Sharp analysis. I noticed that within this overlooked conflict, the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War was the most pivotal yet it got the least coverage due to the global pandemic at the time. 2023 was the conclusion to a chapter, while 2020 was the main event. Using geopolitical maps I mapped out the 2020 Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict in the last chapter of my book, Modern Wars. In it I also look at four other overlooked modern conflicts, but this one really captured the post-Soviet discord.
Footnote: Azerbaijan has allowed Israel to infiltrate Iran from Azeri territory. No love lost between Azerbaijan and Iran (or Russia). Makes an interesting situation for Turkish-Israeli relations.
Nice essay. Very informative. Adding context to the great game in life, there.
So, I recall the importance of the role of drones (I see you covered it briefly) played in the last kinetic action between the two opposing groups. Have you looked into this?
Thank you! You are definitely on point regarding drones. I have , on honestly I just didn’t have enough space. I would very much look into doing a future piece just about the 2020 war, and the lessons learned from it.
Really interesting piece. What struck me reading this is how rapidly geopolitical landscapes can shift while human consequences continue to unfold for years afterwards.
Agree, geopolitics can rapidly respond, and move on, from conflict (to a degree), but the human consequences linger for sometimes decades. It’s almost like there’s a widening disconnect between what governments are doing (the game of power) and what regular people the world over want or have to deal with (living life, etc.).
This case is a textbook example of how strategic misjudgment leads to decisive consequences. It’s a perfect storm of intelligence failures, overconfidence in outdated tactics, and reliance on a fragile military alliance.
I do remember this one haha, I actually had to moderate it briefly on bytedance. Was intense, just constant mass graves that I would see, unironically (I think mentioned it briefly on here as well) https://substack.com/@nurguljones/p-193951255
The Belarus detail is the one that stays with you. Armenia's own supposed allies were quietly arming the country that was about to ethnically cleanse 100,000 of their people.
It wasn't just that Russia failed to protect Armenia, it's that the entire alliance structure actively worked against it.
It is hard for me to fathom how you can talk about all this and NOT mention the history between the Turks and the Armenians..unless you are a Turk or from turkish descent.
Generally I see plenty of Russia and Putin lovers in substack:))) This article derives from one point and doesn’t covers other aspects. Turkey had lesser role than Israel and Israel Coordinated its move in Karabakh with Moscow. One must be blind do not see Telaviv Moscow connection just in wake of aggression against Ukraine which supposed to become USSR like consolidation by Russia to get all former republics back into Federation ruled by Russia. Aliyev is son of KGB and will remain quasi judeo-Russian politician the rest of his live as Azerbaijan is an Israeli proxy for the remaining of its times as a state.
No word about Russia in all of this just a brokered stop to do its work further. As I understand it all came and goes with and from Russia:))) stupid article.
Sharp analysis. I noticed that within this overlooked conflict, the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War was the most pivotal yet it got the least coverage due to the global pandemic at the time. 2023 was the conclusion to a chapter, while 2020 was the main event. Using geopolitical maps I mapped out the 2020 Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict in the last chapter of my book, Modern Wars. In it I also look at four other overlooked modern conflicts, but this one really captured the post-Soviet discord.
Thank you! And yeah, the pandemic definitely took a lot of the coverage away.
Great coverage! Thanks!
Footnote: Azerbaijan has allowed Israel to infiltrate Iran from Azeri territory. No love lost between Azerbaijan and Iran (or Russia). Makes an interesting situation for Turkish-Israeli relations.
Oh my, I have to look into this
A little background
https://besacenter.org/israel-azerbaijan-and-irans-northern-perimeter-strategic-anxiety-in-the-post-soviet-space/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azerbaijan–Israel_relations
Nice essay. Very informative. Adding context to the great game in life, there.
So, I recall the importance of the role of drones (I see you covered it briefly) played in the last kinetic action between the two opposing groups. Have you looked into this?
Thank you! You are definitely on point regarding drones. I have , on honestly I just didn’t have enough space. I would very much look into doing a future piece just about the 2020 war, and the lessons learned from it.
I see you covered it briefly, the drones.
Actually, my next short-form piece MIGHT also cover drones… :)
Really interesting piece. What struck me reading this is how rapidly geopolitical landscapes can shift while human consequences continue to unfold for years afterwards.
Agree, geopolitics can rapidly respond, and move on, from conflict (to a degree), but the human consequences linger for sometimes decades. It’s almost like there’s a widening disconnect between what governments are doing (the game of power) and what regular people the world over want or have to deal with (living life, etc.).
Thank you for the kinds words! And yes, that was definitely a major through line of the piece
This case is a textbook example of how strategic misjudgment leads to decisive consequences. It’s a perfect storm of intelligence failures, overconfidence in outdated tactics, and reliance on a fragile military alliance.
You’re definitely on point. That’s why I thought this would make a good piece.
I do remember this one haha, I actually had to moderate it briefly on bytedance. Was intense, just constant mass graves that I would see, unironically (I think mentioned it briefly on here as well) https://substack.com/@nurguljones/p-193951255
Well at least I’m not alone :)
Excellent work!
Thank you!
JB State Debris sent me
excellent
Great article, thanks for sharing this.
The Belarus detail is the one that stays with you. Armenia's own supposed allies were quietly arming the country that was about to ethnically cleanse 100,000 of their people.
It wasn't just that Russia failed to protect Armenia, it's that the entire alliance structure actively worked against it.
It is hard for me to fathom how you can talk about all this and NOT mention the history between the Turks and the Armenians..unless you are a Turk or from turkish descent.
Generally I see plenty of Russia and Putin lovers in substack:))) This article derives from one point and doesn’t covers other aspects. Turkey had lesser role than Israel and Israel Coordinated its move in Karabakh with Moscow. One must be blind do not see Telaviv Moscow connection just in wake of aggression against Ukraine which supposed to become USSR like consolidation by Russia to get all former republics back into Federation ruled by Russia. Aliyev is son of KGB and will remain quasi judeo-Russian politician the rest of his live as Azerbaijan is an Israeli proxy for the remaining of its times as a state.
No word about Russia in all of this just a brokered stop to do its work further. As I understand it all came and goes with and from Russia:))) stupid article.