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Death of the Armenian dream in Nagorno-Karabakh was predictable but not inevitable

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
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In recent days, more than 100,000 people have taken to the streets again.

Key Points: 
  • In recent days, more than 100,000 people have taken to the streets again.
  • They have been decisively defeated by the Azerbaijanis in a short and brutal military operation in the enclave.
  • As a longtime analyst of the history and politics of the South Caucasus, I see the chain of recent events in Nagorno-Karabakh as depressingly predictable.

A legacy of Lenin

    • The 1988 demonstrations were met by violent pogroms by Azerbaijanis against Armenian minorities in Sumgait and Baku.
    • The legal principle of territorial integrity took precedence over the ethical principle of national self-determination.

An unsolved diplomatic problem

    • And for all their efforts, outside powers – Russia, France and the United States most importantly – failed to find a lasting diplomatic solution.
    • Moscow was Armenia’s principal protector in a hostile neighborhood with two unfriendly states, Azerbaijan and Turkey, on its borders.
    • Only Iran, treated as a pariah by much of the international community, provided some additional support, sporadically, to Armenia.

What might have been

    • Alternatives and contingencies always exist in history and, if heeded by statespeople, can result in different outcomes.
    • Yet the triumphant Armenian victors of the 1990s had few immediate incentives to compromise.
    • Each side considered the contested enclave a piece of their ancient homeland, an indivisible good, and compromise proved impossible.
    • Azerbaijan is a state three times the size of Armenia with a population larger by more than 7 million people.

Democracy versus autocracy

    • For example, he boldly, publicly declared that “Artsakh” was part of Armenia, which infuriated Azerbaijan.
    • This ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh – first through hunger, then by force of arms – completed the Azerbaijani victory.
    • The defeated government of Artsakh declared it would officially dissolve the republic by the end of 2023.

Learning from defeat and victory

    • They are forced to face hard facts.
    • At the same time, victory can lead to prideful triumphalism that in its own way can distort what lies ahead.
    • Voices have also been raised in Baku calling for a “Greater Azerbaijan” that would incorporate what they call “Western Azerbaijan” – that is, the current Republic of Armenia.

A chance for democratic renewal?

    • The immediate tasks facing Armenia are enormous, beginning with the housing and feeding of 100,000 refugees.
    • But this might also be a moment of opportunity.

AGBU Organizes On-The-Ground Relief for Armenian Evacuees from Nagorno Karabakh

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 2, 2023
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Collaborating with WCK, AGBU is ready to tackle this humanitarian crisis of historic proportions.

Key Points: 
  • Collaborating with WCK, AGBU is ready to tackle this humanitarian crisis of historic proportions.
  • Now the team is back in action to bring comfort and hope to ever-growing numbers of Armenian evacuees.
  • Each year, AGBU is committed to making a difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian diaspora.
  • Since 1906, AGBU has remained true to one overarching goal: to create a foundation for the prosperity of all Armenians.

Great Expectations: new theatrical adaptation sets Dickens novel in partition-era Bengal

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 2, 2023
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The vision of the boy in front of the ruins of his family is one of rude survivalism.

Key Points: 
  • The vision of the boy in front of the ruins of his family is one of rude survivalism.
  • It’s a trait that will see Pip through the misadventures ahead – but the sorrow of surviving on these terms is unmistakable.
  • However, Tanika Gupta’s adaptation of Great Expectations, currently showing at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre, opens with “Pipli” buzzing around, doing cartwheels, at ease in his world.
  • Dickens brought the upper classes to their knees in his novels, exposing the entanglements of gentility and criminality.

Pip and Magwitch

    • In the Dickens novel, Pip refuses to treat his terrifying encounter with Magwitch as anything other than a “chance occurrence”.
    • Magwitch – who reinvents himself in the penal colony of Australia, where he is transported to – becomes the anonymous benefactor whose colonial labour finances Pip’s education.
    • Dickens’s Pip does not treat his entry into Satis House – the estate of Miss Havisham – as the random event it is.

MacCaulay’s Minute

    • In Gupta’s play, the backdrop to Pipli’s soul-searching is the first partition of Bengal into East and West Bengal (1905).
    • This echoes politician Thomas Babington Macaulay’s Minute Upon Indian Education (1835), which shaped British educational policy.
    • The Macaulay Minute ushered a colonial modernity no longer reliant on the indigenous literature and culture and bred mimic men fully compliant with British rule.

The language issue

    • The treatment of language in decolonising Dickens’s Great Expectations is a missed opportunity.
    • Furthermore, little attention is paid to differences between Bengali Hindus and Muslims when it came to their respective reckonings of Curzon’s division.
    • This is clever, but reinforces once again the power of English to stand in as both global language and local vernacular.

Nagorno-Karabakh: the world should have seen this crisis coming -- and it's not over yet

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 29, 2023
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The New York Times recently wrote about what’s now happening in Nagorno-Karabakh that “almost no one saw it coming”.

Key Points: 
  • The New York Times recently wrote about what’s now happening in Nagorno-Karabakh that “almost no one saw it coming”.
  • Armenians, as well as those who have followed the conflict, have warned for a long time that this was coming.
  • The EU could only appeal for restraint and was relieved when the fighting stopped after two days.

Global inaction

    • During the summer, the situation worsened for the 120,000 residents of Nagorno-Karabakh, with acute shortages of food, petrol and medicine.
    • But no measures of force whatsoever were put behind this demand and there were no sanctions, or even threats of sanctions.
    • You can bring down a humanitarian crisis on more than a 100,000 people, even to the brink of genocide, without suffering anything but verbal condemnations.

This is ethnic cleansing

    • The last straw was the 24-hour bombardment on September 19 that has finally driven the ethnic Armenian population from their homes.
    • I therefore believe it is correct to call this ethnic cleansing.
    • Five days before the Azerbaijani attack on the enclave a representative of the US government said that the USA would not tolerate the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh.
    • Now it has happened and Washington seems to tolerate it, if the lack of sanctions on Azerbaijan are any indication.

It is not over

    • The first target will be the southern part of Armenia, the province of Syunik, which Azerbaijan calls Zangezur.
    • Should the regime in Baku get away with this with impunity, it will be inspired to continue its aggression against Armenians.
    • The lesson of the tragedy now unfolding in Nagorno-Karabakh is that verbal condemnations and appeals do not stop the aggression of authoritarian states.

Introducing Rapid Deployable Systems RDS: Shelter Solutions Designed to Provide Protection for Any Mission

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 29, 2023
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WASHINGTON, Ga., Sept. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural disasters like the devastating wildfires in Lahaina on Maui highlight the importance of rapid deployment disaster relief solutions. And unfortunately, it wasn't just this disaster; in 2022, the United States experienced the third-highest number of billion-dollar disasters in a calendar year, according to NOAA.1 With emergencies on the rise, the need for reliable, high-quality shelters is greater than ever. Rapid Deployable Systems (RDS) relief tents are designed to provide military-grade safety and protection to people and organizations during disaster relief efforts. 

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Ga., Sept. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural disasters like the devastating wildfires in Lahaina on Maui highlight the importance of rapid deployment disaster relief solutions.
  • Rapid Deployable Systems (RDS) relief tents are designed to provide military-grade safety and protection to people and organizations during disaster relief efforts.
  • Rapid Deployable Systems' disaster and refugee relief products offer tactically superior designs that range from two-person camping shelters to larger, modular tents used to shelter thousands of people during large-scale disasters.
  • These time-tested structures are designed to meet or exceed the rigorous standards of the U.S. military.

Ukraine recap: Ukraine and allies maintain optimism despite slow progress on the battlefield

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Lazarus, Human, Conversation, Optimism, University, Richard Wagner, Conflict, Caucasus, Atmosphere, Farmer, Kremlin, The Conversation, Intelligence, History, Attitude, Fico, Government, Ledwidge, University of Portsmouth, Lancaster, Grain, Soil, Time, Morale, News, Fatigue, Mobile phone, Mail, Arms industry, Cryptocurrency, Carpet, EU, Black Sea

This year, Kyiv’s planned counteroffensive was late coming, partly due to the slow delivery of western military aid.

Key Points: 
  • This year, Kyiv’s planned counteroffensive was late coming, partly due to the slow delivery of western military aid.
  • The sort of swift manoeuvring responsible for last year’s successful counterpunches have been nigh on impossible this year.
  • You can also subscribe to our fortnightly recap of expert analysis of the conflict in Ukraine.
  • Ukraine’s allies should manage their expectations, writes Frank Ledwidge, a lecturer in military strategy at the University of Portsmouth and former military intelligence officer.
  • Read more:
    Ukraine war: Putin avoids further mobilisation while Kyiv suffers manpower shortage

Diverse theatres of war

    • A missile strike on September 22 is reported to have killed 34 officers and wounded 105 others.
    • Basil Germond, a maritime expert at the University of Lancaster, believes that this is akin to a second front in the war.
    • Not only do these attacks undermine Russian morale, they have effectively denied it control of the Black Sea.

Conflict fatigue

    • Stefan Wolff, from the University of Birmingham, and Tetyana Malyarenko, from the University of Odesa, have been watching for signs of combat fatigue among Ukraine’s allies, as well as anger from those countries in the global south who feel as if their concerns have been sidelined.
    • Read more:
      Ukraine war: mixed signals among Kyiv's allies hint at growing conflict fatigue

      Another country where support for Kyiv, once rock solid, looks to be crumbling is neighbouring Slovakia, which goes to the polls on Saturday.

    • Read more:
      Ukraine war: Slovakia may be about to elect a government which plans to halt aid to Kyiv

Another war with Russian fingerprints

AGBU Expresses Grave Concern Over Azerbaijan's Arrest of Prominent Armenian Ruben Vardanyan

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
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"This showcase arrest sends a clear message that Azerbaijan is following the same genocidal playbook as its Turkish partner in crime.

Key Points: 
  • "This showcase arrest sends a clear message that Azerbaijan is following the same genocidal playbook as its Turkish partner in crime.
  • All practical pressures must be applied now for the immediate release of Ruben Vardanyan and all detainees.
  • The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the world’s largest non-profit organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs.
  • Each year, AGBU is committed to making a difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian diaspora.

Sharjah Ruler visits National Museum of Oman

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
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MUSCAT, Oman, Sept. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah accompanied by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, visited on Wednesday morning the National Museum of Oman.

Key Points: 
  • MUSCAT, Oman, Sept. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah accompanied by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, visited on Wednesday morning the National Museum of Oman.
  • The Sharjah Ruler toured the exhibits at the Maritime History Hall, which house a collection of manuscripts, models of Omani sea craft, and marine construction equipment.
  • During his visit, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah received a souvenir from His Excellency Jamal bin Hassan Al Musawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum, which is a museum publication entitled "The Collection of Marine Science."
  • His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, wrote words in VIP's visitors volume thanking those in charge of the National Museum for the comprehensive explanation and valuable information they provided, and wishing to make a next visit to this valuable museum.

Sharjah Ruler visits National Museum of Oman

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Collection, Painting, Ruler, Culture, National Museum (Oman), Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces, History, Supreme Council, Musandam Peninsula, Hall, Emirate, Highness, United Arab Emirates, VIP, Carpet, Tourism

MUSCAT, Oman, Sept. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah accompanied by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, visited on Wednesday morning the National Museum of Oman.

Key Points: 
  • MUSCAT, Oman, Sept. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah accompanied by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, visited on Wednesday morning the National Museum of Oman.
  • The Sharjah Ruler toured the exhibits at the Maritime History Hall, which house a collection of manuscripts, models of Omani sea craft, and marine construction equipment.
  • During his visit, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah received a souvenir from His Excellency Jamal bin Hassan Al Musawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum, which is a museum publication entitled "The Collection of Marine Science."
  • His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, wrote words in VIP's visitors volume thanking those in charge of the National Museum for the comprehensive explanation and valuable information they provided, and wishing to make a next visit to this valuable museum.

Azerbaijan's use of force in Nagorno-Karabakh risks undermining key international norms, signaling to dictators that might makes right

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
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What she found was frustration: “Sanction Azerbaijan or go back to your country!

Key Points: 
  • What she found was frustration: “Sanction Azerbaijan or go back to your country!
  • Should the authoritarian regime in Azerbaijan be allowed to act with impunity in Nagorno-Karabakh, then I fear it will only further erode the international principle of nonuse of force.
  • And it was not entirely unexpected; troops had been building up for weeks prior to the assault.
  • The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic had been in de facto existence since 1991, though never formally recognized by any nation or international body.

‘Reintegrating’ or ‘ethnic cleansing’

    • The Azerbaijani government in the capital Baku presents its country as a multiethnic, cosmopolitan society in which the Armenian population can fully participate, with all of its cultural rights guaranteed.
    • But the regime in Baku has a well-founded reputation for authoritarianism, suppression of dissent and repression of the Armenian population in particular.
    • If most of the population leaves, as expected by a senior Nagorno-Karabakh official, that could amount to about 120,000 people.

Washington and Moscow weigh in

    • But she did attest to the “violence, deprivation and … fear” of Armenians living under the government of Azerbaijan.
    • Power also mentioned the commitment by Washington to allocate US$11.5 million in relief.
    • For 25 years after the First Karabakh War ended in 1994 with a cease-fire, Washington co-chaired negotiation efforts with Paris and Moscow to find a resolution through what was known as as the Minsk Group.
    • There have been numerous flare-ups ever since, with Azerbaijani forces attacking both Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia proper.

Larger geopolitical picture

    • Resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute was one of the few areas of agreement and collaboration between Washington and Moscow.
    • The close alliance between Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as with Israel, and the regional interests of Iran further complicate matters.
    • Moscow – Armenia’s long-standing ally – has in the meantime been preoccupied with events in Ukraine.

Challenging international norms

    • It was emphasized time and again that resorting to the use of force would not be acceptable, and all the parties committed to pursuing a peaceful resolution.
    • In line with similar foreign policy decisions made by Moscow in regards to Ukraine or the Syrian government against its own people, international observers are pointing to a resurgence in the use of force as a norm in international affairs.
    • If Azerbaijan carries on with impunity in Nagorno-Karabakh, it will send a signal to authoritarian leaders around the world that might makes right.