In the latest analytical articles for the Al Jazeera English commentary series, RSC Director Richard Giragosian provided a brief analysis of Armenian-Iranian relations entitled, “Armenia as a bridge to Iran? Russia won't like it. No matter how attractive Armenia might be as a bridge for re-engaging Iran, the real obstacle is Russia.”
.In the article, Giragosian noted that “in the wake of the recent Western-brokered nuclear deal with Iran, Armenia is now looking to position itself as a ‘bridge,’ or at least a platform, for engaging Iran. And it is geography - not geopolitics - that now counts the most in determining whether Armenia can exploit its position.”
Adding that “despite the obvious potential for the deepening and development of Armenian-Iranian trade, the geographical advantage may still be trumped by the geopolitical reality,” Giragosian went on to specifically warn that “the coming challenge may be Russia, which is likely to see a new threat from any decrease in Armenian dependence on Russian energy and trade.”
He then concluded by stressing that “all this only raises the risk for Armenia to miss yet another strategic opportunity.”
www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2015/08/armenia-bridge-iran-russia-won-150830063735998.html