Dancing across Divides
Armenia and the War Against Iran
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
As a small state situated in the contested geopolitical environment of the South Caucasus, Armenia relies on strong allies. For many years, in its conflict with Azerbaijan, Yerevan pinned its hopes on an alliance with Russia. However, weakened by its war of aggression against Ukraine, Moscow abandoned Armenia in 2023. Today, to safeguard its state sovereignty and territorial integrity, Yerevan is pursuing a strategy of “hedging”. Good relations with a diverse array of partners — including Russia and the EU, as well as with the United States and Iran — are intended to mitigate risks. The war in the Gulf, however, has jeopardised this approach, while an opposition that still looks to Moscow has denounced it. Nonetheless, Nikol Pashinyan’s government remains committed to the peace process with Azerbaijan and Turkey and to securing that process through a multi-vector foreign policy.
(Osteuropa 1-2/2026, pp. 93–100)