Vardan Ghukasyan, a controversial former mayor under criminal investigation, has returned to power in Gyumri with the backing of opposition factions, despite finishing second in the vote. The ruling party boycotted the vote and warned of an impending political crisis. Hranoush Dermoyan looks at Ghukasyan’s murky past.

Following the 2023 ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, USAID pledged millions of dollars in humanitarian assistance. As the U.S. significantly cuts aid, Hranoush Dermoyan examines international contributions and the Armenian government’s relief efforts to address the crisis.

Residents of Gyumri, Armenia’s second largest city and the small town of Parakar headed to the polls in snap municipal elections on March 30. Hranoush Dermoyan breaks down the preliminary results.

Yerevan's ongoing transportation reform, launched in 2017, highlights the lack of strategic planning, leadership and accountability. Without a comprehensive approach, clear oversight and implementation, any reform process will not fulfill its intended goal: to benefit the public.

Armenia's controversial "stable majority" provision distorts proportional representation and weakens parliamentary democracy. With elections expected in 2026, concerns remain over its impact on governance, coalition-building and legitimacy. Hranoush Dermoyan explains.

Armenia's ongoing military reforms, initiated after the 2020 Artsakh War, focus on modernizing and professionalizing the Armed Forces to meet the country’s security challenges. The newly released 10-year Concept outlines strategies for structural transformation, improving education, incentivizing service and enhancing civilian oversight.

Armenia faces mounting water security challenges as climate change intensifies floods and droughts. Reservoirs can play a pivotal role in managing these risks, ensuring water availability and supporting sustainable development through improved storage, infrastructure, and strategic planning initiatives. Hranoush Dermoyan explains.

In 2024, Armenia and Azerbaijan transitioned peace talks to a bilateral framework but failed to finalize a treaty. Despite progress on border delimitation, tensions persisted, with Azerbaijan’s threats and disputes over arms procurement, regional communications, and POWs. Meanwhile, normalization with Turkey stalled. Hranoush Dermoyan explains.

Public transportation in Yerevan has become a focal point of public frustration and municipal reform efforts in recent years. But can the chaotic and uncomfortable daily commute truly be transformed? Hranoush Dermoyan explores the challenges and prospects.