Lifestyle
Old & New
The March issue of SALT delves into the complexities of identity, self-expression, and reinvention. From hidden sanctuaries of community to bold acts of self-discovery, these stories invite you to experience life—one pinch of salt at a time.
EVN Security Report
Aliyev’s Performative Gamble: The Draft Agreement on Peace
Aliyev’s unilateral declaration of a draft peace agreement was a calculated gamble to capture U.S. attention rather than a genuine step toward peace with Armenia. This strategy backfired, exposing Azerbaijan’s bad faith engagement, with Washington preferring the narrative of its strategic partner Armenia.
Examining the Context: Aliyev’s Performative Gamble, the Draft Agreement on Peace
Is Aliyev genuinely pursuing peace, or is he using negotiations to cement his geopolitical gains? Nerses Kopalyan, author of the EVN Security Report series dissects Azerbaijan’s approach to the peace talks and explores the deeper reasons why Aliyev will not sign a peace deal with Armenia.
News Watch
Law & Society
Politics
Armenia Pursues Peace, Azerbaijan Seeks Coercion
Azerbaijan’s delay in committing to a peace agreement suggests a strategy of coercion to extract unilateral concessions and weaken Armenia’s sovereignty. The international community must go beyond praise and apply real pressure to ensure a fair, enforceable peace to stop the cycle of aggression.
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Countering Azerbaijan’s Coercion: Armenia’s Deterrence Strategies
Azerbaijan employs coercive tactics to pressure Armenia into political concessions. Davit Petrosyan examines Aliyev's strategy, Armenia's vulnerabilities, and the risks of dropping legal claims. He argues that, beyond military strengthening, Armenia must develop its own coercive strategy targeting Aliyev’s key fears and vulnerabilities, effectively deterring Azerbaijan.
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Azerbaijan’s Sham Trials: State-Sponsored Hatred and the Erosion of Peace
The sham trials of Nagorno-Karabakh’s former leaders and other Armenian prisoners in Baku expose Azerbaijan’s state-sponsored hatred against Armenians, fueling animosity, obstructing peace efforts and reinforcing Aliyev’s authoritarian grip.
Read moreOpinion
It Has to Be Said: Another Inflection Point
Azerbaijan’s trials of former Artsakh officials are a grotesque display of autocratic legalism: political theater masquerading as justice. With blatant procedural violations and no international oversight, these trials are a tool of humiliation, retribution and political coercion.
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Sovereignty, Political Identity, Equidistance
In this comprehensive article, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan explores the fundamental principles of nation-state building and Armenia’s place in the complex global order. It aims to contribute to the ongoing national debate by defining the boundaries of a shared consensus while acknowledging diverse approaches to achieving national goals.
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Syria: Silence While Massacres Unfold
Since early March, horrific massacres targeting Alawite and Christian communities have unfolded in Syria’s coastal region. A government-imposed blackout has obscured the true death toll, while international indifference enables ongoing atrocities.
Read moreColumns
[Beyond Borders]
[Tech Matters]
[Unleashed]
An Unfinished Peace: Armenia, Azerbaijan and the Fragile Path Forward
Baku and Yerevan have declared their negotiations over, a moment that should, in theory, mark a diplomatic milestone. Yet the actual signing and implementation of a peace agreement remains elusive, if not outright uncertain. With the process stalled in an ambiguous interim phase, this new reality necessitates a careful assessment of the risks and uncertainties defining this transitional period.
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Investing in the “Software” of Innovation
Silicon Valley’s success is driven by a combination of talent, capital and culture. Raffi Kassarjian explains how Armenia can apply these principles to boost its own tech ecosystem, highlighting local strengths, growing investment and the importance of global connections.
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Are You Sure That We Are Awake?
In a world increasingly shaped by propaganda, disinformation, and spectacle-driven politics, staying awake, both literally and figuratively, has never been more critical. In this month’s column, Sheila Paylan explores the urgency of reclaiming reality in an era of digital illusions.
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