Fires and Fascists

Fires and Fascists , Sheila Paylan

Los Angeles, a city synonymous with silver screen dreams and sun-soaked boulevards, now resembles a scene from a dystopian novel. Wildfires, driven by fierce winds, are spreading at an alarming pace and are unprecedented in their severity, ranking among the worst in American history. The city is left shrouded in ash and despair as entire neighborhoods are reduced to ruins.

Wildfires are not new to Los Angeles—they’re an annual ordeal. In fact, Southern California faces a designated “fire season” from late summer through autumn each year, characterized by hot, dry conditions and the notorious Santa Ana winds. This pattern, established for decades, is further exacerbated by climate change, rising temperatures, and chronic water shortages, signaling a clear, present, and intensifying danger every single year.

Given this predictable cycle, how could it possibly be that the city of Los Angeles finds itself so woefully and disastrously unprepared? While it’s not immediately clear where the responsibility lies, it is bewildering that last year, the mayor of Los Angeles reduced the budget of the very department—the fire department—tasked with confronting these infernos. This decision now appears to have been catastrophic, as the city grapples with a post-apocalyptic reality.

The impact of these fires extends far beyond the city limits. Almost every Armenian in the world knows someone in Los Angeles—a relative, a friend—affected by this disaster. Scenes of loss and displacement are evocative of those witnessed in late 2023 with the forcibly deported Armenian population from Nagorno-Karabakh, making the devastation even more relatable and distressing.

At the same time, half a world away, Armenia faces its own firestorm, not of flames but of rhetoric. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has, once again, unleashed a torrent of bellicose declarations, labeling Armenia a fascist state destined for destruction. This incendiary language is strikingly reminiscent of Putin’s pretext for invading Ukraine. As Armenia seeks a fragile peace, Azerbaijan’s leader borrows from a tyrant’s playbook, undermining negotiations with threats and provocations.

Aliyev calling Armenia a fascist state is like a cheater accusing their partner of being unfaithful—except this cheater is off the charts delusional. Fascism is far-right authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power, suppression of opposition through force, and strong regimentation of society and the economy. Armenia, with its open elections and vibrant public debates, hardly fits this description. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan is a perfect match, with its stranglehold on power, ruthless crushing of dissent, and totalitarian despot Aliyev’s shameless pilfering of national wealth for his own personal enrichment. For him to accuse Armenia of fascism is so ludicrous that it would be laughable, if it weren’t so downright dangerous.

Anyone who might flippantly dismiss Aliyev as a clown or buffoon should brace themselves as it would be a foolish underestimation of the gravity of the situation. When a guy who exhibits tell-tale signs of narcissistic psychopathy and runs his country like a personal fiefdom starts throwing around accusations of “fascism”, it’s not just sabre-rattling or talking shit—it’s a billboard-sized warning that he’s getting ready to throw the shit to the fan. This kind of provocative language is a clear sign he’s gearing up to escalate tensions and attack. So, let’s not wait around for the credits to roll; we need to take the previews very seriously.

What connects these two crises—fire and fascism—is: preparation is key. As the ancient Roman saying goes: Si vis pacem, para bellum – which translates to “If you want peace, prepare for war.” Whether facing the fury of nature or the hostility of a neighbor, survival depends on readiness. History has shown us, particularly with Azerbaijan’s surprise attacks in September 2020, 2022, and 2023, that we can no longer afford to be caught off guard.

As Armenians, whether in Yerevan or Los Angeles, we navigate a world fraught with both natural and man-made hazards. The tragedy in Los Angeles teaches us that budget cuts to essential services can cost lives and result in tens of billions of dollars in damage. Armenia’s geopolitical plight teaches us that words from our neighbors can precede warfare, and that readiness in military defense and emergency response strategies is non-negotiable. To live free, safe and secure, we must anticipate the worst while striving for the best.

Sadly, the new year begins on a heartbreaking note for those in California, and on treacherously uncertain waters for us here in Armenia. Los Angeles will rebuild, and its authorities must ensure that such devastating wildfires never again scar its history. As for Armenia, while the future holds its challenges, our resilience throughout history gives us reason for cautious optimism. May we all find the wisdom to foresee the fires and fascists that lie in wait, and be ready to take them head-on when they pounce.

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Sheila Paylan 2 2024

Sheila Paylan is an international human rights lawyer and former legal advisor to the United Nations. Now based in Yerevan, she regularly consults for a variety of international organizations, NGOs, think tanks, and governments.