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CIVILNET

@civilnet.bsky.social

A new brand of journalism about Armenia & the Caucasus.

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Posts by CIVILNET (@civilnet.bsky.social)

Foreign election interference and Armenia’s political future
YouTube video by CIVILNET Foreign election interference and Armenia’s political future

On Insights, Eric Hacopian examines the electoral stakes at home, the geopolitical risks abroad, and how both could reshape Armenia’s political future.

#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #insightswitherichacopian

27.02.2026 06:35 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Understanding the debate around Armenia’s next nuclear plant - CIVILNET By Paul Vartan Sookiasian As agreed during U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Yerevan earlier this month, Armenia plans to invest up to $9 billion in American-built small modular reactors (SMRs) ...

As agreed during U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Yerevan earlier this month, Armenia plans to invest up to $9 billion in American-built small modular reactors (SMRs) to replace its aging Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant.

26.02.2026 07:33 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Op-ed: Armenia’s paramount challenge — oblivion - CIVILNET On the night of December 31, 2023, an unprecedented New Year’s fireworks display lit up Republic Square in Yerevan. Just two months earlier, more than 100,000 people had been forcibly displaced from N...

On the night of December 31, 2023, an unprecedented New Year’s fireworks display lit up Republic Square in Yerevan. Just two months earlier, more than 100,000 people had been forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh.

19.02.2026 10:05 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Armenia deports Chechen man for threatening daughter with murder - CIVILNET By Alexander Pracht Armenia has deported a Russian citizen of Chechen origin who was detained earlier this month for threatening to kill his daughter. Human rights defender Artur Sakunts told CivilNet...

Armenia has deported a Russian citizen of Chechen origin who was detained earlier this month for threatening to kill his daughter. Human rights defender Artur Sakunts told CivilNet on Monday that the man has also been barred from re-entering Armenia.

16.02.2026 12:47 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Akram Aylisli: “Hatred came like a flood – it was already impossible to stop” - CIVILNET By Zhanna Avagyan In January 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijani writer Akram Aylisli gave an almost two-hour interview to well-known South Caucasus expert Thomas de Waal and literary translator Katherine E. Yo...

In January 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijani writer Akram Aylisli gave an almost two-hour interview to well-known South Caucasus expert Thomas de Waal and literary translator Katherine E. Young. The recording is being published only a year later.

13.02.2026 11:23 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Armenia becomes a showcase for Indian arms - CIVILNET By Alexander Pracht After decades of sourcing most of its weapons from the Soviet Union and later Russia, India has nearly tripled its domestic arms production since 2013 as part of a push to turn its...

After decades of sourcing most of its weapons from the Soviet Union and later Russia, India has nearly tripled its domestic arms production since 2013 as part of a push to turn itself into a global defence supplier.

10.02.2026 13:36 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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JD Vance removes memorial post after mentioning ‘Armenian Genocide’  - CIVILNET By Paul Vartan Sookiasian On his second and final day on his historic visit to Yerevan, US Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha visited the Armenian Genocide Museum. The visit on Tuesday was foll...

On his final day on his historic visit to Yerevan, US Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha visited the Armenian Genocide Museum. The visit on Tuesday was followed up with a post on the Vice President’s X account.

10.02.2026 13:33 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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JD Vance will bring up the Armenian prisoners with Aliyev #shorts

10.02.2026 12:53 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Firebird AI touts $4 billion megaproject with U.S. support in Armenia - CIVILNET By Paul Vartan Sookiasian Armenia aims to become a global hub for artificial intelligence with the launch of Phase Two of a massive AI supercomputing project, the U.S.-based AI cloud and infrastructur...

Armenia aims to become a global hub for artificial intelligence with the launch of Phase Two of a massive AI supercomputing project, the U.S.-based AI cloud and infrastructure company Firebird announced Tuesday in a press release provided to CivilNet.

10.02.2026 12:34 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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J.D. Vance in Armenia: U.S. announce nuclear cooperation, historic drones deal - CIVILNET US Vice President J.D. Vance has visited Armenia, holding talks with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and announcing major agreements on nuclear energy, advanced technology, and defense cooperation.

US Vice President J.D. Vance has visited Armenia, holding talks with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and announcing major agreements on nuclear energy, advanced technology, and defense cooperation.

10.02.2026 12:14 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Baku objects to ‘Artsakh’ song used by Armenian skaters at Winter Olympics - CIVILNET By Alexander Pracht Azerbaijan has filed a complaint over an Armenian figure skating pair’s choice of music for their performance at the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, the country’s National Olympic...

Azerbaijan has filed a complaint over an Armenian figure skating pair’s choice of music for their performance at the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, the country’s National Olympic Committee announced on Friday.

06.02.2026 12:30 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Nagorno-Karabakh leaders sentenced in Azerbaijan  - CIVILNET By Paul Vartan Sookiasian Seven former Nagorno-Karabakh officials held by Azerbaijan were sentenced Thursday by a Baku military court, with five receiving life imprisonment and two receiving 20-year t...

Seven former Nagorno-Karabakh officials held by Azerbaijan were sentenced Thursday by a Baku military court, with five receiving life imprisonment and two receiving 20-year terms, Azerbaijani media reported.

05.02.2026 12:12 — 👍 0    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
200 Episodes of Insights: Eric Hacopian on Power and Politics in Armenia
YouTube video by CIVILNET 200 Episodes of Insights: Eric Hacopian on Power and Politics in Armenia

Episode 200 of Insights with Eric Hacopian turns the camera inward

In a personal conversation, Lara Tcholakian and Eric Hacopian discuss the values, experiences, and worldview behind Insights with Eric Hacopian.

02.02.2026 16:44 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Noragyugh district to be redeveloped into Yerevan Downtown project - CIVILNET By Elen Muradyan Armenia’s government on Thursday approved plans to redevelop the Noragyugh neighborhood just outside central Yerevan into a large-scale, multi-functional international business and re...

Armenia’s government on Thursday approved plans to redevelop the Noragyugh neighborhood just outside central Yerevan into a large-scale, multi-functional international business and residential hub known as “Yerevan Downtown.”

29.01.2026 11:47 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Kocharyan warns Armenia caught in great power rivalry, questions TRIPP benefits - CIVILNET By Gevorg Tosunyan Former Armenian president Robert Kocharyan said on Thursday that Armenia has once again found itself at the center of competing great power interests, warning that current geopoliti...

Former Armenian president Robert Kocharyan said on Thursday that Armenia has once again found itself at the center of competing great power interests, warning that current geopolitical shifts could expose the country to new risks if not carefully managed.

29.01.2026 10:34 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Former Armenian captive recounts sham trials and years without legal defense in Azerbaijan - CIVILNET By Siranush Adamyan Gevorg Sujyan, one of four Armenians released from Azerbaijani custody earlier this month, has described what he says were years of unlawful detention, fabricated trials, and compl...

Gevorg Sujyan, one of four Armenians released from Azerbaijani custody earlier this month, has described what he says were years of unlawful detention, fabricated trials, and complete denial of legal rights while imprisoned in Baku.

26.01.2026 05:37 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Eleven Karabakh residents move to Armenia, possibly none remain in region - CIVILNET By Alexander Pracht Eleven residents of Nagorno-Karabakh who remained in the region after Azerbaijan’s September 2023 offensive have moved to Armenia, the country’s Minister of Labor and Social Affair...

Eleven residents of Nagorno-Karabakh who remained in the region after Azerbaijan’s September 2023 offensive have moved to Armenia, the country’s Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Arsen Torosyan announced on Friday.

23.01.2026 10:46 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Chairman of the Board of Peace Donald Trump flanked by members Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev
at the ceremony launching the initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

22.01.2026 10:17 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Armenia establishes Remembrance Day - CIVILNET By Alexander Pracht Armenia’s parliament voted on Tuesday to establish a new public holiday honoring those who died defending the nation, adding January 27 to the country’s calendar as a day of solemn...

Armenia’s parliament voted on Tuesday to establish a new public holiday honoring those who died defending the nation, adding January 27 to the country’s calendar as a day of solemn remembrance.

20.01.2026 11:18 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Turmoil in Iran and the stakes for Armenia   - CIVILNET In this episode of the CivilNet podcast, commentator Eric Hacopian examines where the unrest in Iran may be headed and which outcomes are realistically possible. He discusses how the Iranian instabili...

In this episode of the CivilNet podcast, commentator Eric Hacopian examines where the unrest in Iran may be headed and which outcomes are realistically possible.
#insightswitherichacopian

16.01.2026 07:52 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Armenia swaps two Syrian mercenaries for four Armenians held in Azerbaijan - CIVILNET By Alexander Pracht Azerbaijan has released four Armenian captives, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on Wednesday. “Gevorg Sujyan, Davit Davtyan, Vigen Euljekjyan and Vagif Khachatry...

Azerbaijan has released four Armenian captives, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on Wednesday.

14.01.2026 13:06 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Iran’s ambassador slams Yerevan protests, claims Armenia enables anti-Iranian activity - CIVILNET By Alexander Pracht Iran’s ambassador to Armenia criticized Armenian law enforcement on Wednesday for allowing members of Yerevan’s Iranian community to hold daily protests near the country’s embassy,...

Iran’s ambassador to Armenia criticized Armenian law enforcement on Wednesday for allowing members of Yerevan’s Iranian community to hold daily protests near the country’s embassy, accusing the authorities of tolerating actions he described as offensive and hostile to Tehran.

14.01.2026 12:48 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Yerevan concerned as communications cut with Armenians in Iran - CIVILNET By Elen Muradyan Armenian authorities say they have been unable to establish contact with ethnic Armenians in Iran for several days, raising concern as anti-government protests and communications blac...

Armenian authorities say they have been unable to establish contact with ethnic Armenians in Iran for several days, raising concern as anti-government protests and communications blackouts continue across the country.

12.01.2026 12:04 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Armenian skier’s Tour de Ski action draws Azerbaijan appeal to FIS - CIVILNET By Elen Muradyan An action by Armenian cross-country skier Mikael Mikaelyan during the Tour de Ski has prompted Azerbaijan’s State Tourism Agency to formally appeal to the International Ski and Snowbo...

An action by Armenian cross-country skier Mikael Mikaelyan during the Tour de Ski has prompted Azerbaijan’s State Tourism Agency to formally appeal to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).

12.01.2026 11:51 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Pashinyan’s New Year address exposes erosion of institutional boundaries - CIVILNET #DemocracyWatch - As the 2026 parliamentary elections draw closer, every sphere of Armenia’s public life is gradually turning into an instrument of domestic political struggle. This politicization has...

#DemocracyWatch - As the 2026 parliamentary elections draw closer, every sphere of Armenia’s public life is gradually turning into an instrument of domestic political struggle.

09.01.2026 12:42 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Beyond the black-and-white narratives on Armenia - CIVILNET In this episode of the CivilNet podcast, CivilNet’s Eric Hacopian sets the record straight on some of the most contentious disputes in Armenia, from tensions between the government and the Armenian Ap...

In this episode of the CivilNet podcast, CivilNet’s Eric Hacopian sets the record straight on some of the most contentious disputes in Armenia, from tensions between the government and the Armenian Apostolic Church to debates over foreign influence and electoral interference.

09.01.2026 05:47 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A Christmas wish list for Armenia
YouTube video by CIVILNET A Christmas wish list for Armenia

In this special year-end episode of Insights, host Eric Hacopian shares his Christmas wish list for Armenia in 2026: from peace and security to better governance, institutions, and public discourse.

#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #insightswitherichacopian

01.01.2026 19:40 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Managing Uncertainty: Armenia’s Foreign Policy in 2025 - CIVILNET By Tigran Grigoryan As 2025 comes to an end, Armenia’s foreign and security policy can be described in one word: adaptation. Faced with a rapidly shifting international environment, the declining reli...

As 2025 comes to an end, Armenia’s foreign and security policy can be described in one word: adaptation.
#democracywatch

29.12.2025 10:28 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Armenian Church TV channel to shut down after loss of public funding - CIVILNET By Alexander Pracht The Armenian Apostolic Church’s television channel Shoghakat will cease operations on January 1 following the withdrawal of its public funding under a bill adopted by parliament in...

The Armenian Apostolic Church’s television channel Shoghakat will cease operations on January 1 following the withdrawal of its public funding under a bill adopted by parliament in October. The Armenian government on Thursday approved a decision to disband the legal entity managing the channel.

29.12.2025 06:16 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
The political purpose behind Baku’s ‘Western Azerbaijan’ narrative
YouTube video by CIVILNET The political purpose behind Baku’s ‘Western Azerbaijan’ narrative

In this episode of Insights, host Eric Hacopian breaks down Turkey’s repeated insistence on linking normalization with Armenia to the signing of an Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty, and explains why Ankara’s long-standing promises to open the border are unlikely to be kept.

19.12.2025 08:06 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0