Welcome to the first edition of AliyevWatch, a new CivilNet segment that deconstructs the actions and statements of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Today, CivilNet analyst and contributor Eric Hacopian looks at an international conference that took place in Baku in April. He discusses some of the lies and manipulations made during the event, as well as some of the actions and statements of conference guests, who represented various international universities, think tanks and political groups.
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Biden administration again waives restrictions on aid to Azerbaijan
By Mark Dovich The U.S. Congress on Friday received a decision from President Joe Biden’s administration to again waive section 907, a piece of legislation restricting most U.S. aid to the Azerbaijani government. The decision prompted disapproval from a number of Armenian-American groups, as well as from Senator Bob Menendez, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In a statement, Menendez said he was “deeply disappointed” to see section 907 waived and would “continue to conduct rigorous oversight of any and all assistance to Azerbaijan.” Meanwhile, the Armenian Assembly of America reaffirmed that it “strongly opposes” the waiver, and […]
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CivilNet, other media outlets call on Pashinyan to hold face-to-face
By Mane Berikyan A group of Armenian news outlets, including CivilNet, issued a statement Sunday calling on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to return “the practice of open communication with the media,” amid concerns that the format of today’s press conference restricts their ability to freely ask questions. Earlier that day, Pashinyan announced on Facebook he would be holding an online press conference Monday evening to answer questions sent in advance from media outlets and NGOs. His last several press conferences, including the most recent one in January, have been held online due to COVID-19 precautions. “During those press conferences, the […]
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Armenia to set maximum classroom size at 20-25 students
The Minsk Group has ceased its activities, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The group was set up in the 1990s to work towards a settlement of the Karabakh conflict. A trilateral meeting of the prosecutor generals of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia is set to take place in Minsk. Armenia’s Education Ministry moves to limit classroom sizes to 20-25 students. Credits: Ruptly
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Unpacking the uptick in Armenia-US relations
Anthony Barsamian, the co-chair of the Armenian Assembly of America, speaks to CivilNet about the changing strategies of the non-partisan Washington-based lobbying group, and their activities during and since the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. Mr. Barsamian also discusses the recent news that USAID will provide $120 million in assistance to Armenia, the tactics of the Azerbaijani and Turkish lobbying groups in DC, and the changing nature of the Armenian community in the US.
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Vardazaryan dismissed as fallout from recording scandal grows
By Mark Dovich Armenia’s Supreme Judicial Council on Thursday formally dismissed ex-chief Ruben Vardazaryan “on the grounds of a serious disciplinary action,” over a year after council members voted to suspend Vardazaryan’s powers and transfer them to Gagik Jhangiryan, who has served as the body’s acting head since. The alleged disciplinary action Vardazaryan committed has not been made public. Vardazaryan’s dismissal comes days after he released a recording from last February appearing to show Jhangiryan warning him he would face criminal charges if he refused to resign. Vardazaryan was suspended two months later. In an interview with public television late […]
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Lavrov blames West for Minsk Group failings, says Russia ready
By Mark Dovich Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday once again blamed co-chairs France and the United States for allegedly freezing Russia out of the Minsk Group, saying the Kremlin is ready to facilitate a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the basis of Russia-brokered declarations and statements. Speaking alongside his Azerbaijani counterpart in Baku, Lavrov said the Minsk Group “ceased its activities on the initiative of the American and French participants” in a strong echo of comments made earlier this week by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. Continuing, Lavrov said the Minsk Group’s work had also […]
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Armenia’s top judicial official formally dismissed
Ruben Vardazaryan, Armenia’s former top judicial official, was formally dismissed from his post after he published a recording that appears to show his successor pressuring him to resign. Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan called for a “realistic” approach to Karabakh negotiations in a wide-ranging interview with public television. U.S. President Joe Biden nominated Kristina Kvien to be the next ambassador to Armenia. The Armenian government approved a cooperation agreement with USAID worth $120 million. CivilNet sat down for a wide-ranging interview with Anthony Barsamian, the head of the Armenian Assembly of America.
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The importance of diaspora for Armenia’s long-term development
ARMENIA 2041 Foundation Co-founder Ruben Vardanyan talks with Alex Yemenidjian, the former chairman of MGM Studios and the former President of MGM Resorts, about Armenia’s path towards prosperity. Mr. Yemenidjian discusses his involvement with the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, which has been exporting education to foreign countries, as well as about the impact of his Armenian upbringing on his life’s work.