The Cold War Legacy in Nagorno-Karabakh: Visions from Russia, the United States and Regional Actors

Abstract

At first glance, the situation regarding conflict resolution in Nagorno-Karabakh does not, at the time of this writing, seem fundamentally different from the situation one or two years previously. The substance of this discussion is well-known: arguments over the timeframe in which the five districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh are to be demilitarised; repatriation of refugees; the status of the disputed territory and various possible mechanisms which would ensure a prevention of the use of force. Endless talks are held within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group and in the tripartite format, meaning with the presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, which was tested as early as 2008. Meanwhile, the negotiations themselves are held in an atmosphere of utter secrecy, and the text of the preamble has not been made available to either journalists or experts. At the same time, debates are under way about the possibility of compromise; the speedy establishment of peace; the “giving up” of two or three districts; how to protect the security of the unrecognised Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR). Most importantly, the discussions have produced no concrete results, such as the signing of legally binding documents.