The Origins of Nagorno-Karabakh
Nestled in the South Caucasus, Nagorno-Karabakh—known to Armenians as Artsakh—has been a contested region for centuries. Its history is a tapestry of shifting empires, ethnic tensions, and geopolitical rivalries.
Ancient and Medieval Periods
The earliest records of Nagorno-Karabakh trace back to the Kingdom of Urartu (9th–6th centuries BCE), followed by Armenian dynasties like the Artaxiad and Arsacid kingdoms. By the medieval era, the region became a cultural and political hub under Armenian princes, even as it faced invasions from Seljuk Turks, Mongols, and Persians.
Under Persian and Russian Rule
From the 16th to 19th centuries, Nagorno-Karabakh oscillated between Persian and Ottoman control. The 1828 Treaty of Turkmenchay handed the region to the Russian Empire, setting the stage for future ethnic tensions. The Russian census of 1897 recorded a majority Armenian population, but Azerbaijani (then referred to as "Tatar") communities were also significant.
The Soviet Era and the Seeds of Conflict
The 20th century transformed Nagorno-Karabakh into a geopolitical powder keg.
The Soviet Decision
In 1921, Joseph Stalin—then Commissar of Nationalities—arbitrarily placed Nagorno-Karabakh under the Azerbaijan SSR despite its Armenian majority. This decision, seen by many as a classic "divide and rule" tactic, sowed long-term discord.
Rising Tensions in the 1980s
As the Soviet Union weakened, Nagorno-Karabakh’s regional parliament voted in 1988 to join Armenia, sparking violent pogroms against Armenians in Sumgait and Baku. By 1991, full-scale war erupted between newly independent Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The First Nagorno-Karabakh War (1991–1994)
The conflict was brutal, with atrocities on both sides.
Armenian Victory and De Facto Independence
By 1994, Armenian forces secured not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also seven surrounding Azerbaijani districts, displacing hundreds of thousands. The region declared independence as the "Republic of Artsakh," though it remained unrecognized by the international community.
The Frozen Conflict
For decades, the status quo held, with occasional skirmishes. Azerbaijan, flush with oil wealth, rebuilt its military, while Armenia relied on its diaspora and Russian support.
The 2020 War and Its Aftermath
The simmering tensions exploded in September 2020.
The 44-Day War
Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey and Israeli drones, launched a devastating offensive. Armenia, outgunned, lost most of the occupied territories and parts of Nagorno-Karabakh itself. A Russian-brokered ceasefire in November 2020 left Azerbaijan victorious but did not resolve the core issue.
The Blockade and Ethnic Cleansing
In December 2022, Azerbaijan blockaded the Lachin Corridor, the only road linking Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. By September 2023, after a lightning offensive, Azerbaijan regained full control, prompting a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians. Nearly the entire population fled, marking the end of Armenian presence in the region after millennia.
Geopolitical Implications
The conflict has far-reaching consequences.
Russia’s Diminished Role
Once the dominant power broker, Russia’s failure to protect Armenia has damaged its influence in the Caucasus. Meanwhile, Turkey and Israel’s support for Azerbaijan has reshaped regional alliances.
The West’s Ambiguous Stance
The U.S. and EU condemned Azerbaijan’s aggression but took little concrete action. Some analysts see this as a sign of waning Western commitment to the "rules-based order."
The Future of the South Caucasus
With Nagorno-Karabakh’s Armenian population gone, Azerbaijan has achieved its goal of full territorial control. However, lingering resentment in Armenia and the potential for renewed conflict elsewhere (like Syunik) keep the region volatile.
A Tragic Epilogue
Nagorno-Karabakh’s history is a stark reminder of how imperial legacies, nationalism, and great-power politics can devastate communities. Its story is far from over—but for now, the chapter of Armenian Artsakh has closed.