Nagorno-Karabakh: Three Decades of Diplomatic Failure, with Hrair Balian

Connections Episode 115 Nagorno-Karabakh: Three Decades of Diplomatic Failure Mouin Rabbani Interviews Hrair Balian Thursday, 18 June 2026 3:00 PM ET | 21:00 CET Join us on Thursday, 18 June for a conversation with Hrair Balian about Nagorno-Karabakh. This episode of the Connections podcast examines how three decades of diplomatic failure, punctuated by missed opportunities, set the stage for the September 2023 ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh, and the implications for the future. Connections offers timely and informative interviews on current events and broader policy questions, as well as themes relevant to knowledge production. It combines journalism, analysis, and scholarship. Guest Hrair Balian has served in leadership positions with the United Nations as Director of the Secretary General’s High Representative Office in Ivory Coast (2006-2008), with the OSCE/ODIHR as Head of Elections (1998-2003), and with a number of NGOs, including with the Carter Center as Director of Conflict Resolution (2008-2022) and with the International Crisis Group as Director of its Bosnia and Herzegovina field office (1996-1998). During a 35-year career, Balian has worked on conflict resolution, elections and human rights in the Balkans, Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia, Middle East and Africa. Balian has also taught conflict resolution, negotiations, and mediation at the Emory University School of Law (2008-2018). His new book, Anatomy of Peacemaking: Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict & Missed Opportunities, was published this year by Palgrave Macmillan. Host Mouin Rabbani is a researcher, analyst, and commentator specialising in Palestinian affairs, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the contemporary Middle East. He has among other positions previously served as Principal Political Affairs Officer with the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Head of Middle East with the Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation, and Senior Middle East Analyst and Special Advisor on Israel-Palestine with the International Crisis Group. Rabbani is Co-Editor of Jadaliyya, and a Contributing Editor of Middle East Report.