CORRIDOR: in response to Ivan Ardhaldjian

Vaհe H Apelian

Facebook alerted me this morning, as it does with those we have on our Friends’ list, Ivan Ardhaldjian’s posting that read the following: “The actual “corridor” — the C-word itself — was openly used. Pan-Turkism under the comforting disguise of “peace and prosperity.” Donald Trump (00:03:49–00:04:11): “So they’re going to be able to really live and work together, and it’s amazing. So, it’s a very important territory, I guess, very special territory to you and to you and now they work it together. Armenia is also creating an exclusive partnership with the United States to develop this corridor, which could extend for up to 99 years.”

I do not know within what context Ivan singled the word CORRIDOR president Trump used during the entire procession. Ivan simply quoted it. The few responses to his comment make me believe that his quoting is accepted as a tacit rebuke to PM Nikol Pashinyan signing the memorandum of understanding for peace and prosperity in the region.

The signing ceremony took place yesterday, on August 8, 2025 at 4:15 pm U.S. Eastern Time. I jotted this blog at 9:am today, August 9, 2025. That is to say, 21 hours and 40 minutes after the signing. Ivan had made his comment 6 hours earlier, that is to say 15 hours after the signing ceremony. Apparently, he had not checked that the actual text with the signatures on it, was posted for the public almost right after the signing ceremony. Otherwise, I imagine, Ivan would have posted the actual signed text.

Several hours after the signing ceremony, the PM of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan met with reporters and addressed the president Trump’s use of the word CORRIDOR. He said that president Trump might have used the word CORRIDOR as a matter of speech but he brought to the reporters’ attention section 3 of the signed document and he emphasized the following words I have highlighted in my quoting of that passage of the signed agreement that reads: “We reaffirmed the importance of the opening of communications between the two countries for intra-state, bilateral, and international transportation for the promotion of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and in its neighborhood on the basis of respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction of the States. These efforts are to include unimpeded connectivity between the main part of the Republic of Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through the territory of the Republic of Armenia with reciprocal benefits for international and intra-state connectivity for the Republic of Armenia.”

Armenia and Armenians worldwide are going through a momentous time. I remain hopeful for Armenia with this deal than without this deal. I too know understand Kristapor Mikayelian who said: “And the unfortunate Armenian is destined to live, to claim the right to see  the light of day, on the borders of those two brutal tyrants, "between the devil and the deep blue sea", as the English say.”

Let us not confine ourselves to making out of context quotes, when here on earth, Armenia does not live out of context but lives as a  part of a dangerous whole.

 

 

Break up with your bird feeder: https://www.mass.gov/news/break-up-with-your-bird-feeder

 I found this article hugely revealing. That is why I took the liberty of copying it in my blog. The source is: https://www.mass.gov/news/break-up-with-your-bird-feeder

NEWS

News Break up with your bird feeder

It’s not you, it’s the bird seed. Here’s why it’s time to cut ties with your feeder.

8/01/2025

• Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

Over 50 million Americans purchase more than 1 billion pounds of bird seed and suet annually. Are you one of them? 

You may be surprised to learn that bird feeders cause more harm than good for wild animals. While feeders have some benefits for birds, they contribute to the largest sources of wild bird mortality in North America and are a major driver of human-wildlife conflict.

Bird feeders can attract and support higher local rodent populations in and around homes and businesses.

Let’s be honest—bird feeders do not only attract songbirds. Small mammals, like mice, rats, chipmunks, and squirrels, are attracted to these feeding stations too. Then come the predators, like foxes, coyotes, and bobcats, all hunting those smaller animals. Wild turkeys that eat from bird feeders can become indifferent to humans and develop bold behavior towards people, causing human-wildlife conflict that can affect entire communities. Black bears will also routinely visit (and destroy) bird feeders for a quick, easy meal, even during the day. A black bear that learns to visit backyard feeders may eventually come to find a neighbor’s unprotected livestock, potentially losing its life as a farmer takes lethal action to protect their property.  

Bird feeders and feeding platforms are also hotspots for disease. Many wildlife diseases, like mange and avian pox, are spread by physical contact between healthy and sick animals. Bird feeders gather animals in unnaturally high concentrations, creating a place for disease to spread quickly and cause greater harm. 

Bears will visit bird feeders any time of day or year. This learned behavior is not good for bears or people.

Seeing birds and other wildlife use your yard can be exciting. However, it’s up to us to make daily choices that help, and not harm, the animals we care so much about. Ease into your bird feeder breakup by taking down feeders and growing native plants, trees, and shrubs instead. Generally, hummingbird feeders cause less human-wildlife conflict, so you can continue to use those unless you start to see unexpected animal visitors. Attract songbirds with a source of water like a birdbath or fountain, making sure to replace the water weekly to keep it clean. If you have a cat, keep them indoors or directly supervise them whenever they’re outside to prevent them from hunting and killing songbirds and small mammals. And don’t be fooled into putting bird feeders out only during the day or winter—they will alter wildlife behavior and spread disease year-round, day or night.

Like any breakup, you might feel sad at first about cutting ties with your bird feeder. But with some time and willingness to support local wildlife in new ways, you may start to realize that you and your wild neighbors are better off without them anyways.  

Learn more about creating a bird-friendly backyard without bird feeders. 

Read this Massachusetts Wildlife magazine article about how to express your love for wildlife while respecting its wild nature.

August 7, 1994: Levon Ter-Petrosyan's official visit to the United States:

Attached is my aided translation of Tatul Hakobyan’s posting on his Facebook page today, August 7, 2025 on the eve of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s ongoing official visit to the United States around the same time.

President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, First Lady Hillary Cliton, President Bill Clinton, First Lady Lyudmila Ter-Petrosyan. Courtesy Tatul Hakobyan

The official visit of the first President of the Republic of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, to the United States began on On August 7, 1994. The visit was exceptional in several respects. First, it was of an official-working nature. All the key elements of the protocol were preserved, and the Armenian delegation (for the first and last time in history) stayed at Blair House, which is the residence of special guests of US presidents.

 

Ter-Petrosyan's delegation was quite representative. The delegation included the first lady, State Minister Vazgen Sargsyan, Foreign Minister Papazyan, Minister of Economy Yeghiazaryan, Minister of Finance Barkhudaryan, Chairman of the Central Bank Asatryan, the President's press secretary, and his personal physician.

 

The plane of the President of Armenia landed at Dallas Airport in Washington at 3:25 p.m. on the 7th. Immediately after that, the Armenian delegation traveled to the Willard Hotel, where it spent the first two nights.

 

The next morning, according to the rules of protocol, the Armenian President's delegation visited the Arlington Military Cemetery, laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, as well as at the tombs of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy.

 

That same day, in the evening, Ter-Petrosyan received the heads of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund at his residence.

 

On the morning of August 9, the main part of the delegation moved to Blair House and the official part of the visit begam. On the same day, the Armenian President had a working lunch with US Vice President Albert Gore. Immediately after lunch, the Armenian delegation left for the Pentagon to meet with US Secretary of Defense William Perry.

 

The protocol schedule of the visit of the President of Armenia has been preserved in the President Clinton Library, and the designated US President's National Security Advisor Anthony Lake was responsible for the visit.

 

The protocol of the meeting looked like this:

 

· 5:30-7:30 Meeting with the President of the Republic of Armenia

 

· 5:30 President Clinton welcomes President Ter-Petrosyan (with the participation of the press)

 

· 5:35-6:05 Closed meeting of the Presidents in the Oval Office.

 

· 6:15 President Clinton accompanies President Ter-Petrosyan to the "Green Room".

 

· The Presidents and First Ladies get to know each other in the "Eastern Room".

 

· President Clinton's remarks.

 

· President Ter-Petrosyan's remarks.

 

· The Presidents and First Ladies proceed to the Blue Room to greet the guests in turn.

 

Following the reception, President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton saw off President Ter-Petrossian and First Lady Lyudmila Ter-Petrossian, escorting them to the North Entrance of the White House.

«Արցախը Հայաստան է եւ վերջ»՝ Առասպել թէ իրականութիւն

Վահէ Յ Աբէլեան

Վերնագիրը՝ Վարչապետ Նիկոլ Փաշինյանին, 2019 թուականին, Ստեփանակերդի մէջ ըրած յայտարութեան մէջբերումն է։

Այսօր առաւօտ, Աւօ կ. Պօղոսեանը (Avo G. Boghossian), իր Ֆէյսպուքի էջին վրայ, հետեւալ շատ հետաքրքրական նկատողութիւնը ըրած էր՝ « Արեգ Քոչինյանի Դիլեմա հաղորդումը կը լսէի ուր քննարկողները Թաթուլ Հակոբյանն ու Աղասի Թադեվոսյանն էին: Հղումը կա ներքեւը եթէ ուզէք լսել որ շատ հետաքրքրական է: Աղասիի հնչեցրած տեղեկութիւններէն մէկը շատ հետաքրքրական էր ինծի համար որու մասին չէի մտածած կամ նկատած հակառակ որ երկու անգամ եւ ամիսներ մնացած եմ Շուէտի մէջ: 

Կ՚ըսէ՝ Շուէտի մէջ ազգային արժէքներէն կարեւորագոյնը, կամ կարեւորագոյններէն մին, Progress ն, այսինքն՝ յառաջդիմութիւնը, ամէն բնագաւառներէն ներս: Կ՚երեւակայէք՞այս երբ կը բաղդատենք մեր դաւանած արժէքներուն հետ: Մեր մօտ յատուկ ազգային արժէքներու մաս կը կազմեն մեր անցեալը, առասպելները, Եկեղեցին, պատւախնդրութիւնը, թասիպը, տղամարդկային առաւելութիւնները եւլն… բոլորը որոնք կուգան անցեալէն, չկայ ապագայի մասին խօսք, մինչ Շուէտացիներուն մօտ շեշտը կը դրուի ապագայի վրայ, կատարելագործումի, յառաջդիմութեան Progress ի վրայ: Այդ ազգային արժէքի արդիւնքն է որ այսօր, այդ ցուրտ գրեթէ բեւեռային երկիրը, մակարդակ մը նուաճած է որ աշխարհի լաւագոյն տասնի մէջ է, շատ ոլորտներու մէջ, ինչպէս երկարակեցութեան, առողջութեան, մարդկային արժ€քներու յարգման, սեռական հաւասարութեան, գիտութիւժւններու զարգացման, նորարառութեանց, արհեստական բանականութեան եւ այլ շատ բաներու մէջ: Իրենք ապագայի համար կ՚ապրին, մենք՝ անցեալի: 

Թաթուլը լաւ միտք մը հնչեցուց: Մեր միֆերու շատ հաւատք ընծայելը՝ անոնցմէ մէկը, մեր բանակի անպարտելիութիւնն էր, ու կ՚ըսէ թէ որ՞ բանակը չէ պարտուած, կայ՞ աշխարհի գէթ մէկ բանակ որ չէ պարտուած իր պատմութեան ընթացքին: Ահա այդ միֆին պատճառով մեր բանակէն դասալիքները շատ եղան ու շատ արագ երբ դէմ հանդիման եկան այն իրականութեան հետ որ, թշնամու բանակը շատ աւելի պատրաստուած էր, շատ աւելի կազմակերպուած ու շատ աւելի արդիական սպառազինութեամբ:»

 Ազգին հոգեբանութեան մեջ առասպելներ տարածուած ըլլալը կարելի է համարել վիճելի, բայց ոչ անպայմանօրէն համատարած ճշմարտութիւն։ Ռուբէն Տէր-Մինասեանը, Հայաստանի Առաջին Հանրապետութեան նախավերջին կառաւարութեան զինուորական նախարարն էր։ 25.11.1920-ին իր հրաժարականն ալ ներկացուց որպէսզի նոր ընտրեալ վարչապետ Սիմոն Վրացեանը իր կաճատեւ անցումային կառավարութիւնը հիմնէ փոխանձելու համար Հայաստանը Սովետական Հայաստանի կառաւարութեան։ Ռուբէն Տէր Մինասեանը Իր հրաժեշտի խոսքին մէջ հետեւալը ըսած է՝ «Տեսնելով Հայկական բանակին կազմակերպումը, նրա աճումն ու տարած յաղթանակները, ես անհունօրէն հաւատում էի մեր վաղեմի գեղեցիկ երազի իրականացմանը՝ Միացեաւ եւ Անկախ Հայաստանի կատարեալ ազատագրմանը եւ ես սրտատրոփ հետեւոմ էի մեր բանակի առաջխաղացման շարժումներին՝ Արեւելեան Հայաստանի սահմաններում։

Սակայն մեր նորաստեղծ բանակը չգտնուեց այնքան տոկուն, որքան մեր թշնամու դարերի փորձով կազմակերպաուած բանակը եւ նա դժբախտաբար տեղի տուաւ աւելի ուժեղ եւ կազմակերպուած հակառակորդի առաջ։»

Առասպելիներու յաւերժացման կամ շարունակութեան գլխաւոր պատճառներին է պատմութեան մէջէն ընտրութիւն ընելը՝ փոխանցելու համար յաջորդ սերունդներուն պատմութեան այն երեւոյթները որոնք դրական կ՚ընկալուին, անգիտանալով ձախողած երեւոյթմերը եւ կամ անգիտանալով պատահարին անդրադարձները  եւ կամ հետեւանքները որոնք անպայմանօրէն բարենպաստ եղած կրնան չըլլալ։ 

Աւօ կ.. Պողոսեանը առաջարկած էր նաեւ դիտել իր տեղադրումին ըկերացող ձայնագրությունը։ Սկսայ դիտել։ Սակայն կարճ ժամանակ ետք դադրեցայ դիտելէն այս գրառումը ընելու համար, երբ լսեցի Թաթուլ Հակոբյանը առասպելի որպէս օրինակ մէջբերեց վարչապետ Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի 2019 թուականի Օգոստոսին, Ստեփանակերտի մէջ ըրած յայտարարությունը՝ որ «Արցախը Հայաստան է և վերջ»։ Թաթուլ Հակոբյանը բազմիցս ակնարկած այդ պատահարին որպես օրինակ պետական մտածողութեան մէջ արմատացած առասպելական մտածողութեան։ Բնականաբար, որպէս վարչապետ, Նիկոլ Փաշինյանը կրնար դիւանագիտական յայտարարութիւն մը ըրած ​​ըլլար։ ինքն ալ նմանապէս շատ լաւ գիտեր որ Հայաստանը չէր  կցած Արցախը որպես Հայաստանի մաս և ոչ էլ ճանցած էր Արցախը որպես առանձին պետութիւն, բայց Արցախը Հայաստան էր եւ  վերջ

Գործնականաւէս ինքնահռչակ Լեռնային Ղարաբաղի Հանրապետութիւնը, աւելի ուշ՝ Արցախի Հանրապետութիւնը,  Հայաստանի մաս կը կազմէր քանի որ Արցախի քաղաքացիները, հայաստանը՝ Հայաստանի քաղաքացի կը ճանչնար։ Արցախի դրամավարկային համակարգը Հայաստանի դրամն էր։ Հայաստամո դրամատունները կը ծառայէին նաեւ Արցախին։ Արցախի ներկայացուցիչները կը ճանբորդէին աշխարհով մէկ, որպէս Հայաստանի քաղաքացիներ՝ հայկական անձնագրով։ Հայաստանը ստորագրած էր Բիշքեկի արձանագրութիւնը կամ համաձայնագիրը, Արցախի ներկայացուցիչին հետ դադրեցնելու համար առաջին Արցախեան պատերազմը։ 

Այս իրողութիւնները անտեսել և թշնամիին ներկայանալ որպէս Արցախը Հայաստան չէ, ինքնին առասպել պիտի ըլլար։ 

Կարելի է նաեւ առասպել մը յաւերժացնել երբ պետութիւնը իր վարած քաղաքականութիւնը իր աշխարհայեացքով կը յամառի դիտել եւ կ՚անգիտանայ թշնամի պետութեան՝ իր վարած քաղաքանութեան հետևանքներուն տառացի եւ իրաւ ընկալումին։

Հիմայ հարց տամ՝ «Արցախը Հայաստան է եւ վերջ»՝ առասպել մըն էր թէ իրականութիւն էր։

“Artsakh is Armenia”, myth or reality?

Vahe H Apelian

Republic of Mountainous Karabakh in 2017,  Republic of Artsakh in 2018

The title of the blog pertains to the declaration the PM Nikol Pashinyan made in Stepanakert in 2019.

A few hours ago, Avo G Boghossian had made the following thought-provoking remark early morning on his Facebook page: “I was listening to Areg Kochinyan's Dilemma program, where the discussants were Tatul Hakobyan and Aghasi Tadevosyan. The link is below if you want to listen to it, which is very interesting. Aghasi cited the following interesting information of which I had not thought about or noticed despite the fact that I have been in Sweden twice and for months. He says that in Sweden the most important national value, or one of the most important, is Progress, that is, progress, in all areas. Can you imagine this when we compare it with the values we profess? Our past, myths, the Church, honor, pride, masculine virtues, etc. are part of our special national values... all of which come from the past, there is no future while the Swedes emphasize the future, improvement, and progress. It is the result of this national value that today, this cold, almost polar country, has reached a level that is among the top ten in the world in many areas, such as longevity, health, respect for human values, gender equality, scientific development, innovation, artificial intelligence, and many other things. They live for the future; we live for the past. Tatul made a good point. We give a lot of credence to our myths, one of which was the invincibility of our army, and he says, which army has not been defeated? Is there a single army in the world that has not been defeated in its history? Because of this myth, there have been many deserters from our army, and many quickly when they were faced with the reality that the enemy army was much better prepared, much better organized, and with much more modern weaponry.”

Prevalence of myth in nation’s psyche may be argued to be true, but not necessarily so. Roupen Der Minassian headed the First Republic’s Minister of the Army. On November 25, 1920, he resigned office to make room for  PM Simon Vratsian’s short-lived government to transition the first free and independcnt Republic of Armenia onto Soviet Socialist Republic of Armenia. In his farewell to arms address he said the following: “Witnessing the formation of the Armenian Army, its development and the victories it achieved, I firmly believed in the fulfillment of our beautiful age-old dream of a United and Independent Armenia, completely liberated. I followed with excitement our army’s advances on the borders of Eastern Armenia.

However, our newly established army did not prove to be strong enough to be a match against our enemy’s forces forged through centuries of warfare and unfortunately had to concede to the stronger and better organized adversary.” 

One of the reasons myth perpetuates is because people pick and choose in history.

Avo G Bogossian had suggested to watch the recording of the panel. I did. However, after a short while I stopped to jot this note when I heard Tatul Hakobyan cite for a myth PM Nikol Pashinyan’s declaration in Stepanakert in August 2019 that “Arstakh is Armenia and that’s it”. Tatul Hakobyan has repeatedly cited it as an example of myth becoming part of state mindset. Naturally as the PM, Nikol Pashinyan should have been more diplomatic for he knew too, all too well, like any us that Armenia did NOT incorporate Artsakh as part of Armenia or annex it. Armenia also did NOT recognize Artsakh as a state of its own. But Artsakh was Armenia.

For all practical purposes on the ground the self-declared Republic of the Mountainous Karabagh, later Republic of Artsakh was part of Armenia. Its citizens were Armenian nationals. Its monetary system was Tram, the Armenia currency. Its banking system was Armenia’s banking system. Its representatives travelled the world  as citizens of Armenia travelled the world, with Armenian passport and hence with all rights and privileges abroad of a citizens of Armenia.  Armenia was a signatory of the Bishkek Protocol  or agreement that ceased the first Artsakh war. To have ignored these realities on the ground and claim that Artsakh was not Armenia would have been a myth in itself. Myth may be perpetuated when a state does not know the implications of its actions. When the state pursues policies and takes actions and expects the third parties not to view them in real terms.

Now let me pose the following question. Was Artsakh part of Armenia or not? 

Gearing for June 2031: Hybrid Warfare

Vaհe H Apelian

I follow PM Nikol Pashinyan’s postings on his Facebook page. I found out that he is on vacation until August 15, 2025. The first Armenian couple and family seem to have secluded themselves vacationing and do not seem to post on social media. His wife Anna Hakobyan has posted a number of family pictures mostly depicting their lives before they became public figures, she said. 

 But I was left under the impression that Nikol Pashinyan has been a civic minded since his youth, surely not on the international scene as he became one after the revolution he led that propelled him to power on May 8, 2018, when he was elected effectively as the first PM of the parliamentary form of government Armenia had adopted in a national constitutional referendum in 2015. 

I first became aware of Nikol Pashinyan thanks to the Keghart.com online journal.  On November 27, 2010 it published a circular in defense of an imprisoned journalist in Armenia by the name Nikol Pashinyan. The circular read: “We, Armenians living in the Diaspora and our non-Armenian friends, are deeply concerned in the imprisonment of Nikol Pashinyan, editor-in-chief of Haykakan Zhamanak (“Armenian Time”) daily in Armenia, and his treatment in jail. While Mr. Pashinyan’s voluntary surrender to law enforcement agencies should have been duly noted by the Armenian authorities, the veteran journalist has experienced coercion behind bars. We attest that these reprehensible acts of the authorities–aimed at silencing Mr. Pashinyan and punishing him for his political views–will have the opposite outcome, making the editor’s voice heard more forcefully in Armenia and in the Diaspora. Deeply concerned with the treatment of the journalist, we are following the “judicial process” with vigilance, hoping that he will be released soon. Meanwhile, we demand that the Armenian authorities put an end to the unlawful acts against him and ensure his security.”

Looking back at the circular, I read that 130,370 people had read the circular, over 2000 had commented. An unaccounted number of people had signed the circular. As far as I know, Keghart.com was the only Armenian Diaspora journal that carried the news of his imprisonment and treatment in prison. The remaining Diaspora journals had remained indifferent. But eight years after that appeal,  Nikol Pashinyan was elected the first functioning PM of Armenia on May 8, 2018. The peaceful Velvet Revolution he led had catapulted him to that position he presently continues to occupy after winning two general snap elections. The first general snap election took place on December 2018 to validate the parliamentary choice on May 8, 2018. The second general election took place in June 2021, some eight months after cessation of the second Artsakh war. In spite of the inordinate historical events Armenia experienced under his watch, the citizens of Armenia reelected him in both general snap elections.

On May 1, 2018, Nikol Pashinyan presented himself to the National Assembly, as the candidate to take over the seat the newly elected PM Serzh Sargsyan had vacated when he resigned office a week earlier on April 23, 2018.  He addressed the NA and outlined his vision. With regard to the foreign policy, he said the following: “If I become Prime Minister, there will be no sharp changes in Armenia's foreign policy. Armenia will continue to remain a member of the EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union), and the CSTO. We considered and consider Russia a military ally and this movement does not pose any threat to Russia. We will deepen relations with the European Union; we will do everything to eliminate the EU visa requirement for Armenian citizens." (see the recorded quote below). However, Armenia appears to detach itself from Russian Federation in security matters, as it has frozen its CSTCO membership and appears to be contemplating withdrawal from the Russian led security organization. Why the shift in policy came about is altogether different matter.

Hybrid warfare is a 21st century warfare that has been formally accepted as a warring strategy.

Upon his return from vacation, Nikol Pashinyan will resume what he already maintained that Armenia is in a state of hybrid war waged by internal and external forces, amidst Armenia’s security concerns. Surprisingly and unexpectadly segments of Diaspora in the west appear to be part of that Russia led shadowy warfare against the Nikol Pashinyan/Civil Contract led government. The ongoing shadowy war aims to rupture the Armenian civil society by misinformation by creating cultural war fronts, pitting an alleged more patriotic segment against an alleged not as patriotic; or an alleged nationalistic segment of the Armenian society against an alleged not as nationalistic; against the government alleging that it corrupts the Armenian society by its closer ties to decadent West. The recent virulent comments against Jennifer Lopez musical festival sponsored by the government  was  also done in that context. Alleging that the Armenian government is waging a war against the church when it is not, is a misinformation that is being promoted to oust the sitting government. 

Recently I watched a presentation sponsored by ARPA, titled, “The Transformative Transition, Western Alignment, Geopolitical and Internal Ongoings in Armenia”, presented by Prof. Nerses Kopalyan and moderated by Dr. Hrair Cabayan. Prof. Nerses claimed that Russia has entrusted waging its hybrid war against the Nikol Pashinyan led government to its experienced A Team. Russia still has a lot of leverage in Armenia led by Russian Armenian oligarchs and their proxies in Armenia, with Catholicos Karekin II, his brother, and a few high placed bishops playing a decisive role. 

Naturally the citizens of Armenia will decide the course of their country. It would be expected that it would come about in the ballot box. However, recently National Security Services recorded Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and others associated with the "Sacred Struggle" movement, discussing acts of subversion to seize power is very concerning and hopefully would not spill in June 2026 election.

Prof. Nerses said that the anti government faction in Armenia does not have a viable candidate for the June 2026 election.  The opposition or should I say anti-government faction may disrupt the June 2026 election by fostering doubts on its legitimacy. He claimed that the opposition goal is beyond the June 2026 election. It is the June 2031 election. Those interested may hear the panelist prof. Neses Kopalyan and the moderator Dr.  Hrair Cabayan in the video recording attached below.  

 

 

Բնագիրը՝

 

«Իմ վարչապետ լինելու դեպքում Հայաստանի արտաքին քաղաքականութեան մեջ կտրուկ շր՚ջադարձեր չեն լինի։ Հայաստանի շարունակելու է մնալ ԵԱՏՄ եւ ՀԱՊԿ անդամ։    Մենք Ռուսաստանին համարել եւ համարում ենք ռազմավառական դաշնակից եւ այս շարժումը որեւէ վտանք չի ներկայացնում Ռուսաստանի համար։ Մերնք խորացնելու ենք հարաբերութիւնները  Եվրամիության հետ, ամէն ինչ անելու ենք Հայաստանի քաղաքացիներուն համար Եվրամիության մուտքի արտոնագրի պահանջի վերացման ուղղությամբ։»

 

Gearing for June 2031: Hybrid Warfare

Vaհe H Apelian

I follow PM Nikol Pashinyan’s postings on his Facebook page. I found out that he is on vacation until August 15, 2025. The first Armenian couple and family seem to have secluded themselves vacationing and do not seem to post on social media. His wife Anna Hakobyan has posted a number of family pictures mostly depicting their lives before they became public figures, she said. 

 But I was left under the impression that Nikol Pashinyan has been a civic minded since his youth, surely not on the international scene as he became one after the revolution he led that propelled him to power on May 8, 2018, when he was elected effectively as the first PM of the parliamentary form of government Armenia had adopted in a national constitutional referendum in 2015. 

I first became aware of Nikol Pashinyan thank to the Keghart.com online journal.  On November 27, 2010 it published a circular in defense of an imprisoned journalist in Armenia by the name Nikol Pashinyan. The circular read: “We, Armenians living in the Diaspora and our non-Armenian friends, are deeply concerned in the imprisonment of Nikol Pashinyan, editor-in-chief of Haykakan Zhamanak (“Armenian Time”) daily in Armenia, and his treatment in jail. While Mr. Pashinyan’s voluntary surrender to law enforcement agencies should have been duly noted by the Armenian authorities, the veteran journalist has experienced coercion behind bars. We attest that these reprehensible acts of the authorities–aimed at silencing Mr. Pashinyan and punishing him for his political views–will have the opposite outcome, making the editor’s voice heard more forcefully in Armenia and in the Diaspora. Deeply concerned with the treatment of the journalist, we are following the “judicial process” with vigilance, hoping that he will be released soon. Meanwhile, we demand that the Armenian authorities put an end to the unlawful acts against him and ensure his security.”

Looking back at the circular, I read that 130,370 people had read the circular, over 2000 had commented. An unaccounted number of people had signed the circular. As far as I know, Keghart.com was the only Armenian Diaspora journal that carried the news of his imprisonment and treatment in prison. The remaining Diaspora journals had remained indifferent. But eight years after that appeal,  Nikol Pashinyan was elected the first functioning PM of Armenia on May 8, 2018. The peaceful Velvet Revolution he led had catapulted him to that position he presently continues to occupy after winning two general snap elections. The first general snap election took place on December 2018 to validate the parliamentary choice on May 8, 2018. The second general election took place in June 2021, some eight months after cessation of the second Artsakh war. In spite of the inordinate historical events Armenia experienced under his watch, the citizens of Armenia reelected him in both general snap elections.

On May 1, 2018, Nikol Pashinyan presented himself to the National Assembly, as the candidate to take over the seat the newly elected PM Serzh Sargsyan had vacated when he resigned office a week earlier on April 23, 2018.  He addressed the NA and outlined his vision. With regard to the foreign policy, he said the following: “If I become Prime Minister, there will be no sharp changes in Armenia's foreign policy. Armenia will continue to remain a member of the EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union), and the CSTO. We considered and consider Russia a military ally and this movement does not pose any threat to Russia. We will deepen relations with the European Union; we will do everything to eliminate the EU visa requirement for Armenian citizens." (see the recorded quote below). However, Armenia appears to detach itself from Russian Federation in security matters, as it has frozen its CSTCO membership and appears to be contemplating withdrawal from the Russian led security organization. Why the shift in policy came about is altogether different matter.

Hybrid warfare is a 21st century warfare that has been formally accepted as a warring strategy.

Upon his return from vacation, Nikol Pashinyan will resume what he already maintained that Armenia is in a state of hybrid war waged by internal and external forces, amidst Armenia’s security concerns. Surprisingly and unexpectadly segments of Diaspora in the west appear to be part of that Russia led shadowy warfare against the Nikol Pashinyan/Civil Contract led government. The ongoing shadowy war aims to rupture the Armenian civil society by misinformation by creating cultural war fronts, pitting an alleged more patriotic segment against an alleged not as patriotic; or an alleged nationalistic segment of the Armenian society against an alleged not as nationalistic; against the government alleging that it corrupts the Armenian society by its closer ties to decadent West. The recent virulent comments against Jennifer Lopez musical festival sponsored by the government  was  also done in that context. Alleging that the Armenian government is waging a war against the church when it is not, is a misinformation that is being promoted to oust the sitting government. 

Recently I watched a presentation sponsored by ARPA, titled, “The Transformative Transition, Western Alignment, Geopolitical and Internal Ongoings in Armenia”, presented by Prof. Nerses Kopalyan and moderated by Dr. Hrair Cabayan. Prof. Nerses claimed that Russia has entrusted waging its hybrid war against the Nikol Pashinyan led government to its experienced A Team. Russia still has a lot of leverage in Armenia led by Russian Armenian oligarchs and their proxies in Armenia, with Catholicos Karekin II, his brother, and a few high placed bishops playing a decisive role. 

Naturally the citizens of Armenia will decide the course of their country. It would be expected that it would come about in the ballot box. However, recently National Security Services recorded Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and others associated with the "Sacred Struggle" movement, discussing acts of subversion to seize power, which hopefully would not spill in June 2026 election.

Prof. Nerses said that the anti government faction in Armenia does not have a viable candidate for the June 2026 election.  The opposition may disrupt the June 2026 election by fostering doubts on its legitimacy. He claimed that the opposition goal is beyond the June 2026 election. It is the June 2031 election. Those interested may hear the panelist prof. Neses Kopalyan and the moderator Dr.  Hrair Cabayan in the video recording attached below.