News
In an interview with the Armenian “Lragir” news agency, RSC Analyst Mikayel Zolyan criticized the recent “1000 dram” fundraising drive by the Armenian Ministry of Defense through the imposition of a new “tax” on Armenian citizens as an unwarranted case of “extortion of the population.”
In an interview with Diana Museliani of the Tbilisi-based Georgian “Accent News Agency,” RSC Director Richard Giragosian focuses on the implications for Georgia and the region from the recent move to form “joint” Armenian-Russian unit command, and with a wider assessment of Armenian-Russian relations.
In an interview with the “Gala TV,” RSC Analyst Mikayel Zolyan commented on the Armenian political opposition, arguing that “the opposition needs to create a wider popular movement if it sincerely seeks a change in government.”
As part of a longer interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Armenian Service, RSC Director Richard Giragosian offered commentary on Armenian domestic politics. The longer interview, for RFE/RL Director Hrair Tamrazian’s weekly Sunday program on 13 November, focused first on the recent U.S. presidential elections, along with Armenian parliamentarian Tevan Poghosyan and the head of the Yerevan Press Club, Boris Navasardian.
RSC Director Richard Giragosian commented on the delicate military “balance of power” in the South Caucasus region in an article for Bloomberg News. The article, published on 14 November, was entitled, “Kamikaze Drones, Russian Missiles Jolt Oldest Ex-Soviet Conflict.” Giragosian commented on Armenia’s public display of its Iskander missile system at an Independence Day parade in September, explaining that “Armenia sought to use this display to deter Azerbaijan from a further attack and to demonstrate a solid position in the recently shifting military balance of power.” Giragosian also added that “this missile system is capable of reaching significant infrastructure and vulnerable targets in around Baku and throughout Azerbaijan. This is why the balance of power is now more equal.”
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