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Richard Giragosian

Armenian American academic

Richard is the director of the Regional Studies Center (RSC), an independent think tank in Yerevan, Armenia.

Stories by the Author

(left) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan casts his vote in Turkey's general elections at a polling station in the Uskudar district on May 14, 2023 in Istanbul. (right) Republican People's Party (CHP) leader and presidential candidate of the main opposition alliance Kemal Kilicdaroglu arrives to cast his vote at a polling station during Turkey's General Election on May 14, 2023 in Ankara.

(left) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan casts his vote in Turkey's general elections at a polling station in the Uskudar district on May 14, 2023 in Istanbul. (right) Republican People's Party (CHP) leader and presidential candidate of the main opposition alliance Kemal Kilicdaroglu arrives to cast his vote at a polling station during Turkey's General Election on May 14, 2023 in Ankara. © Umit Bektas-Pool/Getty Images and Burak Kara/Getty Images

Turkey Votes: Normalisation With Armenia Will Continue

The presidential contest looms large over the South Caucasus region and the outcome will have a profound impact in Yerevan and Baku.

19 May 23

A woman confronts a police officer as protesters demand the removal of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan from office outside the Armenian parliament building on November 11, 2020 in Yerevan, Armenia.

A woman confronts a police officer as protesters demand the removal of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan from office outside the Armenian parliament building on November 11, 2020 in Yerevan, Armenia. © Alex McBride/Getty Images

Armenia’s Russia Challenge

The limits of Moscow’s security promises now clearly demonstrates that Yerevan must adjust to a dangerous new reality of standing alone.

18 Jan 23

On October 6, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, French President Emmanuel Macron, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan, and EU Council President Charles Michel met in Prague on the side of the inaugural summit of the European Political Community.

On October 6, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, French President Emmanuel Macron, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan, and EU Council President Charles Michel met in Prague on the side of the inaugural summit of the European Political Community. © The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia website, https://www.primeminister.am/

Armenia-Azerbaijan: Pursuing an Elusive Peace

After a recent flurry of diplomacy, Yerevan and Baku seem closer than ever to attaining normalisation.

15 Oct 22

Yepraksya Zadayan's house, in the village of Verishen, just outside the southern city of Goris, was hit by the Azerbaijani armed forces at midnight on September 12, 2022. On September 12-14 fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan resumed, nearly 300 people died over two days.

Yepraksya Zadayan's house, in the village of Verishen, just outside the southern city of Goris, was hit by the Azerbaijani armed forces at midnight on September 12, 2022. On September 12-14 fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan resumed, nearly 300 people died over two days. © Armine Avetisyan

Armenia-Azerbaijan: The Demise of Diplomacy?

New escalation threatens the outlook for engagement, despite the clear benefits for both sides.

14 Sep 22

Armenia-Turkey Border Set to Reopen After Three Decades

The plan to allow third-country nationals to cross is seen as the next step towards full normalisation between the two neighbours.

7 Jul 22

Khor Virap monastery lies a few hundred metres from the Armenia - Turkish border. It overlooks Mount Ararat, a symbol of Armenian identity, which is located on Turkish territory.

Khor Virap monastery lies a few hundred metres from the Armenia - Turkish border. It overlooks Mount Ararat, a symbol of Armenian identity, which is located on Turkish territory. © Creative Commons

Assessing Armenia-Turkey Normalisation

After decades of strained relations, why are they finally making serious moves towards re-opening ties?

16 Dec 21

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. (Photo: Press Office of the Government of Armenia)

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. (Photo: Press Office of the Government of Armenia)

Armenian Prime Minister Under Threat

The tactical flexibility and impressive self-confidence that fueled Pashinyan’s rise to power have become his biggest weaknesses.

16 Nov 20

Demonstrators participate in an anti-Lukashenko rally on August 18, 2020 in Minsk, Belarus.

Demonstrators participate in an anti-Lukashenko rally on August 18, 2020 in Minsk, Belarus. © Misha Friedman/Getty Images

Like Armenians in 2018, Belarussians Have Had Enough

How the arrogance of a ruling elite, determined to retain power, triggered public rage.

1 Oct 20

Rare Chance for Armenian-Azerbaijani Dialogue

Just meeting face to face offers opportunities to engage in considered discussion and to listen to the other side.

4 Jul 14

Armenians Seem Determined to Misread Crimea

Views differ in Armenia and Nagorny Karabakh, but both fail to see risks in backing Russia's stance.

28 Mar 14

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