The Caucasus

Named for the mountain range between southern Russia, and northern Turkey and Iran, the Caucasus is home to the nations of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Since their independence in 1991, these nations have faced frozen conflicts which have hampered development and have given Russia and Turkey means to exert and maintain influence. While all three nations have made progress toward democracy and a free market in varying degrees, corruption, human rights violations, and conflict still hinder efforts to improve regional security.

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UkraineAlert

Mar 17, 2026

The Iran war is good for the Russian economy but bad for Putin’s prestige

By Maksym Beznosiuk, Will Dixon

From Armenia and Syria to Venezuela and Iran, Moscow’s inability since 2022 to aid its allies in times of crisis has seriously damaged Russia’s reputation as a global power, write Maksym Beznosiuk and Will Dixon.

Conflict Geopolitics & Energy Security

UkraineAlert

Mar 10, 2026

Russian talk of protecting compatriots masks Putin’s imperial ambitions

By Agnia Grigas

Four years after Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the international debate about how the war should end remains haunted by myths first promoted by the Kremlin more than a decade ago, writes Agnia Grigas.

Belarus Central Asia

UkraineAlert

Feb 17, 2026

A bad Ukraine peace could ignite new wars in Russia’s former empire

By Joseph Epstein

If a settlement in Ukraine frees up Russian military resources without establishing credible deterrents against further Kremlin aggression, Moscow will have the means and the motive to reassert dominance elsewhere in its former empire, writes Joseph Epstein.

Central Asia European Union

Dispatches

Jan 20, 2026

How Trump’s ‘TRIPP’ triumph can advance US interests in the South Caucasus

By Andrew D’Anieri and Joseph Epstein

The recently announced Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity promises to become a vital connectivity link between Europe and Asia.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Dec 23, 2025

Reclaiming Russia’s ‘historical lands’: How far do Putin’s imperial ambitions extend?

By Peter Dickinson

Putin has again vowed to "liberate Russia's historical lands" via negotiations or military means. The list of countries that could qualify as "historically Russian" in Putin's revisionist worldview is long and extends far beyond Ukraine, writes Peter Dickinson.

Central Europe Conflict

In the News

Dec 2, 2025

Linderman in the Dispatch on Russia’s decreasing hold on the South Caucasus and how the US should respond

By Laura Linderman

On November 21, Laura Linderman, nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, was published in the Dispatch on Russia’s decreasing influence in the South Caucasus and the path forward for US policymakers in the region.

Europe & Eurasia Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

MENASource

Sep 26, 2025

How Armenia-Azerbaijan peace could reshape Israel’s regional ties

By Sheila Paylan

If Armenia’s peace with Azerbaijan holds, it could offer an imperfect, but instructive, model for other protracted conflicts.

Eastern Europe Israel

New Atlanticist

Sep 16, 2025

Russia’s imperial approach toward Armenia and Azerbaijan has backfired

By Joseph Epstein and Sheila Paylan

The Trump administration deserves credit for the recent diplomatic breakthrough, but it was also made possible by the Kremlin’s disregard for the sovereignty of its neighbors.

Conflict Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Sep 3, 2025

Georgia’s summer of repression puts US relations in doubt

By Jessica De Mesa and Andrew D’Anieri

Georgian Dream’s actions are isolating it from the West, making better relations with Washington unlikely in the short term.

Democratic Transitions European Union

New Atlanticist

Aug 13, 2025

Trump’s Armenia-Azerbaijan agreement advanced peace, but Washington can’t let up now

By Robert F. Cekuta and Richard L. Morningstar

The US-brokered agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan was an important step. But to achieve a lasting peace, the Trump administration must remain actively engaged as negotiations continue.

Conflict Crisis Management
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Experts

Staff

John E. Herbst

Senior Director

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Politics & Diplomacy

Staff

Tatevik Khachatryan

Assistant Director, Events

Armenian Digital Policy

Staff

Shelby Magid

Deputy Director

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Human Rights

Staff

Maia Nikoladze

Associate Director, Economic Statecraft Initiative

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Digital Currencies Eastern Europe

Fellow

Andrea Rigoni

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

Fellow

Mark Simakovsky

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center Europe Center

Russia National Security
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