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Stories related to violent conflicts, diplomatic tensions, and conflict prevention, mediation and resolution.

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Opinion
Russia-Azerbaijan Relations in Freefall with No End in Sight
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Russia-Azerbaijan Relations in Freefall with No End in Sight

21 August 2025
Tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia have been on an escalatory track since the crash of the Azerbaijani Airlines commercial airplane in December 2024. In the past, similar disputes were usually resolved quickly, leaving little lasting impact. This time, however, the crisis is far more complex and shows no signs of de-escalation. On the contrary, almost every month since the crash has marked new record lows in Baku–Moscow relations and appears likely to have a lasting impact on future bilateral ties. The situation has become so intricate and unpredictable that further deterioration cannot be ruled out.
Vasif Huseynov

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Editor's choice
Opinion
Opinion: China may end up being the biggest beneficiary of the Taliban power-grab in Afghanistan
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Opinion: China may end up being the biggest beneficiary of the Taliban power-grab in Afghanistan

24 August 2021
Beijing can turn the situation in Afghanistan to its own advantage, argues Benyamin Poghosyan in this op-ed. Afghanistan has significant minerals, including rare earth metals, which China will be glad to import. Beijing  could also include Afghanistan in the “Belt and Road initiative” and use it as another land route towards Iran and the Central Asian republics via Pakistan, and through Iran via Turkey or via Armenia-Georgia-Black Sea route to Europe.
Benyamin Poghosyan
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Commentary
Commentary: State-building cannot be imposed from outside; the EU and others must learn lessons from Afghanistan
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Commentary: State-building cannot be imposed from outside; the EU and others must learn lessons from Afghanistan

23 August 2021
A state cannot be built from outside, with a foreign army standing on top of it to supervise the process, argues Dennis Sammut in this commentary. As the EU expands its global ambitions, it must be aware of the risks of "mission creep" and make sure the mistakes in Afghanistan are not repeated.
Dennis Sammut
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News
Taliban say victory over the Americans was a divine blessing
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Taliban say victory over the Americans was a divine blessing

19 August 2021
In a statement marking Afghan independence day, the Taliban said that "Fortunately, today we are celebrating the anniversary of independence from Britain. We at the same time as a result of our jihadi resistance forced another arrogant power of the world, the United States, to fail and retreat from our holy territory of Afghanistan".
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News
The Taliban settle in
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The Taliban settle in

18 August 2021
Whilst Taliban fighters made themselves at home at the presidential office in Kabul, and in other government offices across the capital, the leadership of the Taliban appears to be still concentrated in the city of Kandahar, in the South of the country, the power base of this mainly Pashtun movement. It was to there that the Taliban’s co-founder and political leader, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, flew to from Doha on Tuesday as the militants pledged peaceful relations with other countries and respect for the rights of women.
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News
More turmoil in Ethiopia
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More turmoil in Ethiopia

17 August 2021
In Ethiopia's Tigray region fighting has resumed between government forces and the local Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) forces. On Friday (13 August), government forces took control of Maychew and Ambalagie, which are both strategic towns in the southern part of Tigray. The government forces are reportedly also planning to advance towards the region's capital, Mekelle.
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News
Yankee come back!
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Yankee come back!

17 August 2021
During the cold war, the slogan "Yankee Go Home" was often seen or heard in many third world countries fighting against US domination. It is ironic that fifty years later, there are those in Kabul who are now shouting "Yankee come back". For many young Afghans the US presence had opened the possibility of a new way of life. At least in Kabul many are sad to see the Americans go. But as president Biden made it clear yesterday, there is no going back. American attempts at state-building in Afghanistan are over, and that has widespread consequences that are yet to fully unfold.
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