CIVILNET

Rex Kalamian, assistant coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and head coach of Armenia’s national basketball team, shares how he’s using his NBA experience to build Armenia’s basketball program from the ground up. Kalamian offers insights into his recruiting process and what he’s learned working with some of the biggest names in the game. He also reflects on what representing Armenia means to him as the grandson of a genocide survivor and the profound impact his work in the country has had on him.

Dr. Karena Avedissian, political scientist and researcher, shares insights from her recent visit to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, also known as Rojava, where she met with Islamized Armenians, descendants of Genocide survivors who were forcibly assimilated during and after 1915. She explains how this hidden diaspora is now reemerging and reclaiming its Armenian identity through community, language, and armed self-defense, all within Rojava’s inclusive, multi-ethnic political system. Avedissian discusses the challenges they face, from rejection by the Armenian Church to the ongoing threat of Turkish aggression, and why their story matters for the broader Armenian world.0:00- Who are the Armenians of Rojava? 2:27- Why it’s a unique place for Islamicized Armenians to reclaim their identity 4:22- What are Islamicized Armenians doing to recover their identity? 7:31- Grassroots nature of the rediscovering movement & personal story 11:04- The community’s hopes and desire for support#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

In this episode of Insights, host Eric Hacopian covers the geopolitical shock of Israel’s attack on Iran, and what the unfolding war means for Armenia. Hacopian outlines the key developments, including the purported use of Azerbaijani territory for Israeli drone strikes, the likely goals behind the attacks, and the potential for a wider regional conflict. He also examines how Iran’s instability could affect Armenia’s security, economy, and border situation, raising concerns about delayed imports, possible refugee flows, and increased threats from Azerbaijan.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #insightswitherichacopian

"We have complicated this simple life." The flow of Iranian citizens to Armenia continues. Uncertainty, loved ones left on the other side of the border, and an emptying Tehran: this is how Iranians who have crossed the Agarak checkpoint describe the situation. Some, despite obstacles, are going in the other direction- returning to Iran to be with their relatives.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

In this episode of the CivilNet podcast, Sergei Melkonian, a Middle East specialist and a research fellow at the Yerevan-based think tank APRI Armenia, sheds light on the fast-moving conflict between Iran and Israel and what it means for Armenia. Recorded on day five of the crisis, the conversation explores what Melkonian warns could be a worst-case scenario, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pursuing regime change with the intention of assassinating Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. Meanwhile, the United States appears poised to enter the conflict, based on new warnings from President Donald Trump. Melkonian analyzes the risks of regional escalation, the uncertain future of nuclear talks, and how the crisis could directly impact Armenia, from trade disruptions to potential border instability. 0:00- Background on Iran-Israel conflict through day 51:02- Current situation within Iran2:24- Netanyahu’s reasons & goals for attack 4:16- Regime change in Iran 6:21- Armenian communities in Iran & Israel 7:41- Are the nuclear talks dead? 10:10- Trump’s approach to the Middle East 11:57- Iran’s strength level vs. Israel 13:37- Impacts on Armenia 17:07- What could Iran’s future be? #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ