Richard Giragosian, the director of the Regional Studies Center, sat down with CivilNet to discuss Armenia’s historic decision last month to send rescue teams and humanitarian aid to earthquake-affected areas of southern Turkey, and the move’s reception in Ankara. Giragosian also talked about what Turkey’s general elections, slated for later this year, will mean for the Armenia-Turkey normalization process and how Azerbaijan exercises its leverage over Turkish society to influence the talks.
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Azerbaijan again advances troops in Karabakh, spelling fears of renewed
The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains tense after Azerbaijani forces crossed the line of contact Saturday in the Shushi region, taking control of a secondary dirt road. As a result, the Armenian villages of Yegtsahogh, Lisagor, Mets Shen and Hin Shen are now completely cut-off from the rest of Nagorno-Karabakh. That all comes as Nagorno-Karabakh itself remains isolated from Armenia due to Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockade of the Lachin corridor, now past its 100th day. Credits: Ruptly
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Will Turkey survive if the opposition wins the election? A
Renowned Turkish political scientist and activist Cengiz Aktar sat down with CivilNet’s Eric Hacopian to talk about Turkey’s upcoming general election, the country’s continued de-Westernization, its “wagging the dog” relations with Azerbaijan, and the prospects for normalization with Armenia. He also discusses if a Turkish Willy Brandt could ever emerge to honor the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
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Business Week Armenia: Government plans first dry port in Gyumri
In this week’s edition of CivilNet’s business digest, we take a look at the devastating impact of Azerbaijan’s blockade on Nagorno-Karabakh’s economy, Armenia’s growing trade with Turkey, and the Armenian government’s plans to set up the country’s first dry port in Gyumri.
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US congresspeople call for end to military aid to Azerbaijan
Armenia has moved a step closer to ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court after the country’s Constitutional Court ruled today that the statute is compatible with Armenia’s constitution. 69 members of the U.S. House of Representatives from both parties have called for the United States to stop providing military aid to Azerbaijan and to send $150 million of aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
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Biden invites Pashinyan to Democracy Summit, Aliyev not invited
An Armenian soldier was killed yesterday afternoon by Azerbaijani forces near the village of Yeraskh on the Armenian border with the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhichevan, according to the Armenian Defense Ministry. During a cabinet meeting today, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan again warned of the risk of a new escalation with Azerbaijan, but expressed confidence that there will eventually be a peace treaty signed between the two countries. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he believes there is an opportunity to achieve an Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal. Credits: Ruptly
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A message for Washington’s Louis Bono
In this week’s episode of Insights with Eric Hacopian, Eric discusses the humanitarian consequences of Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh, which has now stretched past its 100th day. Eric also gives his take on the Armenian government’s deal last month to restart operations at the Amulsar gold mine and gives some personal advice to Louis Bono, Washington’s new special envoy to the South Caucasus.
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‘A strong, democratic Armenia can better choose its partners and
By Emilio Luciano Cricchio As Azerbaijan’s blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh approached its 100th day, CivilNet sent questions earlier this month to the U.S. State Department and Agency for International Development about Washington’s role in the region. CivilNet presents the U.S. government’s responses below, which were sent by the Press Office lightly edited for length and clarity where necessary. A State Department spokesperson’s responses – Q: Many analysts have been pointing to increased engagement by the United States in the South Caucasus. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has taken an active role in mediating between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Former House Speaker […]
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Blinken phones Pashinyan, Aliyev as tensions spiral
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held separate phone calls with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Azerbaijan again blocked the sole pipeline supplying the region’s natural gas, according to Nagorno-Karabakh’s InfoCenter. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said there are no negotiations underway on setting up checkpoints along the Lachin corridor, a key Azerbaijani demand. Armenia’s Defense Ministry said an Armenian soldier who had accidentally crossed into Azerbaijani-controlled territories had been found unharmed. Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party will nominate Anahit Manasyan to serve as the country’s next human rights defender.
