![]() ![]() Moscow still has economic, political and military leverages over both of them.ĭespite its internal problems and efforts to escape Russian influence, Georgia is in a relatively good strategic position. After gaining independence in 1991, both Georgia and Armenia continued to be in a zone of Russian influence-Armenia to a larger extent than Georgia. Its perceived close relations with Iran have brought more friction with Turkey, Azerbaijan and, to a lesser extent, Israel.Ī good way to consider Armenia's situation is to compare Armenia to Georgia. As a result of its geopolitical situation, Armenia might be expected to have common interests with Syria, Iran, Greece, and Cyprus. In contrast, Armenia has good relations with Georgia. This issue has brought problems for Armenia with both Azerbaijan and Turkey. It is also being perceived as a connecting link between Russia and Iran.Īrmenia supported the ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in their war with Azerbaijan and has tried to find a way to resolve this conflict. Armenia's geopolitical importance is largely derived from its potential role in developing transit routes for delivering Russian and Caspian basin energy resources to Europe, Turkey and Israel. In its local political environment, Armenia must maneuver to handle three stronger powers-Russia, Iran and Turkey-which play a role in the area. But the most critical, complicated regional interests are clearly dealing with what is now being called the Greater Middle East, extended to include the new northern rim of three ex-Soviet republics in the South Caucasus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia This is particularly true for the Republic of Armenia, whose domestic development was crippled and international activity completely suspended for the 70-year-period it was swallowed up by the USSR.Īrmenians view their country as linking the Middle Eastern and European cultural areas - the two regions that dominate its international relations. Since they gained independence a decade ago, the newly independent states established within the ex-Soviet borders have been seeking their role in the world and in the regions they inhabit. Yet the South Caucasus has become a more stable area than anyone might have expected. Local disputes and conflicting interests make this a difficult task. Armenia must maneuver between the rivalries and alliance systems of Iran, Russia, Turkey, and the United States to find a stable role in this new system. The South Caucasus region-consisting of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia-can be said to be the new, northern extension of the Middle East. Middle East Review of International Affairs
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