News Watch

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.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have finalized peace negotiations, with Yerevan accepting Baku’s proposals on the withdrawal of third-party forces on the border and all international legal claims. However, Baku insists Armenia amend its constitution to remove alleged territorial claims as a prerequisite to signing a peace treaty.

Armenia’s economy continued to grow in 2024, though at a slower pace, while foreign trade surged. Inflation remained low, and employment reached record levels. However, birth rates declined significantly, and net migration remained negative, reflecting broader demographic shifts. Hovhannes Nazaretyan 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.

Donald Trump’s return to the White House could profoundly impact U.S.-Armenia relations, raising questions about the strategic partnership, regional alliances, and the influence of his administration’s key figures on Armenian issues. Hovhannes Nazaretyan explains.

Armenia and the U.S. have signed a Strategic Partnership Commission charter, committing to deepen security ties, economic cooperation, and democratic reforms. This milestone signals a more diversified foreign policy, emphasizing sovereignty, regional security and collaboration with Washington amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.

Armenia’s prospective contribution of civilian or military personnel to EU peacekeeping missions builds on two decades of experience in peacekeeping and other international efforts. Hovhannes Nazaretyan reflects on this legacy and its broader implications.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan dismissed six high-ranking officials, citing systemic issues and stalled reforms in law enforcement and the judiciary. Key replacements so far include Arpine Sargsyan as Interior Minister and Davit Khudatyan as Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure. Hovhannes Nazaretyan explains.

A recent public opinion poll conducted by the International Republican Institute in Armenia highlights consistent public sentiments from their previous survey in December 2023 while uncovering some notable shifts, particularly in foreign policy views. Hovhannes Nazaretyan breaks down the findings.

Russia and Azerbaijan's failure to uphold key commitments in the November 9 trilateral statement, which ended the 2020 Artsakh War, resulted in the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh's Armenian population. Four years on, one particular article continues to fuel tensions in the region.