Armenia

Tuesday 24th January

A conflicted moment for the Armenian consciousness

Christopher Sisserian, 24 January 2012

The reason the French genocide law has proved so popular amongst Armenians is that it represents the prospect of a final catharsis to a tragic history. In reality, however, it is yet another obstacle to reaching a conclusion.

Friday 30th December

Armenia-Turkey: the end of rapprochement

Vicken Cheterian, 30 December 2011

A diplomatic process designed to normalise relations between Armenia and Turkey led to the signing of two protocols in 2009. Its failure is rooted in the miscalculations of both sides, says Vicken Cheterian.

Friday 25th November

Europe’s neglected east: forging partnership

Gevorg Ger-Gabrielyan, 25 November 2011

The European Union has an uncertain relationship with the ex-Soviet states to its east. A meeting in Poznan under the auspices of the union’s “eastern partnership” is a timely moment to examine what Europe needs to do to revivify its engagement, says Gevorg Ger-Gabrielyan.

Tuesday 6th September

Europe’s Armenian policy: the cost of indulgence

Armen Haykyan, 6 September 2011

The story of a powerful and ambitious Armenian oligarch is also a case-study in the flaws of European Union policy in the small Caucasian republic, says Armen Haykyan.

Tuesday 5th April

Liberation technology: dreams, politics, history

Armine Ishkanian, 5 April 2011

The doctrinal commitment to new cyber and social technologies as a means of solving political problems needs to learn from the past and take a more realistic view, says Armine Ishkanian.

Wednesday 10th November

Armenia and Georgia foil latest uranium smuggling plot

Luke Heighton, 10 November 2010

Joint anti-nuclear proliferation operation results in multiple arrests in Georgia. One year after Fort Hood shootings, US army outlines plans for radical security overhaul. Somali pirates land largest-ever ransom payment. All this and more in today's security briefing.

Thursday 4th November

The lightness of history in the Caucasus

Thomas de Waal, 4 November 2010

The Caucasus is often depicted as a region of peoples locked in enduring and invariant nationalist enmity. The reality is more complex and therefore more hopeful, says Thomas de Waal.

Wednesday 20th October

The Armenia-Turkey protocols: a year on

Vicken Cheterian, 20 October 2010

The process of dialogue between neighbours locked in an enduring dispute over the events of 1915 is already in trouble. But in assessing what has gone wrong, Vicken Cheterian sees history still on the move.

Friday 7th May

Armenia deadlocked, landlocked

Haroutiun Khachatrian, 7 May 2010

Despite President Obama’s best efforts on 12 April, negotiations between Armenia and Turkey remain deadlocked, leaving Armenia’s President Sargsyan facing the unequal struggle against problems political, economic, geographical and historical

Waiting for the word in Armenia

Ara Iskanderian, 7 May 2010

The WW1 massacre of more than a million Armenians by Ottoman Turks remains a source of great contention, writes Ara Iskanderian. While there has been some recent reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey on government level, use of the “g” word is still firmly off limits.

Saturday 24th April

Armenian genocide and Turkey: then and now

Vicken Cheterian, 24 April 2010

The destruction of the Ottoman Armenians began on 24 April 1915. Almost a century later the contemporary political relevance of the "great catastrophe" remains undiminished, says Vicken Cheterian.

Wednesday 17th March

'Red Shirts' continue symbolic blood protest in Bangkok

Rukeyya Khan, 17 March 2010

‘Red Shirts’ continue symbolic blood protest in Bangkok. Israel lifts West Bank closure. North Korea has 1,000 missiles, says South Korea. Erdogan warns that Turkey might deport up to 100,000 Armenians. Yemen rebels free 178 soldiers and civilians. Fresh clashes erupt near the central Nigerian city of Jos. All this and more in today’s security briefing.

Friday 5th March

Violence and uncertainty underscore Iraqi elections

Oliver Scanlan, 5 March 2010

Insurgents strike polling stations as Iraq votes for its new government. Turkey withdraws its ambassador to the US in the wake of a House committee vote condemning the Armenian genocide. The British PM defends the Iraq war. Clashes erupt at the al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. All this and more, in today’s security update.

Friday 23rd October

Can Armenia and Turkey be reconciled?

Sergei Markedonov, 23 October 2009

Could historical enemies Armenia and Turkey be moving towards reconciliation? Despite the potential pitfalls, Turkey's acknowledgement of the 1915 "genocide" being the most serious, compromise could be achieved, says Sergei Markedonov

Wednesday 14th October

The Armenia-Turkey process: don’t stop now

Kerem Oktem, 14 October 2009

The critics of the Yerevan-Ankara protocols neglect their potential benefits

Tuesday 13th October

Armenia-Turkey: genocide, blockade, diplomacy

Vicken Cheterian, 13 October 2009

A bad agreement cannot turn old adversaries into good neighbours

Monday 12th October

Airstrikes target Pakistan Taliban after weekend of deadly militant attacks

Carly Nyst, 12 October 2009

Militant attacks prompt Pakistan to accelerate Waziristan offensive. UN representative admits fraud in Afghanistan election. Turkey and Armenia normalize relations. All this and much more in today's update.