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Armenians and Azerbaijanis trillion times have fought over what Karabakh retrospectively means for them. History, ancientism, etc. Perhaps it is time (although I am extremely cautious in suggesting this) to think about what Karabakh means for us in terms of the future. 1/
Seriously though. Look at the region - actively engaged Turkey, Russia with its combat-ready peacekeepers, the heavy presence of military forces of Aze and Arm, disengaged EU and the US. So much hard power... I am not someone who is naively advocating for an impossible peace. 2/
I have been an adamant supporter of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity compelling me to support Aze’s military operations aimed at liberating our territories. However, I am also quite rationally aware of the fact that the situation we see in the region is not sustainable. 3/
This much military buildup without any peace agreement on sight can ultimately violate the existing status quo. And this time the shooters are not gonna be Arm & Aze. It is gonna be Russia. We all know what the consequences can be when the Russian peacekeepers start shooting. 4/
Azerbaijan has already launched its post-conflict reconstruction efforts. However, without the engagement of the international institutions, UN agencies, the EU, and the US the reconstruction efforts won't be comprehensive. Instead, we see the MPs from the Netherlands and + 5/
France calling for silly punitive measures that will further exacerbate the situation. In the presence of this much hard power, there is a need to invest in soft power in the region, and developing relations the cost of which will outweigh the cost of violence. END
