Nagorno-Karabakh (also known as Artsakh) is a region in the southwestern part of Azerbaijan that has been a focal point of protracted conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Its political status has changed several times over recent decades, and contemporary references vary depending on perspective and source. Key points:
- Geography: Nagorno-Karabakh lies within the Lesser Caucasus mountain system, in the triangle between several rivers and highland terrain. It is part of the broader Karabakh region, which spans areas in both Azerbaijan and Armenia. [Karabakh region context in general geography and historical note]
- Historical status: During the late 20th century, Nagorno-Karabakh was an autonomous oblast within Azerbaijan. A war in the 1990s led to Armenian control of the territory and the establishment of the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh, though this entity was not internationally recognized. In 2020 and 2023, renewed conflict and subsequent peace processes significantly reshaped governance and control, with Russian peacekeepers playing a role in the region after the 2020 ceasefire. [Nagorno-Karabakh overview and de facto control history]
- Current situation (as of late 2025): The region remains contested. Administrative control has shifted at various times, and the Belarus/OSCE/M Minsk-related mediation efforts have sought durable ceasefires and a political settlement, but the status of Nagorno-Karabakh remains unresolved in terms of full international recognition and long-term governance. [Recent updates and ongoing dispute context]
If you’d like, I can tailor this with more precise current-status details (e.g., latest ceasefire terms, peacekeeping arrangements, or how the region is administered today) and provide sources for further reading.
