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Publications

Publications

Policy Recommendation: Strengthening Refugee Assistance and Integration in Armenia

Introduction The Regional Center for Democracy and Security (RCDS) convened the “Direct Dialogue: Addressing Refugee Needs in Armenia” conference on February 4, facilitating discussions between forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh, international stakeholders, and Armenian civil society representatives. The discussions highlighted significant gaps in current assistance programs, legal frameworks, and integration policies. This policy recommendation outlines […]

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Publications

France’s Satellite Capabilities: A New Frontier for Defense Cooperation with Armenia?

French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu recently stated that France is providing Ukraine with intelligence that can be used for military purposes. According to him, French intelligence operates independently and has its own intelligence-gathering capabilities. France and Ukraine have signed an agreement to ensure intelligence sharing in case the United States limits or completely halts its […]

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Publications

The impact of U.S. aid cuts on Armenia’s civil society and media

By Tigran Grigoryan As anticipated, the new Trump presidency is creating serious challenges for civil society and independent press around the world. The recent decisions by the administration to freeze foreign aid and curtail the activities of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have had a crippling effect on Armenia’s civil society and independent […]

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Publications

Azerbaijan’s Tightening Grip: Expelling International Organizations and Silencing Media

Recently, the Azerbaijani authorities have made several decisions that effectively limit the presence of international organizations and independent media in the country. Official Baku has decided to close four UN offices, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United […]

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Publications

When Accountability Fails: ANIF’s Troubling Legacy

By Tigran Grigryan Hetq’s recent investigation revealed that on May 4, 2023, the Armenian government invested AMD 1.5 billion (around US$3.8 million) in a newly established company, CFW CJSC, led by an individual with close ties to Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan’s wife. What makes this deal even more alarming is that the company received the funds just […]

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Publications

Anti-Karabakh Rhetoric in the Public Sphere and Politics: Causes and Ways to Counter It

The History of Intolerance in Armenian Society Intolerance between different segments of Armenian society has a long history. Large population shifts in the past century have been accompanied by similar, and often even harsher, problems to those now faced by the forcibly displaced Artsakh Armenians. A key issue has been, and remains, the targeting of […]

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Publications

Targeting the Free Press: The Ruling Party’s Smear Campaign Against Azatutyun

By Tigran Grigoryan The ruling Civil Contract party has launched a public smear campaign against Radio Free Europe/Radio Libety’s Armenian Service (Azatutyun). Two high-ranking government officials—Arayik Harutyunyan, the head of the Prime Minister’s Administration, and Ruben Rubinyan, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly—have led verbal attacks against Azatutyun. Harutyunyan accused Azatutyun of spreading “fake” news and […]

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Publications

Freedom of Speech on Trial: The Case of Edgar Ghazaryan

By Tigran Grigoryan The Armenian government’s treatment of opposition figures continues to raise concerns about freedom of expression and political repression. The latest case involves Edgar Ghazaryan, a former high-ranking official, ex-ambassador to Poland, and now a vocal government critic through his YouTube platform. Ghazaryan faces criminal charges over statements deemed defamatory, with potential consequences […]

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Publications

Russia-Azerbaijan Tensions: A Temporary Rift or a Long-Term Shift?

In recent months, tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia have been on the rise, marked by a growing wave of anti-Russian sentiment in Azerbaijani media and political circles. This is reflected in criticism of Russian policies and accusations of interference in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs. The reason for Azerbaijan’s grievances against Russia is Moscow’s refusal to comply […]

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