Hayk’s Arrow · Armenian Strategic Center
Geopolitics of the Caucasus
Online course taught in Armenian. Start date to be announced.
Start date to be announced
Regional actors, interests, and the influence of external powers in the Caucasus. The schedule will be announced separately. Registration is not open.
About the course
Understand a region at the intersection of powers and connections. Explore the South and North Caucasus through geography, political history, conflict, trade and regional relationships.
Who it is for
For students, young professionals and interested members of the public. No specialist regional knowledge is required; basic international-relations concepts are helpful.
What you will learn
- Explain connections and differences between the North and South Caucasus.
- Identify regional actors and sources of influence.
- Analyse conflicts, borders and political institutions.
- Assess connectivity and compare plausible regional scenarios.
Weekly programme
Week 1Understanding the Caucasus
Mountains, seas, routes and borders; South Caucasus states and the North Caucasus within the Russian Federation; diversity; imperial and Soviet legacies; state-building.
Practical exercise
Create a map of political boundaries, major connections and strategic chokepoints.
Week 2Conflict, borders and political order
The Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict; Abkhazia and South Ossetia; North Caucasus conflict legacies and governance; territorial integrity, self-determination, displacement and settlement.
Practical exercise
Map actors, grievances, legal positions and obstacles in a selected case.
Week 3Regional and external powers
Russia, Turkey and Iran; the EU, the United States and other partners; Black Sea and Caspian dimensions; alliances, bargaining and local agency.
Practical exercise
Build an actor-and-interests matrix showing competition and overlapping interests.
Week 4Connectivity and the region’s possible futures
Transport, ports, energy and trade; proposed versus functioning routes; borders, customs, sovereignty and commercial viability; integration and fragmentation.
Practical exercise
Compare cooperation and fragmentation scenarios, stating assumptions and indicators to monitor.
How learning works
Four weeks, with one two-hour live Zoom session each week, 20:00–22:00 Armenia time (UTC+4). The day will be announced. Teaching is in Armenian. Sessions combine teaching, a short break, case discussion and practical work. Selected reading materials are provided.
Final assignment and feedback
A 600–800-word regional analysis with a question and argument, relevant actors and geographic or economic factors, two scenarios, uncertainties, indicators and supporting sources. Individual written feedback is included.
Instructor
Giorgi Tumasyan is an author and researcher whose work focuses on international relations and security in Armenia, Georgia and the wider South Caucasus.
Meet the instructor