Regional Studies Center (RSC)
Organizational Description
Since our founding as an independent think tank in 2012, the Regional Studies Center (RSC) has been conducting a wide range of strategic analysis and objective research, and implementing a number of educational and policy-related projects. As a leading think tank based in Armenia, the RSC conducts research and analysis and develops policy initiatives aimed at bolstering political and economic reform and conflict resolution in the broader South Caucasus region.
Moreover, as an independent think tank, the RSC is actively engaged in the public policy process and, over the longer term, seeks to serve as a catalyst for democratic reform and sustainable economic development through the empowerment of civil society and by contributing to the formulation of public policy through innovative and objective research, analysis and policy recommendations. Our research and project activities consist of five main program areas:
- Regional analyses and assessments of political, economic and security issues in the South Caucasus, but also including Iran, Russia and Turkey;
- National security and defense reform;
- Democratization and good governance;
- Economics and sustainable development;
- Educating and empowering youth as an “agent of change.”
Regional Studies Center (RSC)
60 Aram Street, #53, 3rd floor
0010 Yerevan, Armenia
Tel: (+374) 11 70 99 69
RSC INTERVIEW ASSESSES RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN ARMENIA
In an extensive interview the Factor.am electronic news website, RSC Director Richard Giragosian offered an assessment of recent developments in Armenia, including political events, Armenian-Russian relations and the Nagorno Karabakh peace process. Giragosian began by noting that the forced resignation of former president-turned-premier Serzh Sarkisian and the subsequent coming to power of the Pashinyan government in April-May did not constitute a revolution by itself. Rather, he argued that the term revolution implied “sweeping and systemic change that was now only just underway.” Given that logic, however, there is also “no counter-revolution, but rather a political conflict, driven by those that resist change.” Commenting on the role of former President Robert Kocharian, Giragosian argued that “the former president was just that- former,” and “discredited.” For the full interview, in Armenian, see: https://factor.am/76945.html
RSC DIRECTOR ON WIDER REPERCUSSIONS OF DETENTION OF FORMER ARMENIAN PRESIDENT
Among the sweeping changes in Armenia since the rise of the new Pashinyan government in May, there are profound repercussions from a determined drive against corruption and, more recently, a commitment to investigating and holding to account those responsible for the post-election killings in March 2008. Each of these moves demonstrate that there are no longer political taboos and even less restraints.
RSC ANALYST ON SIGNIFICANCE OF CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST FORMER ARMENIAN PRESIDENT
- Details
- Parent Category: Publications
- Category: RSC Analysis
In a widely hailed analytical piece for the Carnegie Moscow Center, RSC Analyst Mikayel Zolyan explores the significance of the criminal investigation targeting former Armenian President Robert Kocharian and others for their role in the country’s deadly March 2008 post-election crisis. For select excerpts, see below:
RSC ASSESSMENT: “ARMENIA 2018: POLITICAL TRANSFORMATION & TRANSITION”
- Details
- Parent Category: Publications
- Category: RSC Analysis
With less than three months to go until Armenia completes its transformation to a parliamentary system, the Regional Studies Center (RSC) released a brief assessment of recent developments entitled, “Armenia 2018: Political Transformation and Transition.” The assessment looks at the recent developments over the indirect election of a now largely symbolic president and the selection of a new prime minister as the next head of state. For the latter and more significant issue of the next premier, the RSC analysis offers three likely scenarios.
RSC ON THE “3G” OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS
In a brief commentary for “Vocal Europe,” Regional Studies Center (RSC) Director Richard Giragosian offered a look at “The 3G of Armenian-Russian Relations: Guns, Gas and Goods.” In the piece, Giragosian noted that “of the various states of the former Soviet Union, Armenia has long been seen as the most loyal, and perhaps most subservient, to Russia. For Russia, its leverage over Armenia has depended on a “3G” approach, consisting of a combination of guns and discounted weapons, below market gas supplies, and goods, as both a major trading partner and as the dominant force of the Eurasian Economic Union.”
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