Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Can Turkey and Armenia overcome over 100 years of animosity to reset their ties? For over a century, relations between the two states have been defined by closed borders, historical trauma and unresolved disputes stemming from the genocide of 1915 and the long conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Yet defying the odds, today, both countries appear closer than ever to a historic breakthrough that could reshape regional politics, security, and economic cooperation in the South Caucasus. This video explores the factors driving this unexpected shift, from Armenia’s reassessment of its foreign policy after military defeat, to Turkey’s growing regional ambitions, to the easing of long-standing constraints linked to Azerbaijan. With direct flights restored, border crossings partially reopened, and high-level political contacts increasing, the prospect of Armenia–Turkey normalisation suddenly looks more realistic than at any point in decades.
But can these neighbours truly overcome the deep mistrust, competing narratives, and geopolitical pressures that have defined their relations for generations? We examine the political, economic, and strategic incentives pushing both sides toward reconciliation, while also assessing the major obstacles that remain, including diaspora influence, domestic hardliners, and the still-unresolved Armenia–Azerbaijan peace treaty. All that notwithstanding, if normalisation is achieved, it could reopen borders, boost trade, reduce Armenia’s dependence on Russia, enhance Turkey’s regional role, and transform the geopolitics of the entire region.
*VIDEO CHAPTERS*
00:00 Introduction and Titles
00:51 Historical Animosity in International Relations: Turkey and Armenia
01:56 Armenia-Turkey: Location and Population
02:52 Armenians and the Ottoman Empire
04:20 Armenia and Turkey, 1918-1991
05:36 Armenia-Turkish Relations After the Cold War
07:26 Why Are Turkish-Armenian Relations Improving?
09:05 The Benefits of Turkey-Armenia Normalisation
10:29 Remaining Challenges to Turkish-Armenian Relations
11:56 Armenia and Turkey: A New Era of Relations?
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*MY LATEST BOOK!*
Secession and State Creation: What Everyone Needs to Know
Oxford University Press global.oup.com/academic/product/secession-and-state-creation-9780190494049
Amazon amzn.to/2MPY3W2
Some of the links above are affiliate links. These pay a small commission if you make a purchase. This helps to support the channel at no additional cost to you.
#Turkey #Armenia #Azerbaijan
Can Turkey and Armenia overcome over 100 years of animosity to reset their ties? For over a century, relations between the two states have been defined by closed borders, historical trauma and unresolved disputes stemming from the genocide of 1915 and the long conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Yet defying the odds, today, both countries appear closer than ever to a historic breakthrough that could reshape regional politics, security, and economic cooperation in the South Caucasus. This video explores the factors driving this unexpected shift, from Armenia’s reassessment of its foreign policy after military defeat, to Turkey’s growing regional ambitions, to the easing of long-standing constraints linked to Azerbaijan. With direct flights restored, border crossings partially reopened, and high-level political contacts increasing, the prospect of Armenia–Turkey normalisation suddenly looks more realistic than at any point in decades.
But can these neighbours truly overcome the deep mistrust, competing narratives, and geopolitical pressures that have defined their relations for generations? We examine the political, economic, and strategic incentives pushing both sides toward reconciliation, while also assessing the major obstacles that remain, including diaspora influence, domestic hardliners, and the still-unresolved Armenia–Azerbaijan peace treaty. All that notwithstanding, if normalisation is achieved, it could reopen borders, boost trade, reduce Armenia’s dependence on Russia, enhance Turkey’s regional role, and transform the geopolitics of the entire region.
*VIDEO CHAPTERS*
00:00 Introduction and Titles
00:51 Historical Animosity in International Relations: Turkey and Armenia
01:56 Armenia-Turkey: Location and Population
02:52 Armenians and the Ottoman Empire
04:20 Armenia and Turkey, 1918-1991
05:36 Armenia-Turkish Relations After the Cold War
07:26 Why Are Turkish-Armenian Relations Improving?
09:05 The Benefits of Turkey-Armenia Normalisation
10:29 Remaining Challenges to Turkish-Armenian Relations
11:56 Armenia and Turkey: A New Era of Relations?
*SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS*
If you enjoy the channel and would like to support independent analysis of international relations, conflict, and security, there are several ways you can help:
SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE
youtube.com/channel/UCEszqJb1FjYisBevHBIof3g
youtube.com/c/JamesKerLindsay?sub_confirmation=1
JOIN THE COMMUNITY AND BECOME A CHANNEL MEMBER
YouTube: youtube.com/c/JamesKerLindsay/join
Patreon: patreon.com/JamesKerLindsay
*MY LATEST BOOK!*
Secession and State Creation: What Everyone Needs to Know
Oxford University Press global.oup.com/academic/product/secession-and-state-creation-9780190494049
Amazon amzn.to/2MPY3W2
Some of the links above are affiliate links. These pay a small commission if you make a purchase. This helps to support the channel at no additional cost to you.
#Turkey #Armenia #Azerbaijan
