Breaking the ‘Frozen Conflict’ Cycle: The Future and Reconstruction of Nagorno-Karabakh

Public Report

In September 2023, Azerbaijan conducted a lightning offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh, taking control over the long-disputed territory, and effectively ending a decades-long ‘frozen’ conflict. As the peace process stretches on, war-torn territories and communities continue to struggle for stability and a sustainable future. Assessing the aftermath of the conflict and its impact on the region, this report seeks to contribute to the lasting peace effort by providing concrete analysis of this impact, as well as actionable priorities for reconstruction. It focuses on physical destruction, environmental degradation, the economy, critical infrastructure, population displacement, and cultural heritage. All of these factors are important to consider in the peace-building process. Based on this assessment, we propose four key priorities for reconstruction: transportation infrastructure, population resettlement, border delineation, and cultural heritage protection.