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The widening war between Iran, U.S. and Israel is leaving civilians and soldiers caught in its wake. Thousands of people are stranded across the Gu...
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.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. military has enough stockpiled weapons to fight wars "forever"; in a social media post late on Monday. The remarks came hours before conflict in Iran and the Middle East entered its fourth day.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov following recent military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on targets in Iran, as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.
U.S. first lady, Melania Trump chaired a UN Security Council meeting on children and education in conflict on Monday (2 March), a move criticised by Iran as hypocritical following U.S. and Israeli strikes that triggered a UN warning about risks to children.
The U.S. embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones resulting in a limited fire and some material damage, the kingdom's defence ministry said in a post on X on Tuesday, citing an initial assessment.
Türkiye and Iran have suspended day-trip passenger crossings at their shared border, Türkiye's trade minister said Monday, as a U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran entered its third day.
How do political narratives travel from Moscow to Westminster?
At least 30,000 displaced people have sought protection in shelters across Lebanon following an escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday, and added that many more were expected to join them.
The widening war between Iran, U.S. and Israel is leaving civilians and soldiers caught in its wake. Thousands of people are stranded across the Gulf, flights are grounded, and Washington has confirmed the first American troops killed as fears grow of further casualties.
Azerbaijan's Astara border has become a key corridor for people wanting to leave Iran. More than 600 foreign nationals have been walking through the frontier this week amid the war in the Middle East.
Türkiye has suspended day-trip crossings at its Kapıköy border and two others with Iran as regional tensions escalate following strikes involving the United States and Israel on Tehran. AnewZ's Alisultan Sultanzade was on the ground at the crossing before the restrictions came into force.
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