meakem

Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence participate in the vice presidential debate moderated by Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today Susan Page at the University of Utah on Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Is a Vice President Who Doesn’t Know Much About Foreign Policy a National Security Risk?

Pence and Harris talked about international politics at the debate, but their performances will leave voters asking if they would be ready to act as commander in chief.

It's Debatable |

Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig

A local resident walks in front of a damaged building in Barda, Azerbaijan, near the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh province's capital Stepanakert, on October 9, 2020, as Azerbaijan and Armenia hold their first high-level talks after nearly two weeks of clashes.

What Negotiations Over Nagorno-Karabakh Could Look Like

Years of diplomatic efforts have failed, but the two sides will need to talk to prevent a regionwide war.

Argument |

Lara Setrakian

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gives an interview in Yerevan on Oct. 6.

Without Russian Aid to Armenia, Azerbaijan Has the Upper Hand in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has overplayed his hand by spouting belligerent nationalist rhetoric and refusing to negotiate—and Putin isn’t coming to his rescue.

Argument |

Robert M. Cutler

A map of Turkey's military entanglements

Is Turkey’s Military Overstretched?

If Turkey intervenes in Nagorno-Karabakh, it would only be the latest entry in Ankara’s growing list of military adventures.

Infographic |

Allison Meakem

An Azeri protester waves the Turkish and Azerbaijani flags at a demonstration in Istanbul in support of Azerbaijan on Oct. 4.

A Weak Economy Won’t Stop Turkey’s Activist Foreign Policy

By pledging unconditional support to Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh, Turkey’s government is stretching its forces and its budget, but it’s also shoring up its base.

Argument |

Sinan Ulgen

A fire burns in a hardware store after a rocket attack in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, on Oct. 3.

Syrians Make Up Turkey’s Proxy Army in Nagorno-Karabakh

After fighting Turkey’s battles in Libya, the Syrian National Army is caught in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan—and dozens are dying.

Report |

Liz Cookman

A man gestures as he shows the roof of a kindergarten which suffered of bombing attacks on July 18 in the village of Aygepar, recently damaged by shelling during armed clashes on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Armenia and Azerbaijan Are at War Again—and Not in Nagorno-Karabakh

Powered by Israeli weapons, Azerbaijan is facing off against Armenia far from the long-disputed enclave, placing civilians—and possibly the Aliyev regime—at risk.

Argument |

Neil Hauer