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
European Parliament to discuss release of Ramil Safarov during its plenary session Sept 10-13
European Parliament to discuss release of Ramil Safarov during its plenary session Sept 10-13

European Parliament to discuss release of Ramil Safarov during its plenary session Sept 10-13

The European Parliament will discuss the release of Ramil Safarov during its Sept 10-13 plenary session in Strasbourg. According to the EU's official web-site, the European Parliament may adopt a resolution on the matter.
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Nagorno-Karabakh and Abkhazia committed to develop cooperation
Nagorno-Karabakh and Abkhazia committed to develop cooperation

Nagorno-Karabakh and Abkhazia committed to develop cooperation

Speaker of the National Assembly of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Ashot Gulyan met on Saturday with Vice President of Abkhazia Mikhail Logua, who was in Stepanakert for attending the inauguration of NKR President Bako Sahakyan.
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Nagorno-Karabakh President inaugurated
Nagorno-Karabakh President inaugurated

Nagorno-Karabakh President inaugurated

On 7 September at the Stepanakert Culture and Youth Palace NKR National Assembly held a special meeting dedicated to the Inauguration Ceremony of the NKR President.
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President of Armenia: The so called "diplomatic correctness" in this case is simply detrimental for the security of this region
President of Armenia: The so called "diplomatic correctness" in this case is simply detrimental for the security of this region

President of Armenia: The so called "diplomatic correctness" in this case is simply detrimental for the security of this region

I am glad to welcome you to the Presidential Palace, welcome you to Armenia. OSCE is a very important organization for Armenia not only because this Organization has in its framework several institutions - the Minsk Group, the High-level Planning Group, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Personal Representative - all of them dealing with the Nagorno Karabakh problem, but also because the OSCE principles and the comprehensive concept of security is fully shared by our country.
Editor's choice
NATO Secretary General: The most pressing regional challenge remains finding a solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
NATO Secretary General: The most pressing regional challenge remains finding a solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

NATO Secretary General: The most pressing regional challenge remains finding a solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Azerbaijan has a complicated neighborhood. And the most pressing regional challenge remains finding a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said speaking at the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (ADA), NATO official website reports.
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Prime Minister of Turkey: Ankara stands for the opening of archives for investigation of the 1915 events
Prime Minister of Turkey: Ankara stands for the opening of archives for investigation of the 1915 events

Prime Minister of Turkey: Ankara stands for the opening of archives for investigation of the 1915 events

"Ankara stands for the opening of archives for investigation of the 1915 events," Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said speaking at an international conference titled 'Arab Spring and Peace in the New Middle East: Muslim and Christian Perspectives' in Istanbul, TRT Haber TV channel reports.
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Protest actions against extradition and pardoning of an Azerbaijani killer to be held in front of Hungary's representation and EU building in Brussels on 8 September
Protest actions against extradition and pardoning of an Azerbaijani killer to be held in front of Hungary's representation and EU building in Brussels on 8 September

Protest actions against extradition and pardoning of an Azerbaijani killer to be held in front of Hungary's representation and EU building in Brussels on 8 September

The protest actions against extradition and pardoning of the Azerbaijani killer, Ramil Safarov, will be held in front of Hungary's representation and EU building in Brussels on 8 September.