In this exclusive discussion, CivilNet sits down with Finnish Ambassador to the South Caucasus Kirsti Narinen to get insights into Finland’s comprehensive “Total Defense” strategy which fortifies the nation through close cooperation between the government, private sector and the public. Ambassador Narinen explains how this holistic model has allowed Finland to effectively respond to emergencies and modern security threats. She discusses key lessons that Armenia could adopt to strengthen its national resilience and crisis management capabilities.
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Pashinyan’s Sovereignty Illusion: Losing Karabakh, Finding Armenia?
On June 19, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made yet another controversial statement, claiming: “We didn’t lose Nagorno-Karabakh; we found the Republic of Armenia.” In any democracy, a remark that frames a national tragedy as a political achievement would provoke fierce debate. In Armenia, it reveals a deeper crisis: the normalization of post-truth politics as a tool to evade responsibility and reshape public perception. Pashinyan’s remark reflects a consistent effort over the past several years to absolve the current government of responsibility for the 2020 defeat, while simultaneously constructing a myth of sovereignty born from loss. The assertion invites the […]
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British parliament members endorse Swiss-led Artsakh peace initiative
In a significant show of international support, members of the United Kingdom Parliament have issued a joint statement endorsing the Swiss Peace Initiative on Nagorno-Karabakh. The statement, released by MP Jim Shannon (DUP) of the House of Commons and Lord David Alton of the House of Lords, reflects the views of more than 110 British parliamentarians who are part of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on International Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG FoRB). The Swiss-led initiative, ratified by Switzerland’s parliament in March 2025, seeks to establish an international peace forum to facilitate open dialogue between Azerbaijan and the forcibly displaced […]
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Armenia, Russia may lose $6bn in mutual trade by year-end,
By Alexander Pracht Russia and Armenia could lose around $6 billion in mutual trade turnover by the end of 2025, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk warned on Friday, speaking at the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg. Overchuk said the decline reflects an ongoing sharp drop in economic ties between the two countries. “By the most conservative estimates, we lost about $2 billion last year. This year, the drop so far is $3 billion. Clearly, we are looking at a total loss of about $6 billion by the end of the year. These are serious figures,” Overchuk said. In […]
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Indian student recounts evacuating Iran through Armenia
By Minahil Arif “I’ve always felt safe in Iran before the recent tensions started. In fact, I love Iran—after India, it feels like a second home to me,” Tamheed Ulislam, 24, told CivilNet. A student at the Urmia University of Medical Sciences, he is among dozens of Indian nationals who fled after crossing the Iran-Armenia border. As tensions reach a boiling point between Israel and Iran, foreign governments are seeking emergency exits for nationals stranded in both countries. The Armenia-Iran border has been crowded since the attacks, with the flow of hundreds of Iranian citizens arriving in Armenia. As many […]
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Who wants Iran destroyed & why?
In this episode of Insights, host Eric Hacopian covers the geopolitical shock of Israel’s attack on Iran, and what the unfolding war means for Armenia. Hacopian outlines the key developments, including the purported use of Azerbaijani territory for Israeli drone strikes, the likely goals behind the attacks, and the potential for a wider regional conflict. He also examines how Iran’s instability could affect Armenia’s security, economy, and border situation, raising concerns about delayed imports, possible refugee flows, and increased threats from Azerbaijan.
This was a highly informative and insightful discussion. I hope the different stakeholders in Armenia will heed the suggestions of Mme Narinen. Often we hear people say that the Armenian gov and civil society don’t have new projects worthy of support from the EU. This is a great one. How about a think-tank dedicated to developing strategies for comprehensive defense for Armenia?