Today on Civilnet, Marika Mikiashvili discusses the large anti-government protests in Tbilisi, Georgia. As a member of the opposition DROA party and an activist involved in the demonstrations, she provides key insight into the goals of the movement and its demands regarding the controversial “foreign agents” bill. Mikiashvili also analyzes the mounting crackdown by authorities and wider implications of the unrest for the region’s democratic trajectory.
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How Armenia is joining the space race
In this interview, Babken Der Grigoryan, founder and CEO of Kartes Analytica discusses Armenia’s ambitious plans to develop an advanced national space program, examining its recent landmark participation in the Artemis Accords. He analyzes the strategic and economic importance of the burgeoning Armenian space sector, as well as its implications for national security.
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HSBC Armenia sale passes key regulatory hurdle
By Mark Dovich Armenia’s antimonopoly watchdog Wednesday greenlit the sale of HSBC’s local subsidiary to the country’s largest lender, moving the deal forward. If approved, it will leave Armenia with no Western commercial banks. Ardshinbank’s acquisition of HSBC Armenia “does not lead to the restriction of competition or damage the interests of consumers,” the Competition Protection Commission said in a press release. All eyes now turn to Armenia’s Central Bank, which must also give its approval before the sale can be finalized. A timeline for that was not made immediately available. What’s the background? HSBC announced in February it would […]
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Digital transformation: How IT talent can thrive with Ameriabank
Davit Hovhannisyan, chief information officer at Ameriabank, sits down with CivilNet’s Mark Dovich to talk about his decision to repatriate to Armenia and continue his career at one of Armenia’s leading financial institutions after nearly 30 years overseas. They also discuss Ameriabank’s digital transformation and the need to improve human resource processes in Armenia’s burgeoning IT sector.
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The big fights at Armenia’s parliament
In this week’s episode of Insights, host Eric Hacopian covers the violence in the ongoing “Tavush for the homeland” movement, touches up on the ongoing case against former economy minister Vahan Kerobyan, and finally, examines Aliyev’s most recent frivolous demands toward Armenia.
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Armenia left reeling as scores injured in clashes at anti-government
By Mark Dovich A large anti-government protest outside Armenia’s parliament ended Wednesday in dramatic clashes with police, leaving at least 101 people injured in some of the worst scenes of violence Yerevan has seen in years. What happened? Large crowds began gathering Wednesday afternoon on Baghramyan Avenue, a major Yerevan thoroughfare, in a failed attempt to prevent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, whom demonstrators are calling on to resign immediately, from attending a key budget hearing. Demonstrators were greeted by an unusually large police presence, including officers armed with lethal force. As the evening progressed, tensions rose between protesters and police […]
