Region

South Caucasus

The South Caucasus – a region encompassing Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia - is one of strategic importance, not only for adjacent countries, such as Turkiye, Russia, Iran and the Central Asian states, but also for neighbours such as the European Union and the GCC states, and globally for the United States, India, China, Pakistan and Japan.

commonspace.eu team brings decades of experience of working in the South Caucasus and we are pleased to share our insights with our loyal readers through the website, and the sister newsletter, Caucasus Concise.

Editor's choice
Opinion
Armenia Power Struggle Intensifies Before Elections

Armenia Power Struggle Intensifies Before Elections

Tensions are mounting in Armenia ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections, with the nation’s future hanging in the balance. Despite the excitement surrounding the Trump-brokered Washington Declaration in August, it is unclear whether it can overcome the lingering division that set in after defeat by Azerbaijan in the 44-day war. Recent surveys have shown a slight majority against the proposed TRIPP.
Editor's choice
Opinion
The restoration of all regional communications is the only viable  path to lasting peace in the South Caucasus

The restoration of all regional communications is the only viable path to lasting peace in the South Caucasus

Will the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) set to connect Azerbaijan with Nakhijevan and Türkiye via Armenia help establish lasting peace and prosperity for all?  Interestingly, if the Washington Declaration speaks about restoration of all communications, with reciprocal benefits for Armenia, the spotlight has been about the TRIPP and only about it. This oversight misses a vital point necessary for lasting peace and stability in the region.

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Editor's choice
Opinion
Armenia Power Struggle Intensifies Before Elections

Armenia Power Struggle Intensifies Before Elections

Tensions are mounting in Armenia ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections, with the nation’s future hanging in the balance. Despite the excitement surrounding the Trump-brokered Washington Declaration in August, it is unclear whether it can overcome the lingering division that set in after defeat by Azerbaijan in the 44-day war. Recent surveys have shown a slight majority against the proposed TRIPP.
Editor's choice
Opinion
The restoration of all regional communications is the only viable  path to lasting peace in the South Caucasus

The restoration of all regional communications is the only viable path to lasting peace in the South Caucasus

Will the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) set to connect Azerbaijan with Nakhijevan and Türkiye via Armenia help establish lasting peace and prosperity for all?  Interestingly, if the Washington Declaration speaks about restoration of all communications, with reciprocal benefits for Armenia, the spotlight has been about the TRIPP and only about it. This oversight misses a vital point necessary for lasting peace and stability in the region.
Editor's choice
Opinion
Azerbaijan Calls for Deeper Cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States

Azerbaijan Calls for Deeper Cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States

The 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), held on 7 October 2025 in Gabala, Azerbaijan, marked a decisive stage in the evolution of integration within the Turkic world. Under the theme “Regional Peace and Security,” the summit, chaired by President Ilham Aliyev, brought together leaders from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, and observer states Hungary, Turkmenistan, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Gabala’s historical symbolism as a crossroads of the Caucasus and Central Asia reflected the OTS’s broader vision of unity, connectivity, and shared destiny.
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News
 European Court of Human Rights orders Russia to compensate Georgia for violations committed after 2008 war

European Court of Human Rights orders Russia to compensate Georgia for violations committed after 2008 war

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ordered Russia to pay Georgia over €250 million for violations committed after the brief war between the two countries in 2008. Russia has stated that it will not comply with the decision of the ECHR. The Court decided on Tuesday 14th October that Russia had stopped people from crossing freely into Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgian regions that Moscow recognised as independent after the 16-day war. According to the Court, Russia committed violations including excessive use of force, ill-treatment, unlawful detention and unlawful restrictions on day-to-day movement across the administrative boundary line between Georgian-controlled territory and the Russian-backed breakaway regions.
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News
Ruling party in Georgia secures tense local election victories as EU expresses concern on democratic process

Ruling party in Georgia secures tense local election victories as EU expresses concern on democratic process

Candidates of the ruling Georgian Dream party have won local elections held on 4 October in all five self-governing cities namely Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi, Batumi, and Poti based on preliminary results released by the Central Election Commission. The results appear to consolidate the ruling party’s control over Georgia’s largest municipalities amid a backdrop of political tension and opposition boycotts of the local elections.
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News
Almaty Summit advances reforms to strengthen the Trans-Caspian transport route

Almaty Summit advances reforms to strengthen the Trans-Caspian transport route

On Wednesday (1 October), Almaty hosted a high-level summit attended by delegations from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Turkey to coordinate measures to improve the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor. The meetings produced a series of agreements intended to streamline logistics, boost infrastructure, and unify tariff policies along the corridor.
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Opinion
From Frozen Ties to Open Skies: Turkish Airlines to Connect Armenia and Türkiye

From Frozen Ties to Open Skies: Turkish Airlines to Connect Armenia and Türkiye

“Welcome to Armenia,” the pilot’s voice came over the tannoy as the Turkish Atlasjet flight touched down in Yerevan some time in 2011. “The temperature outsider is…” A normal announcement on any flight. This one, however, came in Turkish before being repeated in English. In Armenia. That was 14 years ago now. Despite the lack of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the flights have existed for years albeit with some interruptions and later operated by Pegasus and Flyone.
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Opinion
Opinion: Clearing landmines in the South Caucasus is key to peace and regional cooperation

Opinion: Clearing landmines in the South Caucasus is key to peace and regional cooperation

On 1 September 2025, LINKS Europe launched the regional campaign 'Landmine Free South Caucasus 2025'.While the world's attention is focused on new conflicts and crises, and some countries have withdrawn from the Ottawa Treaty due to heightened security concerns, the South Caucasus remains trapped by the deadly remnants of wars, some fought decades ago, others more recent. Although recent months have seen breakthroughs in relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, suggesting that sustainable peace is within reach, landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) continue to pose a daily threat in the region and remain a contentious issue in relations. They claim innocent victims, hinder economic development, and cause ecological damage.