The Citizen’s Decision party garnered just under 4,000 votes in the 2021 elections in Armenia. The party is seen as the country’s main social democratic political force. But, in a place where social democrats have never ruled or even entered parliament, how can the party make itself appealing to ordinary voters? Astghik Melkonyan, one of the party members who was on the electoral list, explains the origins, platform and policies of the party.
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Georgia’s “foreign agents” bill sparks mass protests
Georgia’s parliament approved the first reading of a bill on “foreign agents” this week, sparking protests in the capital Tbilisi. The proposed law would require media outlets and non-profit organizations that receive over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as entities influenced by foreign sources. As lawmakers deliberated on the legislation, thousands gathered in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi to protest. Critics argue that the legislation could harm Georgia’s long-desired aspirations to become a member of the European Union.
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US nonprofit asks International Criminal Court to investigate Azerbaijan for
By Mark Dovich The Center for Truth and Justice, a U.S.-based nonprofit, has formally asked the International Criminal Court to investigate Azerbaijan’s leaders for genocide, marking the first such petition to the Hague tribunal since Armenia joined earlier this year. In a more than 100-page submission, CFTJ “outlines the vast array of atrocities carried out” by Azerbaijan within Armenia’s internationally recognized borders since it first began occupying swaths of the country nearly three years ago, the organization said in a press release Thursday. Members of the Armenian community in the Netherlands gather Thursday in The Hague to show their support […]
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Aliyev’s Temper Tantrum Over Brussels Meeting
In this week’s episode of Insights, host Eric Hacopian digs into the hyperbolic reactions from Russia and Azerbaijan to the recent EU/US-Armenia summit. Through analysis of official statements and media coverage, he decodes the fear and outrage directed against Armenia’s deepening partnerships. Eric also summarizes the significance of the first visit of the president of Kazakhstan to Yerevan.
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Russian peacekeepers leave Karabakh
By Ani Avetisyan Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed this week that Russian peacekeepers will be leaving Nagorno-Karabakh. Peskov reiterated the authenticity of earlier reports in the Azerbaijani media about the withdrawal, although specific details about the timeline and logistics were not provided. The deployment of the peacekeepers followed a devastating six-week offensive in 2020, during which Azerbaijani forces seized control of large swaths of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas. Last September, Baku completed its takeover of the territory in a swift one-day offensive, prompting a mass exodus of the Karabakh population into Armenia. Azerbaijan, reluctant about the deployment of peacekeepers to […]
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“Armenia Could Become a World Engineering Hub”
Vahe Nigoghosian is the founder of Engineer X, a multi-disciplinary engineering firm based in Armenia that focuses on business and education. Vahe brought with him the branch of the Dassault Systemes, a French multinational software corporation which develops software for 3D product design, simulation, manufacturing and other 3D related products. Vahe Nigoghosian has two hopes. First, to see Armenia become a world Engineering Hub. Andsecond, see more young Armenians embrace engineering.
