As part of our research and analysis, the Regional Studies Center (RSC) has initiated a new “Armenian Media Monitoring” effort, focusing on political and economic developments and based on a daily survey of Armenian print and electronic media outlets. The RSC offers a summary compilation of the most significant articles, translated into English and produced every two weeks.
In an interview with the Tert.am electronic news agency on 9 February, RSC Senior Analyst David Shahnazaryan assessed the latest development in the crisis in relations between Turkey and Russia. He pointed to three recent factors that are contributing to an escalation of the crisis and warned that as has “repeatedly happened throughout history, Russia is seeking to use Armenia as a small coin in its confrontation with Turkey. Neither our authorities nor our society should be enthusiastic about it in any way. We are in a rather grave situation and we must clearly understand that the interests of Armenia and Russia are becoming more and more in conflict. In this situation, Armenia has to make certain steps, first of all out of its own state interest.”
Interview in Armenian: www.tert.am/am/news/2016/02/09/shahnazaryan/1926528
Interview in English: www.tert.am/en/news/2016/02/09/shahnazaryan/1926528
In an article entitled “South Caucasus will struggle to win Iran's attention,” Carmen Valache of Business New Europe (BNE) cites RSC Director Richard Giragosian in her assessment of the future of Iran’s relations with the countries of the South Caucasus now that sanctions against Iran are being lifted.
In an interview with the Lragir news agency, RSC Analyst Dr. Mikayel Zolyan assessed the outlook for expanding Armenian relations with Iran. In the interview, conducted in Armenian, Dr. Zolyan noted that although the recent easing of sanctions against Iran presented a significant new opportunity, Armenian dependence on Russia will only elevate the role of Russia in determining the scope of expanding relations between Armenia and Iran.
In an interview with Radio Free Europe’s (RFE/RL) Armenian Service, RSC Director Richard Giragosian hailed the lifting of sanctions against Iran and noted the significant opportunity for Armenia to emerge as a strategic avenue for Iran’s re-engagement with the global economy. Stressing Armenia’s “unique position” as the “only stable, friendly and reliable neighbor of Iran,” Giragosian also warned that the “imperative is for the Armenian government to act quickly, develop a far-ranging strategy for engagement and dispatch a delegation to Iran in the coming weeks, in order not to lose the opportunity of this new opening.”