On Razor's Edge

An Armenian Perspective on the Georgian-Russian War

Author(s): Haroutiun Khachatrian
Editor(s): Iris Kempe, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perovic, Lili Di Puppo
Series: Caucasus Analytical Digest (CAD)
Issue: 1
Pages: 7-9
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Jefferson Institute, Washington D.C.; Heinrich Böll Foundation, Tbilisi; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen
Publication Year: 2008

While the Armenian government was neutral during the August conflict between Russia and Georgia, Armenians backed the Russian and Ossetian side, seeing it as analogous to their dispute with Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabakh. The war strained the Armenian economy because trade through Georgia is Armenia's main link to the outside world. In the aftermath of the war, too, Armenia is seeking to stay on good terms with both Russia and Georgia. Because of the war, both Georgia and Russia lost influence in the region and everyone recognized the further conflict was not desirable. Armenia hopes that the violence will help it expand ties to the West, improve relations with Turkey, and resolve the Nargorno Karabakh conflict.

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