Causes of the Second Karabakh War: Analysis of the Positions and the Strength and Weakness of Armenia and Azerbaijan

ABSTRACT The article aims to demonstrate main causes of the Second Karabakh War by considering power and proximity factors as triggering elements. It depicts the positions of Armenia and Azerbaijan on shifted economic and military development within three-decades. It also asserts that the failed negotiation process played a crucial role in the war occurrence as the protracted conflict generates escalation risk. Given the structural attributes, it emphasizes importance revisionist and status quo-based policy-making processes of the parties. Arguing that alteration of power parity might bring a devastative war, this article offers that both sides can utilize opportunities for regional balance on the way to a peace settlement.