APRI Armenia

What is behind #China’s growing involvement in the #SouthCaucasus? In his latest article for Commonspace.eu, APRI Armenia’s Benyamin Poghosyan examines China’s increased interest in the region, which is mainly shaped by economic drivers such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the area’s strategic location, near the Black Sea – and thus #Europe. The author suggests that China’s presence in the South Caucasus, as well as the three South Caucasus countries’ interest in furthering ties with #Beijing, are likely to grow in the future. https://lnkd.in/eyWWeEnx

We are delighted to collaborate with On Think Tanks on the release of the 2024 State of the Sector Report. See the report here: https://lnkd.in/ejZCyZ_S This comprehensive survey offers an in-depth analysis of the global think-tank landscape. Drawing from insights provided by nearly 300 organizations in 95 countries, it highlights key trends and examines the challenges and opportunities facing think tanks worldwide. As part of the report, APRI Armenia contributed an article entitled “The Effect of Polarization on Think Tanks in Small States.” Written by Davit Antonyan, this presents an #Armenian perspective on global developments, with a particular focus on the growing political polarization both globally and within Armenia. It explores the role of think tanks in this context and how they can interact with the increasingly divided political environment. https://lnkd.in/eB56igDu

APRI Armenia’s Senior Fellow Benyamin Poghosyan, in an article published in The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, analyzes #Azerbaijan’s foreign policy strategy following the events of September 2023, particularly the country’s military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh. The article discusses how Azerbaijan seeks to strengthen its regional influence and relationships, focusing on partnerships with #Turkey and the #West. The author examines the implications of these strategies for #Armenia and the broader #SouthCaucasus. https://lnkd.in/eMZCRTKc

On October 22, TIME Magazine published the article “In the Shadow of War, #Armenia Tries to Make Its Economy Indispensable,” which explores Armenia's changing geopolitical situation after the 2020 war with #Azerbaijan and the military action of 2023. The article highlights #Yerevan’s pursuit of stronger ties with the West as part of its broader strategy of diversifying foreign relations. Benyamin Poghosyan of APRI Armenia was quoted, emphasizing the challenge of fostering relationships with the West without provoking a strong backlash from #Russia. He asserts that “Armenia should not be pro-West, pro-Russia; Armenia should be pro-survival.” https://lnkd.in/e3aYqZwD

On November 5, 2024,?Leonid Nersisyan and Melkonian Sergei of APRI Armenia published an article in War on the Rocks, the leading defense publication outlet. The article, “Escaping Russia's Backyard: Armenia’s Strategic Defense Shift,” highlights Armenia’s efforts to modernize its defense capabilities and diversify its suppliers of weapons and military infrastructure. https://lnkd.in/efp6PWwu

We are pleased to present the report on the “Geopolitical Future of the South Caucasus,” created in collaboration with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Armenia. The launch event took place last week. Based on research conducted by APRI Armenia between July and September 2024, this study sought to examine the key factors shaping the geopolitical landscape of the #SouthCaucasus, including the likely effects of the elections in #Georgia and the #UnitedStates on the region. Key findings: 1. The primary external factor influencing regional geopolitics has been and continues to be the Russia–Ukraine War. This has resulted in a decrease in Russian influence in the region and simultaneously increased the region’s significance for Russia as a transit hub to the Middle East and Southeast Asia. 2. Another critical element shaping regional geopolitics is the issue of opening communications. Two main projects, the International North–South Transport Corridor and Middle Corridor, pass through the region and tightly connect geopolitics and geoeconomics. 3. The future of US and EU engagement is another essential factor affecting the South Caucasus, and various scenarios are possible depending on the policy of the new EU leadership and the US administration following their 2024 respective elections. 4. The South Caucasus does not constitute a coherent region from a political and economic point of view. It lacks common institutions and structures, and regional powers often have diverging foreign policy visions. 5. As great power competition has taken center stage in the world order, the region faces two possible scenarios—to continue to be a place for regional rivalry, with existing and emerging fault lines further fracturing the region, or to start the gradual movement toward transforming South Caucasus into a regional strategic convening hub. You can read the report here: https://lnkd.in/eGz8vbmH

On Oct. 31, APRI Armenia, in collaboration with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Armenia, presented the findings and recommendations of the report entitled “Geopolitical Future of the #SouthCaucasus.” During the event, the report’s author, Benyamin Poghosyan, outlined key findings and recommendations, followed by a panel discussion featuring Ahmad Alili, head of the research department at the Caucasus Policy Analysis Center (via Zoom); Thomas Hacker, a member of the German Bundestag from the Free Democratic Party; Johnny Melikyan, senior research fellow at the Orbeli Analytical Center; and Olesya Vartanyan, South Caucasus security expert. The panelists discussed the geopolitical landscape of the South Caucasus and the implications of the recent parliamentary elections in #Georgia. Special thanks to Katrin Bannach, head of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom South Caucasus, for her welcoming remarks and to David Akopyan, senior advisor on crisis, fragility, and complexity and board member of APRI Armenia, for his introductory remarks.

While visiting the #US for the APRI New York Meeting, Leonid Nersisyan had the honor of joining Michael Kofman on his podcast, The #Russia Contingency, hosted by War on the Rocks. Alongside Samuel Bendett, Leonid discussed the latest developments in Russia’s drone technology, unmanned ground vehicles, autonomous weapon systems, and the use of artificial intelligence. https://lnkd.in/ecJ2i3-G

The elections in #Georgia and the #US are highly likely to have a profound impact on the #SouthCaucasus. Ahead of tomorrow’s vote in Georgia APRI Armenia’s Benyamin Poghosyan considers the implications of the US and Georgian elections for #Armenia, outlining four potential election outcomes and their ramifications for regional stability and Armenia’s foreign policy. https://lnkd.in/eiyHxcBm

APRI Armenia’s Leonid Nersisyan together with Samvel Movsisyan and Vincent Sauve co-authored an article in European Security & Defence entitled “Unpacking #Russia’s Land Warfare: Lessons from #Ukraine.” The article provides insights into Russia's military operations in Ukraine, focusing on strategies and tactics that are emerging in the Russo-Ukrainian War. It highlights Ukrainian and Russian forces’ capacity to adapt, particularly in urban warfare and the integration of drone technology.? https://lnkd.in/e3stnWi3