Azerbaijan issues rare rebuke against key ally Israel over Armenian genocide r

Emil Lazarian Leave a comment
Middle East Eye

June 29 2026
29 June 2026 11:04 BST

The Israeli government’s decision on Sunday to formally recognise the Armenian genocide has drawn a rare rebuke from Azerbaijan, a close Israeli ally.

In an official statement, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry called the recognition a “distortion of the historical facts” and “the reduction of a complex historical issue to a political decision”.

It called on the Israeli government to reconsider this “unacceptable” decision.

Turkey, in a separate statement on Sunday, said the Israeli decision was a convenient way to distract public opinion from the fact that the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials over alleged crimes in Gaza.

Azerbaijan and Israel have close ties, and Baku is one of Israel’s major oil suppliers, while Israel sells advanced weaponry to the Azerbaijani government.

Turkey and Azerbaijan also see each other as close allies. Under the 2021 Shusha Declaration, both sides are obliged to support each other if either is attacked by a foreign party.

Last year, Baku sought to ease tensions between Turkey and Israel over Syria and Gaza by hosting talks between the two sides.

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Armenia passes law restricting eligibility of diaspora voters

George Mamian Leave a comment
OC Media
July 2026
by Nate Ostiller

The Armenian Parliament has passed a bill in its third and final reading that restricts the eligibility of diaspora voters, requiring them to be present in Armenia for at least one year within a two-year pre-election period in order to participate in elections. The move comes a month after Armenia held its parliamentary election, which resulted in Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party winning a majority of seats.

Armenia had already barred diaspora voters from casting their ballots from abroad, instead requiring them to return to Armenia in order to participate in the election.

In the leadup to the election, there was considerable discussion about the possibility of Russia mobilising its diaspora population to try and unseat Pashinyan. While the massive influx of voters from Russia did not ultimately materialise, nor be of a high enough number to prevent Pashinyan from winning, the new passed on Friday appears to be a reaction to such fears.

The new law also specified exemptions for certain categories of Armenians who are abroad, such as government officials who are officially posted abroad, their family members, and students studying at universities overseas.

The law was authored by several members of Civil Contract, who said the legislation was put together with the recommendations of the government.

Critics of Pashinyan and his party have condemned the bill, arguing it amounts to unconstitutional disenfranchisement of voters and is specifically targeted at the opposition.

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Canberra marks 111 years since the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian Genocides

Vorskanian Yeghisabet Leave a comment
Greek Herald
July 6 2026
06 / 07 / 2026

 

·

Andriana Simos

Community leaders, politicians, academics and members of the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian communities gathered at the Hellenic Club of Canberra on Thursday, July 2, to mark the 111th anniversary of the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian Genocides.

The annual commemoration, jointly organised by the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) and the Canberra Association of Pontos ‘Trapezounta’, honoured the memory of the more than 2.5 million Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians who lost their lives during the genocidal campaigns of the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923, while reaffirming calls for truth, remembrance and legislative recognition.

The evening brought together diplomatic representatives, parliamentarians and community leaders from across the ACT and interstate, including Greek Ambassador Stavros Venizelos, Cyprus Deputy High Commissioner Nikos Varellas, ACT Minister for Multicultural Affairs Michael Pettersson MLA, Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens Andrew Braddock MLA, Brindabella MLA Caitlin Tough, Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia Co-President and Pontoxeniteas NSW President Maria Anthony, Greek Community of Canberra President John Loukadellis, Kytherian Association of Canberra President Fotis Samios, as well as representatives from Armenian, Assyrian, Jewish and Christian organisations.

Guests also heard from distinguished academics including Dr Panayiotis Diamadis and Sam Topalidis, while the keynote address was delivered by genocide scholar Dr Deborah Mayersen, Senior Lecturer in International and Political Studies at UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

Dr Mayersen, whose research focuses on genocide studies and prevention, reflected on the historical significance of the Armenian Genocide in the development of international genocide law and emphasised the importance of remembrance and recognition in preventing future atrocities.

The ceremony also featured a survivor testimony, recognising that while no survivors of the Armenian, Greek or Assyrian Genocides remain in Australia, their descendants continue to preserve and share their stories. Attendees viewed the testimony of Armenian Genocide survivor Verjin Cholakian, whose experiences served as a reminder of the lasting human impact of the atrocities.

Throughout the evening, speakers reflected on the resilience of the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian peoples, paying tribute to the generations who rebuilt their lives after persecution while stressing the responsibility of future generations to ensure the genocides are never forgotten.

Organisers also highlighted the ongoing campaign for legislative recognition of the genocides in the ACT, urging elected representatives to continue supporting efforts to acknowledge historical truth and condemn genocide in all its forms.

The commemoration concluded with thanks to the many volunteers, community organisations and supporters whose advocacy continues to keep the memory of the victims alive more than a century after the events.

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Tough start for U16s in Eurobasket with 109-56 defeat at hands of hosts Armeni

Jagharian Tania Leave a comment
Gibraltar Chronicle
July 5 2026

 

By Stephen Ignacio

5th July 2026

Gibraltar U16s’ first outing in the U16 EuroBasket Division C Championship saw them face Armenia in what proved to be a quick reality check on the challenges of international competition.
The second day of the tournament, and Gibraltar’s opening match, saw Armenia dominate the first quarter with a 36-11 lead, immediately underlining their quality.
Although facing a stronger side in terms of both quality and overall performance, Gibraltar did not yield. Armenia had been expected to provide a difficult opening test, with the hosts among the favourites in Group B alongside Malta.
Determined to keep their heads high, Gibraltar responded well in the second quarter, limiting Armenia’s scoring opportunities during the opening minutes while creating chances of their own in an attempt to reduce the deficit.
Some good rebounding and high-pressure defending high up the court provided Gibraltar with several strong defensive moments, helping them add their first points of the second quarter while Armenia remained scoreless for the opening two minutes. This gave the Gibraltar team added confidence.
It was not until almost five minutes into the second quarter that Armenia scored again, with Gibraltar showing their ability to adapt to the pace of the game and pose a challenge of their own, although it was not enough against such strong opposition.
It was a steep learning curve. Despite their improved performance, Gibraltar were unable to make a significant dent in the deficit. Armenia capitalised when they broke Gibraltar’s momentum, extending their advantage once again.
With four minutes remaining before half-time, Armenia led 46-21.
Although their confidence had been dented after seeing their efforts produce little reward, Gibraltar’s response remained admirable as they battled for every ball, making life as difficult as possible for their opponents despite falling further behind on the scoreboard.
Quick, disciplined and efficient passing, combined with a strong counterattack, saw Armenia finish the second quarter leading 60-27.
The hosts were firmly in control, having already demonstrated they were among the group favourites after defeating Andorra 98-62 the previous evening.
In the other Group B match, Malta beat Monaco 107-73. The high-scoring nature of both matches was something Gibraltar would need to bear in mind as they looked ahead to their remaining group fixtures.
After winning the opening quarter 36-11, Armenia, despite being held scoreless for almost the first five minutes of the second period, still won the quarter 24-16.
There was little doubt as to who controlled the pace of the match, with Armenia imposing themselves from the opening minutes of the third quarter to extend their lead to 70-27 before Gibraltar responded.
Armenia’s aggressive high press limited Gibraltar’s attacks to only a handful of opportunities during the early stages of the third quarter. They stole possession repeatedly, with only their finishing preventing them from reaching the 80-point mark even sooner, showing that even at this level they could miss relatively straightforward baskets.
Having been put under relentless pressure, Gibraltar once again showed admirable resilience, continuing to battle and adding to their own tally.
With four minutes remaining in the third quarter, the score stood at 77-32 after Armenia had looked set to pull even further away.
Armenia continued to showcase their quality, moving 87-34 ahead with just two minutes remaining in the third quarter. A three-point basket from well beyond the arc was converted with the confidence of senior-level basketball.
With every major score celebrated over the public address system, Gibraltar were also facing an atmosphere they were unaccustomed to, adding further pressure.
The third quarter ended 90-38. The only positive for Gibraltar was that they had prevented Armenia from matching their first-quarter scoring total.
Having seen Malta surpass the 100-point mark against Monaco, there was little doubt Armenia would also be aiming to reach a century in order to maintain a strong points difference.
However, the advantage they had already built was more than enough as they maintained their defensive intensity and continued to limit Gibraltar’s scoring opportunities.
Three minutes into the final quarter, Gibraltar had yet to add to their score while Armenia edged closer to the 100-point mark.
Armenia eventually claimed a 109-56 victory.
Although it was a steep learning curve with which to begin their campaign, this was never expected to be the match in which Gibraltar would make their mark. Both Armenia and Malta had been anticipated to provide extremely difficult opposition. Gibraltar next face Malta, with their hopes largely resting on the remaining group matches against Monaco and Andorra before the classification play-offs.

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Save Armenia: Standing with the first Christian nation

Frangulian Shushan Leave a comment
MediaMax, Armenia
July 6 2026

The true measure of peace is not found in the signing of an accord, but in security, stability, and lasting change on the ground. This belief drives Save Armenia, a US-based nonprofit founded by James Tufenkian, in its response to the existential crises Armenia is facing.

 

Dedicated to uniting American Christians in defense of the world’s first Christian nation, Save Armenia recently brought another distinguished delegation to the country from June 14–19. The group included prominent Christian leaders, elected officials, human rights advocates, journalists, and business executives.

 

The delegation engaged directly with local officials, forcibly displaced Artsakh Armenians, and war victims. They traveled throughout the countryside to visit ancient Armenian churches. The delegation was also received by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

 

Mediamax spoke with two members of the delegation, Chief Executive Officer of Save Armenia Dr. Paul Murray and Georgia State Senator Emanuel Jones, about the purpose of their visit and the results of their recent research on peace realities on the ground. 

 

Standing with the first Christian nation 

 

Dr. Paul Murray 

 

I grew up in Massachusetts, United States. When I was 12 years old, my father was working for the state’s governor. At the time, Lebanese Armenians were facing persecution in Lebanon. They were looking for a safe place and wanted to come to the United States. My father began working to bring them to the U.S., offering them the new start they were seeking.

 

As a 12-year-old boy, I knew little about my father’s work until we were invited into home of that Lebanese Armenians. I listened to the mothers and fathers talk about their struggles, the immense pressure they faced as Christians, and the hardships they endured. I saw how profoundly grateful they were to my father for giving them a second chance. That seed was planted in me then, and I believe it has come full circle today. Now, as an adult, I find myself working alongside Armenians, just as my father did all those years ago.

When the Artsakh war started in 2020, it became clear — as James Tufenkian pointed out — that we needed to protect the sovereignty of Armenia. Because of my work in the international religious freedom space, I convened the first Armenian working group. We brought together members of the Armenian Embassy in the U.S., the diaspora, and various religious freedom organizations to determine how we could help.

 

Following the tragic events of 2023 — the ethnic cleansing of an entire Christian community of 120,000 people from Artsakh — Save Armenia recognized the urgent need to speak out and defend the Armenian people. Today, our primary focus is on strengthening Armenia, specifically by getting Christian leaders in the United States actively engaged. Our tagline for Save Armenia is: “Standing with the first Christian nation.”

 

The land where the Bible comes to live

 

Senator Emanuel Jones 

 

This is my first time in Armenia, and it feels amazing. From the moment we landed, I knew that something was different about this land. I have learned so much in the last several days that I’ve been here.

During our visit, we went to the Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin. I don’t think I was prepared for what I experienced there. In the church’s museum, they had some artifacts that date way back to the very beginning.  

 

Being a Christian, being a deacon in my church, and having grown up in the Baptist faith, I looked at one of the artifacts and I was told that it is the Holy Spear that pierced my Savior, Jesus Christ. It kind of brought me to tears. I am not an emotional kind of person, but that’s just something that takes you right back to the beginning. For me, it was like the Bible coming alive. It was something that I learned in Bible school, something that my teachers talked about. And yet, here it is, right in front of me.

Before coming here, I did not understand what they meant when they said, “This is the first Christian nation.” What does that really mean? But you have to experience it to really see what that means. Just walk on this land, go to the monasteries, walk through the caves, listen to the priests and bishops. Now when Armenians say that they are the first Christian nation, I do know what that means.

 

Looking on the realities of peace accord

 

Dr. Paul Murray 

 

After the signing of the Joint Declaration in Washington on August 8, 2025, everyone was celebrating. We were happy too, as it likely prevented another war.

Save Armenia was initially established to address the ongoing crisis — specifically Azerbaijan seizing land, imprisoning people, and destroying sacred sites. When the peace accord was initialed, we had to rethink how to remain effective. We wanted to talk about the human dignity of every individual in Armenia, the sovereignty of the nation, and the protection of its culture and heritage. And we noticed that those were things that were not addressed by the peace accord.

To understand the situation on the ground, we conducted a comprehensive research of all media — social media, print, radio, and television — coming out of both countries. We wanted to answer two simple questions: Is Azerbaijan working towards peace or against it? Is Armenia working towards peace or against it?

 

Our first analysis came out in early February, and the results were disappointing. While we have seen Armenia transition toward peace, the same cannot be said for Azerbaijan. The hate speech coming from there is terrible.

 

Hate Speech that might lead to new Genocide 

 

Dr. Paul Murray 

 

The president of Azerbaijan speaks of Armenians as subhuman, and this negative rhetoric is present even in schools. How can you build lasting peace or work together alongside that kind of hatred? 

If you look on the grounds of this, you will see that kind of speech leads to a genocide. When you look at the history of the Holocaust, the pre-Holocaust situation, you will see that similar negative image of Jews was being created. This is what Azerbaijan is doing to Armenians today.

 

Senator Emanuel Jones 

 

Growing up in the United States and going to some of the best universities. We learned early on about the Holocaust. I didn’t learn about the atrocities going on over here. To me, this is not much different than what happened with the Holocaust.

We, as God’s children, cannot allow that to happen again.

 

Azerbaijani narratives that work against peace

 

Dr. Paul Murray

 

Another thing that came out strongly in the survey was the so-called “Western Azerbaijan” narrative. It targets the sovereignty of Armenia, claiming a land that the entire international community identifies as Armenia. Yet they push this “Western Azerbaijan” label, hoping that if people hear it enough, they will start believing it. How does that help reconciliation?

There are also Armenian territories occupied by Azerbaijan. Those territories need to be returned.

 

Another indicator we have identified is the release of Armenian POWs and political prisoners. If you are going to talk about peace, the very first thing you should do is release the remaining Armenian hostages.

 

When we talk to government officials, whether it is the Trump administration or the Armenian government, we say that the release of hostages should be a part of the peace accord. I think the concern is that if it becomes part of the peace accord, it would be a deal-breaker for Azerbaijan. But as someone who stands for human rights and religious freedom, I believe this must be at the core of it, because basic human rights are foundational. If that is not there, how can you ever have genuine peace and reconciliation?

At Save Armenia, we are not saying that Azerbaijan and Armenia cannot work together. They can. And one of the great things about the TRIPP project is that it shows the potential of that happening. But until the people see these things taken care of, how do we know in three to five years that this doesn’t come up again?

 

We have our second research coming out and we will make it public to serve as a tool for everyone to see what is really happening.

 

Meeting with the victims of Azerbaijani atrocities

 

Dr. Paul Murray

 

People in Armenia know the story of the Armenian female snipers tortured and killed in Jermuk in 2022. I met the son of one of these women during an after-school program where, with the help of the Tufenkian Foundation, child victims of war and violence receive therapy. This boy now has PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) from what happened to his mother. This young boy’s life has forever changed. He still asks when his mother is coming home. I saw him drawing a really beautiful picture of three geese, but the original picture he was drawing from had only two. I asked why there were three in his drawing, and he replied, “That’s my father, that’s me, and that’s my mother.” Also, when the kids were asked what they want to be when they grow up, this young boy said he wants to be a sniper.

The impact of what Azerbaijan has done does not just impact this generation, but the next generation, which will then impact the generation after that.

 

Senator Emanuel Jones

 

We met some survivors from the genocide in Artsakh, 2023. Unfortunately, they had to relive the horrible experiences that they had, and there was not a dry eye in that room.

Yes, we have violence everywhere, all over the globe. Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, I know how violence can be. But this is just a different level of violence, a different level of cruelty of man toward man. The moment I met these people, I felt connected to them. And then hearing how they were persecuted, hearing all the horrifying stories… I am telling you, there wasn’t a dry eye in that room.

 

I see a comparison between what my ancestors and I experienced as people of color in America, and what is going on over here in this region. We endured it, and we endured it together.

 

We faced immense struggles, but we knew that we were on the right side of history, the right side of justice. And we were believers. So we persevered. We never gave up. We kept fighting. We fought in the courts. We fought in our communities. We fought to change the laws.

You have got to believe. This is not something that happens overnight. Every generation has to bear the burden. Every generation has to carry the struggle forward until we can all realize that we are one world.

 

How do you bring reconciliation without justice?

 

Dr. Paul Murray

 

Now, some people are saying Artsakh is gone. It is not even a part of the conversation anymore. But I talk to people from Artsakh and listen to their stories, I hear the horrid details of people who have been killed by Azerbaijani forces. For example, there is the story of a woman whose throat they cut with a cross: they forced her necklace into her throat and shot her body after she had died. Those kinds of graphic details are not being talked about.

How do you bring reconciliation if you do not have justice? Justice must be done for all of these people who have had family members killed and who were forced out of their own homeland. They should have the right to return. But when I speak to those from Artsakh, they are afraid to go home. First of all, what has happened to their infrastructure?

 

If you go to Artsakh right now, you will see that they are tearing down the churches and monasteries, destroying the cemeteries and sacred sites — eradicating the whole foundation of a Christian community as if it were never there.

 

How dare they destroy this beauty and what it represents? Because it is not just a building. It is all about the history of the people: baptisms, weddings, funerals, generation after generation. And now they are going to just remove it all as if it was never there. So, they are not just removing the buildings, but they are trying to erase the history.

And these are the issues that we are working to point out and address.

 

We are present

 

Dr. Paul Murray

 

The first thing we do is bring Christian leaders to Armenia to experience the country firsthand and hear from the people themselves, so this is not a secondary account.

 

Every individual who comes to Armenia is a person of influence — someone with a network they can reach — so that they can become a voice for the Armenian people. 

 

In our meetings, we have spoken to the President Trump’s administration and the State Department. We used the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit in February to raise these issues. We work, first, to raise awareness; second, to advocate; and third, to compel our government to address these issues as part of the peace accord.

People may say, “You are just a small group.” But as people of faith, we know that God is successful when he uses a remnant. We may be small organization, but the people we bring together are people of quality — men and women of prayer who are willing to use their resources, time, and networks to speak for the people of Armenia.

 

Senator Emanuel Jones

 

We must rally the international community and people of goodwill to come together and demand support.

 

I feel like I was blind until I came here, but now I clearly see what God has bestowed upon this land. I believe this is what James Tufenkian, the founder of Save Armenia, is trying to achieve. He didn’t bring us here just to have a good time, see the sights, learn a little history, and go home. He wanted us to take this experience, make it a part of who we are, and share it within our churches and communities. People need to understand that Christians here are being persecuted, and we cannot allow these atrocities to continue.

I am here, and I am ready to lend whatever support I can — my voice, my time, and my resources. I know many others who feel the same.

 

Dr. Paul Murray

 

As you travel the hillsides of Armenia, you see crosses everywhere. What is unique about Armenia’s monasteries and churches is that, unlike in other European countries where they are primarily tourist attractions, in Armenia, you will always see people inside praying. It is beautiful, and I believe that is the source of Armenia’s enduring strength.

 

Gaiane Yenokian talked to Dr. Paul Murray and Senator Emanuel Jones 

 

Photos by Emin Aristakesyan


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The (domestic) problem with Armenia’s recent elections

Elizabeth Jabejian Leave a comment
Modern Diplomacy
July 6 2026

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan has been re-elected to another term after being victorious in his country’s 7 June elections. However, domestic considerations must also be taken into account.

ByWilder Alejandro Sanchez
ByWilder Alejandro Sanchez
July 6, 2026


Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has been re-elected to another term after being victorious in his country’s 7 June elections. His re-election is a relief for Washington and Europe, given Pashinyan’s foreign policy ideologies and objectives. However, his domestic policies are very problematic; the repression and crackdown on freedom of speech leading up to the elections could signal a period of hardship for the Armenian population in the foreseeable future.

The elections in Armenia were closely monitored internationally, as much was at stake at a regional level. The obvious primary foreign policy issue for Armenia is the future of the peace process between Yerevan and the Azerbaijani government; Pashinyan’s re-election was critical to keeping the negotiations between the two neighbors alive. Moreover, given its location in the Caucasus, Armenia could become a critical transportation zone in regional trade networks such as the Middle Corridor; however, to achieve this goal, the Armenian government must be willing to engage and cooperate with neighbors like Azerbaijan, Georgia, and, yes, Türkiye.

“Protecting Armenia’s Sovereignty, Identity, and Heritage,” National Democratic Alliance, event held in  Washington, DC, 27 February 2026 (photos by the author)

The good news is that the Prime Minister is generally supportive of Washington and Europe. In fact, in 2025, the government initiated a process to apply for membership in the European Union. It is unclear how long that process would take. Moldova and Ukraine recently commenced formal accession negotiations with Brussels, but that development is a direct consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine; meanwhile, Türkiye has been in application purgatory for decades.

However, domestic considerations must also be taken into account. To secure his re-election, Pashnyan’s government has engaged in undemocratic practices. There have been several accusations of suppression of opposition parties and the detention of opposition leaders. For example, local media outlets reported that law-enforcement officials raided around 50 campaign offices of Samvel Karapetyan’s Strong Armenia bloc; many party members and supporters were arrested. Criminal cases were opened against other major opposition forces, including the leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party, Gagik Tsarukyan (namely, tax evasion). Other reports suggest that Pashnyan’s government created a climate of fear to discourage Armenians from going to vote.

Religious organizations also expressed their concern about the elections. Specifically, there are tensions between Pashinyan’s government and the Armenian Apostolic Church. Earlier this year, Armenian prosecutors opened a criminal case against Catholicos Garegin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians, or the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The charge against Garegin II is obstructing the enforcement of a court ruling, and he is currently prohibited from leaving the country.

An alarm was raised in Washington prior to the elections about Pashinyan’s domestic policies. Namely, the Armenian National Democratic Alliance organized a briefing for US members of Congress this past February at the US Congress (the author of this analysis attended said event). The speakers included representatives from the Middle East Media Research Institute and Christian Solidarity International. Also speaking was Dr. Ján Figeľ, a former special envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside of the European Union. The overall message of the event was that Pashnyan was behaving in undemocratic manners.

On election day, the tactics worked. Armenia’s National Assembly (the legislative body) has 105 seats: after the recent elections, Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party has a comfortable majority of 64 seats. The two other parties are Strong Armenia (29) and Armenia Alliance (12), both of which are generally regarded as supportive of Moscow. Voting turnout was relatively low: Armenia has around three million citizens, with around 2.5 million registered voters. Of that number, around 1.4 million voted, or 58%.

The opposition Strong Armenia party, led by the Armenian-Russian billionaire Karapetyan, has asked the Constitutional Court to invalidate the elections or call for a second round of voting. It is doubtful either scenario will occur. (To be fair, Karapetyan, who is currently under house arrest, is a very controversial figure, as he has advocated for the overthrow of the Armenian government).

Generally speaking, Europe and Washington have been supportive of the results. Both US President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio (who visited Yerevan in May) issued brief statements via social media praising the result. Meanwhile, European Commission President von der Leyen will reportedly meet with Pashinyan to discuss the future of EU-Armenia strategic relations.

A brief comparison is necessary: two years ago, in neighboring Georgia, pro-Moscow parties won control of the government, leading to mass public protests; the elections drew condemnations from Washington and Europe and praise from Moscow. Geopolitical considerations and foreign policy interests are at play here. What “really” matters is which global power (or bloc) the government of a “small” state supports; that fact alone will determine whether Washington, Moscow, Brussels, London, and even regional powerhouses like Ankara or Tehran will support it.

Thus, Europe and the US will view the elections in Armenia as legitimate and democratic, as long as the Pashinyan government remains committed to distancing itself from Russia’s influence. While the electoral results in Armenia are certainly positive for the West, democratic values and supporting good governance cannot be lost in this new era of transactional diplomacy. The international community should at least directly and sternly engage Pashinyan to remind him that stealing the vote and silencing the voice of the Armenian people is unacceptable, and future crackdowns need to stop.

Due to the war in Ukraine, the recent conflicts in Iran, the competition for critical minerals, and the development of the Middle Corridor, the South Caucasus is solidifying its position as a region of strategic importance. But this importance cannot outweigh the value of respecting human rights and conducting free and fair elections. These terms cannot be mere political tools in Yerevan.

In the post-June 7 world, Armenia will continue to have a pro-Europe, Washington-friendly government, while Moscow will (ideally) accept defeat in a country it continues to consider part of its near abroad. Hence, the recent elections are an important and positive outcome for the West at the geopolitical level. Unfortunately, the Pashinyan government is increasingly behaving in an authoritarian manner. For three million Armenians, that is important too.

    Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

    Wilder Alejandro Sánchez is President of Second Floor Strategies, a consulting firm in Washington, D.C. He covers geopolitical, defense, and trade issues in the Western Hemisphere, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

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    Armenia’s defiant drag scene braves pushback

    Tatoyan Vazgen Leave a comment
    France 24
    July 5 2026

    Armenia sits at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. While in much of the European Union, the drag scene is mainstream, in Armenia it remains underground. Performers face threats of violence, stigma, police pressure and even rejection by their own families. Despite this, drag queens have built a vibrant, bustling community that has attracted both local Armenians and international crowds. They make up a passionate and determined microculture challenging ultraconservative norms. And this avant garde scene is, in turn, being influenced by Armenia’s evolving political landscape.

    As Yerevan strengthens ties with the EU and distances itself from Moscow, this conservative Christian country has become a refuge for tens of thousands of Russians fleeing the war in Ukraine – reshaping Armenian society in unexpected ways.

    Renée Bertini and Kal Berjikian from ENTR, alongside François Picard, take us inside this hidden microculture in an upcoming documentary, produced with support from the Pulitzer Center.

    By:

    François PICARD
    Renée BERTINI
    Kal BERJIKIAN
    Video by:

    François PICARD
    Kal BERJIKIAN
    Renée BERTINI
    Watch video at https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/spotlight/20260704-armenia-s-defiant-drag-scene-braves-pushback

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    Mishustin to Hold Talks With Armenia’s Pashinyan in Yekaterinburg on Monday

    Ara Felekian Leave a comment
    The Eastern Herald
    July 5 2026
    Pashinyan’s visit to Yekaterinburg will be his first trip to Russia since Armenia’s parliamentary elections on June 7.
    by Russia Desk
     July 5, 2026

    MOSCOW – Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will hold talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yekaterinburg on Monday, the Russian government announced on Sunday.

    Both prime ministers are scheduled to participate in the INNOPROM international industrial exhibition, which opens in Yekaterinburg on Monday. The bilateral meeting on the forum’s sidelines will be Pashinyan’s first visit to Russia since Armenia’s parliamentary elections on June 7, in which his Civil Contract party retained power.

    The timing of the meeting carries weight beyond a routine diplomatic exchange. Armenia’s relationship with Russia has been under sustained strain for two years as Yerevan has distanced itself from Moscow-led security frameworks while deepening ties with the European Union. Pashinyan declined to host Collective Security Treaty Organisation exercises on Armenian soil in 2022 and has pursued EU accession negotiations that remain ongoing. Armenia has also refused to finance its contributions to the Russian-led CSTO security alliance, a concrete sign of the breach in the relationship.

    That Pashinyan is traveling to Russia for the first time after the June elections signals that Yerevan has not closed the bilateral channel, even as its strategic orientation has shifted. The agenda for the Yekaterinburg talks was not detailed in the Russian government’s announcement. Russia’s broader diplomatic calendar remains active, with Putin and Trump having spoken by phone on Saturday for the 14th time in 18 months. What the two prime ministers discuss on Monday, and whether either side characterizes the meeting as a reset or simply as a forum-sideline exchange, will determine how the encounter is read in both capitals.

    https://easternherald.com/2026/07/05/mishustin-pashinyan-yekaterinburg-innoprom-monday-2026/

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    Israel’s Recognition of the Armenian Genocide Isn’t Enough

    Garnik Tadevosian Leave a comment
    Middle East Forum
    July 5 2026

    Israel Should Use Its Position to Moderate Azerbaijani Racism and Incitement Against Armenians

    July 5, 2026
    Michael Rubin

    On June 28, 2026, Israel formally recognized the Armenian Genocide. Armenians should welcome the recognition, even if it is rooted more in diplomatic cynicism than principle. After all, there is no doubt except in extreme denialist circles about the scale, scope, and intent of the murders of the Armenians and, concurrently, the Pontic Greeks.

    Israel’s motives in its recognition may not be fully principled, but the result—acknowledging historical fact—Armenians should nonetheless welcome.

    The move comes decades late, as successive Israeli governments feared angering Turks and the Turkish government who have never come to terms with Turkish culpability. Many Jewish groups, meanwhile, feared recognizing the Armenian Genocide would somehow detract from the uniqueness of the Holocaust, never mind that Nazi German leader Adolf Hitler cited the Ottomans’ ability to get away with their slaughter of the Armenians to justify his own policy against the Jews. To make an ahistorical analogy, Israeli non-recognition of the Armenian Genocide would be akin to U.S. governments refusing to recognize the Holocaust because they feared upsetting German trade deals or Arab countries that were hostile to Israel.

    Israel’s motives in its recognition may not be fully principled, but the result—acknowledging historical fact—Armenians should nonetheless welcome.

    Israelis may object to such an interpretation but, if so, they should go further. Realpolitik defines Israel’s relationship with Azerbaijan. Israelis insist that their investment in Azerbaijan paid huge intelligence and military dividends during the recent Iran war.

    Still, the Israeli tendency to advocate for Azerbaijan with the same uncritical endorsement that U.S. Ambassador Tom Barrack advocates for Turkey can backfire. To rationalize Azerbaijani ethnic cleansing of Armenians and the destruction of Armenian churches, monasteries, and graveyards is to give the diplomatic and antisemitic lynch mob that wants to see Israel’s destruction or denies Jewish heritage in the Holy Land a precedent that would enable ignoring Palestinian bulldozing of Jewish cites and archaeological ruins in Jerusalem and the West Bank. While the late Ambassador Dore Gold long spoke of the need for defensible borders, Israel’s refusal to grant Armenia the same principle undermines Israel in future diplomatic negotiations.

    Israel’s tight relations with Azerbaijan can be valuable if Israel uses its position to moderate Azerbaijani racism and incitement against Armenians. There is no strategic or logical reason why Azerbaijan should have destroyed the ancient cemetery at Julfa, for example. Israel should use its access to Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev to counsel against the repetition of such destruction, especially as Azerbaijani forces destroy churches and graveyards in Nagorno-Karabakh.

    Diplomatic ties and partnerships should not require moral compromise or acquiescence to an ideology that amounts to continued cultural genocide.

    Likewise, Azerbaijan has maneuvered itself into a corner with its unjustified arrest and kangaroo court trials of elected Nagorno-Karabakh political leaders like philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan and brilliant scholar-turned-diplomat Davit Babayan. Their imprisonment might satisfy Azerbaijani bloodlust, but Azerbaijan’s continued detention of prisoners of war—now for more than 1,000 days—only soils a reputation about which Azerbaijan is increasingly sensitive. Ilham Aliyev may believe Azerbaijan deserves a reputation akin to that of the United Arab Emirates, but such gratuitous attacks on Christians, the violent pursuit of diplomatic grievance, and multiple corruption scandals make Americans and Europeans increasingly see Azerbaijan more as the Algeria, if not Eritrea, of the Caucasus.

    Diplomatic ties and partnerships should not require moral compromise or acquiescence to an ideology that amounts to continued cultural genocide. Instead, Israel should use its good offices to speak truth to Aliyev and advocate for an end to Azerbaijani policies that do nothing but undermine Azerbaijan’s reputation on the world stage. Israel should relieve Azerbaijan of the notion that its current strategy of transforming think tankers and academics into lobbyists, if not court jesters, will suffice to stop Azerbaijan’s continued reputational decline.

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    Armenia’s top court rejects pro-Russia opposition’s request to throw out elec

    Emil Lazarian Leave a comment
    The Print, India
    July 4 2026
    Reuters
    04 July, 2026 08:30 pm IST


    July 4 (Reuters) – Armenia’s constitutional court on Saturday rejected a request by the country’s pro-Russian opposition to overturn the results of a June parliamentary election, in which pro-Western Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s party was re-elected, state news agency Armenpress reported.

    Armenpress reported that the court had upheld the result, rejecting an appeal by the Strong Armenia opposition bloc, which took 23.3% of the vote, and which said there had been irregularities in the poll.

    The ruling Civil Contract party took almost 50% of the vote.

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