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
What role for the EU in the post-Washington South Caucasus?

What role for the EU in the post-Washington South Caucasus?

The agreements reached in the US-mediated summit of the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders in Washington on August 8 are poised to fundamentally reshape the region's future. Particularly, the deal concerning the Zangezur corridor – rebranded as the “Trump Route for Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) – holds significant geopolitical importance. If implemented, the TRIPP agreement would deal a severe blow to the regional standing of Russia and Iran. More importantly, it would pave the way for a strategic U.S. presence in this critical geography. This outcome represents a success that few would have predicted for the United States, especially for the Trump administration, given the region's notoriously complex and volatile geopolitics.
Editor's choice
Analysis
Despite disillusionment, Pashinyan favourite to win crucial 2026 vote in Armenia

Despite disillusionment, Pashinyan favourite to win crucial 2026 vote in Armenia

Next year’s parliamentary elections in Armenia will not focus on the economy or other domestic issues, but rather on the country’s place in the surrounding region and relations with its neighbours. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, down but not out following military defeat and political upheaval, has staked his future on reaching what would prove to be a historic peace agreement with Azerbaijan. But with public trust at an all-time low, disillusionment among the electorate could make this the most unpredictable vote since independence was declared in 1991. Armenia will hold parliamentary elections on 7 June 2026, its first regularly scheduled national vote since April 2017. In this analysis for commonspace.eu, Onnik James Krikorian argues that "ten months before the vote, the outcome still remains difficult to predict. Though it still seems most likely that the incumbent will win, a great deal will also be determined during the official campaign period itself, and new developments on the ground. If peace with Azerbaijan is finally within reach, and there are signs that this is the case, it will be difficult for voters to reject stability instead of insecurity and the further risk of war. Ultimately, the 2026 election will determine not just who governs Armenia, but whether the country can finally emerge from decades of conflict and semi-regional isolation, or if it is destined to remain trapped by it." He adds, "that might prove enough to sway even reluctant support for Pashinian at the ballot box. The opposition has still yet to offer any viable alternative – or even one at all."

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Editor's choice
Shooting and sharp words ahead of meeting. Incidents on the front line have created a difficult atmosphere ahead of Paris talks.
Shooting and sharp words ahead of meeting. Incidents on the front line have created a difficult atmosphere ahead of Paris talks.

Shooting and sharp words ahead of meeting. Incidents on the front line have created a difficult atmosphere ahead of Paris talks.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan are due to meet in Paris on 24 January but incidents on the front line have created a difficult atmosphere ahead.
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Azerbaijan commemorates Black January. On 20 January 1990 twenty-six thousand Soviet troops entered Baku, crushing popular protests .
Azerbaijan commemorates Black January. On 20 January 1990 twenty-six thousand Soviet troops entered Baku, crushing popular protests .

Azerbaijan commemorates Black January. On 20 January 1990 twenty-six thousand Soviet troops entered Baku, crushing popular protests .

On 20 January 1990 twenty-six thousand Soviet troops entered Baku, crushing popular protests in support of Azerbaijani statehood and killing dozens
Editor's choice
Aliev meets Lefort in Brussels. "the sides exchanged views on the current state and prospects for bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and the EU.
Aliev meets Lefort in Brussels. "the sides exchanged views on the current state and prospects for bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and the EU.

Aliev meets Lefort in Brussels. "the sides exchanged views on the current state and prospects for bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and the EU.

The meeting with the EU Special Representative for the Caucasus came ahead of President Aliev's visit to NATO HQs.
Editor's choice
Aliev unenthusiastic about current Karabakh negotiations, says 2013 had been a year of stagnation with some movement towards the end.
Aliev unenthusiastic about current Karabakh negotiations, says 2013 had been a year of stagnation with some movement towards the end.

Aliev unenthusiastic about current Karabakh negotiations, says 2013 had been a year of stagnation with some movement towards the end.

The Azerbaijani leader said 2013 had been a year of stagnation in the negotiations, but there was some movement towards the end of the year.