Join us on a journey to Goris, a picturesque town nestled in the heart of Syunik Armenia. In this video, we visit Marietta, the owner of Aregak B&B, one of the many charming accommodations in the region. Despite border conflicts and travel warnings, Marietta tells CivilNet how she manages to keep a thriving operation and attract guests from all over the world.
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Armenia’s democratic backsliding must be prevented
By Eric Hacopian Armenia is experiencing dangerous democratic backsliding, and we need to call it what it is. Under the guise of fighting Russian interference, our government is criminalizing political opposition in ways that mirror Turkey’s authoritarian playbook. What we’re witnessing is textbook democratic erosion. The government is lifting immunity from opposition MPs—exactly what goes on in Turkey. Some of these people have been in office for four years, and now you get around to doing this a year before the election? Yes, Russian interference is real. We all know there are influencers and media outlets pushing an anti-Western, pro-Russian […]
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Iranian filmmaker highlights struggles and stories at Golden Apricot
By Minahil Arif The Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival kicked off on July 13 and will run until July 20. The festival showcases numerous prominent films from all around the world. For 22 years, this festival has focused on spotlighting cinema from the Caucasus and the Middle East, featuring films that represent the crossroads of cultures and civilizations. This year began with the screening of the film “A Simple Incident” by Jafar Panahi, which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in May. Panahi, an award-winning film director, screenwriter, and editor, is a renowned Iranian filmmaker, who […]
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Fuel prices soar in Armenia amid reports of holdups in
The price of liquified petroleum gas, which most drivers in Armenia use to fill their cars, soared this week amid reports Georgia was blocking the transit of the Russian-produced fuel, straining household budgets across Armenia. LPG prices grew by more than 40% this week, as Armenian importers said up to 500 trucks loaded with the Russian-made fuel remained stuck at customs in Georgia. The importers said they had not been made aware of the reason behind the reported holdups. Georgia has so far not commented on the matter, though former President Salome Zourabichvili, a fierce critic of the current government, […]
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Iran’s ambassador backs Armenia’s sovereignty in corridor debate
By Zhanna Avagyan Iran’s ambassador to Armenia has reiterated Tehran’s firm opposition to any regional transport arrangement that infringes on state sovereignty, a message that can be interpreted as a warning against proposals to place parts of southern Armenia under international or foreign management. “We are not against unblocking [transport] routes in the region,” said Ambassador Mehdi Sobhanin in an interview with Armenian Public Television, “but this must occur within the framework of countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.” He emphasized that all regional states should benefit from connectivity projects, not be disadvantaged by them. Sobhani’s comments come amid escalating debate […]
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War, Peace, and the Trump Road
In this episode of the CivilNet podcast, political commentator Eric Hacopian unpacks key developments shaping Armenia’s regional and domestic landscape. He analyzes the latest Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting in Abu Dhabi and the growing U.S. interest in the future of the Syunik corridor. Hacopian also weighs in on the implications of a political crackdown in Armenia on government critics such as Samvel Karapetyan, and whether European Union membership could be on the horizon. 0:00- Abu Dhabi Pashinyan-Aliyev summit 1:25- U.S. interest in Syunik corridor 7:13- What does the corridor plan mean for Armenia? 8:05- Is the fallout in Azerbaijani-Russian relations for real? […]
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Pashinyan’s ally expected to head electricity grid
By Elen Muradyan Romanos Petrosyan, a board member of Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party, is expected to be appointed interim manager of the country’s electricity distribution network, according to CivilNet sources, as the government moves forward with the controversial nationalization of the Electricity Networks of Armenia (ENA). Petrosyan’s expected appointment follows his dismissal as head of the State Oversight Service by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The official decision was published on the government’s e-gov portal on Thursday. CivilNet sources familiar with the matter say the appointment may be formalized as early as July 18 within the framework of a regulatory […]
