In the latest in a regular series of special closed briefings on pressing issues, the Regional Studies Center (RSC) convened a special presentation and discussion on February 21 assessing developments in Ukraine. The briefing featured three specific presentations, followed by an open discussion (for more details, see the accompanying event summary notes):

On February 20, RSC Director Richard Giragosian met with a senior Latvian delegation led by Juris Poikāns, Latvia's Ambassador-at-Large for the Eastern Partnership, and Ambassador Elita Gavele, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia to Armenia.

The Regional Studies Center (RSC) convened a special “focus group” discussion on February 17 focusing on the outlook for Armenia-EU relations, including an assessment of the implications from the Armenian president’s controversial September 2013 decision to forego the long-planned initialing of an Association Agreement with the EU. The focus group discussion was organized as part of the research project EUIMPACTEAST (France/UK) entitled, “Exploring the EU's influence on Domestic Change in Eastern Partnership Countries” (for more information on the project, please go to: www.euimpacteast.org).

The Regional Studies Center (RSC) participated in a special working session at the Armenian Ministry of Defense on January 23, offering analysis and an assessment of defense reform as part of Armenia’s “strategic defense review” (SDR) process. Convened by Armenian Deputy Minister of Defense David Tonoyan, RSC Director Richard Giragosian joined other leading analysts and experts in preparing an updated “threat assessment” and a formulation of a new set of defense reform policy proposals for the Armenian armed forces.

The new Winter 2013 Session of the RSC “Expert School,” featuring innovative and interactive workshops and simulation exercises, opened this past week.  A new group of participants engaged in a two-part special training workshop on 17 and 19 December.  The opening week started with an introductory orientation and a two-part session on “Research, Writing and Critical Analysis,” that was also bolstered by an interactive seminar based on current developments in the region.