Why the South Caucasus is a geopolitical crossroads between Europe and Asia
In short: Straddling the border of two continents, the South Caucasus is a complex tapestry of empires, religions, and shifting borders. Once defined by a Russian vantage point as the land beyond the mountains, this region of Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan remains a volatile arena where ancient history meets modern European integration.
The South Caucasus, covering about 186,100 square kilometres, sits between the Black and Caspian Seas. Geographically, it encompasses the southern Greater Caucasus, the entire Lesser Caucasus, and various lowlands. Historically, the region served as a buffer and a battleground for competing powers, including the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and various Iranian empires. For centuries, it was largely integrated into the Iranian world, with Zoroastrianism serving as the dominant faith before the rise of Christianity and the later spread of Islam.
The 19th century marked a decisive shift in regional control. Through the Russo-Persian Wars of 1804–1813 and 1826–1828, the Russian Empire dismantled Iranian influence, securing territory through the Treaties of Gulistan and Turkmenchay. This era of imperial consolidation eventually led to the creation of a unified vice-royalty in 1844. Following the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1918, the region briefly experimented with unified political entities, such as the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic, before eventually emerging as three distinct Soviet Socialist Republics.
Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan have navigated independent paths defined by varying geopolitical alignments. While the region remains marked by territorial disputes like Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the three nations are increasingly engaging with European institutions. Georgia received EU candidate status in December 2023, and by early 2025, Armenia’s parliament had officially endorsed a path toward EU accession. Despite these shifts, the region remains a complex intersection of ethno-linguistic groups and competing strategic partnerships, from Azerbaijan’s alliance with Turkey to Armenia’s historical ties with Russia.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: South Caucasus
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