RUSYA, ORTA ASYA VE KAFKASYA

Russian “Near Abroad” policy has considered the Caucasus an inseparable part of the Russian national interest (Allison,
1993, p. 46).

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a major issue in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. More than one million people had been internally displaced, and 20 % of Azerbaijan territory had been occupied, and more than 25,000 lives lost due to the conflict. In February 1988, during the Soviet era, Armenians started demonstrations and attacked Azerbaijani Turks demanding that the Nagorno Karabakh be put under Armenia’s jurisdiction. The Supreme Soviet of the USSR rejected the demand. Violence against the Azerbaijani Turks in Nagorno Karabakh caused a demonstration in Baku. On 15 January 1990, Moscow sent troops, and hundreds of people died. This incident was called “Black January” in Azerbaijan. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the conflict became a regional problem.  The Armenian forces occupied Azerbaijan’s towns and cities. One of the most crucial losses for Azerbaijan was the fall of Khojaly. On 25- 26 February 1992, the Armenian forces attacked the town, killing 613 civilians and hundreds were missing and wounded.