Nagorno-Karabakh is in the news after legal fallout and regional brinkmanship: Vardanyan jailed in Azerbaijan; EU-US tariff talks; and a Caucasus governance jab. Background: Nagorno-Karabakh is a disputed region within Azerbaijan with an Armenian-led separatist history.
The AP reports Trump has said tariffs on EU cars and trucks will rise to 25% this week, while Macron urges stability. EU-US trade talks are set to resume in Paris as the war in the Middle East continues to shape policy, and France pushes Armenia toward Europe amid regional tensions.
Armenia is expanding its foreign policy with Western partners even as Moscow remains a key security ally. A US-backed TRIPP corridor is developing, while parliamentary votes set a course for the South Caucasus nation amid ongoing regional tensions.
Civil Contract has secured a decisive majority in Armenia’s parliamentary vote, with exit polls and official results placing the party well ahead of rivals. The race features a notable split between pro-Western reform aims and pro-Russia factions, as parties prepare to shape Armenia’s geopolitical path amid Moscow pressure.
Armenia has elected a pro-European government, with Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party securing a majority. The result signals a shift away from Russia and toward Western ties, though Russia remains a voice in the region. The vote follows Nagorno-Karabakh tensions and a 2018 reform wave. Turnout was 59%.