In this episode of Insights, host Eric Hacopian focuses on Armenia’s conscription reforms, and asks if it’s the correct approach to solving the military’s many issues. Hacopian breaks down the key changes to the draft law, including new payment tiers to reduce service time and harsher penalties for those who dodge it. He also addresses the lack of trust between the military and the people it protects, and the government’s unwillingness to speak honestly about its failures.
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Trump says Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal “pretty close”
By Siranush Adamyan U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan was nearly complete, attributing it in part to the diplomatic efforts of his administration. “Armenia and Azerbaijan. We worked magic there and it’s pretty close – if not, it’s already done,” Trump told Republican senators at a dinner on Friday evening. His remarks come amid heightened scrutiny over a U.S. proposal to lease a 32-kilometer road through Armenia’s Syunik province – a plan floated as a solution to the stalled negotiations over transit access between Azerbaijan and its Nakhichevan exclave. The proposed arrangement would […]
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Unblocking Without Reciprocity: Armenia’s Risky Bet on a U.S.-Led Proposal
In a nearly five-hour marathon press conference on July 16, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed a wide array of political and regional issues. Among the most significant topics was the long-discussed American proposal of unblocking regional transport routes, particularly the construction of a railway through Armenia’s Syunik region, which would connect mainland Azerbaijan with its exclave, Nakhichevan. Information about this proposal first appeared weeks ago in an article published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and was later confirmed by Armenian journalists. This proposal was likely one of the central topics discussed by the leaders of Armenia and […]
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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 […]
Public schools in Armenia should teach kids to “hate the enemy”? Is Hacopian for real???? What drivel! Society itself does this on its own quite well. Public schools should be teaching kids to think critically and not to underestimate the capabilities of Armenia’s hostile enemies. Such a lack of objective analysis plagued Armenian society for decades and was a major factor for Armenia’s 2020 military defeat.Most swallowed the hype that the armed forces of Armenia and Artsakh couldn’t be beaten by the “uneducated Azeris”. Teaching school kids to “hate the enemy” is yet another manifestation of Hacopian’s latent xenophobia that surfaces on occasion. Yes, always prepare for war, but not based on racial hatred. That’s a fool’s errand.