The Georgia-Russian Conflict

The Georgia-Russian Conflict

A Perspective from Azerbaijan and Implications for the Region

Author(s): Fariz Ismailzade
Editor(s): Iris Kempe, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perovic, Lili Di Puppo
Series: Caucasus Analytical Digest (CAD)
Issue: 1
Pages: 9-10
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

The August war between Russia and Georgia had a significant impact on Azerbaijan. The violence imperiled regional attempts to build an energy and railroad transportation corridor bypassing Russia. The conflict threatened to send a new wave of refugees into Azerbaijan and complicated Azerbaijan's efforts to restore its own territorial integrity. However, there are some silver linings for Azerbaijan: the fighting focused attention on the south Caucasus, encouraged Moscow to seek better relations with Baku, and enhanced Azerbaijan's negotiating power with the US and Russia.