CIVILNET

📍 Armenia agreed to extend a deal that grants control of Zvartnots International Airport to Eduardo Eurnekian’s Corporacion America Airports to 2067, in exchange for a $425 million investment package.📍 Armenia welcomed 2.26 million tourists in 2025, according to official figures, marking a 2.5% year-over-year increase.📍 The ratings agency Fitch upgraded Armenia’s outlook to “positive,” while affirming the country’s sovereign credit rating at “BB-.”#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #civilnetbusiness

📍 Armenia became a founding member of the newly-launched Board of Peace at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, while questions remain over the body's operations and scope months after it was announced as part of Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.📍 Armenia and Azerbaijan intend to connect their energy systems under the U.S.-backed Trump Route initiative. 📍 US, Armenia announce terms of lease for ‘Trump route’: THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ50iCMsSIU#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

Against the backdrop of escalating domestic tensions and widespread protests in Iran, Yerevan has also emerged as a venue for political mobilization by Iranians living in Armenia. In recent days, dozens of Iranian residents have rallied to condemn the Iranian authorities’ crackdown on nationwide protests triggered by soaring inflation and the sharp devaluation of the national currency. Some demonstrators have gone further, openly calling for the overthrow of the Iranian government and the restoration of a monarchy.

After several days of protests in front of the Iranian embassy, Iran’s newly appointed ambassador to Armenia, Khalil Shirgholami, held a press conference in which he accused the Armenian government of failing to prevent the rallies. He stated: “An opinion is forming in Tehran that Armenia is becoming a serious center for the actions of forces hostile to Iran.”

📍 The Armenian finance minister has addressed criticism over large bonuses for government officials and concerns over public debt. 📍 The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan spoke about the normalization between their countries at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said goods of Armenian origin will soon be allowed to transit through Azerbaijan.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

📍 Armenia expects hybrid threats and foreign interference to intensify this year, particularly in the run-up to the country’s general elections in 2026, the Foreign Intelligence Service says.📍 Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has accepted an invitation to join the Board of Peace, a U.S.-led intergovernmental organization proposed by President Donald Trump.📍 Armenia has established January 27 as a national day of remembrance for all those who fell in wars defending the country.📍 Foreign Intelligence Service 2026 report: https://armenpress.am/storage/content/2025/pdf/NewFolder/FISA_Annual_Report_2026_English.pdf #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

📍 A senior Armenian official refused to speculate on reports that a Turkish border checkpoint is preparing to open later this month. 📍 Armenia plans to tighten student military deferments after data shows most graduates who studied abroad did not return to serve or work in the country. 📍 Armenia’s escalating conflict between the government and the Armenian Apostolic Church tests the limits of secularism and the separation of church and state.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

📍 The United States and Armenia revealed major new details on the corporate and financial arrangements behind the ‘Trump route’ planned for southern Armenia.📍 Yerevan called on Moscow to speed up a possible decision on restoring key sections of Armenia’s aging rail network that would connect the country with Turkey and Azerbaijan.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #civilnetbusiness

📍 Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia will respect democratic freedoms while taking steps to address Iran’s concerns about protests at the Iranian embassy in Yerevan. 📍 Pashinyan urged Russia to quickly restore Armenia’s key railway sections, linking the move to the new U.S.-backed Trump Route initiatives and signaling impatience with delayed Russian investment. 📍 Where is Iran’s national uprising headed?- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH1g8nzoHH0 #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

In this episode of the CivilNet podcast, commentator Eric Hacopian examines where the unrest in Iran may be headed and which outcomes are realistically possible. He discusses how the Iranian instability could impact Armenia, and what the intentions of the U.S. and Israel might be. Finally, he analyzes the new prisoner swap between Armenia and Azerbaijan. 0:00- What’s happening with the Iranian protests now? 3:16- What is the likely outcome? 7:20- Do minority separatist movements have a chance of succeeding? 10:45- How can unrest in Iran affect Armenia? 13:04- How can unrest in Iran affect Azerbaijan? 16:27- How can unrest in Iran affect Turkey? 19:01- What are the intentions of Israel and the US? 21:33- United States foreign policy and the disintegrating world order 24:02- Thoughts on the new Armenia-Azerbaijan prisoner swap #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

📍 Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have revealed some details of the TRIPP project. Armenia will receive a 26% stake in the joint venture, and may upgrade its share to 49% should the agreement be extended beyond 2075.📍 Armenia has secured the release of four Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan. In exchange, Yerevan handed two Syrian mercenaries who were captured during the 2020 war over to Turkey.📍 Iran’s ambassador to Armenia has criticized Armenian law enforcement for allowing members of Yerevan’s Iranian community to hold daily protests near the country’s embassy. He also accused Yerevan of hosting “anti-Iranian activity.”📍 The TRIPP implementation framework: https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TRIPP-Implementation-Framework.pdf #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia