Baku tightens grip over Nagorno-Karabakh

Significance

Recent attempts to hold talks between Karabakh Armenians and Baku authorities failed, prolonging the ongoing blockade of the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region. The Armenian community believes it now faces a stark choice: leave Karabakh or remain in the region and face the threat of ethnic cleansing.

Impacts

• The cautious rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey continues, with the two states aiming to restore rudimentary diplomatic ties.
• Relations between Azerbaijan and Iran are thawing following high-level political discussions.
• Israel will increase its engagement with Azerbaijan in security affairs.
• Georgia will pursue closer cooperation with Azerbaijan to promote the Middle Corridor trade route.