This document provides an overview of the geopolitical landscape and ongoing issues in the South Caucasus region, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. It discusses the post-Soviet transitions of these countries into functioning sovereign states and some remaining challenges. Specific topics covered include attitudes toward the EU and NATO, the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, economic indicators, corruption, conflicts, and the role of media bias in perpetuating tensions. Photos are also included to illustrate various aspects of the complex political situation across the South Caucasus.
1. A J OURNA LI S T’S PE R SPEC T IV E
O N T H E S O U T H C AU C A S U S
O N N I K J A M E S K R I KO R I A N
H T T P :// W W W . O N N I K - K R I KO R I A N . C O M
4. T H E S O U T H C AU C A S U S
“T WE NT Y Y EARS AFTE R THE E ND O F T HE SOVIET U NIO N,
T H E S O U T H C AU C A S U S C O U N T R I E S C A N N O L O N G E R B E
CONSIDERED ‘IN TRANSITION.’
!
A RM EN IA , AZE RB AI J AN , AN D GEO R GIA HAVE BU ILT
FU NC TIO N I N G S OVE RE I GN STAT ES. BU T MA NY QU EST IO NS
R E M A I N A B O U T H OW W E L L T H E Y A R E FA R I N G […]”
T H O M A S D E WA A L , C A R N E G I E E N D OW M E N T F O R I N T E R N AT I O N A L P E AC E
16. NAGO R NO K A R A B A K H
•
25,0 0 0 D E AD UN T IL 1 9 9 4 C E AS E FIR E
•
1 MIL LI ON RE F U G E E S A N D ID P S
D I S P L AC E D F RO M T H E I R H O M E S
•
16 PE R C E N T OF A Z E RB A IJA N
CONTROLLED BY ARMENIAN FORCES
•
BORDER SKIRMISHES AND CLASHES,
IN CR E A SE IN SNI PE R I N C I D E N TS
•
NE W G E N E RAT I O N S OF A RM E N IAN S A N D
AZ E R B A IJA NI S LI V IN G W I TH OU T
CONTACT WITH THE OTHER
•
CONFLICT USED AS A POLITIC AL TOOL
IN A R M E N IA AN D AZ E R B A IJA N
•
PEACE STILL ELUSIVE
17. NAGO R NO K A R A B A K H
[…] people are often inclined to consider their existing attitudes and
beliefs to be true and filter the news through this lens. Thus, they accept
messages in order to maintain their original perceptions. […] bias in the
local media [...] ser ves as a means to fuel and perpetuate hatred. This is
a role the media has and continues to play with regards to the conflict
over Nagorno Karabakh.
!
!
A R M E N I A N A N D A Z E R B A I J A N I I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E WS COV E R AG E ,
C AU C AS U S R E S E AR CH R E S O U R CE CENTERS (CRRC)
http://epfound.am/files/mb_fg_report_finalized_edited_12.27.2008.doc