Weekly Geopolitical Report – Nagorno-Karabakh (April 18, 2016)
by Bill O’Grady
In early April, fighting erupted in the region around Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed area within Azerbaijan but controlled by Armenia. Reporters described the fighting as the worst since the 1994 ceasefire. This region is considered one of the world’s “frozen conflicts,” experiencing periodic unrest.
In this report, we will discuss the history and geopolitics of the Caucasus region. We will examine how the three nations in the area—Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia—have evolved, and how the three larger surrounding powers—Iran, Russia and Turkey—affect the region. Next, we will discuss why this conflict could become a concern for the world, especially the U.S. As always, we will conclude with market ramifications.