Russia Is Seriously Concerned About US Biolabs in Former Soviet States

Russia Is Seriously Concerned About US Biolabs in Former Soviet States

Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev told Sputnik earlier this week that the US is secretly developing biological weapons in some of the biolabs that it funds all across the world, building upon previous accusations that he made in the past regarding the danger that such facilities in former Soviet states pose to…

From “Blue Homeland” to Reuniting the Ottoman Empire?

From “Blue Homeland” to Reuniting the Ottoman Empire?

“Mavi vatan,” or “blue homeland,” has become a common phrase in Turkish political life. It is most often used as a shorthand expression for Ankara’s maritime claims in the eastern Mediterranean. Central to these interests is the presence of large deposits of natural gas off the coast of the island of Cyprus.” R. Gingeras See…

Azerbaijan Won the War in Nagorno-Karabakh but Reduced Its Sovereignty

Azerbaijan Won the War in Nagorno-Karabakh but Reduced Its Sovereignty

Although Azerbaijan won the war against Armenia, both countries have in fact lost part of their sovereignty. Azerbaijan won the war and expanded territorially after it captured or received the districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh proper that Armenian forces captured in the first war (1988-1994). The status of Nagorno-Karabakh proper remains undetermined but is protected by Russian…

How Russia Is Building Its Leverage in the Caucasus

How Russia Is Building Its Leverage in the Caucasus

A meeting of the leaderships of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Kremlin on January 11, exactly two months after the ceasefire in the 44-day Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, can be seen as a robust push by Moscow to consolidate its diplomatic achievement. The ceasefire has gained traction and this is the opportune moment for Russia to…

Turkish Shadow Boxing Reflects Growing Rivalry with Iran

Turkish Shadow Boxing Reflects Growing Rivalry with Iran

Turkey is leveraging its successful backing of Azerbaijan’s recent war against Armenia to counter Iran in the Caucasus and gradually challenge Russia in Central Asia, the heart of what Moscow considers its backyard. The Turkish moves have elicited different responses from Russia and Iran, two countries Turkey views as both partners and rivals. Turkish President…

The Caspian Sea as Battleground

The Caspian Sea as Battleground

Populated at the time by fluent Hebrew speakers, the Israel desk of Armenia’s for­eign ministry waited back in 1991— in the immediate wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union—for a phone call that never came. The ministry was convinced that Israel, with whom Armenia shared an experience of genocide, were natural allies. The min­istry…