Jamestown Foundation Archives - Onnik James Krikorian - Journalist, Photojournalist, Consultant

New Armenia-U.S. Partnership On Pause

Mar 3, 2025 | Armenia, Jamestown Foundation, United States

During a visit to Washington, D.C. on February 5, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan claimed that Armenia hopes “to open a new page in relations with the United States.” This hope was in reference to the Charter of Strategic Partnership between Armenia and the United States signed on January 14 to strengthen bilateral relations (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, January 14). The signing of the charter occurred just days before the last administration left the White House.

Azerbaijan Seeks End to EU Mission in Armenia as Pashinyan Offers Border Compromise

Jan 16, 2025 | Armenia, Azerbaijan, European Union, Jamestown Foundation

On December 30, 2024, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) border guards left Armenia’s Agarak border checkpoint with Iran at the end of December 2024. This follows the FSB border guard’s withdrawal from Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport at the end of July 2024. The move had been anticipated by several pro-government activists in Armenia who had already called for their removal to cut off Russian access to the country’s Border Electronic Management Information System.

Militant Groups Resurface in Armenia’s Struggle Against Radicalization

Oct 13, 2024 | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Jamestown Foundation, PCVE, Radicalisation

Last month, Armenia arrested several individuals accused of recruiting others to stage a coup in the country. The group has a history of recruiting Armenian citizens as foreign fighters in Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The Armenian government faces a potential vulnerability from militant groups as progress occurs in the normalization process with Azerbaijan following the 2020 44-day war and recent conflict in Karabakh, fueling discontent among many Armenians.

Pashinyan Press Conference Highlights Progress and Pitfalls in Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Talks

Sep 13, 2024 | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Jamestown Foundation

Pressure on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to deliver a peace agreement with Azerbaijan before the 2026 parliamentary elections is mounting, driven by questions surrounding the longevity of Armenian economic growth.

Pashinyan’s efforts to advance negotiations have seen both progress and setbacks. Unresolved issues, particularly those related to regional connectivity and the influence of external actors such as Iran, highlight the complexity of achieving a lasting resolution.

Armenia Looks West to Reduce Nuclear Energy Dependency on Russia

Jul 27, 2024 | Armenia, Jamestown Foundation, Russia, Technology, United States

At the beginning of July, Armenian National Security Secretary Armen Grigoryan announced that talks with the United States to replace Armenia’s aging Metsamor nuclear power plant were now at a “substantive phase.” The first of two reactors at the power plant started operating in 1976, and the plant has largely met Armenia’s energy needs since. Metsamor produces 30–40 percent of Armenia’s electricity, depending on fluctuations in demand.

Constitutional Delay in Armenia Threatens to Derail Peace Talks With Azerbaijan

Jun 25, 2024 | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Constitution, Jamestown Foundation

In June, Baku reiterated its demand that any peace agreement must explicitly address changes in the Armenian Constitution, including the removal of what Azerbaijan and Türkiye perceive as territorial claims against them.

Tensions Increase as Prime Minister and Church Leaders Clash in Armenia

Jun 5, 2024 | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Jamestown Foundation

Yerevan is entering its second month of protests against the border and delimitation process launched between Armenia and Azerbaijan in April. Relations between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the government have plummeted and may be irreconcilable.

Clergy-Led Demonstrations Raise Concerns Over Separation of Church and State in Armenia

May 14, 2024 | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Jamestown Foundation

On May 9, thousands of Armenians gathered in Yerevan’s Republic Square to protest the return of four villages de jure part of Azerbaijan but de facto under the control of Armenia since the early 1990s. According to the Union of Informed Citizens, the crowd contained around 31,700 people. It was the largest protest in Armenia since Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan rose to power in 2018.

Pashinyan Emphasizes Potential in Normalizing Relations With Türkiye

May 6, 2024 | Armenia, Armenia-Turkey, Azerbaijan, Jamestown Foundation

As peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan appear to be making some progress, the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations have begun to gain more traction. In April, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan described any breakthrough as “epoch-making” for the region. Toivo Klaar, EU special representative for the South Caucasus and Crisis in Georgia, told media he hoped talks would continue in the near future.

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