Escalating Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh Demands International Attention

Azerbaijan has declared an "anti-terrorist" campaign in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is under Armenian control. Tensions have been escalating since Azerbaijan blockaded the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, causing shortages of essential supplies. Armenian authorities deny having troops in the area and accuse Azerbaijan of aggression. Russia, which brokered a truce in 2020, has called for an immediate end to hostilities but is unlikely to intervene unless the Russian peacekeepers are threatened. Armenia has called on the US and international community for help. The situation raises questions about the price of Russian acquiescence and the potential for a renewed conflict in the region.