The Impact of the South Caucasus on Global Affairs

The South Caucasus states were under Russian control from the early nineteenth century until the late twentieth century. The region was perceived as Russia’s backyard even after the collapse of the USSR. In recent years, however, this perception has been challenged, as other countries have begun to assert their influence in the region. Turkey has been one of Azerbaijan’s strongest supporters in its conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway Armenian-majority region. Azerbaijan’s decisive victory over the separatists in 2023 was largely made possible by Turkish military support. Armenia, disappointed by Russia’s perceived lack of effort in protecting Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, has undergone a significant geopolitical shift. Seeking a new guarantor of its sovereignty, Armenia has begun exploring the possibility of EU membership, signaling its intent to align more closely with the West. Meanwhile, Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December 2023. The country has sought to strengthen its ties with the West following Russia’s intervention in 2008, during which Moscow positioned itself as the protector of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, two breakaway Georgian regions. Other global and regional actors, including Israel, Iran, China, and the United States, also have strategic interests in the South Caucasus and are actively engaged in the region’s affairs. This chapter analyzes the relationships between the three Caucasus states and key regional and global players. Additionally, it examines the strategies employed by other international actors in their efforts to gain influence in the region.