Populism and Calls for Revenge: The Pre-Election Situation in Armenia

The decision by the government of Armenia to end the presence of Russian border guards may appear, at first glance, as a technical adjustment rooted in legacy agreements. In reality, it marks a deeper shift that touches on the very nature of Armenian statehood and its place in the regional security architecture.

Armenia and Turkey are stepping up efforts to reopen the long-closed Kars–Gyumri railway, holding a new round of technical talks as part of a broader normalization process between the two countries, Armenia’s foreign ministry said.

The security system of Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan currently cannot be unified in the full sense of the term: the three countries have differing threats, alliances, and foreign policy orientations. Nevertheless, a functioning regional model is possible if it is built around shared rules rather than around a single center of power.

When Ilham Aliyev arrived in the Georgian capital on April 6, the symbolism was unmistakable: flags lining the central avenues, meticulously observed protocol, and a series of high-level meetings designed to demonstrate continuity in a region often characterized by uncertainty.