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.

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News
Azerbaijan and China Forge Defence Ties

Azerbaijan and China Forge Defence Ties

At the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, which was held from Wednesday to Friday (17 - 19  September), Azerbaijan’s Defence Minister, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov, led Baku’s delegation and held high-level discussions with his Chinese counterpart on advancing joint military capabilities.
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Opinion
The 3+3 Initiative in Retrospect: A Framework Out of Step with Current Realities

The 3+3 Initiative in Retrospect: A Framework Out of Step with Current Realities

On September 8, 2025, during his address at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the potential revival of the “3+3” format in the South Caucasus while commenting on Russia’s relations with regional countries. He noted that the initiative was initially proposed by Turkey and Azerbaijan and highlighted that it is also supported by Iran, signaling broader regional backing. Lavrov further referenced the trilateral agreement between Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia on restoring transport links and welcomed the ongoing process of normalization between Armenia and Turkey.

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From the Kremlin to Rustavi 2, hysterical reactions pose a threat to Georgia

From the Kremlin to Rustavi 2, hysterical reactions pose a threat to Georgia

Georgian politicians of all persuasions, who constantly wrap themselves up in EU and NATO flags, have been acting in a way which makes Georgia look like an unstable banana republic not an aspirant for EU or NATO membership. There seems to be no one in Georgia who is able to exercise restraint on a political class that has got used to shooting from the hip, creating a highly polorised, divided and disillusioned society. The international community now needs to step in and step up.
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Opinion
Opinion: 'Game of Thrones moment' for Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh

Opinion: 'Game of Thrones moment' for Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh

In this op-ed, Ahmad Alili considers the implications if Azerbaijan decides to use force to resolve the Karabakh conflict. "Any further military action in the region will further increase the enmity between Azerbaijanis and Armenians; regaining control militarily over Nagorno-Karabakh may, in fact, end up prolonging the conflict itself", he says.