Temporary or Permanent Peace? Analysis of the Multi-lateral International Game behind the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict from a Realism Perspective

Abstract

Territorial disputes have always been a sensitive focus in international politics. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan and Armenia broke out in large-scale wars in an underdeveloped area of only a few hundred thousand square kilometers, which lasted for almost a century. Thousands of soldiers and civilians died and thousands were displaced. In early September 2023, in the latest battle between the two countries, two soldiers were killed and one injured, which aroused widespread attention and concern from the international community. Against the background of tense situations, major powers such as the United States and Russia began to intervene in an attempt to calm the dispute. However, both sides still blamed each other and resolutely safeguarded their territories and rights. This crisis involves not only the people of the two countries but also the interests of neighboring countries. Both Turkey and Iran have important strategic interests in the region and have close historical and cultural ties with Azerbaijan and Armenia. The situation is changing, and what time is left for this game is only more complex dilemmas and people who are miserable. Based on the theory of international relations, this article attempts to analyze from a realist perspective why Azerbaijan and Armenia have been in a state of conflict for a long time. It also explains the occurrence and evolution of the conflict between the two countries and finally comments on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The study of this incident is conducive to a clearer understanding of the historical changes in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the far-reaching impact of the conflict between the two countries on regional and international relations.