Yervant1

Armenpress.am Turkey17:25, 26 February 2025 Turkey's Fidan accuses Israel of expansionism in Syria Read the article in: FrançaisՀայերենРусский Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan accused Israel of “regional aggression” and “expansionism” following recent remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his country would not allow Syria’s new army to enter areas south of Damascus, AP reported. “The biggest obstacle to peace and stability in our region is Israel’s regional aggression,” Fidan said. “Netanyahu’s recent statements regarding Syria clearly show that Israel is not in favor of peace. Israel must end its regional expansionism under the guise of establishing security,'' AP quoted him as saying. Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1213015?fbclid=IwY2xjawIs9R1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHb2RMMomiabT6T1ykpSeQ0cHJswrF5Ni5S0uBWBFPIWf8XH2A7WKhX9XnQ_aem_7WHUKeI4ZiXXceUWUT4SaQ

Washington Examiner Feb 26 2025 Has Trump greenlit aggression on Armenia? ByMichael Rubin During their campaign, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance both cultivated the Armenian community and promised to right the wrongs inflicted on Armenians during the Biden administration. Writing on Truth Social on Oct. 23, 2024, Trump pledged, “I will protect persecuted Christians, I will work to stop the violence and ethnic cleansing, and we will restore PEACE between Armenia and Azerbaijan.” Later that day, Vance echoed this commitment. “The United States should fight against the persecution of Christians all over the world.” Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also sided with Armenia against external aggression. The betrayal looming for Armenians may surpass that of the previous administration, which swore that the U.S. would not tolerate ethnic cleansing only to culminate with U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mark Libby symbolically celebrating it by participating in an Azerbaijan-sponsored propaganda tour of towns cleansed of their Armenians. The problem is Russia. Beyond the Baltic States, no country other than Ukraine has pivoted further to the West than Armenia. In the 1990s, as Armenia first sought to detach itself from Russian diplomatic domination, a Russian-backed terrorist attack decapitated the government, killing the reform-minded Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan, National Assembly Speaker Karen Demirchyan, two deputy speakers, a minister, and three members of Parliament. In 2018, Armenians again pivoted away from Russia as protests against Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan’s third term culminated in a popular revolution. One reason Russia betrayed Armenia in the face of Azerbaijani aggression against both Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia proper was the Kremlin’s cynical belief that Armenians would reject the post-2018 order and pivot back to Moscow. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan lost internal support, but Armenians continued to reject the status quo ante. Subsequent assassination and coup plots likewise backfired. Whenever Russia clumsily sought to interfere, the backlash drove a wedge further into Russia-Armenia ties. Pashinyan, meanwhile, antagonized Russian President Vladimir Putin further, embarrassing him at summits and tilting even further toward Washington. With Putin poised to seize the initiative and perhaps even win the Ukraine war, Russian power is resurgent. The problem for Armenia is that Putin, as a former KGB agent, has a mindset antagonistic to democracy and holds a grudge. Should Russia consolidate diplomatic, if not territorial, control over Ukraine, the outcome to which the Trump and Vance policies would lead, then pro-Western, democratic Armenia will be in the crosshairs. Perhaps the spark will be a false flag — the assassination of a Russian diplomat or businessman in Yerevan, for example — or perhaps Putin will dispense with any excuse to make the lesson stark. Either way, Armenians should expect the noose to tighten. Russia will cut off fuel deliveries, freezing Armenians and grinding industry to a halt. Armenian exports into Russia-dominated Georgia will end next. Then, as far as Putin is concerned, it will just be a waiting game until Armenians flee their country or accept Russian domination. TRUMP’S COMMENTS ABOUT ‘ETHNIC CLEANSING’ LEAVE ARMENIANS ‘CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC’ Perhaps France will help Armenians for a time, but Putin calculates this will be too little too late. If the U.S. is not willing to help the far more strategically significant Ukraine, under what logic would it risk Russian antagonism to help Armenia? What happens to Ukraine will not end in Ukraine. Trump, Vance, Gabbard, and others said all the right things during the campaign, but the time is now for them to explain whether they were treating Armenian Americans for fools or if they have some unknown or undefined strategy to prevent Armenia from becoming Putin’s idea of Ukraine 2.0. Michael Rubin is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog. He is the director of analysis at the Middle East Forum and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/3328056/has-trump-greenlighted-aggression-armenia/

Azatutyun.am Armenian Speaker Phones Russian Counterpart Փետրվար 25, 2025 Parliament speaker Alen Simonian telephoned his Russian counterpart Valentina Matvienko on Tuesday to discuss her planned visit to Armenia which may have been delayed amid lingering tensions between Moscow and Yerevan. The two sides announced no dates of the visit after the conversation which Russia’s upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, said took place “at the initiative of the Armenian side.” According to the Russian readout of the call, Simonian and Matvienko discussed the “international and regional agenda.” “The interlocutors also discussed details of the upcoming official visit of the Federation Council President to Yerevan at the invitation of her Armenian counterpart in light of the need to give a new impetus to Russian-Armenian interstate relations. In the words of Valentina Matvienko, the visit needs be substantively prepared,” added the statement. Simonian’s office said they talked about “organizational issues of the planned official visit to Armenia.” It did not elaborate. One of Matvienko’s deputies, Yury Vorobyev, told journalists in November that the visit may take place early this year. The Armenian newspaper Hraparak reported afterwards that Matvienko will likely travel to Yerevan “in mid-February.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted preparations for the trip after holding talks with his visiting Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan last month. Lavrov said Moscow hopes to combine it with the next Russian-Armenian Interregional Conference also planned in Yerevan. Simonian, who is a leading political ally of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, has repeatedly raised eyebrows in Moscow with his public criticism of Russia’s policy on Armenia and actions in the region. Last April, he criticized the Russian invasion of Ukraine while attending and addressing a meeting in Spain of the fellow parliament speakers from European Union member states. He also accused Moscow of meddling in Armenia’s internal affairs through a “campaign of threats and disinformation.” Senior Russian lawmakers strongly condemned Simonian’s speech. Matvienko described it as “Russophobic” and “shameful,” saying that Simonian “crossed all the red lines.” Earlier this month, another senior member of the Armenian parliament, Sargis Khandanian, visited Ukraine and “on behalf of Armenia’s National Assembly” praised Ukrainian lawmakers for their “courageous activities in difficult conditions for the country.” https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33327829.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawIriV9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcG161UGA1kc-S7lCjQoJzO0C5TfJ0tXNg7JGZP2s1u4dD1U1jhS_halAA_aem_L4rHFVmO7WSRkOfPo0uWkA

Azatutyun.am Armenian Official Complains About Azeri Statements On Peace Deal Փետրվար 25, 2025 Shoghik Galstian Armenia - Arman Yeghoyan, head of a parliament committee on European integration, speaks at a parliamentary hearing, Yerevan, June 21, 2024. A senior Armenian lawmaker complained on Tuesday that Azerbaijan is making it harder for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s administration to enact a new Armenian constitution by continuing to publicly demand such a change. Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov reiterated on Monday that an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace deal is conditional on a change of Armenia’s constitution which Baku says lays claim to Nagorno-Karabakh. “We are waiting for Armenia to overcome the main obstacle in the settlement process by legally abandoning territorial claims to Azerbaijan through constitutional changes,” he told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Arman Yeghoyan, the chairman of the Armenian parliament committee on European integration affiliated with Pashinian’s Civil Contract party, criticized Mammadov’s remarks. “I regard that statement as an obstacle to the constitutional reforms in Armenia,” said Yeghoyan. “With such statements, Azerbaijan’s representatives, being well aware of the reaction they will generate in Armenia, want to scuttle the constitutional reforms in Armenia.” Baku specifically wants Yerevan to remove a constitutional preamble that mentions Armenia’s 1990 declaration of independence, which in turn cites a 1989 unification act adopted by the legislative bodies of Soviet Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. The only legal way to do that is to adopt a new constitution. Kristine Vartanian, a parliament deputy from the opposition Hayastan alliance, insisted on Tuesday that the Azerbaijani demands are the reason why Pashinian wants to change the Armenian constitution in the first place. “Azerbaijan wants not only a deal with Nikol Pashinian and Civil Contract but a deal with all Armenians that would be formalized by a referendum,” she said. Pashinian and his political team deny planning the constitutional referendum at the behest of Baku. But the prime minister did say in February 2024 that peace with Azerbaijan will be impossible as long as the 1990 declaration is referenced in the current constitution. Pashinian again made a case for a new constitution in an hour-long video address to the nation aired last week. His justice minister, Srbuhi Galian, said the next day that a government panel headed by her will “do everything” to draft it before the country’s next general elections expected in June 2026. Galian did not rule out that the preamble will be excluded from the draft. https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33327931.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawIriTJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYQ0jv3zNx-67IIt2sIFxU7HrHEpEeBNmmo25meR-bqRsGon-DVqbfGUZQ_aem_6ycLVOGb2qaNAbZtH4fvVg

Azatutyun.am Armenia Sees New Deal With EU Փետրվար 25, 2025 Artak Khulian Armenia- The EU-Armenia Parliamentary Partnership Committee meets in Yerevan, February 25, 2025. The European Union and Armenia are close to finalizing a new agreement to deepen their relations, a senior Armenian diplomat said on Tuesday. Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovannisian said talks on the agreement are nearing conclusion. But he did not reveal its key details. “This is a paper which would amend the existing legal framework and deepen our relations,” he told Armenian and EU lawmakers holding in Yerevan a regular session of their joint Parliamentary Partnership Committee. The main element of that framework is the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed by Brussels and Yerevan in 2017. The two sides announced plans to negotiate a more ambitious “partnership agenda” a year ago amid Armenia’s deepening rift with Russia. EU officials made clear at the time that it will not offer the South Caucasus nation the prospect of an eventual membership in the 27-nation bloc. Earlier this month, the Armenian parliament approved a government-backed bill calling for the “start of a process of Armenia's accession to the European Union.” Hovannisian reiterated that the bill criticized by Moscow does not constitute an EU membership bid. There was no word on such a bid in the official readout of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s meeting with European members of the parliamentary panel held on Monday. Pashinian’s press office also said nothing about it in a statement on his talks with European Council President Antonio Costa held in Munich on February 14. It thus remains unclear whether Pashinian’s administration is now planning follow up the bill in question which Armenian opposition leaders say could have severe consequences for the domestic economy heavily dependent on Russia’s vast market, cheap energy resources and capital inflows. According to Armenian government data, the EU accounted for only 7.5 percent of Armenia’s foreign trade in January-November 2024, compared with Russia’s 41 percent share. “I want to stress that that the EU-Armenia relations have never been stronger and closer,” Vassilis Maragos, head of the EU Delegation in Yerevan, told the committee meeting. They are “grounded in shared democratic values,” he said. https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33327660.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawIriQhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcevB4qss1XbkZ-QcDl_GWeiWLaB1M_k5-doadnbly0ZkrmieQ799-L56g_aem_ay9o111Rc1R9jDpKyB8V-A

Asbarez.com Opposition Lawmaker Calls on EU to Impose Sanctions on Azerbaijan by Asbarez Staff February 25, 2025 in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories The EU-Armenia Parliamentary Committee meets in Yerevan on Feb. 25 An opposition lawmaker on Tuesday called on the European Union to impose sanctions on Azerbaijan. Levon Kocharyan, a member of the opposition Hayastan alliance, who was speaking at the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Committee meeting currently underway in Yerevan, cited Azerbaijan’s ongoing violations of international law for his appeal to the EU. “The forced displacement of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh is a serious violation of international law. We call on the EU to make efforts in order for the displaced persons to be able to safely return under international protection, and we call for support to achieve the release of all Armenian prisoners held in Baku,” Kocharyan said. Opposition lawmaker Levon Kocharyan in parliament on Feb. 25 He also praised the European Parliament for calling out Azerbaijan for its aggression and ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. “The statements about the right to return of the displaced persons, the release of detainees and prisoners, protection of Armenian cultural heritage are highly important steps for accountability and justice. These measures are important not only for addressing the injustice of the past, but also ensuring long-term regional stability. This must remain a priority for both the EU and the international community,” Kocharyan explained. A discussion was also held during the joint forum about the sham trials currently underway in Baku of Artsakh leaders, who were taken captive soon after Azerbaijan launched an attack on Artsakh in September 2023, forcing the displacement of the local Armenian population. Speaking at the parliamentary forum, Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan said that the fact that Armenians are still being held captive in Azerbaijan is “shameful.” “Our prisoners are still there, which is a shameful process for Baku. We ask all our partners to be involved in the efforts that we are making for peace,” Hovhannisyan said. Speaking about the Turkey-Armenia normalization process, Hovhannisyan said that Armenia has taken many steps in this process. Official Ankara continues to push the signing of a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan that favors Baku as a precondition for normalizing relations with Armenia. A member of the European Parliament, Nils Ušakovs, from Latvia, on Tuesday urged Turkey to separate the opening of the border with Armenia from the Yerevan-Baku normalization process. “We call on Ankara to separate border issues from the Armenia-Azerbaijan relations agenda,” Ušakovs said during the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Council meeting. Ušakovs emphasized that the EU is interested in the Armenian government’s 
“Crossroads of Peace” initiative, describing the implementation of the project as highly important for the entire region. He highlighted that Armenia must be able to freely choose a European future, which implies also economic diversification, which is yet another reason to focus on opening of connection routes. https://asbarez.com/opposition-lawmaker-calls-on-eu-to-impose-sanctions-on-azerbaijan/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIrfztleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHRNWzvhoYUDITctSAuBVtQ1hUgfVHVxRXD_JqVg-QSKeghRo3q-xNzFLmw_aem_abEBstHFxA8oIPCEI-v6bw

Armenpress.am Politics22:11, 25 February 2025 Yerevan receives response from Azerbaijan on peace treaty - MFA Read the article in: فارسیFrançaisՀայերենРусский简体中文 Armenia has received Azerbaijan's response to the peace treaty, but proposals regarding the unblocking of communication channels and a mechanism for mutual control and verification of armaments remain unanswered, Armenia’s Foreign Ministry press secretary Ani Badalyan told 'Lurer.' Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1212953?fbclid=IwY2xjawIre8hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHdQKxpzjowS4OBGhiQ_KD9G4VjotlFQVEqjVpo86jo71KvkhgjrwWDod8g_aem_mOqyGv8TIyn4LSrD3u8vbw

Armenpress.am Politics12:08, 25 February 2025 MEP calls on Turkiye to stop linking Armenia border opening with Azerbaijan normalization Read the article in: العربيةEspañolՀայերենРусскийTürkçe简体中文 MEP Nils Ušakovs on Tuesday urged Turkiye to separate the opening of the border with Armenia from the Yerevan-Baku normalization process. Speaking at the 4th Meeting of EU-Armenia Parliamentary Partnership Committee, Ušakovs, the co-chair of the committee, said, “We call on Ankara to separate border issues from the Armenia-Azerbaijan relations agenda.” In 2022, Armenia and Turkiye reached an agreement on opening their land border for citizens of third countries and diplomatic passport holders. The agreement is yet to be implemented, but Turkiye has numerously said afterwards that it will open its border with Armenia only after the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan are normalized. Ušakovs emphasized that the EU is interested in the Armenian government’s Crossroads of Peace initiative, describing the implementation of the project as highly important for the entire region. He highlighted that Armenia must be able to freely chose a European future, which implies also economic diversification, which is yet another reason to focus on opening of connection routes. Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1212859?fbclid=IwY2xjawIreKFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfv31y0BbrfU_FesGDi9JxSVpUlphZuj-a_N7CRuHyaDTigWPdtshKjE5g_aem_oEb_oghERHc7jXMuk6tfBA

Azatutyun.am Armenian Opposition Hits Back At French Envoy’s Claim On Karabakh Փետրվար 24, 2025 Ruzanna Stepanian French Ambassador to Armenia Olivier Decottignies. Armenian opposition leaders on Monday rejected as untrue French Ambassador Olivier Decottignies’s claim that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian was not the first leader of Armenia to recognize Azerbaijani sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh. Some of them also accused Decottignies of trying to absolve Pashinian as well as French President Emmanuel Macron of blame for the fall of Karabakh. The Armenian opposition maintains that Pashinian paved the way for Azerbaijan’s recapture of the Armenian-populated region with a statement issued as a result of his 2022 talks in Prague with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev mediated by Macron and then European Council President Charles Michel. The statement cited the December 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration in which Armenia and other newly independent Soviet republics recognized each other’s Soviet-era borders. Decottignies branded Pashinian’s detractors as liars in an interview with Armenia’s Public Radio publicized over the weekend. “Armenia has accepted, recognized that Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan ever since the adoption of the Alma-Ata Declaration because Nagorno-Karabakh was a region of Soviet Azerbaijan,” he said. “Therefore, those who claim that Nagorno-Karabakh was recognized as part of Azerbaijan in 2022 in Prague are lying.” “With all due respect for France and its representatives, I must say that the ambassador is wrong in this case,” said Levon Zurabian, the deputy chairman of former President Levon Ter-Petrosian’s Armenian National Congress party. Yerevan signed the 1991 declaration during Ter-Petrosian’s rule. Zurabian stressed that the Armenian parliament ratified it in February 1992 with serious reservations relating to Karabakh. Czech Republic - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Charles Michel meet in Prague, October 6, 2022. Zurabian also pointed out that later in 1992 the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe set up the Minsk Group tasked with brokering a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict. “The basis of that conflict was that Azerbaijan, Karabakh and Armenia had differing views about what Karabakh’s final status should be,” he said. “As soon as Nikol Pashinian stated in Prague that Armenia recognizes Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan it meant an end to negotiations held under the auspices of the Minsk Group because the subject of the conflict was eliminated.” The group was for decades co-headed by France, Russia and the United States. Eduard Sharmazanov, a leading member of the opposition Republican Party of Armenia led by another ex-president, Serzh Sarkisian, argued that the three mediating powers drafted peace plans upholding the Karabakh Armenians’ right to self-determination. Speaking to journalists, Sharmazanov said that Decottignies is trying to whitewash Pashinian’s Karabakh policy as well as Macron’s personal involvement in the Armenian premier’s 2022 talks with Aliyev. “Macron knows very well that he has personal participation and guilt in the ethnic cleansing of the Armenians of Artsakh and is trying to clear himself by declaring through his ambassador that Nagorno-Karabakh was recognized as part of Azerbaijan 34 years ago,” charged another opposition leader, Andranik Tevanian. The opposition claims were echoed by Hakob Badalian, an independent political analyst. “With his statement, the French ambassador is simply trying to absolve France of responsibility,” he said. Badalian too cited the Armenian parliament’s conditional ratification of the Alma-Ata Declaration. Pashinian claimed last year that its reservations are not valid under international law. https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33326318.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawIqUOpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHW2p8lYMj3Ju7xtMXf9Bz4C6ZinEY8CCDV3tal76RAcH3Lxyjys9GbLVRg_aem_uI_rR6liNFsPcQ0kKURb8w

Armenpress.am Politics09:45, 24 February 2025 Swedish lawmaker hopes EUMA extension will help prevent possible new Azeri attack Read the article in: العربيةՀայերենРусский简体中文 Swedish Member of Parliament Erik Hellsborn has welcomed the extension of the mandate of the EU civilian mission in Armenia (EUMA), expressing hope that it will help prevent a new possible aggression by Azerbaijan. “I think this is very positive,” Hellsborn told Armenpress when asked about the extension of EUMA. The Swedish lawmaker expressed regret that Azeri leader Ilham Aliyev has been continuing his belligerent rhetoric against Armenia. “Regrettably Baku has been using highly aggressive rhetoric against Yerevan again and again. It seems like Aliyev isn’t far from launching a new war. We hope the EU mission can help prevent it,” Hellsborn said. Speaking about the Azerbaijani government’s complaints about EUMA, the Swedish legislator said that Baku itself refused to deploy EUMA on its territory. Hellsborn described the Azerbaijani accusations of espionage by EUMA as absurd. “The EU would have preferred to be able to work on both sides, however Baku rejected this. The claims that there are some spies in the mission are absurd. The mission is very transparent and it even notifies in advance where it will conduct patrols,” Hellsborn said, adding “The question that should be asked here is what is Baku afraid of, it is afraid that the EU will see what?” Hellsborn cautioned against limiting the mission’s mandate. “Of course, these matters are up to Prime Minister Pashinyan and the Armenian parliament to decide,” he said when asked about Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan’s readiness to withdraw EUMA from parts of the border that have been demarcated in response to Aliyev seeking to end the mission. “But I would advise not to limit the mission’s mandate. The mission’s members know what they are doing and are able to make informed decisions about the best locations for conducting patrols,” the Swedish MP added. EUMA was launched in 2023 at the request of Armenia. The mission observes and reports on the security situation along the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan. In January 2025 the EU extended the mandate of the EUMA for a further two years. The EU has numerously denied Azeri accusations of espionage. EUMA chief Markus Ritter recently denied the accusations in an interview with Armenpress. Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1212604?fbclid=IwY2xjawIqR99leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQACfnPbsrkDbNVWPPH7tYuiV5i39CF-Bb65CPKIQNQ63flrq6AZAKlRUQ_aem_upfaxiOi_8oQXLphJpe0jA

Modern Diplomacy Feb 24 2025 Azerbaijan’s “Scrolling Aggression” Could Blow Up Soon Azerbaijan’s victory in the long-disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh was not the end of its conflict with Armenia and Armenians, but merely a turning point in an ongoing campaign. ByDavid Akopyan ByDavid Akopyan Azerbaijan’s victory in the long-disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh was not the end of its conflict with Armenia and Armenians, but merely a turning point in an ongoing campaign. Below the radar of a distracted West, Baku has pursued what might in the spirit of the times be called “scrolling aggression” — a gradual escalation while avoiding anything dramatic enough to trigger a serious Western response. That could be about to change. Until now, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has expanded influence incrementally—by seizing small territories, using diplomatic coercion, ensuring through aggressive rhetoric that Armenia remains on the defensive, then in late 2022 blockading Nagorno-Karabakh and finally, in Sept. 2023, attacking it and causing the exodus of its 120,000 ethnic Armenians. All of that was somehow below the threshold of global consequences. Now Aliyev is after an even bigger prize: the Zangezur (or Meghri) “Corridor”, which Azerbaijan sees as a critical trade route between its Turkish patron and Central Asia. He knows his military and economic superiority will not last forever, and views the next year or two as a critical window to act before Armenia closes the gap. The questions are whether Armenia will properly prepare – and whether the West will continue its indifference and acquiescence. Aliyev’s approach is shaped by four key factors: Internal Politics and Armenophobia: Years of state-sponsored hatred against Armenians have created strong public expectations in Azerbaijan for continued pressure on Armenia. Aliyev leverages this sentiment to maintain his autocratic rule, one of the harshest in the world by any measure, distracting from internal economic challenges. Fear of Decline: Azerbaijan’s economy is currently at its peak, bolstered by high oil and gas revenues, about $75 billion in reserves (SOFAZ State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan assets and national reserves) and a $5 billion military budget for 2025 (compared to Armenia’s $1.7 billion). However, Armenia’s per capita GDP is rising faster, and as Azerbaijan’s oil wealth declines, the gap will close. Aliyev understands this and sees 2025 as a closing window for action. The Prevailing Hobbesian Winds: Vladimir Putin’s assault on Ukraine, Turkey’s brutal interventions in Syria, and not Donald Trump’s own threats against Denmark (over Greenland), Panama (over the canal) and Canada (which he seems to want to annex all suggest a perhaps limited period in which might makes right. Aliyev’s Subtler Relationship with the West: Unlike Russia’s Vladimir Putin or Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, Aliyev has kept diplomatic bridges intact. He regularly attends the World Economic Forum in Davos, engages Western leaders, and offers transactional deals that make the EU hesitant to confront him. Against this complex background, the likelihood of an attack on the corridor cannot be dismissed. If global distractions — such as an Israel-Iran war or Trump deploying U.S. Marines elsewhere — arise, Aliyev may use the smokescreen to escalate. If he calculates this will keep him below the threshold still, he may call the land grab temporary, aimed at securing a trade route for the moment. Part of the equation is the shifting regional balance of power, mainly involving Turkey playing an increasingly decisive role in shaping the South Caucasus. Turkey’s Strategic Victory in Syria: Following regime change in Syria in December 2024, with the victory of rebels back by Turkey, Ankara has significantly expanded its influence. The key question now is whether Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will consolidate power in Syria only – or leverage his momentum to push further for a pro-Turkic corridor through Zangezur to Azerbaijan and Central Asia. Turkey-Azerbaijan Alignment Strengthens: Turkey and Azerbaijan’s strategic alliance remains intact, despite the potentially embarrassing ethnic cleaning of Nagorno-Karabakh’s 120,000 ethnic Armenians. Ankara continues to providing diplomatic cover and military support and will likely deploy its clout as a NATO member to ensure Azerbaijan faces minimal Western pushback. Russia’s Potential Return to the Region: A potential resolution of the Ukraine war could see Russia reasserting its influence in the South Caucasus. Depending on how events unfold, Moscow could either stabilize or further destabilize Armenia’s security situation. Iran’s Position in the South Caucasus: While Iran has historically opposed Azerbaijan’s expansionism, recent developments have weakened its ability to counterbalance Turkish and Azerbaijani moves. If Tehran is further weakened by external pressures, such as an Israeli attack on its nuclear sites, Baku may feel emboldened. What are Armenia’s options? Recent efforts to strengthen U.S.-Armenia relations, including the January 14, 2025, Strategic Partnership Charter, mark progress, but Armenia still lacks the security guarantees provided to formal U.S. allies. While some figures in the Trump administration may be sympathetic to Armenia, the broader foreign policy direction will be transactional. Armenia must proactively demonstrate its strategic value to secure long-term U.S. support. To counter Azerbaijan’s threats, Armenia should pursue a multi-faceted strategy: Accelerate Military Reforms: Defense modernization, including territorial defense forces and high-tech military solutions, must be a top priority. Existing investments in fortifications in the Tavush and Syunik regions must be matched by improved strategic coordination and reserve forces modeled after Israel, which is also a smallish country with huge challenges. Engage Trump’s Administration Effectively: Armenia must move quickly from “strategic partnership” to a formal alliance, leveraging geopolitical alignment and shared values to deepen ties. Strengthen EU Alliances: France, Germany, and Greece are key European partners. Expanding the EU monitoring mission and aligning security frameworks with NATO standards where possible will strengthen Armenia’s position. Maintain Open Channels: A potential resolution to the Ukraine war could bring Russia back into the South Caucasus. Armenia must remain flexible and avoid unnecessary friction with Moscow and Tehran and also build stronger relationships with India, China, Latin America, and Middle Eastern states. The goal is avoiding total dependence on one bloc. Economic Resilience and Defense Industrial Development: Armenia must prioritize the development of its own defense industry, reducing reliance on external suppliers. This includes investing in drone technology, cyber warfare capabilities, and a self-sufficient arms production sector. Counter Azerbaijan’s Narrative in International Arenas: Baku’s diplomatic efforts have largely shielded it from Western sanctions despite its aggression. Armenia must launch a global awareness campaign highlighting Azerbaijan’s human rights violations and expansionist ambitions to increase diplomatic pressure on Baku. The next two years will determine whether the country secures its sovereignty or remains vulnerable to regional power plays. Much like the act of scrolling on one’s social feed, “scrolling aggression” can feel almost passive, and is not attract attention as a drama in its own right. This misleads: we are in a perilous moment that requires a far more proactive strategy than we have seen. Armenia’s fate is not just a regional concern — it is a test case for the future of the international order. If Azerbaijan succeeds with tacit Western acceptance, it will validate the idea that force, not law, determines borders in the 21st century. Coming on the heels of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Turkey’s interventions in Syria, and a rising trend of nations acting with impunity in their spheres of influence, and amid an isolationist streak in U.S. politics — the risk is no less than a global descent into a Hobbesian world ruled by the law of the jungle. David Akopyan Worked 26 years for the UN in 15 countries across all regions. Last 10 years of his UN career in Afghanistan, Somalia, and Syria, holding leadership positions as UN Development Program deputy director, country director and Resident Representative. https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/02/24/azerbaijans-scrolling-aggression-could-blow-up-soon/ --

The Pillar Feb 22 2025 Why the Latin patriarchate is in a fight between Jerusalem and an Orthodox patriarch Edgar Beltrán The patriarchs and heads of Christian churches in Jerusalem published a joint statement Tuesday, condemning the city government’s attempts to seize properties of the Orthodox Armenian Patriarchate — the latest chapter of controversy between Israeli authorities and Christian communities in the region. In the Feb. 18 joint statement, the churches condemned the “unjust foreclosure order issued by the Municipality of Jerusalem. The actions taken against the Armenian Patriarchate, based on an unverified and exorbitant Arnona Tax debt, are legally dubious and morally unacceptable.” The arnona tax is a property tax levied by municipalities in Israel. The tax calculation is based on the size of the property and is one of the main sources of income of Israeli municipalities. Although seemingly a local dispute between one church and a municipal government, rising tensions in Jerusalem have pushed other Christian communities, including the Latin patriarchate to involve itself in the issue, as they fear they might suffer a similar fate. — The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem is part of the Armenian Apostolic Church, an Oriental Orthodox Church and the largest religion in Armenia, accounting for 97% of the population. In 301, Armenia became the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as an official religion. The Armenian Apostolic Church severed ties with the Catholic Church in 610 after rejecting the Christological formula of the Council of Chalcedon. Like other Oriental Orthodox churches, such as the Coptic Church, it is also not in communion with the Eastern Orthodox churches. Although the Armenian presence in the Holy Land dates back to the fourth century, the patriarchate itself started in the seventh century when the Armenian Apostolic Church started appointing its own patriarchs of Jerusalem, making it the longest uninterrupted Christian community in the Holy Land. Even if it leads a small community of around 6,000 Armenians throughout Israel and Palestine, the patriarchate’s historical presence has left its mark. For example, the patriarchate was the first to open a pilgrim house in Jerusalem in the 1830s and opened the first girls’ school in the Holy Land in the 1860s. It is also credited with making the first pictures in the Holy Land in the late 1800s. The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem owns a significant number of properties in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem. The Armenian Quarter comprises one-sixth of the Old City of Jerusalem, and occupies its entire southwest corner. Historically, the Armenian patriarchate funded itself through pilgrim donations. However, during the Crimean War in the 1850s, the flow of pilgrims stopped, which led to the economic collapse of the community during the war. Patriarch Hovhannes X of Smyrna realized after the war that the community could not be at the mercy of foreign wars for its sustenance. The patriarchate started using pilgrims’ donations to buy and develop properties in the Armenian Quarter, a policy that has continued to this day. — According to the municipal government, the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem owes a arnona debt accrued since 1994. If a court rejects the patriarchate’s appeal on Feb. 24, the municipality will seize and auction the properties, some of which have been owned by the patriarchate for centuries. “It is inconceivable that Christian institutions, whose mission for centuries has been to safeguard faith, serve communities, and preserve the sacred heritage of the Holy Land, should now face the threat of property seizure under Israeli administrative measures that disregard due process,” the statement adds. Although the dispute involves only the Armenian Orthodox patriarchate, other Christian communities fear they may face a similar fate – in 2018, the municipality tried to enforce a similar debt collection against all Christian churches in the Holy Land, but the push was eventually stopped. According to The National, the Latin patriarchate and other Orthodox patriarchates fear that the current push in the Armenian Quarter could set a precedent that would be applied to other Christian communities in the Holy Land. Moreover, tensions between Christian communities and Israeli authorities have increased because an increase in the number and intensity of attacks against Christians. An Aid to the Church in Need report said that attacks on Christians have increased in Israel since 2023, including a “a worrying increase in severe property and physical assaults” The churches allege that the municipality has not followed due process in its attempts to collect the debt, and intends to proceed with the seizure before a judicial appeal is heard on Feb. 24. “Particularly alarming is the municipality’s attempt to enforce a debt determination without judicial scrutiny, and in defiance of the governmental committee established to negotiate such matters in good faith. This reckless move jeopardizes the Orthodox Armenian Patriarchate and sets a perilous precedent that could imperil Christian institutions throughout the Holy Land,” the statement says. “Through a confiscation of assets, attempts to the right of existence of the Orthodox Armenian Church, depriving it of the necessary economic resources to live and operate and depriving the local Armenian people of the pastoral care of their Church,” it adds. The statement called upon the Israeli government to “immediately intervene, freeze all foreclosure proceedings, and ensure that negotiations resume within the above-mentioned governmental committee in order to reach an amicable solution regarding this issue in the spirit of justice.” “The targeting of one Church is an assault on all, and we cannot remain silent while the foundations of our Christian witness in the land of Christ’s ministry are shaken.” In a separate Feb. 18 statement, the patriarchate said that “If, God forbidding, the patriarchate’s petition is denied, the Jerusalem municipality will seize real estate properties belonging to the Patriarchate and put them up for auction in order to collect allegedly disputed debts that have never been proven in judicial proceedings, and through customary practices heretofore, have never been enforced.” The patriarchate itself alleged that the municipality actually owes it a significant amount of money in rental fees. “The conduct of the Jerusalem Municipality in this matter is especially inappropriate, as it initiated this aggressive process despite the municipality itself owing the patriarchate millions of shekels in overdue rental fees. However, the patriarchate has refrained from taking legal action to enforce payment and, instead, has been engaged in prolonged negotiations with the municipality in an effort to resolve the debt amicably.” https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/why-the-latin-patriarchate-is-in

Armenpress.am Azerbaijan15:41, 22 February 2025 ‘Truly sad’, French envoy on Azerbaijan suspending local BBC operations Read the article in: ՀայերենРусский French Ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Boillon has expressed regret over Baku’s decision to suspend the BBC Azerbaijani operations. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday ordered the suspension of BBC News' Azerbaijani service, which operated in the country since 1994. “The BBC's provision of services in Azerbaijani [language] was a sign of respect and interest in the Azerbaijani people and culture. This is truly sad. France knows what it owes the BBC,” French Ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Boillon said in a post on X, commenting on the suspension. The BBC said in a statement on Thursday that it had made the "reluctant decision" to close its office in the country after receiving a verbal instruction from the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The corporation added that it "deeply" regrets "this restrictive move against press freedom". Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1212675?fbclid=IwY2xjawInqQRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXcy6e2aoMA2Zrzbo7BrtmqhpNr7fd3YMvZmM6ZbEQo_35jBXCWW8RGtAA_aem_GRJJVLg7azmS-uLjzGssTQ

Greek City Times Feb 22 2025 Christian Leaders Unite Against Jerusalem’s Attempted Seizure of Armenian Church Land Jerusalem, February 20, 2025 – Leaders of major Christian denominations, including the Armenian, Catholic, and Greek Orthodox churches, have issued a strong condemnation of the Jerusalem Municipality’s attempt to seize property owned by the Armenian Patriarchate. The municipality alleges three decades of unpaid taxes, a claim the Patriarchate refutes, and has initiated legal action to seize the assets. Christian leaders are urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to intervene and halt this action. Patriarch Nourhan Manougian of the Armenian Patriarchate has written directly to Netanyahu, requesting protection for church properties. The Patriarchate released a statement Tuesday, asserting that the municipality is deliberately targeting them with economic pressure to diminish their presence in the Holy Land. A court hearing regarding the Patriarchate’s petition against the seizure is scheduled for February 24th. If the municipality’s legal challenge succeeds, it could set a dangerous legal precedent, jeopardizing other Christian-owned properties. The joint statement from the three denominations criticizes the municipality’s actions as both legally questionable and morally reprehensible. They argue that seizing property from Christian institutions, which have served the community and preserved the Holy Land’s heritage for centuries, disregards due process. Furthermore, the leaders express alarm at the municipality’s attempt to bypass judicial review and the established governmental committee intended to negotiate such disputes. This “reckless move,” they warn, threatens not only the Armenian Patriarchate but all Christian institutions in the Holy Land. This latest incident is part of an ongoing struggle between Christian institutions and Israeli authorities regarding property tax exemptions, known as ‘Arnona’. In 2018, following public outcry, the Israeli government suspended legislation aimed at collecting back taxes from churches. However, tensions resurfaced in 2024 when multiple municipalities threatened legal action against churches for alleged outstanding tax debts, sparking accusations of a coordinated attack on their presence. The Armenian Christian community, with an unbroken 1,700-year history in Jerusalem, faces mounting challenges. In addition to the property dispute, they contend with rising hostility from Jewish ultranationalists and a controversial, undisclosed land lease agreement involving a Jewish developer planning to build a luxury hotel within the Armenian Quarter. https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/02/22/christian-leaders-unite-against-jerusalems-attempted-seizure-of-armenian-church-land/

Azatutyun.am Azeri Corridor Through Armenia ‘Part Of Peace Deal Sought By Baku’ Փետրվար 21, 2025 One of the two sticking points in Armenian-Azerbaijani talks on a bilateral peace treaty relates to Azerbaijan’s demands for a land corridor to its Nakhichevan exclave passing through Armenia, a senior official in Baku claimed on Friday. “At the moment, 15 out of 17 points of the peace agreement have been agreed upon,” Ziyafet Askerov, a deputy speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament was quoted by the Trend news agency as saying. “One of the two points that have not been agreed upon concerns the opening of the Zangezur corridor. The second point concerns territorial claims enshrined in Armenia’s constitution.” Askerov’s Armenian opposite number, Ruben Rubinian, denied his claim. “This is absolutely not true,” Rubinian told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service. Askerov seemed to contradict Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s remarks made in December. Aliyev said the two remaining articles of the draft treaty put forward by Baku would require the two sides to drop international lawsuits filed against each other and ban the presence of third-party monitors or troops on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian essentially confirmed this afterwards, a fact emphasized by Rubinian. Also, a senior aide to Aliyev said last summer that Baku and Yerevan have agreed to exclude the issue of transport links for Nakhichevan from the text of the peace deal and to address it separately. The Azerbaijani side wants people and cargo transported to and from Nakhichevan through Armenia’s Syunik province to be exempt from Armenian border checks. Yerevan has rejected these demands, at least until recently. But it has also offered to put in place “simplified procedures” for such transit. Members of Pashinian’s political team made last week ambiguous statements about his current terms for opening the transport links for Nakhichevan, fueling Armenian opposition claims that Yerevan may have agreed to the extraterritorial corridor demanded by Baku. Opposition leaders say Pashinian has also accepted Aliyev’s demand to change the Armenian constitution. Aliyev has also set other conditions for signing the peace deal sought by Pashinian. https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33323427.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawImXyRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHa9sVt_NsDwy9cG5P5WatUrBFkQwlD1DEEOTwJWBSx8KUrjVU4BIDT3F-Q_aem_RUUSmVzeY3YNvEw-TzM9Rw

Asbarez.com UPDATED: Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument in Montebello Designated State Historic Landmark by Asbarez Staff February 21, 2025 in Featured Main, Latest, News, Top Stories State Sen. Bob Archuleta declares the Martyrs Monument a Historic Landmark during an event on Feb. 21 The Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument in Montebello “is here to stay,” declared California State Senator Bob Archuleta as he announced that the State Historical Resources Commission unanimously voted to officially designate the Monument as a California State Historical Landmark, during a special ceremony Friday at the foot of the monument in Bicknell Park. Archuleta (D-30) led the effort to designate the monument, which was passed unanimously by the State Historical Resources Commission last week. Archuletta, who has long served the Montebello area, with his eyes filled with tears, said, “Today is the first step in many…And now, 10 Million people in LA County will know. The Martyrs Monument is a testament that serves us well to remind us all to continue working… for the 100,000 Armenians displaced from their traditional lands in Artsakh in 2023. We’ve not forgotten.” The event, attended by state and local officials, as well as Armenian community organizations, began with an invocation and prayers by the leaders of the four Armenian denominations. The high school students from the Armenian Mesrobian School were also present. “The monument has long stood as a powerful symbol of resilience, remembrance, and justice for Armenians. Today is a historic day, as we proudly announce that this monument is officially designated as a California State Historic Landmark,” said the Montebello Mayor Salvador Melendez. “Things don’t happen if leadership is absent. And this monument would not have been designated today if Senator Archuleta hadn’t stood up to make this happen. This monument is not only a structure, but a constant reminder that the events of 1915 must never happen again.” stated Senator Maria Elena Durazo. “It is our duty to educate, and share this story, and work tirelessly so that all of California’s history is visible, honored, and protected,” she added. “We are proud, and touched as a community, of the opportunity to be here today on this historic day. As the only Armenian legislator in the caucus, I can tell you that there are a lot of people in Sacramento who don’t have Armenian blood but are Armenians by heart. Because of those people, this designation was made possible today,” the newly-elected Chair of California’s Armenian Legislative Caucus, John Harabedian, emphasized “As a proud member of the Armenian legislative caucus, I want to thank Senator Bob Archuleta for giving us the opportunity to preserve the largest and oldest monument on the land of Montebello dedicated to the Armenian Genocide. Thank you, Senator, for spearheading this movement,” said Assemblymember Mark Gonzales, whose Assembly district encompasses the city of Montebello. Religious leaders welcome the monument designation “The Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument stands as a powerful reminder of our history and the sacrifices made by our ancestors. This designation not only honors their memory but also reinforces the importance of educating future generations about the truths of history.” said Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region Board Chair Oshin Harootoonian stated. “Furthermore, Armenians from all around the United States should follow Montebello’s lead to advocate for the designation of all Armenian Genocide Memorials across the board,” he added. “In a scene you only see in the movies, a helicopter landing on the grass and out came Governor Ronald Reagan to give his speech with tangible empathy and incredible strength,” said Armen Hovannisian, a representative of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western U.S. Central Committee said in a sentimental tribute. “Without that generation of giants, this Hushartsan [monument] would not have reached high into the sky. For nearly 60 years, these sacred grounds wouldn’t have been our safe, shared place of collective memory and continuing inspiration,” said Hovannisian. “This monument stands not just as a testament to the resilience of the Armenian people but as a defiant response to those who sought to erase our history. It reminds us that even in the face of denial and opposition, our community has persevered—building schools, churches, and institutions that have strengthened our identity and ensured that the truth endures for generations to come,” he added. “The greater Armenian community of Armenians has used this monument to remember all those who lost their lives during the atrocities in 1915 by the Ottoman Empire,” said Murad Minasian, the son of one of the founders of the Monument. “Montebello has always been our home, and we have always felt welcome here. Looking back, we were always certain that this monument would become a historical landmark, and today, with the help of Senator Archuleta, it finally is. Mission accomplished because of the unwavering support of Senator Bob Archuleta,” Minasian added. “We wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the Original 18 Founding Members, most of whom are watching us from above,” he said. He then proceeded to read the names of the founding members as follows: Hagop Abduian, Hrant Agbabian, Krikor Aivazian, Hagop and Marilyn Arshagouni, Vartan Fundukian, Harmik Hacobian, Dr. Richard Hovannisian, Osheen Keshishian, George Mandossian, Hagop Marnjikian, Michael Minasian, Vasken Minasian, Bob Movel, Varoujan Movsesian, Hagop Nazarian, Misak Sevacherian and Jivan Tabibian. “Recognizing this monument as a historical landmark is a legacy that not only honors the past but educates future generations. This monument is not only that but a classroom without walls. As the principal of Armenian Mesrobian School, I stand here today with our high school students who represent the future of our community, the carriers of our identity, and the guardians of our History. On behalf of the school board, we thank Senator Bob Archuleta for the years of support throughout his tenure.” said Lena Garabedian, the Principal of Armenian Mesrobian School. Archuletta also recognized twin brothers Nick and Dylan Khatchikian from Mesrobian Armenian School basketball team who last month shattered the California state record by scoring 102 points in a single boys’ varsity basketball game. Their presence represents the continued omnipresence of Armenian-American youth in their communities and the fact that Genocide remembrance is not reserved for the elderly but is present in all generations. Constructed in 1968 as a modern sculptural interpretation of traditional Armenian church architecture, the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument honors the memory of the one-and-a-half million victims of the Armenian Genocide in 1915 and their descendants. Today, it stands not only as a symbol of the tragedies that befell the Armenian people but also as a beacon of resilience for over half a million Armenian-Americans residing in California, which is home to the largest Armenian diaspora in the world. Every year in April, the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument is the site of a solemn commemoration where thousands gather to honor the memory of the 1.5 million martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. This April, community leaders, elected officials, and activists will come together to reaffirm their commitment to justice, remembrance, and recognition, ensuring that the voices of those lost continue to resonate through generations in Montebello, now officially recognized as a California State Historical Landmark. This designation not only cements the monument’s significance in the state’s history but also reinforces the Armenian American community’s enduring fight for justice and recognition. Asbarez will provide more coverage and perspective in its upcoming editions. https://asbarez.com/armenian-genocide-martyrs-monument-in-montebello-designated-state-historic-landmark/?fbclid=IwY2xjawImXDRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTlQEtGXS7mL3yA3ovAnaQN_UERZF2XkwDCo0Yr9Jni0LvVcc7FPnz133g_aem_X3bCvXafPogLovojGvjdzg

Christian News Feb 21 2025 Jerusalem authorities accused of 'blatant attack' on religious freedom over Armenian property threat Fri Feb 21 2025by Donna Birrell The Heads of Churches in Jerusalem and the World Council of Churches (WCC) have accused authorities in Jerusalem of a "blatant attack on religious freedom" over plans to foreclose on the city’s Armenian Patriarchate. The Orthodox Armenian Patriarchate in East Jerusalem warned this week that Israel intended to confiscate its properties, claiming unpaid debts accrued over the last 30 years. Writing on X, the organisation said it had been targeted with "crippling taxes" which were being "unjustly levied". It went on to describe the situation as a "crushing threat" that "can become a precedent set against ALL Christian Communities of Jerusalem". A petition is due to be heard next week. The group warned that if the petition is thrown out, the Jewish Municipality would seize its properties and put them up for auction. The plans are said to pose an "existential threat" to the Armenian Christian Quarter which has had a presence in the Old City for more than 1700 years and which is one of the most historically significant communities in the Holy Land. The Patriarchs and Heads of Local Churches are urging Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to intervene and freeze the foreclosure proceedings. In a statement, they described the move as "reckless" and said it "sets a perilous precedent" that could "imperil Christian institutions throughout the Holy Land". The WCC’s General Secretary Prof Dr Jerry Pillay said it stands in solidarity with the Armenian Patriarchate: “We denounce this act as a blatant attack on religious freedom and an alarming violation of the historic Status Quo that governs the Holy Sites of Jerusalem… “For centuries, the Armenian Patriarchate, alongside other Christian institutions, has safeguarded the sacred heritage of the Holy Land, serving as a beacon of faith, community service, and justice… “This reckless action is part of a wider pattern of increasing pressures, land disputes, and acts of intimidation targeting Christian communities in the Holy City—acts that the WCC has repeatedly condemned,” he said. “We call upon the Israeli government to immediately freeze the foreclosure proceedings and uphold the internationally recognized Status Quo of Jerusalem.” The petition is due to be heard on Monday 24th February. https://premierchristian.news/us/news/article/jerusalem-authorities-accused-of-attack-on-religious-freedom

Orthodox Times Feb 21 2025 Church leaders condemn foreclosure against Armenian Patriarchate, call for urgent intervention The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem have issued a strong condemnation of an unjust foreclosure order against the Armenian Patriarchate, calling on the Israeli government to immediately intervene and halt the municipality’s actions. In a joint letter, the church leaders expressed deep concern over the decision by the Municipality of Jerusalem to seize property belonging to the Orthodox Armenian Patriarchate based on what they describe as an “unverified and exorbitant Arnona Tax debt”. “Legally Dubious and Morally Unacceptable” “With great concern, we, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, stand in steadfast solidarity with the Orthodox Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem in its pursuit of justice against an unjust foreclosure order issued by the Municipality of Jerusalem. The actions taken against the Armenian Patriarchate, based on an unverified and exorbitant Arnona Tax debt, are legally dubious and morally unacceptable,” the letter states. The Christian leaders denounced the move, stressing that Christian institutions in the Holy Land have, for centuries, played a crucial role in safeguarding faith, serving communities, and preserving sacred heritage. “It is inconceivable that Christian institutions, whose mission for centuries has been to safeguard faith, serve communities, and preserve the sacred heritage of the Holy Land, should now face the threat of property seizure under Israeli administrative measures that disregard due process,” the letter continues. Threat to Religious Freedom and Christian Presence The church leaders expressed particular alarm over the municipality’s attempt to enforce the tax debt without judicial scrutiny and in defiance of a governmental committee established to negotiate such disputes. “This reckless move jeopardizes the Orthodox Armenian Patriarchate and sets a perilous precedent that could imperil Christian institutions throughout the Holy Land,” they warned. The letter further highlights the broader implications of the foreclosure, arguing that the seizure of church property directly threatens the freedom of religion, a fundamental right that underpins all others. “This action undermines the freedom of religion, which is the foundation of all other rights, since through a confiscation of assets, attempts to the right of existence of the Orthodox Armenian Church, depriving it of the necessary economic resources to live and operate and depriving the local Armenian people of the pastoral care of their Church.” A Call for Immediate Government Action Emphasizing the collective nature of the Christian presence in Jerusalem, the church leaders invoked a passage from 1 Corinthians 12:26: “If one member suffers, all suffer together.” They framed the targeting of the Armenian Patriarchate as an assault on all Christian institutions in the Holy Land and called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, and Minister Tzachi Hanegbi to intervene immediately. “We call upon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, and Minister Tzachi Hanegbi to immediately intervene, freeze all foreclosure proceedings, and ensure that negotiations resume within the above-mentioned governmental committee in order to reach an amicable solution regarding this issue in the spirit of justice.” A Plea for Justice and Preservation of Faith The letter concludes with a plea for righteousness to prevail, urging that the Holy Land remains a beacon of faith for future generations. “May righteousness prevail, and may the Holy Land remain a beacon of faith for generations to come.” This latest escalation of tensions between the Christian community and Israeli authorities has raised fears of further pressures on religious institutions in the region. Church leaders and international organizations are now closely monitoring the situation, as calls for justice grow louder. Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem https://orthodoxtimes.com/church-leaders-condemn-foreclosure-against-armenian-patriarchate-call-for-urgent-intervention/

MediaMax, Armenia Feb 21 2025 Armen Darbinian: Armenia and Russia need to take a sober look at history, the present and the future At the end of January, we reported about the publication of the analytical report by the Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) of the Russian Academy of Sciences “Armenia’s foreign policy at a crossroads: the crisis of multi-vector approach”. The full report is available at this link. At Mediamax’s request, former Prime Minister of Armenia, Professor Armen Darbinyan provided comments on the IMEMO report. It was a clear choice of the Russian vector Describing Armenia’s policy before the turn in 2020 as “multi-vector” is possible only with the propagandistic goal of consolidating this thesis in the Russian public consciousness. In the Armenian public consciousness, it was not, is not and will not be as such, even if you put enough intellectual effort into it. The Armenian community (both inside and outside Armenia) is absolutely convinced of the pro-Russian vector of the foreign policy before the second Karabakh war, given the unlimited access of Russian state monopolies to resources, a monopoly position in the Armenian infrastructure, identical votes in the UN, verification and obtaining permission for any foreign policy actions, mandatory personnel approvals for positions in the Foreign and Defense ministries. It was a clear choice of one vector - the Russian one. Some pro-Western “antics” did not count at all: both in the West and in Russia, everyone understood perfectly well that they were not serious. An ally or a mediator? The fact that Russia did not want to become a party to the conflict but wanted to remain only a mediator made reasonable and unbiased analysts in Armenia that Russia suspect that Russia did not want to resolve the conflict; it was in Russia’s interests to remain an eternal mediator, offering either a carrot or a stick to the parties of the conflict (by the way, three parties, not two - Karabakh has always been a separate party, closest to Russia). For the overwhelming majority of Armenians, Russia was perceived not as a mediator, but as an ally that guaranteed the right of the Armenians of Karabakh to live on their own land, as well as, of course, the inviolability of the ancestral Armenian borders. The thesis does not stand up to criticism In the space of scientific analytics, the narrative that “Armenia itself did not become a direct participant in the conflict” is incorrect. It was only an unsuccessful attempt by official Armenia to distance itself from the military conflict in order to avoid being accused of occupation actions. This thesis does not stand up to criticism even from a formal point of view: since 1999, the OSCE Minsk Group and all three co-chairs of the Group have negotiated only with Armenia, not with Karabakh, Armenian conscripts served in Karabakh, Armenia was officially the guarantor of the security of the NKR. Subtle hint that remains unnoticed The narrative about the “cultural and historical heritage” of Armenians and Armenia, the “cultural and civilizational” commonality with Russia, the “centuries-old positive experience of relations with Russia” runs like a red line throughout the report. There is a subtle hint here, and it is a pity that Russia prefers not to notice it: the cultural and historical heritage of Armenians includes a huge layer of the so-called Western Armenia, which lacks such commonality with Russia. The USSR used this subtlety very well: the Armenian Diaspora in the West was mainly a conductor and a very effective lobbyist for the interests of the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, Russia has lost this asset by now. Furthermore, two centuries of a joint journey do not constitute “many” centuries: “many” centuries means more than two centuries at least. We need to get rid of propaganda terminology, and take a sober and honest look at history, the present, and the future. It is also important to understand that Armenia is not “re-evaluating” its own cultural and historical heritage, but simply attempts to move away from ideological cliches and objectively examine historical facts in their variety. And in the context of Armenian-Russian relations, unfortunately, they are not only “positive”. It is enough to recall the tandem of Lenin and Ataturk, as well as many other things. Real multi-vector approach And, of course, I cannot agree with the conclusion of the report about two scenarios - either the death of statehood, or the Russian vector. Meanwhile, the third scenario is indicated in the very title of the report - it is the MULTI-VECTOR approach. Real, not imaginary and not sham as it used to be prior to 2020. At the same time, the task of Armenian analysts and politicians is to show and prove Russia’s BENEFIT from the Armenian multi-vector approach (it exists, it is considerable, in some instances even irreplaceable), and the task of Russian analysts and politicians is to take a broader look at Armenia and the Armenian factor in world politics and not perceive it as an appendix. https://mediamax.am/en/news/foreignpolicy/57028/

Jewish News Syndicate Feb 21 2025 Israeli arrested for ax attack on woman in capital’s Armenian Quarter The suspect was arrested at a yeshivah in the Tiberias area. (Feb. 21, 2025 / JNS) A man in his 20s from central Israel was arrested this week by Jerusalem District Police on suspicion of attacking a woman with an ax in her home on Wednesday. On Friday morning, a court extended the suspect’s remand until Feb. 25. He is accused of storming into the woman’s residence in the Armenian Quarter of the Old City and striking her head with the weapon. Following the attack, the suspect allegedly fled on foot and later escaped the area by taxi. The victim sustained moderate wounds and was evacuated to a hospital. Jerusalem District Police officers and Border Police units quickly arrived at the scene and conducted extensive searches for the suspect, and forensic teams collected evidence to aid in identifying him. On Thursday night, officers tracked his escape route, leading to his arrest by Tiberias Police at a yeshivah in northern Israel, where he was hiding. The suspect had attempted to alter his appearance by shaving his beard to evade capture. The investigation revealed that the suspect and the victim were previously acquainted, which led him to enter her home and commit the violent assault. https://www.jns.org/israeli-arrested-for-ax-attack-on-woman-in-capitals-armenian-quarter/

Good luck with Trump, he is more pro Turkey and azerbaijan!

World Council of Churches Feb 20 2025 WCC stands in solidarity with the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem The World Council of Churches (WCC) stands in solidarity with the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem in the face of an unjust foreclosure order issued by the Municipality of Jerusalem, said Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary. “We denounce this act as a blatant attack on religious freedom and an alarming violation of the historic Status Quo that governs the Holy Sites of Jerusalem,” he said. “For centuries, the Armenian Patriarchate, alongside other Christian institutions, has safeguarded the sacred heritage of the Holy Land, serving as a beacon of faith, community service, and justice.” Pillay added that the coercive measures taken against the Patriarchate constitute not only a legal and moral travesty but also a dangerous precedent that threatens all Christian institutions in Jerusalem. “This reckless action is part of a wider pattern of increasing pressures, land disputes, and acts of intimidation targeting Christian communities in the Holy City—acts that the WCC has repeatedly condemned,” he said. “We call upon the Israeli government to immediately freeze the foreclosure proceedings and uphold the internationally recognized Status Quo of Jerusalem.” Pillay further urged the international community, including religious and political leaders, to take decisive action to protect the fundamental rights of Christian communities and to ensure that the Holy Land remains a place of worship, peace, and coexistence for all. “The World Council of Churches reaffirms its unwavering commitment to justice and peace in the Holy Land,” he said. “We will continue to advocate, to accompany, and to raise our voice in defense of the sacred heritage and dignity of all people in the Holy Land.” WCC Statement of solidarity with the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem https://www.oikoumene.org/news/wcc-stands-in-solidarity-with-the-armenian-patriarchate-in-jerusalem

Feb 20 2025 Christian leaders demand Israel stops seizure of Armenian Church land Major Christian denominations condemned the Jerusalem Municipality's attempts to seize the Armenian Patriarchate's property and called on Netanyahu to step in. Christian leaders in Jerusalem are calling on the Israeli government to prevent the city's authorities from seizing property owned by the Armenian Patriarchate, a move which they say threatens the centuries-old presence of Christian institutions throughout the Holy Land. In a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the head of the Patriarchate Nourhan Manougian called for church property to be protected from the Jerusalem Municipality, which is attempting to seize assets for what it claims are three decades of unpaid taxes. The Patriarchate has denied owing taxes to the authority and filed a legal petition to prevent the confiscation of property it has owned for hundreds of years. "This is a clear attempt by the Municipality to undermine the Armenian Patriarchate through singling it out with economic pressure, with the aim of diminishing its presence in the Holy Land," it said in a statement on Tuesday. If the petition is denied, it will establish a "dangerous legal precedent" that will legitimise the seizure of assets belonging to Christian institutions. A hearing on the patriarchate's petition will be held on 24 February. The Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches joined with the Armenian Patriarchate to condemn what they called the municipality's "legally dubious and morally unacceptable" actions and demanded the Israeli government step in. "It is inconceivable that Christian institutions, whose mission for centuries has been to safeguard faith, serve communities, and preserve the sacred heritage of the Holy Land, should now face the threat of property seizure under Israeli administrative measures that disregard due process," the three Christian denominations said in a joint statement. This is the latest development in a long-running stand-off between Christians and Israeli authorities, which for years have threatened to unwind the centuries-old property tax, or 'Arnona', exemption enjoyed by churches. Following protests, the Israeli government suspended legislation in 2018 that would have allowed municipalities to confiscate property if churches didn't pay millions in backdated taxes, and set up a committee to negotiate the matter. In 2024, several municipalities threatened to take legal action against the churches if they did not pay the alleged tax debts, leading Christian leaders to accuse Israeli authorities of a “coordinated attack” on their presence. "Particularly alarming is the municipality's attempt to enforce a debt determination without judicial scrutiny, and in defiance of the governmental committee established to negotiate such matters in good faith," the patriarchs said in the statement. "This reckless move jeopardises the Orthodox Armenian Patriarchate and sets a perilous precedent that could imperil Christian institutions throughout the Holy Land." Christian minorities in Israel and the occupied territories have faced increased hostility from Jewish ultranationalists since the election of the current far-right government in 2023, with attacks on Armenian people and church property rising. The community is also under threat from a secret land lease agreement with a Jewish developer, who wants to build a luxury hotel in the middle of the city's Armenian Quarter. Armenian Christians have lived in Jerusalem for 1,700 years, making it the Christian community with the longest uninterrupted presence in the city. https://www.newarab.com/news/jerusalem-churches-demand-israel-halt-armenian-property-grab

Palestine Chronicle Feb 20 2025 Armenian Patriarchate Warns of Israeli Threat to Seize Properties in East Jerusalem By Palestine Chronicle Staff The Armenian Patriarchate in East Jerusalem warned on Wednesday that Israel intended to confiscate its properties in the occupied city, claiming that it has accrued debts since 1994. “The hearing for the administrative petition filed by the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem is set for Monday, February 24, 2025,” the Patriarchate said in a statement this week. It explained that the petition was filed “as an attempt to stop the foreclosure process against real estate properties that the Patriarchate has owned for centuries, so as to collect Arnona (Municipal Tax) debts that have allegedly accrued since 1994.” “If, God forbidding, the Patriarchate’s petition is denied, the Jerusalem Municipality will seize real estate properties belonging to the Patriarchate and put them up for auction in order to collect allegedly disputed debts that have never been proven in judicial proceedings, and through customary practices heretofore, have never been enforced,” the statement noted. ‘Plaintiff, Judge and Executioner’ The statement further noted that the petition was aimed “at the actions of the collection officer,” an employee of the Jerusalem Municipality “who has ‘determined’ that the Patriarchate owes an astronomical debt, without regard for the statute of limitations, and without providing clear identification of the basis for the alleged debt.” Furthermore, “a significant portion” of the alleged debt relates to a property that is actually leased to the municipality itself, said the statement. “The same municipal employee refuses to review the validity of the debt he himself determined, citing formal-procedural grounds that the deadline for objection has passed,” added the religious authority. This is so, even though the Patriarchate demonstrated that “the claims were not properly delivered” to it within the required time frame. “In other words, the municipal employee acts as the plaintiff, the judge, and the executor, all in one, serving the interests of his employer – the Municipality,” said the statement. The foreclosure proceedings were temporarily suspended upon the filing of the petition. However, the Patriarchate warned that should the petition be denied, the Municipality will be permitted to “immediately resume” the seizure of specific properties. ‘Dangerous Legal Precedent’ “It will also establish a dangerous legal precedent that could legitimize the expropriation of property rights and the involuntary liquidation of assets belonging to the Christian religious institutions and communities in Israel,” said the statement. “This would result in far greater harm to the property owners than the amount of the alleged disputed debts,” it added. “To the best of our knowledge, the Armenian Patriarchate is the only Christian community chosen — and perhaps targeted — to face such unprecedented and irreversible measures due to the alleged Arnona debt,” the statement continued. It said that the conduct of the municipality was “especially inappropriate” considering the municipality itself “owing the Patriarchate millions of shekels in overdue rental fees.” “Filing against the Armenian Patriarchate in the execution office, forcing it to pay the alleged Arnona debt, and, even more so, proceeding with the foreclosure of its properties, could jeopardize” the authority’s “long-standing mission in the Holy Land, which has been active since the 7th century,” the statement noted. Appeal to Netanyahu It could also “threaten the continued existence of the Armenian community in the Holy Land, which dates back to the 4th century.” It said the municipality’s action was “a clear attempt” to “undermine” the Patriarchate by “singling it out with economic pressure, with the aim of diminishing its presence in the Holy Land.” The Patriarchate called upon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, and the head of the governmental committee, Tzachi Hanegbi, “to intervene decisively and immediately freeze all actions taken by the Municipality.” “We also urge them to resume the meetings of this governmental committee in order to find an amicable resolution to this issue, solely through negotiation within the framework established by the committee,” the statement concluded. Outcry from Churches In a statement on Wednesday, the Patriarchs and Heads of Local Churches of Jerusalem issued a statement affirming its “steadfast solidarity” with the Armenian Patriarchate “in its pursuit of justice against an unjust foreclosure order.” “This reckless move jeopardizes the Orthodox Armenian Patriarchate and sets a perilous precedent that could imperil Christian institutions throughout the Holy Land,” the statement added. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) also condemned the municipality’s action saying that “Israel is set to tax, seize and auction off properties that have been owned for centuries” by the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem. “This illegal action represents a direct threat to the survival of the 1,700+ year old Armenian Christian Quarter and all the diverse faith-based communities” of the holy city, it added. (The Palestine Chronicle) https://www.palestinechronicle.com/armenian-patriarchate-warns-of-israeli-threat-to-seize-properties-in-east-jerusalem/

The Maine Wire Feb 19 2025 Maine ‘Office of New Americans’ Director Faces Backlash, Calls for Resignation Over Anti-Armenian Social Media Posts By Edward Tomic Several members of Maine’s Armenian community are calling for the resignation of the director of the Maine Office of New Americans (ONA) due to his history of making anti-Armenian comments on social media. Tarlan Ahmadov was appointed by Gov. Janet Mills as ONA director in December 2024. Ahmadov previously served as the director of the Division of Programs at Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Employment Services, and as the state refugee coordinator with Catholic Charities Maine. [RELATED: Janet Mills Names Director of Taxpayer-Funded State Migrant Resettlement Office…] ONA, the state migrant resettlement office, was initially put forward in an executive order by Gov. Mills in August 2023. Mills directed the Governor’s Office of Policy, Innovation and the Future (GOPIF) to develop a plan to create the ONA, as part of a nationwide network of similar state resettlement offices. Although a standalone bill to create the office sponsored by Ahmadov’s longtime friend, Rep. Deqa Dhalac (D-South Portland), failed to pass during the last legislative session, on the final day of the session Democratic lawmakers attached just over $300,000 to fund the creation of the ONA to the budget, which was passed on a party line vote. [RELATED: Mills Admin, Nonprofits, and Big Biz Back New Migrant Resettlement Agency for Maine…] Ahmadov, himself an immigrant to Maine from Azerbaijan, is also the founder of the Azerbaijan Society of Maine, and comments extensively on Azeri geopolitical issues on his X profile, where he posts under the handle “Falcon.” Although Ahmadov did not respond to inquiries from the Maine Wire, he changed the location on his X profile Wednesday morning to Mainesville, Ohio, before deleting the account altogether. Among his posts on X are several that are critical of Armenia and use harsh rhetoric against the Armenian people. In the fall of 2020, shortly after conflict erupted between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, Ahmadov made a post referring to Armenia as an “Occupant and Aggressor” with a map showing the Armenian flag covering the western seaboard of the U.S., an area of the country with a large Armenian-American diaspora population. A similar post made by Ahmadov asks, “Why not to recognize California as independent Armenian Republic? There are a lot Armenians there ? [sic]” In another post made that same year, Ahmadov suggested that celebrity Kim Kardashian is a terrorist for making a donation to an Armenian organization. Ahmadov also called former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick “turkophobic” for making a statement in support of Armenia against Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Ahmadov previously attracted criticism in his role as president of the Azerbaijan Society of Maine for drafting a controversial mayoral proclamation for the City of Portland in early 2021 to recognize Feb. 26 at “Khojaly Remembrance Day,” referring to the 1992 killing of hundreds of Azerbaijani civilians by Armenian and Soviet forces, and describing the massacre as a genocide. That proclamation was later rescinded by then-Portland Mayor Kate Snyder after criticism from the city’s Armenian-American population, who argued the proclamation was inaccurate and part of a propaganda campaign by Azerbaijan and Turkey. In contrast to his history of vitriolic social media posts about Armenians, Ahmadov said following his appointment as ONA director that he will “foster welcoming communities across the state.” Ahmadov’s appointment was celebrated at the time by representatives of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Catholic Charities Maine, the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, the Maine Immigrants Rights Coalition, and a slew of other migrant advocacy nonprofit organizations. In an email thread on which the Maine Wire was CC’d, Armenian Mainers and representatives of Maine’s migrant community called for Ahmadov to resign or be fired in the wake of his comments. Husein Sahnun emailed statement to GOPIF Director Hannah Pingree, Deputy Director Sarah Curran, and Communications Director Jackie Farwell: Ahmudi Aweys email: Abdi Iftin email: The embattled Ahmadov has built an impressive career working with foreign governments, migrant resettlement agencies, and USAID-funded NGOs, while establishing deep ties to the Maine Democratic Party. Prior to his immigration to the U.S. in 2003, Ahmadov worked in the education field in Baku, Azerbaijan, and later worked as a consultant to the Azeri Consulate in Tehran, Iran, according to a summary of his biographical information shared by the Maine Department of Labor. Ahmadov worked with various international NGOs, including the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), a USAID and National Endowment for Democracy cutout that has programs in more than 50 countries globally. Ahmadov’s biography states that he has visited over 45 countries for “business, training, and teaching purposes.” Rep. Deqa Dhalac, sponsor of the bill to create the ONA, was one of three Maine lawmakers — alongside State Sen. Jill Duson (D-Dumberland) and Rep. Mana Abdi (D-Lewiston) — who took a trip with Ahmadov to Azerbaijan last May. Gerard Kiladjian, president of the Armenian Cultural Association of Maine, sent a letter to Rep. Dhalac and the other state officials who went on the trip to Azerbaijan, expressing concern that the lawmakers had been “exposed to a grossly distorted and self-serving misrepresentation of the realities of the Armenian-Azeri conflict.” “Quite frankly, we are shocked and heartbroken that, to our knowledge, at no point during or after your trip did you acknowledge Azerbaijan’s recent ethnic cleansing of Karabakh’s indigenous Armenian population, the last remaining 120,000 of whom were harassed, attacked, starved, and ultimately forced off their ancestral lands and into the neighboring Armenian Republic,” Kiladjian wrote to the state officials. The Maine Wire has reached out to Kiladjian for comment on Ahmadov’s anti-Armenian social media posts, and whether the Armenian Cultural Association of Maine will call for Ahmadov’s resignation. https://www.themainewire.com/2025/02/maine-office-of-new-americans-director-faces-backlash-calls-for-resignation-over-anti-armenian-social-media-posts/