Armenia’s price for global tussle

Thousands of homeless people streamed into Armenia from the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh, controlled by its emboldened adversary, Azerbaijan, while locals came to streets holding arms, sticks and placards in their hands demanding resignation from the Armenian Prime Minister for his poor governance, failed policies and wickedness.

The Armenian government currently finds itself in hot water facing multiple challenges after being suddenly thrust into one of the worst political crises since its independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Developments unfolded after Azerbaijan waged a military campaign in Nagorno-Karabakh, and rebel forces joined hands with Azri troops which prompted a mass exodus of the pro-Armenia population from a semi-autonomous region that multiplied the problems for Yerevan.

Historically, the Russian Federation had been staunch supporter of Armenia during its previous military clash with neighbouring Azerbaijan, which was resolutely backed by Erdogan’s Turkey during Armenia-Azerbaijan clash in 2020. Moscow played the role of a peace broker and peace deal guarantor between Yerevan and Bako and over 5000 Russian troops had been deployed for peacekeeping purposes in the area. However, with the outbreak of the Russia Ukraine war, Moscow could not contribute to the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, while exchange of allegations entirely scratched the Russia-Armenian ties in the past months. Meanwhile, the United States took advantage of the situation and strengthened its bonds with Armenia. After providing economic and security assistance to Yerevan, Americans easily camped out in Russia’s backyard in the garb of military exercise and security cooperation.

The US- Armenia wedding caused great concerns in Moscow, whose troops were performing a peace keeper role in the disputed region along with regulating movement in the famous Nagorno-Karabakh Corridor that was only access to the Armenian controlled region. Interestingly, Armenia Azerbaijan hostility remained ignited throughout past years. Turkey provided massive political and military support to Bako but Russia abandoned its friendship with Armenia and left Yerevan to its western allies. Thus; amid hopes of crucial military support and in wait for the arrival of U.S. special forces through air or any interdiction by the US Navy in the black sea remained a dream for the Armenian government and Yerevan lost its flank. Armenian leaders will certainly mull over the scenarios that led their natio to this day, while the case of Nagorno-Karabakh also has a great lesson for those who always keep desire to learn.