Opinion | Nagorno-Karabakh conflict offers insight into the new art of war
- Fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan represents a possible third front involving Russian and Turkish proxies, after Syria and Libya
- It also highlights several disturbing trends, including the increased use of mercenaries and the role of social media in heightened tensions
The mountainous enclave is part of Azerbaijan but is run by its mostly ethnic Armenian inhabitants. It is not recognised internationally as independent. Following the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, war in Nagorno-Karabakh led to the deaths of 30,000 people.
03:23
Azerbaijan and Armenia accuse each other of targeting cities outside conflict zones
In 2020, there is an important difference. The fighting that broke out over the past week involves the use of foreign armed drones and, allegedly, mercenaries. This increases the potential for the conflict to devolve into a grinding battle as the supply of men and materiel from mercenaries and weapons from other nations will lower the cost to the main combatants.
02:31
Deadly clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan reignite over Nagorno-Karabakh
Adding fuel to the fire, the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan have exchanged Twitter barrages that rival their artillery duels in intensity.
