Karabakh Conflict: Was Peace the Real Goal?

Baku's Strategic Goals in Karabakh: A Contested Interpretation The recent statement by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev regarding the Karabakh conflict has sparked debate. While Aliyev presented the situation as a move towards peace, some analysts, like the TikTok user "Директор Зоопарка", offer a different interpretation. Their analysis, disseminated through a short video, suggests that Azerbaijan's aims extend beyond mere peace. The video claims that Azerbaijan's true objective is to weaken Armenia's international standing, making it politically and economically dependent on Baku. The video uses historical maps to visualize the territorial claims and contrasts Aliyev's public statements with the author's interpretation. The author's main argument is that the demands placed on Armenia are not merely for peace but for long-term Azerbaijani dominance. "The real goal of Azerbaijan is not peace," the author states, "but to ensure that Armenia loses its functionality, that its foreign policy becomes dependent on what is decided in Baku." This interpretation raises questions about the long-term implications of the conflict and the power dynamics involved. While the video's analysis requires further verification from credible sources, it highlights the complexity of the situation and the diverse perspectives surrounding the Karabakh conflict. Further investigation is needed to fully understand the nuances of the situation and the potential implications of this interpretation.