Research

Research

New RCDS Report: Comparing Russian Information Influence in Moldova and Armenia: Patterns, Challenges, and Specificities

The Regional Center for Democracy and Security has published a new report titled “Comparing Russian Information Influence in Moldova and Armenia: Patterns, Challenges, and Specificities.” The report examines how Russian foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) campaigns are constructed, disseminated, and adapted across two distinct post-Soviet environments, with a particular focus on the narratives, actors, […]

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Research

Parliamentary Elections in Armenia and Hate Speech Against Nagorno-Karabakh Refugees: April 2026

By Hayk Khanumyan The campaign for Armenia’s 2026 National Assembly elections has officially begun, although participating political forces have already been actively campaigning for several months. The intensification of political competition in an increasingly polarized environment has led to a rise in hate speech, visible both among social media users and various political actors, particularly […]

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Research

From Dependence to Diversification: Armenia’s Defense Reorientation After Russia’s War in Ukraine

In the new issue of the Caucasus Analytical Digest, Tigran Grigoryan and Eduard Arakelyan analyze the transformation of Armenia’s defense policy following the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The article, titled “From Dependence to Diversification: Armenia’s Defense Policy Reorientation After Russia’s War in Ukraine,” argues that the post-2022 period marked a turning point in […]

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This image was generated using AI and is for illustrative purposes only. Any resemblance to real people or events is coincidental.
Research

Parliamentary Elections in Armenia and Hate Speech Against Nagorno-Karabakh Refugees: March 2026

This image was generated using AI and is for illustrative purposes only. Any resemblance to real people or events is coincidental. By Tigran Grigoryan and Hayk Khanumyan Following the ethnic cleansing that took place in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023 and the forced displacement of the entire population, numerous challenges continue to persist in the process […]

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Publications

RCDS Analytical Brief: Strategic Implications of the Iran Crisis for Armenia

The ongoing war around Iran represents a systemic challenge to the regional balance and carries significant implications for Armenia’s security, economy, and logistical connectivity. Iran plays an important role in Armenia’s external economic relations: key trade routes linking Armenia with the markets of the Persian Gulf and Asia pass through Iranian territory. Iran is also […]

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Publications

New RCDS Report: Lessons from the Ukraine War for Armenia

The Regional Center for Democracy and Security has published a new report titled “The New Face of War: Lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian Conflict for Armenia.” The report examines how the nature of warfare is evolving, showing that modern conflicts mobilize not only armies but entire societies, economies, and information spaces, blurring the lines between the […]

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Publications

New RCDS Report on Hate Speech Targeting Karabakh Armenian Refugees

The Regional Center for Democracy and Security has published a new report titled “Narratives of Division: Ruling Party-Linked Hate Speech Against Karabakh Armenian Refugees.” The report explores how government-affiliated actors have fueled disinformation and hate speech, deepening societal divisions and undermining Armenia’s democratic resilience.  Based on detailed analysis and interviews, the report reveals how harmful […]

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Research

Diversifying Armenia’s defence: Shifting Alliances and military modernisation

The article by Eduard Arakelyan and Karina Avetisyan, analysts at the Regional Center for Democracy and Security (RCDS), was published in the May issue of European Security & Defence—a leading military publication covering defense policy and strategic security issues in Europe and neighboring regions. In the article, titled “Diversifying Armenia’s defence: Shifting Alliances and military […]

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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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