Description
The political developments in Armenia in 2016 have created geopolitical challenges for Russia’s influence in Armenia. First, during a four day period in April 2016, Armenian and Azerbaijani forces clashed over the disputed territory of Nagorny Karabakh. This was the most violent escalation since the ceasefire in 1994 and served to open up a new security vacuum around Nagorny Karabakh. It was a major blow to Russia’s image as a loyal and staunch Armenian ally within Armenian society. Second, for the fourth summer in a row, mass protests gripped the Armenian capital, following the hostage crisis at the police compound in Erebuni, Yerevan. Following these two tragic events, anti-Russian sentiment seem to be heightened amongst the Armenian population and Russia’s simplest instrument for leverage over Armenia – the provision of military security – has lost some of its purchase. Russia’s economic security leverage has also lost some of its power, as people feel there are no benefits of Armenia’s Eurasian Economic Union membership, with some opposition leaders even predicting the Union’s breakup in the short-term future. Thus, based on empirical research this presentation explores the dynamics of domestic insecurities in Armenia and Russia’s influence in the country and the wider region.| Period | 17 Sep 2017 |
|---|---|
| Held at | Aleksanteri Institute, Finland |
| Degree of Recognition | International |
Keywords
- Armenia
- Security
- Geopolitics