Introduction:
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a long-standing territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is a predominantly Armenian-populated enclave within the internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan. The conflict has been ongoing since the late 1980s and has resulted in two major military conflicts, one in 1992-1994 and another in 2020, as well as numerous minor incidents of violence.
Background:
The Nagorno-Karabakh region is located in the southwestern part of Azerbaijan and is predominantly populated by ethnic Armenians. It has been under Armenian control since the early 1990s when Armenian forces seized control of the region during the first Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The roots of the conflict can be traced back to the early 20th century when the Nagorno-Karabakh region was part of the Russian Empire. In 1918, Azerbaijan declared independence from Russia, and Nagorno-Karabakh became part of Azerbaijan. However, the Armenian population of the region was not satisfied with this arrangement and sought to join Armenia.
In the 1920s, the Soviet Union established control over the region and made it an autonomous region within Azerbaijan. The region remained relatively peaceful until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, which gave rise to nationalist movements in many of the former Soviet republics, including Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The First Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict (1988-1994):
In 1988, the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh began to demand that the region be transferred from Azerbaijan to Armenia. The demand was based on historical and cultural ties between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh and the fact that the region had a predominantly Armenian population.
The demand for transfer sparked violent clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani communities in the region, which quickly escalated into a full-scale war. In 1992, Armenian forces seized control of Nagorno-Karabakh and several surrounding territories, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis.
The conflict resulted in a ceasefire in 1994, which has largely held until 2020. The ceasefire left Nagorno-Karabakh under Armenian control and established a buffer zone between Nagorno-Karabakh and the rest of Azerbaijan, which was monitored by Russian peacekeepers.
The Second Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict (2020):
The second Nagorno-Karabakh conflict erupted in September 2020 when Azerbaijan launched a military offensive to retake control of the region. The offensive was supported by Turkey and involved the use of advanced military technology, including drones and precision-guided missiles.
The conflict lasted for 44 days and resulted in the deaths of thousands of people, including civilians. The conflict ended with a ceasefire agreement on November 10, 2020, brokered by Russia, which established Azerbaijan’s control over most of the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, but left the region itself under Armenian control.
Causes of the Conflict:
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has deep roots in history, culture, and politics, and several factors have contributed to its persistence.
One of the main causes of the conflict is the question of identity and territory. The region has a predominantly Armenian population, and the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh feel a strong cultural and historical connection to Armenia. On the other hand, Azerbaijan sees Nagorno-Karabakh as an integral part of its territory and views the Armenian presence there as an illegal occupation.
Another factor that has contributed to the conflict is the lack of trust between the two sides. The conflict has resulted in a deep-seated sense of mistrust and animosity between the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities, which has made negotiating a peaceful resolution difficult. The history of violent clashes and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people on both sides have left scars that are hard to heal.
External factors have also played a role in the conflict. Armenia and Azerbaijan have both received support from various foreign powers, which have fueled the conflict and made it more difficult to resolve. Russia has traditionally been the dominant external player in the conflict, providing military support to Armenia and acting as a mediator in negotiations. Turkey has also been involved in the conflict, providing support to Azerbaijan and taking a more assertive stance on the issue.
Challenges to Resolving the Conflict:
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a complex and deeply rooted issue, and resolving it will require a long-term, sustainable solution. However, there are several challenges to achieving a peaceful resolution.
One of the main challenges is the lack of trust between the two sides. As mentioned earlier, the history of violent clashes and displacement has created a deep-seated sense of mistrust that is hard to overcome. Rebuilding trust will require confidence-building measures, such as the return of displaced persons and the release of prisoners of war.
Another challenge is the question of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia and Azerbaijan have fundamentally different views on the issue, with Armenia calling for the region’s independence or annexation to Armenia, while Azerbaijan insists on the territorial integrity of the country. Finding a solution that satisfies both sides will be difficult, and any solution will likely require compromise.
External factors also pose a challenge to resolving the conflict. Russia’s dominant role in the conflict has been a source of tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with each side accusing the other of being too close to Russia. Turkey’s involvement in the conflict has also complicated the situation, as its support for Azerbaijan has increased tensions with Armenia and created a more volatile situation in the region.
Conclusion:
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a long-standing territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan that has resulted in two major military conflicts and numerous minor incidents of violence. The conflict has deep roots in history, culture, and politics, and several factors have contributed to its persistence.
Resolving the conflict will require a long-term, sustainable solution that addresses the question of identity and territory, rebuilds trust between the two sides, and finds a solution that satisfies both Armenia and Azerbaijan. External factors, including the involvement of Russia and Turkey, will also need to be taken into account.
The 2020 ceasefire agreement provides an opportunity for the two sides to engage in meaningful negotiations and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, it remains to be seen whether the parties will be able to overcome the challenges and reach a lasting solution that can bring peace and stability to the region.
Here are some resources and weblinks that you might find helpful in learning more about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict:
- Crisis Group: Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/caucasus/nagorno-karabakh-conflict
- BBC News: Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54782541
- Al Jazeera: Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/26/what-is-the-nagorno-karabakh-conflict
- The New York Times: Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Explained: https://www.nytimes.com/article/nagorno-karabakh-explained-armenia-azerbaijan-war.html
- Carnegie Europe: The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: A Legal Perspective: https://carnegieeurope.eu/2017/08/17/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-legal-perspective-pub-72876
- UN News: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict demands ‘immediate end to hostilities’: https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/10/1075772
- Human Rights Watch: Azerbaijan: Rights Abuses Intensify Amid Nagorno-Karabakh Fighting: https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/11/06/azerbaijan-rights-abuses-intensify-amid-nagorno-karabakh-fighting
- The Guardian: Nagorno-Karabakh: will Armenia and Azerbaijan go back to war? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/22/nagorno-karabakh-will-armenia-and-azerbaijan-go-back-to-war
Other Links
Newspapers : https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/03/06/how-newspapers-are-adapting-to-the-digital-age/
UN and EU : https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/03/07/list-of-member-countries-under-un-and-eu/
Official Website : https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/03/07/official-website-of-234-countries/
Relationships between Countries on the Global Stage:
International NGOs : https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/03/08/international-ngos-promoting-positive-change-in-the-world/
Peaceful Conflict Resolution : https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/03/08/the-need-to-avoid-bloodshed-peaceful-conflict-resolution/
The United Nations : https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/03/08/exploring-the-role-of-the-united-nations-in-international-peace-and-security/
World War I (1914-1918): https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/03/09/explore-the-technological-advances-and-human-cost-of-the-great-war/
Key Events of the Korean War : https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/03/18/from-invasion-to-armistice-key-events-of-the-korean-war/
Bilateral Relations : https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/03/22/exploring-impact-of-the-global-bilateral-relations/
Free Trade Agreements : https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/03/22/free-trade-agreements-promoting-global-economic-growth/
Multilateral Relations : https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/03/22/the-importance-of-multilateral-relations-in-a-globalized-world/
Causes of World War II : https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/03/22/causes-of-world-war-ii-understanding-the-roots-of-conflict/
Strategic Partnerships : https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/03/22/building-successful-strategic-partnerships-best-practices-and-case-studies/
Espionage : https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/03/29/the-cold-war-and-beyond-how-espionage-changed-the-world/
The Yemen Civil War : https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/03/31/untold-suffering-for-the-yemeni-people-the-yemeni-crisis/
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict: https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/04/09/the-israeli-palestinian-conflict-is-one-of-the-most-complex-and-long-standing-conflicts/
The Golan Heights: https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/04/15/what-is-the-golan-heights-why-is-center-of-conflict/
Sudan’s Strategic Significance: https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/04/19/sudans-strategic-significance-a-closer-look-at-the-countrys-importance/
Amnesty International: https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/04/22/the-amnesty-international-advancing-human-rights-for-over-60-years/
Doctors Without Borders: https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/04/23/providing-medical-assistance-to-those-in-need/
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) : https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/04/29/protecting-our-planet-the-role-of-the-world-wildlife-fund/
Future of the World: https://theglobe.today/index.php/2023/04/30/future-of-the-world-trends-and-insights-from-think-tanks/