A disappointing article

Vaհe H Apelian

Robert O. Krikorian PhD has recently posted an article in the online journal Keghar.com, titling it “Armenia needs to Challenge its Assumptions”. (June 3, 2026).

 Frankly speaking I disappointed in the way Dr. Robert O. Krikorian treated Armenia’s crossroad for peace existential initiative, especially after reading his academic credentials,  academic experiences, and his “career as a diplomatic historian, focusing on the practical and policy-relevant applications of historical knowledge.” Armenia’s strategic initiative is not about what Turkey and Azerbaijan want; it is about what Armenia wants and strategizes to achieve.

Furthermore, considering Armenia’s history with its neighbors and the recent tragic loss of Artsakh experience, I find Armenia, contrary to Dr. Robert O. Krikorian’s assumption, is challenging Armenian historic assumptions in an unprecedented way. I find the diplomatic headways Armenia has made, in spite that “Armenia has provided no evidence or reasoned analysis that Ankara and Baku want anything other than a weak and compliant Armenia to serve their own strategic interests” and by  ruling out war, remarkable. For the very first time in recent history, Armenia’s borders including of course along Turkey and Azerbaijan, are now manned by Armenians only. And also “For the First Time Since Independence, Armenia Records 24 Months Without Border Fatalities; Thousands of Homes Being Built in Border Communities” (a Massispost.com quote). 

I invite Dr. Robert O. Krikorian ask and gauge the reactions of parents and relatives of citizens of Armenia who have a son or a daughter, a niece or nephew serving, or will be serving, Armenia’s armed forces and manning Armenia's borders.

I also found offensive that person of his caliper calls the Armenian Government a “regime.” Dr. Robert O. Krikorian knows that the current government came about by the consent of the citizens of Armenia, who elected Nikol Pashinyan led Civil Contract party in orderly democratic election to govern Armenia.

What also was disappointing, was his lack of suggestion as to how he proposes Armenia best strategizes its relations with its forever four bordering countries, given his unmistakable implied criticism. His concluding paragraph is evasive at best. I invite readers to read it over again and rebut me if I err in my assertions. Vahe H Apelian PhD