Flash floods kill 14 in Morocco’s Safi amid record rainfall
At least 14 people have died and 32 others were injured after flash floods swept through Morocco’s Atlantic coastal city of Safi on Sunday, authorit...
As peace talks progress, voices from Yerevan, Tbilisi, and Baku reveal hopes, concerns, and expectations for a future shaped by trade, trust, and generational change in the South Caucasus.
As Armenia and Azerbaijan edge closer to peace, AnewZ asked people in Yerevan, Tbilisi, and Baku: How will peace between the two nations affect the region? In Part 2 of our special report, citizens share their views on trade, trust, and the road ahead.
Across Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, citizens are weighing the potential ripple effects of peace. Could it open doors to economic growth, or bring new challenges?
Tural Mammadli, Baku:
“…If Armenia opens the Zangezur corridor, it will create major trade routes linking the Silk Road, Central Asia and China through Azerbaijan to Türkiye and Europe. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan will benefit…”
Citizen, Tbilisi:
“I think it could bring more opportunities for travel, jobs, and trade across the South Caucasus. This peace could also make the region more stable, attracting new investment and opening the door to new relationships.”
From corridors to cooperation, many see peace as the key to unlocking regional development.
Marat, Yerevan:
“We need to communicate in order to develop. All republics should develop. In my view, dialogue is very important. There shouldn’t be any hostility.”
But others warn the political legacy of conflict still casts a long shadow.
David Matevosyan, Yerevan:
“It’s having a very negative impact — major powers are involved... there are no prospects for calm or a path toward stability in the region.”
“Puskuna” Giorgadze, Tbilisi:
“I believe it might not affect Georgia in a positive way... Now, it could mean that we’re no longer needed in the same way.”
Generational change may be the key to breaking the cycle.
Leyli Salayeva, Baku:
“I think maybe not our generation, but the next one will be free from these prejudices... I’d love to feel free and at ease wherever I go.”
Khachatur Armenakyan, Yerevan:
“War is a bad thing, very bad, very bad. No ordinary Azerbaijani, no ordinary Armenian wants war.”
Even with disagreements, some things unite both sides: a desire for normalcy, stability, and a more hopeful future.
Togrul, Baku:
“I see only positives, because peace always brings a good and positive impact — not just for both sides, but for the whole region.”
Lernik, Yerevan:
“Conflict is always harmful — peace is absolutely necessary. No one needs tension in the South Caucasus. Ever.”
From Tbilisi to Baku, and back to Yerevan, one message is clear: the region’s fate rests not only in treaties, but in trust, trade, and the shared will for change.
The Oligarch’s Design is an investigative documentary exploring how financial power, political influence and carefully constructed narratives can shape conflict and public perception.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterated his offer to host Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Ankara, at his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks took place on the sidelines of the international Forum for Peace and Trust in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on Friday (12 December).
Iranian authorities have seized a foreign tanker carrying more than 6 million litres of smuggled fuel in the Sea of Oman, detaining all 18 crew members on board.
Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova says the Kyiv authorities have still not provided Moscow with a list of thousands of Ukrainian children it claims were illegally taken to Russia, despite the issue being raised during talks in Istanbul.
An explosive device found in a vehicle linked to one of the alleged attackers in Bondi shooting has been secured and removed according to Police. The incident left 12 people dead.
Iranian authorities have seized a foreign tanker carrying more than 6 million litres of smuggled fuel in the Sea of Oman, detaining all 18 crew members on board.
The Israeli military said Raed Saed, described as one of the architects of the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, was killed on Saturday when a vehicle was hit in Gaza City.
A flash of light followed by the sound of an explosion was observed over Gaza early on Saturday, according to witnesses, as severe winter storms worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis in the territory.
Hundreds of people gathered for a second consecutive week at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, on Friday (12 December), to support the family of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last remaining Israeli hostage whose body is believed to be held in Gaza.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin met for a closed-door discussion on the sidelines of the International Forum for Peace and Trust in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on Friday.
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