I just got back from a holiday in these 2 countries, fascinating places and well worth a visit.
However I am ashamed to say I did not know a lot about their recent history and what is going on now and why they could be the next global hot spot, so I thought I would start this thread.
Armenia
Was ruled by the Turks until after WWI when Russia conquered it and it became a Soviet republic. The communists redrew the borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan giving them major territory at the loss to Armenia.
In 1915 under the Ottoman Empire the Turks murdered more than 1m Christian Armenians this has been recognised as genocide however to this day the Turks deny it happened.
Azerbaijan invaded the enclave Nagorno-Karabakh and expelled around 100,000 Armenians and caused thousands of deaths from the conflict. Azerbaijan is a Russian puppet state (Take note you idiot David Lammy*) and is threatening to seize more territory). Armenia is surrounded by enemies who want to carve it up their only friend is Georgia.
Georgia
Wonderful country after the fall of the Soviet empire Georgia wanted to move closer to Europe the Russian have invaded Georgia twice since then and have seized 20% of Georgia's land. Our guide was born in one of those areas and was expelled as a child she cannot go back to her home.
The government is pro Soviet whilst much of the people are pro EU. It appears to be the old support the Soviets whilst the young the EU. They recently passed an anti EU law despite mass protests. The Russians are interfering and making it clear that Georgia better stay in line or else.
Next week they hold elections it's Russia versus the EU. My guide is pro EU but she thinks that the pro Russian party will win. If they don't and the pro west party do expect to see conflict in this area.
Summary
There is a real possibility that both Armenia and Georgia will face conflict in the near future with Russia being the puppet master using their neighbours to fight proxy wars.
*The intellectual giant David Lammy made some crass comments yesterday showing he understands less about that region than I do and that's his day job.
www.telegraph.co.uk
However I am ashamed to say I did not know a lot about their recent history and what is going on now and why they could be the next global hot spot, so I thought I would start this thread.
Armenia
Was ruled by the Turks until after WWI when Russia conquered it and it became a Soviet republic. The communists redrew the borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan giving them major territory at the loss to Armenia.
In 1915 under the Ottoman Empire the Turks murdered more than 1m Christian Armenians this has been recognised as genocide however to this day the Turks deny it happened.
Azerbaijan invaded the enclave Nagorno-Karabakh and expelled around 100,000 Armenians and caused thousands of deaths from the conflict. Azerbaijan is a Russian puppet state (Take note you idiot David Lammy*) and is threatening to seize more territory). Armenia is surrounded by enemies who want to carve it up their only friend is Georgia.
Georgia
Wonderful country after the fall of the Soviet empire Georgia wanted to move closer to Europe the Russian have invaded Georgia twice since then and have seized 20% of Georgia's land. Our guide was born in one of those areas and was expelled as a child she cannot go back to her home.
The government is pro Soviet whilst much of the people are pro EU. It appears to be the old support the Soviets whilst the young the EU. They recently passed an anti EU law despite mass protests. The Russians are interfering and making it clear that Georgia better stay in line or else.
Next week they hold elections it's Russia versus the EU. My guide is pro EU but she thinks that the pro Russian party will win. If they don't and the pro west party do expect to see conflict in this area.
Summary
There is a real possibility that both Armenia and Georgia will face conflict in the near future with Russia being the puppet master using their neighbours to fight proxy wars.
*The intellectual giant David Lammy made some crass comments yesterday showing he understands less about that region than I do and that's his day job.
David Lammy sparks diplomatic row with blog post on Armenia crisis
Foreign Secretary called ‘callous’ for saying Azerbaijan had been able to ‘liberate’ territory in conflict described as ethnic cleansing
www.telegraph.co.uk
