Publications

Publications

The New U.S. National Security Strategy Through Armenia’s Lens

At the beginning of December, the new U.S. National Security Strategy was published, triggering considerable debate in both the United States and Europe. The document codifies the fundamental principles that, in practice, underpin U.S. foreign policy during Donald Trump’s second presidential term. The strategy explicitly speaks of a a “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine, […]

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Publications

Azerbaijan’s Gas Promises to Europe: Political Commitments Without Resource Backing

In recent years, Azerbaijan has been positioned as a key alternative gas supplier for Europe. A recent statement by President Ilham Aliyev about gas supplies to 14 countries creates the impression of a large-scale expansion of export geography. Moreover, Aliyev previously promised to double Azerbaijani gas supplies to Europe by 2027, increasing them to around […]

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Publications

State Interference and the Erosion of Religious Freedom and Autonomy in Armenia

By Tigran Grigoryan Armenia’s domestic political life continues to be dominated by the ruling party’s confrontation with the Church leadership. In its attempt to dethrone Catholicos Garegin II, Prime Minister Pashinyan has adopted a two-fold approach in recent months. On the one hand, he has sought to create cleavages within the Church by finding loyalists […]

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Publications

Counting More Than Votes: Pre-Election Challenges in Armenia

Only a few months remain until the 2026 Regular National Assembly Elections, and logically, the electoral agenda is at the core of the public and political discourse. The increasing public interest in elections is also evidenced by the voter turnout figures in the recent Local Self-Government Body (LSGB) elections: 43% in Gyumri and 45% in […]

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Democracy Watch

Administrative Resources and an Uneven Playing Field Ahead of Elections

By Tigran Grigoryan On November 22, Yerevan hosted the first conference of Armenia’s state administration representatives, an event attended by more than 7,000 state and municipal employees. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan delivered a keynote speech packed with political and ideological messages – many of which are expected to form the backbone of the ruling party’s […]

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Publications

Invisible Barrels: How Azerbaijan Hides Its Oil Shipments to Israel

According to Oil Change International, between November 1, 2023 and October 1, 2025, Israel received 17.9 million tons of oil from 12 countries, with around 70% of the total coming from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. The largest supplier is listed as “Turkey (Azeri)” – 7.146 million tons delivered by 61 tankers entering Israeli ports. Formally, the […]

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Publications

Opposition Bloggers Detained in Armenia: Implications for Free Speech and Political Discourse

By Tigran Grigoryan and Tatev Ghazaryan On November 13, at 7 a.m., masked officers of Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) raided the homes of opposition bloggers and activists Narek Samsonyan and Vazgen Saghatelian, arresting both men. Later the same day, they were charged with hooliganism and placed in two months’ pre-trial detention. Law enforcement also […]

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Publications

Democracy Under Pressure: The Role of Civil Society in Armenia

By Tigran Grigoryan In recent months, developments in Armenia’s domestic political life have increasingly reflected a serious democratic backslide. The country’s law enforcement and judicial systems have been instrumentalized to serve the ruling party’s internal political interests. Selective justice, the use of disproportionate legal measures, and illegal wiretapping to persecute political opponents have become commonplace […]

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Publications

Baku 2025: The Israeli Arsenal on Display

The parade of the armed forces of Azerbaijan on November 8, 2025, in Baku became a showcase for the newest Israeli military technologies. The demonstration of weaponry and military equipment was notable for the abundance of the newest Israeli armaments, which underlined that the share of Israeli high-tech systems in the Azerbaijani army’s arsenal continues […]

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