new promising era New Promising Era "President" & VP Nikol Pashinian

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Armenpress.am

New military service option for women launched

11:53, 29 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 29, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Defense of Armenia announced on August 29 that applications are open to women who want to join the military for the new service option.

In June, parliament approved a bill enabling women aged 18-27 to voluntarily join the military for a 6-month service.

The recruits will serve in the training military bases.

Servicemembers will receive a 1,000,000 AMD remuneration upon completion of the 6-month service. After completing the term, recruits will have the voluntary option of renewing their contract for another 5 years under the Homeland Defender contract service option.

 

 

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INDIA NARRATIVE

Aug 30 2023

Not just weapons and connectivity, Armenia now keen to become India’s partner in space

India and Armenia continue to rapidly expand their ties with Yerevan maintaining its deep interest in not just acquiring the latest Indian military hardware but also exploring “possible joint projects” in the field of space industry post Chandrayaan-3 mission success.

On Tuesday, Armenian Security Council chief Armen Grigoryan travelled to New Delhi – his second visit to the Indian capital in last 10 months – and held discussions with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on issues related to regional security developments.

Grigoryan’s office said that both security chiefs spotlighted with satisfaction the development process of Armenian-Indian bilateral relations and discussed the prospects of developing new partnerships in a number of fields.

“Congratulations on the successful landing of the Chandrayaan-3 mission on the moon. Within the framework of the above, we discussed the implementation of possible joint projects in the field of space industry,” Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia wrote on his Facebook page after the meeting with NSA Doval.

Both top officials also met in November last year when Grigoryan travelled to New Delhi to meet NSA Doval and held talks on the “rapid implementation” of the agreements reached in the field of security between the two countries.

The meeting was also attended by the then Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Samant Kumar Goel.

The significant visits have taken place amid the military conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan due to the decades-long dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Right from the beginning of the hostilities, India has maintained a consistent position with regard to the disturbances in the Caucasus region and called for a peaceful resolution of the issue through diplomatic means.

“I presented (to NSA Ajit Doval) the humanitarian crisis of Nagorno Karabakh and highlighted the importance of the international community’s involvement in overcoming it,” said Grigoryan on Tuesday.

With Turkey and Pakistan backing Azerbaijan to the hilt, Yerevan has been keen on building a strong strategic partnership with New Delhi. It all began with India supplying Armenia with four Swathi Weapon Locating Radars (WLRs) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at a cost of $40 million in 2020.

Since then, from indigenously-developed Pinaka Extended Range multi-barrel rocket launchers and laser-guided Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) to the New Generation Akash (Akash-NG) missile, the government led by Nikol Pashinyan has shown keen interest in getting latest defence equipment from India.

As reported by IndiaNarrative.com, Armenian Deputy Defence Minister Karen Brutyan visited Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and BrahMos stalls during the ‘Army 2023’ International Military-Technical Forum in Moscow earlier this month and held discussions on the defence systems being showcased.

Interestingly, Brutyan showed keen interest in all three variants of the BrahMos missile.

A high-level delegation from the South Caucasus country, led by Armenian Defence Minister Suren Papikyan, has also visited DefExpo with an aim of expanding bilateral military and military-technical cooperation between the two countries.

The collaborative partnerships have been taking many other forms as both countries work on enhancing trade through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) by utilization of the Chabahar port in Iran which is being developed by India.

Landlocked Armenia is a key member of the project to establish the vast pan-Eurasian transport network and has shown keen interest in the utilization of Chabahar port which India is pushing to include in the INSTC framework.

On Wednesday, Papikyan received a 17-member delegation from India’s National Defence College (NDC) which is on a three-day visit to Armenia.

Led by NDC Commandant Lieutenant General Sukriti Singh Dahiya, the delegation consists of senior military and civilian representatives from India, France, Brazil, Nigeria, Mongolia and Sri Lanka.

As part of the visit, the touring party – along with India’s Ambassador to Armenia Nilakshi Saha Sinha – has already met with Armenian Armed Forces chief Lieutenant General Edward Asryan and other high-ranking representatives at the defence ministry headquarters.

Welcoming the delegation on Wednesday, Papikyan highlighted the current course of development and prospects of Armenian-Indian cooperation in the field of defence.

https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/not-just-weapons-and-connectivity-armenia-now-keen-to-become-indias-partner-in-space-150887.html/amp

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Armenpress.am

Blocking French aid proves Azerbaijan’s policy aimed at deteriorating humanitarian crisis in NK – Pashinyan to Hidalgo

20:20, 30 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 30, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo and her delegation over a luncheon.

PM Pashinyan highly appreciated and expressed gratitude for the initiative of the French regions to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and underscored that Azerbaijan’s blocking of the convoy once again proves Baku's policy of deteriorating the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a readout.

The interlocutors emphasized the need for steps aimed at overcoming the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Views were exchanged about issues concerning the Armenian-French relations and the existing cooperation.

On August 30, Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo personally lead a French humanitarian convoy for Nagorno-Karabakh from Yerevan to the entrance of Lachin Corridor. The trucks were blocked by Azerbaijani authorities.

 

 

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Armenpress.am

Armenia and Greece plan to sign defense industry cooperation agreement

10:28, 31 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Greece plan to sign an agreement on military-technical cooperation.

The bill on approving the signing is included in the agenda of the August 31 Cabinet meeting.

“The high level of political dialogue between Armenia and Greece, as well as partnership in bilateral and multilateral platforms, creates favorable foundation for closer and effective cooperation in the defense sector, therefore Armenia attaches great importance to the efforts aimed at expanding and deepening partnership, as a highly important bridge in the context of developing Armenia-NATO relations and relations with NATO member states,” reads the bill.

The agreement will define directions of cooperation, particularly the promotion of research of military-grade products and new technologies for strengthening defense capabilities, and cooperation in the areas of development and industry in line with the national legislation of the parties.

The agreement covers the areas of technology transfer and technical support in weapons, ammunition and explosive ordnance production, exchange of information and experience in ammunition production, research in the area of military-grade products and industry, establishment of joint industries, training of technical personnel and others.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1118435.html?fbclid=IwAR2duq3eTLoW_DwsnvHGBdsCghPZ3SEoPXPNYInNfFpW9xGb-29g0FfavFs

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Armenpress.am

After humanitarian convoy gets blocked, Armenia slams Azerbaijan for ‘monstrous’ genocide through starvation in NK

11:30, 31 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan’s blocking of the humanitarian convoys for Nagorno-Karabakh means that Baku continues its policy of subjecting the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to genocide through starvation in the presence of Russian peacekeepers, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned Thursday.

Speaking at the Cabinet meeting, PM Pashinyan stated that the Azerbaijani authorities continue to block access of the humanitarian convoys stranded near Lachin Corridor.

Another 10 trucks joined on August 31 the 22 trucks carrying essential humanitarian goods for Nagorno-Karabakh. The vehicles are stranded at the entrance of Lachin Corridor near the Armenian village of Kornidzor. The most recent convoy was sent by French regions and was personally escorted by the Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo.

“Nonetheless, neither this convoy nor the one stranded there since July 26 were allowed to enter Nagorno-Karabakh. This means that Azerbaijan, in the presence of Russian peacekeepers, continues its policy of subjecting the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to genocide through starvation. The main goal of their policy is to get rid of Armenians from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. As I said previously, one of the scenarios of developing this monstrous plan is the following, Azerbaijan plans to open the Lachin Corridor only in one direction at the most severe phase of the humanitarian crisis, to only allow people to leave Nagorno-Karabakh and not return. This policy of genocide and dispossession is taking place in the 21st century, before the eyes of the international community,” the Armenian Prime Minister said.

Pashinyan added that the situation could be resolved through Baku-Stepanakert dialogue under an international mechanism.

“I find it noteworthy that an international mechanism in this situation is crucially necessary, otherwise, as we’ve ascertained, Baku is derailing with all possible means the opportunity for dialogue,” Pashinyan concluded.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1118439.html?fbclid=IwAR2I6KdSLl2NaQc9hOGzEl15Smn-EeXB2Tfzq9EEF7pBVmf5QtuIqAc6kfw

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Armenpress.am

Armenia reiterates need for international fact-finding mission in Lachin Corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh

11:38, 31 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that his administration will continue to advance the need for dispatching an international fact-finding mission to Lachin Corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh, something he described as an “absolute necessity.”

Speaking at the August 31 Cabinet meeting, PM Pashinyan said that the Armenian government must continue efforts to draw international attention on the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rulings of 22 February and 6 July must be in the focus.

“With these rulings, the ICJ ordered Azerbaijan to take all steps at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. The court emphasized that the ruling is binding by law for Azerbaijan. The explicit disregard for this ruling by Azerbaijan is an overt manifestation of its policy of dispossession, because disregard for binding rulings is characteristic to the conduct of those who are committing such policy. And we must tirelessly advance the idea of sending an international fact-finding mission to Lachin Corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh, because especially now this is an absolute necessity,” PM Pashinyan said.

The Armenian Prime Minister added that ensuring access of essential humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh is a priority task.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1118440.html?fbclid=IwAR2lCq8f97wIbgjdAiyzBAEO8Bgee0DM9c62XNUV6mnJvZuKjvhvvpL_BK0

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Armenpress.am

Azerbaijan’s ongoing attack against Armenia is direct damage to US, French, EU mediation efforts – senior diplomat

16:35, 1 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The Azeri aggression must be stopped immediately and the aggressor must be held responsible, Armenia’s Ambassador-at-Large Edmon Marukyan said after Azerbaijani forces on Friday launched a major cross-border attack using mortars and UAVs on Armenian outposts in Gegharkunik Province.

“This new attack of Azerbaijan against the sovereign territory of Armenia, which is still ongoing at the moment, is a direct damage to the mediation efforts of the USA, France and EU. It is a direct damage to the ongoing peace negotiation process and a violation of all of Azerbaijan's commitments to date. This aggression must be stopped immediately and the aggressor must be held responsible for the violations of ceasefire and all consequences,” Marukyan said in a post on X.

As of 16:14, the death toll in the Armenian military stood at 4.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1118575.html?fbclid=IwAR3HCyZ2pLPiDa69y2uCcalFhqDOTjcVzDmQLNyz73kQtU-WSSVOPh609Ks

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Armenpress.am

Azerbaijan’s aggressive behavior could seriously disrupt peace efforts, warns Armenia after deadly attack

17:37, 1 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned Azerbaijan’s military aggression targeting Armenian border positions in Gegharkunik province and warned that Baku’s actions could seriously disrupt the efforts aimed at establishing stability and lasting peace in the region.

In a statement released Friday, the Armenian foreign ministry called on the international community to restrain Azerbaijan’s growing maximalist behavior.

Below is the full statement issued by the foreign ministry.

“On September 1, the armed forces of Azerbaijan opened fire on the positions of the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia located in the area of Sotk and Norabak in the Gegharkunik region, which resulted in casualties of 4 killed and 1 wounded. Azerbaijan’s armed forces also used mortars and UAVs,

“During this period, the Republic of Armenia has repeatedly signaled that Azerbaijan, aiming at carrying out pre-planned military actions, deliberately and systematically is spreading disinformation.

“The encroachments against the territorial integrity of Armenia, combined with the statements and bellicose rhetoric regularly made by the Azerbaijani side on various levels as well as channeled through various state media, are the continuation of Baku's aggressive policy aimed at settling existing problems and imposing its own will through the use of force and the threat of use of force.

“Under the conditions of targeted calls and growing pressure to lift the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor, Azerbaijan’s provocation is also aimed at diverting the attention of the international community and avoiding the fulfillment of its obligations.

“We strongly condemn this kind of aggressive behavior of Azerbaijan, which is accompanied by the factual siege of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh through the 8-month-long illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor, and can seriously disrupt the efforts aimed at establishing stability and lasting peace in the region. The Republic of Armenia reaffirms its principled position that all units of Azerbaijan’s armed forces must be withdrawn from the sovereign territory of Armenia.

“We call on the international community and the actors interested in real stability in the region to restrain Azerbaijan’s daily increasing maximalist behavior through the existing mechanisms and active and clear steps in order to prevent further escalation of the situation and to bring Azerbaijan to a constructive track.”

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1118590.html?fbclid=IwAR3-yzR_wVb2Yb8LcKaaStcNLLgH3BJ1KRVfeAQLpAouFUxfkEbTcni6oVo

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tvp World

Sept 3 2023

Heavy reliance on Russia for security was a mistake: Armenian PM

Armenia’s Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, has criticized his country’s heavy reliance on Russia for security, calling it a “strategic mistake”. This candid interview with the Italian newspaper, La Repubblica, casts doubt on Moscow’s commitment to Armenia amid tensions in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Despite a defense pact and a Russian military base in Armenia, Pashinyan suggested that Moscow does not view his country as pro-Russian enough. “Our security was almost entirely tied to Russia, especially for arms,” Pashinyan stated. However, with Russia embroiled in the Ukrainian conflict, he believes Moscow may fall short in meeting Armenia’s security needs, showcasing the pitfalls of depending solely on one nation.

This sentiment resonates with a growing frustration in Armenia over Russia’s perceived inability to champion Armenian interests. In a direct rebuke, Pashinyan also criticized Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, accusing them of not fulfilling their duties.

Hinting at a possible shift in Armenia’s foreign policy, Pashinyan mentioned establishing closer ties with the European Union, the United States, and other regional powers, signaling a diversification of Armenia’s security partnerships.

While Moscow, having mediated between Yerevan and Baku in the past, remained silent on Pashinyan’s statements, it has previously defended its global actions and refuted claims of neglecting foreign allies due to the Ukraine situation.

Nagorno-Karabakh, largely populated by ethnic Armenians but internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan, saw significant conflict in 2020 until a Russian-brokered ceasefire.

https://tvpworld.com/72461883/heavy-reliance-on-russia-for-security-was-a-mistake-armenian-pm

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USA & Armenia

 

 

 

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Armenpress.am

Armenia to host Eagle Partner 2023 joint military exercise with United States

09:37, 6 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. Armenia will host the Eagle Partner 2023 joint Armenian-U.S. military exercise from September 11-20, the Ministry of Defense announced Wednesday.

"In the framework of preparation for participation in international peacekeeping missions the Armenia-U.S. joint exercise "EAGLE PARTNER 2023" will be held from 11 to 20 September in Armenia, particularly in "Zar" Training Center of the Peacekeeping Brigade and the N Training Center of the Ministry of Defense,” the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

The exercise involves stabilization tasks between conflicting parties during peacekeeping missions.

“The purpose of the exercise is to increase the level of interoperability of the unit participating in international peacekeeping missions within the framework of peacekeeping operations, to exchange best practices in control and tactical communication, as well as to increase the readiness of the Armenian unit for the planned NATO/PfP "Operational Capabilities Concept" evaluation. Within the framework of preparation for peacekeeping missions, units preparing for international peacekeeping operations frequently participate in similar joint exercises and trainings in partner countries,” the Defense Ministry added.

 

 

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Armenpress.am

Military attachés accredited in Armenia briefed on situation along border with Azerbaijan

12:55, 6 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. Foreign military attachés and representatives accredited in Armenia on Wednesday were briefed by the Armenian Ministry of Defense on the operational situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

The briefing was held by Levon Ayvazyan, Director of the Defense Policy and International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Defense.

Ayvazyan said that the Armenian Armed Forces, within their duties, are taking all necessary measures to not allow a further escalation of the situation.

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1118875.html?fbclid=IwAR3-Tb40dfo966W6-4G-rJ-FShB5GE0fmeJuANg0TdsesVWRNn7MI6iH5rc

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Armenpress.am

Pentagon releases details on joint exercise with Armenian troops

17:18, 6 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. The Pentagon has released details on the upcoming Eagle Partner 2023 joint Armenia-U.S. military exercise.

A U.S. military spokesperson told Reuters that 85 U.S. soldiers and 175 Armenians would take part. He said the Americans - including members of the Kansas National Guard which has a 20-year-old training partnership with Armenia - would be armed with rifles and would not be using heavy weaponry.

Armenia will host the Eagle Partner 2023 joint Armenian-U.S. military exercise from September 11-20, the Armenian Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday.

"In the framework of preparation for participation in international peacekeeping missions the Armenia-U.S. joint exercise "EAGLE PARTNER 2023" will be held from 11 to 20 September in Armenia, particularly in "Zar" Training Center of the Peacekeeping Brigade and the N Training Center of the Ministry of Defense,” the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

The exercise involves stabilization tasks between conflicting parties during peacekeeping missions.

“The purpose of the exercise is to increase the level of interoperability of the unit participating in international peacekeeping missions within the framework of peacekeeping operations, to exchange best practices in control and tactical communication, as well as to increase the readiness of the Armenian unit for the planned NATO/PfP "Operational Capabilities Concept" evaluation. Within the framework of preparation for peacekeeping missions, units preparing for international peacekeeping operations frequently participate in similar joint exercises and trainings in partner countries,” the Defense Ministry added.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1118899.html?fbclid=IwAR3GO764YH7BCpTEnhOAfWIjE86WBhOgRqGGbQ9syJcpzI97lJ5EZa9zzXc

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Modern Tokyo Times

Sept 6 2023

Armenia and Realpolitik: France, Iran, and Russia (Israel and Turkey)

September 6, 2023

Lee Jay

Armenia and Realpolitik: France, Iran, and Russia (Israel and Turkey)

Kanako Mita and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

http://moderntokyotimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/armenia-3.jpg

Israel and Turkey altered the military equation in the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). This concerns high-tech military arms to Azerbaijan. Accordingly, with the European Union also keeping its eye on Azerbaijan related to energy, the political faultlines run through the democratic and NATO reality.

The Times of Israel reports, “Azerbaijan has bought Israeli armed drones, which were reportedly used in 2020 to attack Armenian targets in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.”

The National Interest (Michael Rubin) says, “Israelis may justify their relationship with Azerbaijan in realpolitik consideration: In its crudest terms, it is a relationship based on a weapons-for-energy calculation. Jerusalem sold Baku billions of dollars’ worth of top-shelf military equipment, and Israel received almost half of its oil needs from Azerbaijan. The long-term detriment to ties may soon surpass any short-term gains, however.”

Breaking Defense reports, “From 2016–2020, Israel accounted for 69 percent of Azerbaijan’s major arms imports — a number that represents 17 percent of Israel’s arms exports for that same period.”

Similarly – the NATO angle and the Russian Federation run counter to any single reliability for Armenia and the Armenian Christians of Artsakh.

President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey continue to support each other from a distance. Hence, despite the NATO angle of Turkey, regional disputes between Russia and Turkey in Libya and Syria, – and Turkey selling drones to Ukraine during its war with the Russian Federation – the mercurial duo of Erdogan and Putin still look to joint economic and geopolitical goals that benefit each nation.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia said that the Russian Federation was distancing itself from the South Caucasus region.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin Press Secretary, said: “We cannot agree with these statements by Mr. Prime Minister [of Armenia Pashinyan]. Russia is an inseparable part of this region, so it simply cannot turn its back and walk away from anywhere in the region. Russia simply cannot walk away from Armenia.”

Peskov continued: “There are more [ethnic] Armenians in Russia than there are in Armenia itself, and the majority of them are absolutely model citizens and patriots of our country.”

However, according to the leader of Armenia, the peacekeepers of the Russian Federation are unenthusiastic or not equipped to control the important Lachin Corridor.

Armenia still needs to foster positive relations with the Russian Federation because of the geopolitical clout of this nation. However, Armenia must reach out to France, Iran, and other nations at a higher level concerning geopolitics, the military, and realpolitik.

During the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020, President Emmanuel Macron of France lambasted NATO Turkey for sending Islamists from Syria to kill Christian Armenians.

Macron said, “We now have information which indicates that Syrian fighters from jihadist groups have (transited) through Gaziantep (southeastern Turkey) to reach the Nagorno-Karabakh theatre of operations.”

Armenia needs to increase ties at multiple levels with Iran. From economics to drone warfare – and working together in other important realms. After all, Israel and Azerbaijan ties continue to grow. Therefore, similar to Lebanon being an important nation via Hezbollah aimed at Israel for Iran: Azerbaijan is a geopolitical tool for Israel aimed at Iran.

The Persian Gulf-Black Sea Corridor, the Aras River Basin, and the Zangezur Corridor are significant geopolitical and economic concerns for Iran. If Azerbaijan and Turkey have a continuous land border – with no Armenian territory in between – this will further weaken the hand of Iran. Also, economic and military growth in Azerbaijan might embolden nationalist tendencies among Azeris in Northern Iran. Therefore, with Azerbaijan and Israel’s relations being extremely cordial, Iran fears that Israel will utilize Azerbaijan to make inroads within the gathering of information and plot regional intrigues against Iran.

The Jamestown Foundation reports (Vali Kaleji), “Indeed, a significant number of Iranian elites and experts believe that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s emphasis on “uniting the geography of Turkic world” via the Zangezur Corridor and the expansion of Turkey’s presence in the South Caucasus will strengthen Pan-Turkism in the region, which could incite ethnic and separatist sentiments (Mediamax.am, November 12, 2021). In addition, considering the close relations between Azerbaijan and Israel, Tehran is worried that, if Baku does capture the southern part of Syunik Province, this will bolster Israel’s intelligence, espionage and security presence vis-à-vis Iran.”

Armenia must reach out to regional nations. This notably concerns the Russian Federation and Iran. At the same time, Armenia needs potent ties with nations that distrust Turkey (France and Greece).

The Armenian diaspora needs to foster stronger ties with America and the European Union within the corridors of power.

Last year, Siranush Sahakyan, the representative of the Armenian detainees’ interests at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), expressed her thoughts on the massacre that took place in Ishkhanasar.

Barbaric videos show the armed forces of Azerbaijan killing surrendered Armenian soldiers in cold blood. This took place in the environs of the village of Ishkhanasar in Armenia.

Sahakyan said, “The video has been studied, verified; it is real. The incident took place at Ishkhanasar on September 13, with the involvement of Azerbaijani soldiers. It is the ‘Commando’ newly created unit, which is being retrained by Turkey, and certain support is, of course, being provided as a NATO member country. And the units being retrained plan and carry out war crimes against Armenians, and, naturally, they are encouraged for these actions.”

Armenians reside in a hostile region that is full of intrigues.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum says, “The Armenian genocide refers to the physical annihilation of ethnic Armenian Christian people living in the Ottoman Empire from spring 1915 through autumn 1916. There were approximately 1.5 million Armenians living in the Empire. At least 664,000 and possibly as many as 1.2 million died during the genocide. Armenians call these events Medz Yeghern (the great crime) or Aghet (catastrophe).”

Shockingly, over one hundred years later and Armenian Christians still can’t escape from the intrigues of Turkey – and pan-Turkism.

 

Armenia must look “East” and “West” for its survival. However, for the Christians of Artsakh, the sword is already knocking on the door and is waiting to devour.

https://moderntokyotimes.com/armenia-and-realpolitik-france-iran-and-russia-israel-and-turkey/