Azerbaijan War on Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh Forcibly Displaced Tens of Thousands
Oct 4, 2023
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Maria Titizian, editor-in-chief of EVN Report, joins Intercepted to discuss the recent Azerbaijani offensive and mass exodus of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. They delve into the historical background of the conflict, criticize the lack of support from Western powers, and highlight the influence of energy, geopolitics, and Russia in the region.
The recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh has resulted in the mass exodus of the ethnic Armenian population, highlighting the devastating impact of aggression and ethnic cleansing.
The geopolitical complexities and involvement of major players like Russia, the United States, Turkey, and the European Union further complicate the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, leaving Armenia isolated and vulnerable.
Deep dives
Summary of the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
The podcast episode discusses the recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, a region with a long history of ethnic tensions. Azerbaijan launched a military offensive in September 2020, sparking a mass exodus of the region's ethnic Armenian population. The conflict highlights the complexities of geopolitics in the South Caucasus, with major players like Russia, the United States, Turkey, and the European Union involved. The Armenian people have faced blockades, aggression, and ethnic cleansing, leading to a devastating defeat. The current situation leaves Armenia isolated and vulnerable to further territorial concessions.
Geography and History of the Conflict
Armenia, located east of Turkey and north of Iran, faced artificial borders and historical conflicts due to Soviet-era policies. Nagorno-Karabakh, historically part of Armenia, was an autonomous region within Soviet Azerbaijan. Calls for reunification sparked war in 1988 until 1994, resulting in the Armenian side gaining control. Since then, the region has remained in a state of no war, no peace. The recent conflict in 2020 led to the catastrophic defeat of the Armenian side, escalating tensions further.
Leadership and Current Politics
Armenia's Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, rose to power during the Velvet Revolution in 2018, signaling a shift towards democracy and human rights. Azerbaijan, led by President Ilham Aliyev, has maintained an authoritarian regime with close ties to Turkey. The stark contrast between the two countries' political systems has impacted the conflict. Turkey and Russia's involvement on opposing sides has further complicated the dynamics, along with the role of other regional countries like Iran.
International Response and Future Implications
The international response to the conflict has been muted, with limited action and a failure of the rules-based international order. The United States, under both the Trump and Biden administrations, has been criticized for perceived inaction. The geopolitical context, including the war in Ukraine, impacts the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. The region's future remains uncertain, with concerns over further aggression and the potential for Azerbaijan to create a corridor connecting to Turkey, potentially through southern Armenia.
Nearly the entire population of 120,000 ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh has been forced to flee their homes after the latest Azerbaijani military assault, according to Armenian authorities and the U.N. This week on Intercepted, Maria Titizian, editor-in-chief of EVN Report, joins Jeremy Scahill and Murtaza Hussain to discuss the history leading up to the recent Azerbaijani offensive and mass exodus of civilians, the collapse of the Republic of Artsakh, and the emerging geopolitical alliances exploiting the protracted humanitarian crisis.
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