In this research, we attempt to take a more pragmatic approach towards the topic of the conflict resolution process between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. We believe this process remains in a dangerous state of stalemate at the time of writing. More specifically, we ask whether economic incentives could help break the current deadlock. In order to do this, we posed a series of questions to a notable range of international experts familiar with the conflict, asking as to whether an approach towards conflict resolution where Armenia would return some land to Azerbaijan in return for the latter providing access to regional energy and infrastructure projects could contribute towards breaking the stalemate. The “return of land”, in the context of our research, refers primarily to the seven districts of Azerbaijan which Armenian forces took during the Karabakh war of the 1990s and which remains under Armenian control to this day. We do not assume the “return of land” to mean the return of the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave itself. At the outset of our research, we were optimistic that the “economic incentives” approach could offer a fresh dimension to conflict resolution in relation to the current stalemate over Nagorno-Karabakh. We felt that all parties could exercise a degree of “Caucasus pragmatism” if the right arguments were appropriately presented to governments and public, bearing in mind the widespread desire to see the region “take off” economically. Click here to read more.

• October 27, 2012

Few states are as eager to increase trade with Russia as Georgia, the home of corporate giants Coca-Cola Co. and Delta Air Lines and more than 3,600 international facilities from 60 countries.

• October 26, 2012

Ukraine goes to the polls on Sunday to elect a new parliament. Four hundred and fifty seats are up for grabs in an election which pits President Viktor Yanukovich’s ruling Party of Regions against a united opposition coalition.

• October 26, 2012

Bulgaria may consider closing its sole existing nuclear power plant, Kozloduy, if Bulgarians vote against the development of nuclear energy in the country in an upcoming referendum, a Russian paper has claimed.

• October 26, 2012

Yerevan and Tehran have agreed to hold discussions on the construction of Iranian-Armenian railway, Iran's co-chairman of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission, Energy Minister Majid Namdz saidtoday, ARKA reported.

• October 25, 2012

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has congratulated Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in connection with the 21st anniversary of Turkmen independence, to be celebrated on October 27.

• October 25, 2012

Azerbaijani ambassador to U.S. Elin Suleymanov has held several meetings with Illinois officials during his visit to Illinois, U.S, the Azerbaijani embassy to the U.S told Trend.

• October 25, 2012

Insights into Turkish Domestic and International Politics during October 1-15th 2012
By John VanPool, EGF Turkey and Black Sea Regional Analyst
Key Points:

• Syria and Turkey exchange artillery fire throughout October, and a Syrian airliner thought to be carrying Russian military equipment is forced to land in Turkey.
• The plane incident could have implications for Turkey’s vital Russian gas supplies, if the relationship between the two countries deteriorates.
• PKK violence continues unabated as the underlying issues facing Turkey’s Kurdish population are ignored for short-term solutions.

• October 25, 2012