Armenia's struggle for land and identity in the Caucasus | DW Documentary

Summary of YouTube Video: Armenia: Caught in the Crossfire

Key Concepts:

• Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: The long-standing dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• The Great Game: A geopolitical struggle for influence in the Caucasus region involving Russia, Turkey, Iran, the US, and Europe.
• Ethnic Cleansing: The forced removal of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Zangezur Corridor: A proposed transportation route connecting Azerbaijan with Turkey through Armenia.
• Pan-Turkism: A political ideology advocating for the unification of Turkic peoples.
• Armenian Genocide: The systematic extermination of Armenians by the Ottoman government during World War I.
• Geopolitics of Energy: The influence of energy resources and pipelines on international relations in the Caucasus.

1. Historical Context and Geopolitical Landscape:

• Armenia, the world's first Christian nation (301 AD), is situated in the Caucasus, a region historically influenced by Russia, Turkey, and Iran.
• The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, a 35-year struggle between Armenia and Azerbaijan, has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties.
• Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev's rhetoric and actions, described as "hunting Armenians down like animals," led to the forced displacement of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh.
• The Caucasus is a strategic hub for transportation routes, making it a focal point of geopolitical competition.

2. The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict (Soviet Era):

• In 1923, Joseph Stalin transferred the Nagorno-Karabakh region, predominantly inhabited by Armenians, to the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.
• Stalin's policy of deliberately mixing population groups and creating exclaves fueled conflicts, allowing Russia to act as an "arbiter."
• Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region inhabited by Armenians for millennia, maintained a traditional way of life centered on livestock and subsistence farming.
• In 1988, violence against Armenians in Baku and Nagorno-Karabakh resulted in tens of thousands fleeing to Armenia.
• The 1988 earthquake in Armenia, which killed approximately 50,000 people, further destabilized the region.

3. Formation of Armenian Resistance and the First Nagorno-Karabakh War:

• As the Soviet Union weakened, Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh formed partisan groups to defend their villages.
• Weapons and financial support were smuggled in from the Armenian diaspora.
• On September 21, 1991, Nagorno-Karabakh declared its independence, leading to intensified conflict.
• Leon Petrosian, the first president of Armenia, sought protection from Russia, allowing Russian troops to remain in the region.
• Despite initial Azerbaijani advances, Armenian forces, supported by Russia, launched a counterattack, liberating the entire Nagorno-Karabakh region and capturing seven adjacent districts (14% of Azerbaijani territory).
• A ceasefire mediated by Moscow in May 1994 ended the war, leaving 30,000 dead and over a million refugees.

4. The Geopolitics of Oil and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Pipeline:

• The US State Department exaggerated the estimated size of oil reserves in the Caspian Sea to increase Western access.
• In 1994, Azerbaijan signed the "Contract of the Century" with international oil companies to extract oil from the Caspian Sea.
• The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, bypassing Armenia, was constructed, strengthening Azerbaijan's ties with NATO member Turkey and isolating Armenia.
• Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hailed the BTC pipeline as the "Silk Road of the 21st century."

5. Internal Political Shifts in Armenia and Azerbaijan:

• Leon Petrosian's attempts to negotiate peace with Azerbaijan, offering to return some territories in exchange for recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh's autonomy, led to his forced resignation in 1998.
• Robert Kocharian, a native of Nagorno-Karabakh, became president, adopting a hard-line stance and aligning Armenia with Russia.
• Azerbaijan, under the Aliyev dynasty, invested heavily in weapons, fueled by oil revenues, and formed partnerships with Turkey and Israel.

6. The Velvet Revolution and Shifting Alliances:

• In 2018, Nikol Pashinyan led the Velvet Revolution in Armenia, overthrowing the corrupt regime and pursuing democratic reforms.
• Moscow viewed Pashinyan as a pro-Western leader, challenging Russia's influence in the region.
• Azerbaijan strengthened its military capabilities, acquiring advanced weapons systems, including combat drones, from Turkey and Israel.

7. The 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War and its Aftermath:

• On September 27, 2020, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale military offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Armenia, facing an unequal battle, was defeated in 44 days.
• A ceasefire brokered by Russia resulted in the deployment of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh.
• In January 2021, Putin dictated terms to Armenia and Azerbaijan, solidifying Russia's role as the "policeman of the Caucasus."
• The EU, seeking to diversify its energy sources, signed a gas agreement with Azerbaijan, overlooking concerns about human rights and Azerbaijan's alliance with Russia.

8. The Fall of Nagorno-Karabakh and Ethnic Cleansing:

• In 2023, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive, resulting in the defeat of Nagorno-Karabakh in less than 48 hours.
• Over 100,000 Armenians fled Nagorno-Karabakh, resulting in a "veritable ethnic cleansing."
• The US and the EU were criticized for turning a blind eye to the situation, prioritizing geopolitical interests over human rights.

9. Azerbaijan's Expansionist Ambitions and the Zangezur Corridor:

• Azerbaijan's President Aliyev has expressed ambitions beyond Nagorno-Karabakh, claiming the historic region of Zangezur in southern Armenia, which he calls "West Azerbaijan."
• Aliyev seeks to establish the Zangezur Corridor, a transportation route under Azerbaijani control connecting Azerbaijan with Turkey, which would unite Turkic peoples and potentially isolate Iran.
• Iran opposes the Zangezur Corridor, viewing it as a threat to its access to Russia and the West.

10. Armenia's Future and the Search for Allies:

• Armenia, having lost the war and facing continued threats from Azerbaijan, must rethink its defenses and seek new allies.
• France has offered military cooperation to Armenia, providing a symbolic gesture of support.
• Armenia commemorates the victims of the Armenian Genocide annually, highlighting the country's resilience and determination to survive.

11. Notable Quotes:

• Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev: "They were hunting Armenians like dogs."
• Armenian resident of Nagorno-Karabakh: "When I closed the door for the last time, I wouldn't wish this feeling on my worst enemy. It was like closing the door on your life."
• Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: "This is not only a miracle of engineering but also a strategic project, the Silk Road of the 21st century" (referring to the BTC pipeline).
• Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission: "You are indeed a crucial energy partner for us and you have always been reliable" (addressing Azerbaijan).

12. Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Exclave: A portion of a state or territory geographically separated from the main part by surrounding alien territory.
• Glasnost and Perestroika: Policies of openness and restructuring implemented by Mikhail Gorbachev in the Soviet Union.
• Oligarchs: Wealthy and influential individuals who gained power and wealth through close ties to political leaders.
• Combat Drones: Unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with weapons, used for reconnaissance and attack.

13. Synthesis/Conclusion:

The video portrays Armenia as a small nation caught in the crossfire of larger geopolitical forces. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, fueled by historical grievances, ethnic tensions, and the competition for energy resources, has resulted in significant human suffering and territorial losses for Armenia. The video highlights the complex web of alliances and betrayals that have shaped the region, with Russia, Turkey, Iran, the US, and Europe all vying for influence. Armenia's future hinges on its ability to adapt to the changing geopolitical landscape, forge new alliances, and defend its sovereignty against external threats. The ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of small nations in the face of powerful adversaries.