Azerbaijan claimed to have launched an anti-terrorist operation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, accusing Armenia of its long-standing refusal to implement the ceasefire agreement. Azerbaijan dispatched Turkish drones and Israeli tactical missiles, delivered precision strikes, disarmed local Armenian troops. The fighting lasted only one day, and Armenia announced that it was throwing in the towel.
Tragedy happens: Russia's encounter and America's absence
But then an incident left Russia distressed. A convoy of Russian peacekeepers was attacked on its way back, killing several servicemen, including the deputy commander and deputy commander of the submarine force. It is worth noting that the Armenian army and US military units are conducting military exercises, while the United States does not seem to have the will to intervene in this conflict.
Legal perspective: legal actions of Azerbaijan
The Nagorno-Karabakh region is legally owned by Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan's actions against the Armenian army are legally justified. Despite the fact that Russia has peacekeepers deployed in the region, they are ambiguous. Azerbaijan chose to launch the operation at this time, because it saw the contradictions between Russia and Armenia, and determined that Russia was deeply involved in the Ukrainian crisis and could not intervene in the conflict in the region.
Armenia's political choice: embrace the United States and turn away from Russia
Armenia abandoned its close ties with Russia in the conflict and wanted to strengthen its position by seeking U.S. support. However, the U.S. intervention was primarily motivated by its own interests and used the opportunity to weaken Russia's influence in the North Caucasus, rather than sincerely helping Armenia maintain its territorial sovereignty and national security.
Lack of Strategic Vision: Armenia's Options and Dilemmas
Armenia abandoned its relations with Russia in favor of U.S. support, which intervened not out of sincere help to Armenia, but out of self-interest. The United States took the opportunity to intervene in the North Caucasus region in order to weaken Russia's influence in order to pursue its own geopolitical interests in the region, and Armenia's choice to hold the thigh of the United States cannot really guarantee its territorial sovereignty and national security.
Great Power Competition and Small State Lamentations: The Game of the North Caucasus
The conflict exposed the end of Russian power in the North Caucasus, while also revealing the weakness of the United States and Turkey as the controller of the game. For small countries, it is very difficult to survive in the cracks of large countries. The tragedy in Armenia reminded all small countries to reflect that hugging their thighs is not the solution. Instead, it may only trigger a bigger catastrophe.
Conclusion: Controversy and reflection
Armenia's choice is food for thought. On the question of how to protect one's own interests in the game of great powers, holding your thighs will not solve the problem. On the contrary, it could push small countries into even more dangerous situations. For other small countries facing similar difficulties, it is necessary to find a smarter and more robust diplomatic and military strategy to ensure national security and interests, based on the principle of independence and self-determination. Only in this way can it maintain its place on the international stage.