CIVILNET

Foreign interference is real, but not Armenia’s only election risk

#DemocracyWatch – Three months remain before Armenia’s parliamentary elections, and discussions in the country are increasingly dominated by the topic of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI). Practically all efforts by Armenia’s international partners are now focused on assisting the country in countering hybrid threats stemming from external actors, predominantly Russia. Nearly every discussion, round table, and conference today revolves around the risks of foreign interference and hybrid threats. Some opposition parties, politicians, and media outlets have downplayed this threat, arguing that it simply does not exist. As a civil society organization that has systematically been targeted by foreign malign actors, we can refute that claim with concrete examples. Only in the past week, we at the Regional Center for Democracy and Security were subjected [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0Db4pB8qz8] to two phishing attacks, in which unknown actors attempted to gain access to our data through emails sent in the name of fake accounts supposedly affiliated with the ruling party and the National Assembly. Cybersecurity experts have identified Russia-affiliated actors behind these campaigns.

Armenia’s intelligence warns of foreign interference in June elections

📍 Armenia’s Foreign Intelligence Service says citizens and ethnic Armenians in an unnamed foreign country are being pressured to financially support certain political forces ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for June.📍 Economic cooperation between Yerevan and Tehran is continuing despite the ongoing strikes by the U.S.–Israeli coalition, according to Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

Armenia’s Security Council discusses Iran war

📍 Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan chaired a Security Council meeting to review security risks as regional tensions rise. 📍 The continued outmigration of displaced Nagorno‑Karabakh refugees from Armenia has become a demographic challenge for the country. 📍 This Week in Business- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYeP9TSiDIc#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

Drone strikes on Azerbaijan and Iran’s new leader

A drone strike on Azerbaijan’s Nakhichevan exclave has raised tensions between Tehran and Baku and sparked talk of a new war. Political commentator Eric Hacopian joins the CivilNet podcast to examine what an Iranian attack on Azerbaijan could look like, whether Turkey would intervene, and what the conflict could mean for Armenia. He also analyzes what the reported elevation of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader signals for the region.0:00- Introduction 0:41- Drone strike on Nakhichevan1:09- Chances of war between Iran and Azerbaijan 3:37- What would an Iran attack on Azerbaijan look like? 4:46- Would Turkey defend Azerbaijan in case of an attack? 6:48- What does the war mean for Armenia? 9:54- What does the election of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran's new supreme leader signal? #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

Armenia advances plan to nationalize key utility: THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS

📍 The Armenian government has advanced a plan to take control of Electric Networks of Armenia, according to the utility company’s state-appointed temporary manager.📍 Armenian cargo companies have reported further holdups in Georgia.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #civilnetbusiness