#DemocracyWatch – A couple of months ago, I was invited to a working lunch with a foreign delegation, together with several other colleagues representing Armenia’s civil society and think tank community. As the discussion turned to Armenia’s domestic dynamics, I pointed out the anti-constitutional and anti-democratic nature of some of the domestic processes initiated by Armenia’s ruling party–namely, the instrumentalization of law-enforcement and the judicial system in the ruling party’s confrontation with the Church leadership and other political opponents. These actions are often justified by the broader goal of countering hybrid threats and foreign interference.

📍 Trump administration official Dr. Mehmet Oz faces backlash for allegedly targeting Armenian-American businesses in a social media video about medical fraud. 📍 Former President Robert Kocharyan criticizes the U.S.-backed TRIPP project, warning that Armenia faces new risks amid great power rivalries. 📍 The European Union has approved $24 million in non-lethal military assistance to Armenia after Hungary lifted its long-standing veto. #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

Yerevan State University has launched Armenia’s first AI supercomputing center, as the government moves forward with a $500 million AI data center project powered by NVIDIA chips. CivilNet examines how these initiatives could strengthen Armenia’s national AI capacity, and what is still needed to turn major investments into a competitive role in the global AI ecosystem.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

📍 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