CIVILNET

Narek Sukiasyan is a political science lecturer at the American University of Armenia and the author of a chapter in “Broken Shield”, a new volume on the Second Karabakh War published by Newmag. In this interview, he examines the strategic dynamics between Russia and Armenia during and after the 2020 44-Day War. Sukiasyan discusses the long-term misalignment between Moscow and Yerevan, the implications of Russia’s response to the conflict, and the future of Armenian security policy in a changing geopolitical landscape.

📍 The United States imposed a 10% tariff on all imports from Armenia, as President Donald Trump escalates his global trade war. Trade between the two countries amounted to $410 million last year, representing less than 1.5% of Armenia’s total trade.📍 Armenia’s national debt surpassed $13 billion, pushing the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio to more than 53%, according to the latest figures from the Finance Ministry.📍 Armenia collected about $1.4 billion in taxes in the first quarter of the year, marking a year-on-year increase of more than 13%, according to the State Revenue Committee.📍 The Radisson Hotel Group opened its first hotel in Gyumri, Armenia’s second city.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #civilnetbusiness

In this episode of Insights, host Eric Hacopian examines Armenia’s recent parliamentary motion supporting EU membership, considering its symbolic value, political realities, and the misleading narratives surrounding it. He also analyzes Sunday’s mayoral election in Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city, critiquing the dysfunction of local politics and the potential implications for next year’s national election. #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #insightswitherichacopian

In this episode of the CivilNet podcast, Ani Jilozian, Development Director of the Women’s Support Center NGO in Yerevan, examines the pressing issues surrounding domestic violence in Armenia. She discusses the early grassroots efforts to raise awareness as well as the passage of last year’s constitutional amendments that strengthened legal protections for victims. She also highlights the continuous challenges in bridging the gap between legislation and enforcement. #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

Pavel Baev is a political scientist and security expert specializing in Russian military affairs and Eurasian security at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). He delivered a speech titled ‘Curtailed but Ambitious: Russia’s Role in the South Caucasus’ during the conference “Gathering Storm: Regional Security in the South Caucasus Amid the Global Order Crisis“ organized by the Caucasus Institute in Yerevan on March 21, 2025. #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #SecureRegion

In a speech titled ‘The Wider Black Sea Region in the Context of the Global Crisis’, veteran Romanian diplomat and former Ambassador to the Council of Europe Gheorghe Magheru discusses what can be learned about state-building in the South Caucasus from the experiences of the other countries in the wider Black Sea region. Magheru delivered his talk at the conference "Gathering Storm: Regional Security in the South Caucasus Amid the Global Order Crisis" organized by the Caucasus Institute in Yerevan on March 21, 2025. #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

In this episode of Insights, Eric Hacopian focuses on the issue of disinformation by Baku and the need for Armenians to be more critical before spreading such news. He gives recent examples of how Azerbaijan tries to control the narrative by purchasing articles in legitimate-sounding outlets and names one of the questionable characters who assists the process. He encourages Armenians to adopt a skeptical lens for all news coming from their country’s enemies, and to go on the media offensive instead of merely reacting to dubious stories. #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #insightswitherichacopian

In his talk titled “Armenia in the Meat Grinder of Geopolitics,” political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan discusses the recent dramatic changes to Armenia's foreign policy which have occurred due to external circumstances, while the structure of its domestic has remained unchanged. Iskandaryan delivered the talk at the conference "Gathering Storm: Regional Security in the South Caucasus Amid the Global Order Crisis," organized by the Caucasus Institute in Yerevan on March 21, 2025. #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

Dr. Pavel Baev, a professor at the Peace Research Institute in Oslo, is in Yerevan to participate in a conference organized by the Caucasus Institute. The program is entitled “Gathering Storm: Regional Security of the South Caucasus in the Context of the Crisis of the Global Order.” Dr. Baev speaks with CivilNet about Russia’s foreign policy and whether the current geopolitical shifts may see Moscow make a stronger comeback in the South Caucasus. He also assesses Armenia’s western pivot at this moment when the global liberal order appears to be ending under President Donald Trump. 0:00 Introduction0:47 How is the changing world order affecting Russia's foreign policy?5:35 Have Russia's strategic goals in the South Caucasus changed in recent years?9:13 Did Russia see the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War coming or even facilitate it?10:02 What does Russia make of the ascendent Turkey-Azerbaijan power in the South Caucasus?13:06 Is Armenia's pivot to Europe wise amid the rise of US-Russia cooperation?16:13 What is Russia's future in the South Caucasus?#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #SecureRegion

The American University of Armenia is pioneering a master’s program in multiplatform journalism this June, meant to equip aspiring journalists in the country with the skills to navigate the fast evolving media landscape – tailored to the Armenian context. Dr. Shawn McIntosh, the program’s inaugural chair, talks to CivilNet about the special opportunities the program offers, and explains how strengthening journalism serves Armenia’s national interests. 0:00 What is AUA’s new masters in multiplatform journalism program? 3:04 Describing the program’s curriculum 6:03 Adapting the program to the new technology and the Armenian context7:15 The importance of teaching trauma-informed journalism 8:38 What are the program’s aims in Armenia? 9:58 How fostering good journalism benefits Armenia #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ