Executive Summary
This paper analyzes Azerbaijan's hybrid warfare strategy against Artsakh, particularly after the 2020 Third Artsakh War, leading to the ethnic cleansing of Armenians. It examines the multi-faceted approach, including information campaigns, economic pressure, and military actions, and discusses its continued application against Armenia. The study highlights how hybrid warfare can exploit international law and create 'grey zones' when global norms are not upheld.
Why It Matters
This document is crucial for defense and geopolitical analysts as it details a contemporary case study of hybrid warfare leading to ethnic cleansing, demonstrating how non-military and military tactics are integrated to achieve strategic objectives and reshape regional security.
Key Takeaways
- Azerbaijan employed a comprehensive hybrid warfare strategy against Artsakh, combining military, economic, informational, and diplomatic tools.
- The 2020 Third Artsakh War and subsequent hybrid operations resulted in the ethnic cleansing of over 100,000 Armenians from Artsakh.
- Hybrid warfare tactics, including blockades, critical infrastructure attacks, and information campaigns, were used to break the will of the Artsakh population and undermine international norms.
Strategic Relevance
This analysis provides a detailed case study of modern hybrid warfare, illustrating how a state can achieve significant geopolitical and demographic changes through a multi-domain strategy, offering critical insights into contemporary conflict dynamics and the erosion of international norms.