The war is popular in Azerbaijan and Armenia. But some call for peace.

The month-old war between Armenia and Azerbaijan is the latest eruption of a long-running, bitter conflict steeped in existential fears and ancestral hatreds. As wars usually do, it has generated an intense rally-round-the-flag effect in both societies and their diasporas.

So it’s extraordinary that a few people in each country have found the courage to take a public stand against what they see as the madness unfolding around them.

Small and apparently unconnected groups in Armenia and Azerbaijan have signed open letters that call for peace. The letters also condemn the nationalist passions, war propaganda, and special interests – as well as the neo-imperial powers, Russia and Turkey – that they see as encouraging

“It’s very hard to be objective”“The majority of society supports this war”Missed opportunities