Russian geopolitics - Russian influence on post-Soviet states

Abstracts: This thesis analyses Russia's influence on the South Caucasus, namely on its two states Azerbaijan and Armenia, specifically describing how Russia tries to maintain its influence in the region through the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. How Russia is using it and how it is acting in this conflict. The analyzing period is from the first Nagorno-Karabakh war to the present. It will also discuss why the whole South Caucasus region (i.e. including together with Georgia) is geopolitically important for Russia and how it makes its policy in this region. There will also be a brief mention of how Russia has generally exploited other conflicts in the post-Soviet space, such as Transnistria or the conflicts in Georgia. Keywords: Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, South Caucasus, conflicts, Russian influence, Nagorno Karabak