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December 28, 2010

ACNIS CONCLUDES INAUGURAL SEMESTER OF “EXPERT SCHOOL”

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) concluded the inaugural Spring 2010 semester of the “ACNIS Expert School” on December 28, 2010, with a certificate presentation ceremony for the nearly fifty registered participants.  The ACNIS Expert School offered weekly certificate-based series of courses for students, youth and young professionals. [Full story]


December 27, 2010

The Criminal-Oligarch Model of Governance Has Begun to Transform Into A Clan-Police Model in Armenia

Arminfo News Agency interviews (in Russian) ACNIS Senior Analyst Manvel Sargsian

Direct link: Arminfo News Agency (in Russian)


December 16, 2010

“Silence of the Lambs,” or Life With Placing Hope on Others


by Karapet Kalenchian

Direct link: ARMENIA Today


(in Russian)

December 14, 2010

ACNIS HOLDS SPECIAL PRESENTATION ON WIKILEAKS

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) held  a special briefing today on “WikiLeaks” with an analysis of the implications of the release of thousands of formerly confidential and secret U.S. State Department cables and documents.  ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian provided a brief overview of “WikiLeaks,” including an objective assessment of how and why so many confidential and secret documents were publicly disclosed.  He then assessed the implications for U.S. foreign policy in the region, with a specific focus on U.S. diplomacy toward Armenia, Nagorno Karabagh, Azerbaijan, and provided an analysis of U.S. policy toward Russia, Turkey and Iran in the wake of the massive disclosure. [Full story]


December 13, 2010

ACNIS HOLDS RECEPTION MARKING PUBLICATION OF NEW BOOK ON CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE IN ARMENIA

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) hosted a special reception today to mark the publication of a new book, “The Key Issues of Building a Constitutional State in Armenia.”  The 208-page, Armenian-language book was edited by ACNIS Senior Analyst Manvel Sargsian and is composed of a set of commentaries and analyses prepared by a group of five contributing analysts. The reception was attended by nearly fifty guests, including prominent Armenian political scientists, experts, analysts, civil society representatives, social and political figures, as well as journalists. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version


December 10, 2010

ACNIS HOLDS ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ASSESSING NEW REPORT ON NAGORNO KARABAGH AND THE PEACE PROCESS

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) hosted a roundtable discussion on December 10 assessing a new report on the Nagorno Karabagh peace process and analyzing the recent OSCE Astana summit.  The roundtable, hosted jointly between ACNIS and the London Information Network on Conflict and State Building (LINKS), was attended by nearly fifty participants. [Full story]

Related links: English & Russian versions of LINKS Report on Karabagh


December 8, 2010

ACNIS PRESENTS REPORT ON CYBER SECURITY AT OSCE WORKSHOP

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) participated in a two-day national expert workshop on cyber security organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the OSCE Action against Terrorism Unit (ATU) on December 8 and 9 in Yerevan.  ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian was one of only two Armenian experts to give a formal presentation on cyber security in Armenia at the event.  The Yerevan workshop addressed cyber security in a comprehensive manner by focusing on the terrorist use of the Internet, cyber crime and other threats, including those to critical infrastructures. [Full story]

Related links: Giragosian Cyber Security PowerPoint presentation


December 3, 2010

ACNIS DIRECTOR PARTICIPATES IN BRUSSELS REGIONAL FORUM AND BRIEFS EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT STAFF

Yerevan—The Director of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS), Richard Giragosian, participated in a regional forum entitled, “Turkey, Armenia & Azerbaijan: Looking to the Future,” organized by the European Policy Center on December 2 in Brussels.  He also provided a closed briefing on regional developments for the staff of the European Parliament on December 3, focusing on recent developments in economic and political reform, as well as assessing the military balance of power in the South Caucasus. [Full story]


November 11, 2010

Current state of Karabakh diplomacy
‘risks resumption of war’

News.Az interviews Manvel Sargsyan, an expert at the Armenian Center for National and International Studies. [Full story]

Related links: Russian version


November 10, 2010

ACNIS HOLDS BRIEFING ON “ELEVATING THE DEBATE.” A JOINT PROJECT WITH “IMPULS” RADIO

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) held a special briefing on November 10 to provide an overview of a new joint ACNIS project with “Impuls” Radio, an initiative that seeks to “elevate the debate” of critical issues by providing objective information and analysis covering a wide range of topics, ranging from issues of domestic politics to foreign policy.  ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian introduced the aims and plans for the new joint project, and Garegin Khumaryan and Gevorg Tadevosyan, both from “Impuls” Radio, provided a detailed overview of the project’s planned activities, format and programs. “Impuls” Radio is a leading private radio station known for its extensive cultural, educational, political and social programming (www.impuls.am). [Full story]


November 9, 2010

ACNIS Holds Special Briefing on the Azerbaijani Parliamentary Elections

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) hosted a roundtable discussion today entitled “The Azerbaijani parliamentary elections: Implications for Armenia and Karabagh.”  Participants in the discussion included several members of the Armenian parliament, leading analysts, policy specialists, and representatives from the diplomatic community, international organizations and the media. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version


November 4, 2010

ACNIS DIRECTOR LECTURES GROUP OF VISITING GEORGIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Yerevan—Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian met on November 4 with a group of visiting Georgian university students and delivered a lecture on regional issues.  Earlier in the day, the group of Georgian students, which included undergraduate and graduate students from Georgian universities in Tbilisi and Batumi, attended a special briefing at ACNIS on the US Congressional election. [Full story]


November 1, 2010

THE HOLDING OF POINTLESS TALKS OVER MOUNTAINOUS KARABAGH IS NOT SO HARMLESS


As is known, the resolution of the Mountainous Karabagh issue is becoming increasingly actual, not only for the sides to the conflict itself, but also for all the countries that have direct interests in our region. And the most recent event, that is, the trilateral meeting of the presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, held in Astrakhan on 27 October, has confirmed this view.

Direct link: ARMENIA Today (in Russian)


October 29, 2010

ACNIS DIRECTOR COMMENTS ON RECENT ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENTIAL SUMMIT MEETING IN RUSSIA

Following a summit meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents hosted by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian assessed the meeting and analyzed the current status of negotiations over Nagorno Karabagh in an interview with the “Zhamanak” daily newspaper.  During the meeting, the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents agreed on “the need for further confidence-building measures” and reaffirmed their commitment to finding a negotiated settlement to the conflict, as well as agreeing to “an exchange of prisoners of war and bodies” of those killed in recent months.

Direct link: Zhamanak newspaper (in Armenian)


October 15, 2010

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN AT DITCHLEY CONFERENCE

Ditchley Park, UK—Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia's first foreign minister and founder of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies is currently in the United Kingdom participating in a Ditchley Foundation conference on “The EU and Russia's shared neighbourhood.” Attended by leading policymakers and analysts from the Russian Federation, the European Union, the United States and beyond, the conference is being chaired by Sir Rodric Brathwaite, Her Majesty's first ambassador to the independent Republic of Armenia and its neighboring states. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version


October 14, 2010

Budget 2011: Government-submitted draft draws mixed response

The draft state budget for 2011 that Armenian lawmakers will debate has been receiving conflicting assessments. While the government calls it a budget with a clear social orientation and leading to stabilization of the economy, the opposition strongly criticizes the offered draft. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version


October 13, 2010

ACNIS CONVENES SPECIAL BRIEFING: “ONE YEAR LATER: THE ARMENIAN-TURKISH ‘PROTOCOLS.’ WHERE WE HAVE COME & WHERE ARE WE GOING?”

Yerevan—Timed with the recent one-year anniversary of the signing of the diplomatic “protocols” between Armenia and Turkey, ACNIS hosted a special briefing on October 13, with ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian assessing the past year of developments in Armenian-Turkish diplomacy. [Full story]


October 12, 2010

ACNIS HOLDS THIRD MONTHLY YOUTH FORUM: “ONE YEAR LATER: THE ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS. WHAT HAS CHANGED?”

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened its third “ACNIS Youth Forum” on October 12, entitled, “One year later: the Armenian-Turkish protocols. What has changed? timed with the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Armenian-Turkish “protocols.” [Full story]


September 30, 2010

ACNIS Convenes Roundtable on the Recognition of Artsakh

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened a roundtable seminar discussion today entitled “Should Armenia Recognize the Republic of Mountainous Karabagh?” Participants in the discussion included several members of the Armenian parliament, leading analysts, policy specialists, representatives from civil society and the media. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version


September 29, 2010

SECOND ACNIS MONTHLY YOUTH FORUM EXAMINES CIVIC, POLITICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM IN ARMENIA

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened a second “ACNIS Youth Forum” on September 29, focusing on civic, political and environmental activism in Armenia.  The ACNIS Youth Forum is a new monthly series of events devoted to critical issues from a perspective of Armenian youth. [Full story]


September 27, 2010

ACNIS HOSTS VISITING US SCHOLAR FOR LECTURE ON CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Yerevan—At the request of the US Embassy in Yerevan, ACNIS hosted a guest lecture on September 27 by a visiting US Scholar, Dr Susan Nan, a noted expert on conflict resolution from George Mason University.  The event was well attended by officials from the diplomatic community, including British Ambassador Charles Lonsdale, representatives from international organizations, including the UN and OSCE, as well as local experts and civil society representatives. [Full story]


September 11, 2010

Is There Anything Bad in Recognition?

The Lragir news agency published an article by ACNIS Senior Analyst Manvel Sargsian, entitled “Is there anything bad in recognition?”

Direct link: Lragir news agency (in Armenian, in Russian)


September 7, 2010

ACNIS ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF
NEW “EXPERT SCHOOL”

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) announced the launch of the new “ACNIS Expert School,” offering a structured, certificate-based series of courses for students, youth and young professionals.  The certified training seminars and courses are offered once a week, based on a Fall, Spring and Summer semester schedule, with the first semester starting on Tuesday, 14 September 2010.  The new ACNIS Expert School is part of a new ACNIS Education Project, devoted to raising the educational standards in Armenia by offering affordable, modern and innovative academic training.  The initiative follows a series of successful ACNIS training seminars and workshops on writing and research skills, objective analysis and civic activism. [Full story]

FALL SEMESTER
September- December 2010

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
13 SEPTEMBER 2010


September 6, 2010

ACNIS SENIOR ANALYST HOVSEP KHURSHUDIAN COMMENTS ON ARMENIAN FOOD SECURITY

Yerevan—In an interview with the Russian-language “Kavkazskiy Uzel” news agency, ACNIS Senior Analyst Hovsep Khurshudian assessed food security in Armenia, explaining that after the recent imposition of an embargo on Russian wheat exports, Armenia should address its own food security by diversifying its imports of grain and other essential staples.

Direct link: Kavkazskiy Uzel


September 3, 2010

Is Armenia Russia's Partner Or Pawn?

Yerevan—In a commentary for radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian argues that a new Armenian-Russian security agreement may deal a further blow to Armenian sovereignty by deploying additional Russian border guards to Armenia's other borders, with Iran and Georgia, if not Azerbaijan. [Full story]

Direct link: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty


August 27, 2010

ACNIS HAILS FORTHCOMING RELEASE OF IMPRESSIVE NEW MEMOIR, “FAMILY OF SHADOWS: A CENTURY OF MURDER, MEMORY, AND THE ARMENIAN AMERICAN DREAM.”

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) issued a statement on August 27 hailing the forthcoming publication of an impressive new memoir entitled “Family of Shadows: A Century of Murder, Memory, and the Armenian American Dream,” by Garin K. Hovannisian.  The 304-page book represents the latest contribution to professional scholarship examining the historical period spanning the Armenian Genocide through the rebirth of the modern Republic of Armenia, as told by the narrative of three generations of a prominent Armenian-American family. [Full story]


August 24, 2010

ACNIS DIRECTOR RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN COMMENTS ON EXTENSION OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN BASING AGREEMENT

In a series of interviews timed with the visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to Yerevan, Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian commented on the revised basing agreement between Armenia and the Russian Federation that extended the duration of the Russian base by 24 years.  The ACNIS director was interviewed by the Russian “Rosbalt” news agency on August 20th and by the “Zhamanak” newspaper on August 24th. [Full story]

Related links: Full interviews in Armenian and Russian


August 19, 2010

TURKISH NEWSPAPER CITES ACNIS IN WARNING OF DANGER OF “ARMS RACE IN THE CAUCASUS”

In the August 19th edition of the English-language Turkish newspaper, the “Hürriyet Daily News,” ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian was cited in an article entitled “Baku-Yerevan arms race surfaces in Caucasus.”

The article warned that “Caucasus-watchers are alarmed by the potential for renewed hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. Frustrated at the lack of progress through diplomatic means, Baku is rapidly boosting its arsenal as Yerevan ramps up military cooperation with Russia, raising concerns that armed skirmishes could resume and even spiral into war.” [Full story]

Direct link: Hürriyet Daily News


August 13, 2010

WHITHER CSTO: RUSSIAN POWER, ARMENIAN SOVEREIGNTY, AND A REGION AT RISK

By Raffi K. Hovannisian

Yerevan—ACNIS Founder Raffi K. Hovannisian, independent Armenia’s first minister of foreign affairs, who currently chairs the Heritage Party and represents it in Parliament, released an insightful analysis entitled, “Whither CSTO: Russian Power, Armenian Sovereignty, and a Region at Risk.” [Full story]

The English version was published in the “Foreign Policy Journal” and “Europe’s World.” The Armenian version was published in the August 13th issue of the “Aravot” daily newspaper and the Russian version was reprinted by the Regnum news agency.


August 6, 2010

ACNIS CONVENES TWO-DAY YOUTH FORUM

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened a special two-day “ACNIS Youth Forum” on August 5 and 6, 2010. The first in a series of monthly events devoted to critical issues from a perspective of Armenian youth, this Youth Forum focused on Armenia-Diaspora issues, with several presentations by ACNIS summer interns and volunteers.  The two-day Youth Forum comprised over fifty participants, including representatives from the Armenian parliament, the Diaspora Ministry and several diasporan organizations. [Full story]


July 16, 2010

ACNIS Holds Seminar on National Symbols, Independent Statehood, and Armenian Language

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened a roundtable discussion today, entitled “National symbols, independent statehood and Armenian language,” focusing on the Armenian language as a foundation for Armenian statehood and independence. The meeting brought together leading analysts, policy specialists, public and political figures, including the head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, as well as NGO representatives, and members of the press. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version


July 13, 2010

ACNIS Convenes Research & Writing Workshop

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened a research and writing workshop for students and youth activists on Tuesday, July 13, with two specific presentations: “Research & Analysis: The Process of Analysis” and “Writing Rules and Skills,” followed by a practical presentation on “Sources and Sites: Internet Research & Information.” [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version

Presentation One: “Research & Analysis: The Process of Analysis” (PDF)

Presentation Two: “Writing Rules and Skills” (PDF)

Presentation Handout: “Sources and Sites: Internet Research & Information” (PDF)


July 9, 2010

ACNIS Holds Special Workshop for Youth

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) held a special workshop for students and youth activists on Friday, July 9, with two presentations: “Political Technology: The Use of Images in Political Messages” and “Global Threats & Challenges: Opportunities for Armenia.”  The workshop was attended by nearly 40 students and youth activists, as well as by the head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, along with several members of his local OSCE staff. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version

Presentation One: “Political Technology: The Use of Images in Political Messages” (PDF)

Presentation Two: “Global Threats & Challenges: Opportunities for Armenia” (PDF)


July 9, 2010

The Logic of Conducting International Talks


[Full story in Russian]

Direct link: ARMENIA Today


July 8, 2010

US Against Resumption of Hostilities in Conflict Area

News.Az interviews Manvel Sargsyan, an expert at the Armenian Center for National and International Studies. [Full story]

Related link: Russian version

Direct link: News.Az


July 7, 2010

ACNIS PRESENTATIONS ON AZERBAIJANI ARMED FORCES AND UPDATE ON NAGORNO KARABAGH

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) held two presentations on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 6 and 7, providing an assessment of the Azerbaijani armed forces and an update on current developments in Nagorno Karabagh. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version

Assessment of the Azerbaijani armed forces (PDF)


June 29, 2010

ACNIS Holds Workshop on Scenario Planning

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened a special workshop on scenario planning today, with presentations by analyst Sargis Harutiunian and ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian.  The workshop offered a “new innovative concept of strategic planning and policy formulation related to regional security studies and based on several different scenarios.” [Full story]

Related link: Armenian version


June 25, 2010

Aliev is Brushed Off in Saint Petersburg

ACNIS Senior Analyst Manvel Sargsian’s interview to the Arminfo news agency. [Full interview in Russian]


June 24, 2010

ACNIS Holds Reception To Release A New Book

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) hosted a special reception today to mark the release of ACNIS Senior Analyst Manvel Sargsian’s new Russian-language 220-page book, entitled “Nagorno Karabagh: War and Politics (1990-1993). War in Nagorno Karabagh and Domestic Conflict in the Armenian Society.” [Full story]

Related link: Armenian version


June 22, 2010

ACNIS DIRECTOR RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN COMMENTS ON RECENT AZERBAIJANI ASSAULT AGAINST KARABAGH

Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian commented on the recent Azerbaijani military assault against Armenian defensive positions in Nagorno Karabagh in an interview on June 22 with the “Armenia Today” news agency. [Full interview in Russian]


June 21, 2010

Manvel Sargsian’s Interview with News.am

Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Senior Analyst Manvel Sargsian provided an interview with News.am on Armenia’s domestic political situation and the “battle for democracy.” [Full interview in Armenian]


June 16, 2010

ACNIS Assesses the Regional Balance of Power and Analyzes Defense Reform in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Broader Region

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened a roundtable discussion today focusing on the regional balance of power, with presentations on defense reform and civil-military relations in Turkey and Azerbaijan, as well as a look at these issues in Georgia and Iran. [Full story]

Related link: Armenian version


June 11, 2010

TO EVERYTHING A SEASON:
TURKEY, ISRAEL AND THE MOMENT OF TRUTH

By Raffi K. Hovannisian

Yerevan—Today’s Turkey is the denialist bearer of the Ottoman execution of the great genocide and national dispossession of the Armenian people nearly a century ago. [Full story]

Related link: Armenian version


June 4, 2010

Russia is Trying to Leave Armenia, Yerevan Headed for NATO

It is safe to say that if the most shocking event for the world in the last ten days was the Turkish-Israeli bloody “political spectacle” in the Mediterranean Sea, the intrigue of the decade for Armenia can be considered “strange” objection of Serzh Sargsyan in Brussels at a joint press conference by NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen that “the Alliance is not involved directly in the conflict settlement process.” CSTO member states submitted a proposal to involve in the Karabagh conflict not in his native defensive organization, but to its “enemy” - NATO. Yes, and with allusions to the fact that the zone of Nagorno Karabagh is Europe. Hence, the threat was seen in “their camp.” [Full story in Russian]

Direct link: ArmeniaToday (in Russian)


June 2, 2010

ACNIS Senior Analyst Manvel Sargsyan’s Interview With Respublika Armenia Newspaper

On June 2, Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Senior Analyst Manvel Sargsian gave an interview to the Respublika Armenia newspaper on recent developments concerning the Nagorno Karabagh issue. [Full story in Russian]

Direct link: Respublika Armenia


June 1, 2010

ACNIS DIRECTOR COMMENTS ON ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN PRESIDENTIAL MEETING

In an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Armenian Service, ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian commented on the June 1 meeting between Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian and his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, in Rostov-on-Don.  The two presidents discussed Russian-Armenian bilateral economic relations, “regional issues of mutual interest,” and the future of Armenian-Turkish diplomacy, according to Russian officials. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version

Audio interview (in Armenian)


June 1, 2010

ACNIS WARNS OF THREATS TO CIVIL LIBERTIES IN ARMENIA

In a statement released on June 1 and published by the ArmeniaToday news agency, ACNIS warned of mounting threats to civil liberties in Armenia, stressing that the country is suffering from “an unprecedented retreat from the ideal of democracy.” [Full story]

Related link: Armenian version

Direct link: ArmeniaToday (in Russian)


May 28, 2010

ACNIS PREPARES SUMMARY OVERVIEW OF NEW US NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY

On May 27, 2010, the Obama Administration released its first “National Security Strategy,” a comprehensive articulation of President Obama’s national security strategic approach and priorities. ACNIS has prepared a brief 5-page summary overview of the report. [Full story]


May 26, 2010

ACNIS Assesses Recent Developments in Greece, Kyrgyzstan and Thailand: Are there Lessons for Armenia?

Yerevan—Following a series of significant developments in several countries over the past several weeks, the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened a roundtable discussion today to analyze the implications for Armenia from those events.  ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian presented an analysis examining the recent political unrest in Thailand, the economic crisis in Greece, and assessing the resurgence of violence in Kyrgyzstan, as well as looking at the continuing political crisis in Iran.  The roundtable was attended by over thirty guests, including representatives from the diplomatic community, international organizations and a number of Armenian students, analysts and journalists. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version


April 29, 2010

ACNIS Assesses the Recent Unrest in Kyrgyzstan:
Are There Lessons For Armenia?

Yerevan—Following the recent unrest in Kyrgyzstan that resulted in the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiev’s government, the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) today convened a roundtable discussion to analyze the situation in Kyrgyzstan and to assess the implications, if any, for Armenia. The roundtable was attended by over forty guests, including representatives from the diplomatic community, international organizations and a number of prominent Armenians experts, analysts and journalists. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version


April 27, 2010

“TURKEY CAN RUN, BUT CERTAINLY
CAN NOT HIDE”

Richard Giragosian
ACNIS Director

As yet another April 24th commemoration of the Armenian genocide has passed, yet another American president has failed to accurately or honestly invoke the genocide definition for what he has termed the “Meds Yeghern.” Although the dubious distortion of the historical record was not a surprise, it does represent a disappointment. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version


April 19, 2010

CENTER STAFF PARTICIPATE IN REGIONAL SECURITY CONFERENCE

On April 16-17, 2010, ACNIS Senior Analyst Manvel Sargsian and Director Richard Giragosian participated in a conference organized by the Concord Center for Political and Legal Studies and sponsored by the German Friedrich Ebert Foundation. The conference, entitled “New Challenges to Southern Caucasus: Democracy and Regional Security,” was held in Tsakhadzor and ACNIS staff joined participants from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia and Turkey, as well as some from Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Karabagh.

Richard Giragosian’s presentation (in English) is available here.


April 19, 2010

The Beginning of the Path Towards Constitutional Armenia

The Armenian body politic became involved in the discussions over personal rights and the principles of state arrangements on the basis of “equal rights and equal responsibility.” The political reality of the country became subject to more rational assessments. Even the existing thesis “about the restoration” of constitutional order was criticized. Many people understood that there never was such a constitutional order in Armenia to begin with. [Full story in Russian]

Direct link: ARMENIA Today


April 15, 2010

ACNIS Again Looks at the Prospects for the Normalization of the Armenian-Turkish Relations

Yerevan—At the threshold of the Armenian Genocide’s 95th anniversary, the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) today convened yet another roundtable discussion regarding the prospects for the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations against the backdrop of the most recent developments. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version


April 14, 2010

ACNIS SENIOR ANALYST MANVEL SARGSIAN GIVES INTERVIEW ON RECENT ARMENIA-TURKISH MEETING TO NEWS.AZ

ACNIS Senior Analyst Manvel Sargsian gave an interview with the Azerbaijani news agency News.Az on April 14, 2010. In the interview, which was published in Russian and English, Sargsian provided his assessment of the recent meeting between Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. [Full story]

Direct link: NEWS.AZ

Related links: Russian version


April 10, 2010

Kyrgyzstan-Armenia: Between Tyranny and Unrest – The Right to Revolt

Several years after the “Tulip Revolution” in 2005, a widespread people’s movement overthrew the political system in Kyrgyzstan thus practically destroying all state institutions. Since the events in Kyrgyzstan greatly resonated among the Armenian body politic, there is a sense in talking about the universal components of the Kyrgyz phenomenon. [Full story in Russian]

Direct link: ARMENIA Today


April 4, 2010

ARMENIA’S STAND: JUSTICE AT HOME, JUSTICE ABROAD

by Raffi K. Hovannisian

Yerevan—We are at the brink of a pair of wars, civil and regional, and it is better to speak now. Armenia, that ancient civilization deprived by the tragedies of yore of its capacity for contemporary statecraft, needs immediately to put its house in democratic order.  Finally responsible for its own record, it also has legitimate expectations of the international partnership. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version


April 1, 2010

WHAT DOES A MUTUAL COMPROMISE MEAN AND HOW CAN WE FIGHT AGAINST IT?


In the view of ACNIS Administrative Director, the Karabagh issue’s solution on the basis of mutual compromise does not mean at all the return of territories which are constitutionally fixed as parts of the MKR. It is important to understand what Azerbaijan understands and what Armenia understands under a mutual compromise. [Full story in Russian]

Direct link: ARMENIA Today


March 30, 2010

ACNIS FOUNDER ADDRESSES SECOND ANNUAL “POLICY FORUM ARMENIA” EVENT ON ARMENIA-DIASPORA RELATIONS

ACNIS Founder Raffi K. Hovannisian served as the keynote speaker for the second annual “Policy Forum Armenia” seminar on Armenia-Diaspora relations held in Washington, DC from February 28-March 2, 2010. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version


March 15, 2010

RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY (RFE/RL) PUBLISHES CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF AZERBAIJAN’S ARMED FORCES

Yerevan—Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) published a crucial assessment of the Azerbaijani armed forces on March 15, 2010. The assessment, co-authored by noted RFE/RL Caucasus expert Liz Fuller and ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian, focused on conditions within the Azerbaijani defense sector in the wake of renewed threats of war in recent months by senior Azerbaijani officials. The assessment, which was published in the RFE/RL “Caucasus Report,” noted the “profound disparity between such militant rhetoric and the military reality” in Azerbaijan. The authors also discussed the role of Azerbaijan’s long-serving defense minister as a key figure in state corruption within Azerbaijan. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version


March 10, 2010

Novosti-Armenia news agency interviews
ACNIS Senior Analyst Manvel Sargsyan
and Director Richard Giragosian

Manvel Sargsyan's interview (in Russian) is available here.

Richard Giragosian's interview (in Russian) is available here.


February 22, 2010

ACNIS HOLDS RECEPTION TO RELEASE NEW YEARBOOK:
“ACNIS AT 15: THE POWER OF NEW IDEAS”

Yerevan—On February 19, the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) hosted a special reception to release the new ACNIS annual yearbook publication, entitled “ACNIS at 15: The Power of New Ideas” [see Table of Contents]. The reception was attended by over 100 guests, including members of the Armenian parliament and government officials, representatives from international organizations and members of the diplomatic community in Armenia, including Italian Ambassador Bruno Scapini, British Ambassador Charles Lonsdale and Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version


February 4, 2010

ACNIS DIRECTOR RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN PROVIDES UPDATE ON TURKISH-ARMENIAN DIPLOMACY:
“NO LAUGHING MATTER”

Yerevan—On February 4, Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian spoke at a press conference at the “Hayatsk” press club and provided an updated, but critical assessment of the current state of Turkish-Armenian diplomacy.  Giragosian argued that in light of Turkey’s “latest display of political posturing and dubious attempt to pressure Armenia, the state of Armenian-Turkish diplomacy is no laughing matter.” [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version


February 1, 2010

ACNIS LAUNCHES NEW MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) launched the publication of a new regular series of monthly newsletters on February 1, 2010.  The first issue of the “ACNIS Monthly Newsletter” provides a brief summary of ACNIS projects, events and activities for the month of January 2010.

ACNIS Monthly Newsletter No.1, January 2010


January 28, 2010

ACNIS SALUTES THE ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES ON ARMY DAY

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) issued a statement saluting the Armenian armed forces on “Army Day,” marking the 18th anniversary of the founding of the modern Armenian armed forces. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version


January 25, 2010

ACNIS DIRECTOR REFUTES TURKEY’S CRITICISM OF ARMENIA AS “DISINGENUOUS AND UNFAIR”

Yerevan—On January 25, 2010, the Turkish daily newspapers “Today’s Zaman” and the “Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review” published the comments of Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian in which he criticized the recent Turkish criticism of the January 12 ruling by the Armenian Constitutional Court.  Giragosian dismissed the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s recent statement alleging that the Armenian Court’s “decision contains preconditions and restrictive provisions which impair the letter and spirit of the protocols.”  The ACNIS director pointed out that the Turkish criticism of Armenia represented a dubious attempt by Turkey “to create a new political “pretext” to withdraw from the (Armenian–Turkish) protocols. [Full story]


January 19, 2010

ACNIS COMMEMORATES THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE MURDER OF
HRANT DINK

MORE THAN A MAN…..
Hrant Dink
1954-2007

In Memoriam,
The third anniversary of his murder

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) issued a statement today commemorating the third anniversary of the death of noted Turkish-Armenian intellectual Hrant Dink. [Full story]

Related links: Armenian version


January 1, 2010

ACNIS CRITICIZES AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT’S RENEWED THREATS OF WAR

Yerevan—Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian issued a statement today criticizing Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s renewed “threats of war.”  The statement, entitled “Azerbaijan’s New Year Message: Wishes for War,” highlighted the fact that in most countries, leaders usually address their people with a traditional New Year’s message that seeks to convey a message of cooperation, peace and prosperity.  But in the case of Azerbaijan, this New Year’s message for 2010 was one of war.  Sadly, the militant threats and aggressive rhetoric emanating from Baku was a disturbing message for Yerevan.  But it was also a warning to the international community that peace and security in the South Caucasus will not be a certainty for 2010. [Full story]


The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is a leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan, Armenia.  As an independent, objective institution committed to conducting professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to raise the level of public debate and seeks to broaden public engagement in the public policy process, as well as fostering greater and more inclusive public knowledge. Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs.  Over the past fifteen years, ACNIS has acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source of professional independent research and analysis covering a wide range of national and international policy issues.

For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or 27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email root@acnis.am or info@acnis.am; or visit www.acnis.am

 
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