For this entry. links to two opinion pieces from Indian Punchline and the Berkshire Eagle (a map in the first is helpful), followed by links to news articles from the Associated Press Friday and Reuters Saturday; other articles are accessible by clicking on the sources’ names below.— MCM
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Russia scrambles as EU surges in Caucasus, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline Armenia no longer disputes that Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan. The prospect of peaceful resolution of a regional conflict ought to be good news, but this is an incredibly complex situation with an external environment where a brutal war is raging with no end in sight, and the protagonists pursue contrarian interests. A settlement over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict leading to peace and reconciliation might open the pathway . . . READ MORE . . .
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Weakened by Ukraine, Russia’s power ebbs in Caucasus, its historic backyard, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle The surprise surrender of ethnic Armenians in the western mountains of Azerbaijan on Wednesday ends a 35-year-old separatist project on the southern fringe of Russia’s former empire. But as 2,000 Russian peacekeepers stand by this weekend, the defeat illustrates how the Ukraine quagmire is shrinking Russia’s influence . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia says Armenian separatists surrender arms after Azerbaijan reclaims Nagorno-Karabakh, by Avet Demourian | AP YEREVAN, Armenia — Ethnic Armenian separatists in Azerbaijan’s region of Nagorno-Karabakh surrendered arms Friday to Russian peacekeepers, Russia’s Defense Ministry said, two days after Azerbaijan reclaimed control of the breakaway region that has long been at the center of a conflict with neighboring Armenia. READ MORE . . .
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Karabakh Armenians say ceasefire being implemented, aid is arriving, by Felix Light | Reuters NEAR KORNIDZOR, Armenia — The ethnic Armenian leadership of breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh said today that the terms of their ceasefire with Azerbaijan were being implemented, with work proceeding on the delivery of humanitarian aid and evacuation of the wounded. Earlier . . . READ MORE . . .