Armenia, U.S. sign bilateral agreements as Marco Rubio visits Yerevan

The military parade and the polling war

With Armenia’s parliamentary election taking place this Sunday, Insights host Eric Hacopian examines recent polls and argues that major discrepancies suggest they may be intended to influence voter behavior rather than accurately measure public opinion. The episode also looks at Armenia’s newly unveiled military hardware from last week’s military parade, including Iranian air defense systems and Chinese long-range drones that had not previously been publicly disclosed. Also covered is the arrest of Artsakh war veteran Artur Osipyan on what critics describe as dubious charges. #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #insightswitherichacopian

EU signs off $58 mn aid package to offset Russia’s ban on Armenian imports

📍 In an effort to mitigate the economic impact of Russia’s recent restrictions on Armenian imports, the European Union has approved an assistance package of more than $58 million, and Yerevan announced subsidies for exporters.📍 Competing political parties in Sunday’s parliamentary election present sharply different foreign policy visions ranging from closer EU integration to renewed alignment with Russia. 📍 Russia, the West and Armenia's election endgame- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG6gzvRbvmE #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

Russia, the West and Armenia's election endgame

CivilNet’s political commentator Eric Hacopian explains how Armenia’s election race has evolved and where it stands at this point - just days before the vote. The discussion looks at concerns over foreign interference, competing narratives from Russia and the West, and how they try to influence the election’s information space. Among the domestic issues hanging over voters are allegations of abuse of public resources, political targeting of opposition figures, and the unresolved issues of Artsakh hostages. 0:00- Where does the race stand with a week to go? 1:30- Abuse of administrative resources by the government 3:07- Sources of Samvel Karapetyan's wealth 6:29- Foreign disinformation campaigns 10:19- Impact of Russian export bans on Armenia & "Ukraine scenario" 12:42- US & EU influence and support for Pashinyan16:38- Targeting from both sides of Arman Tatoyan & Hayk Marutyan 22:10- Parties won't be banned, but have been neutered 23:45- Factor of the hostages in Baku 25:58- Violations surrounding Pashinyan's arrest of Artsakh activist Artur Osipyan29:32- Election X factors that have been overlooked #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

Pashinyan, Putin call follows escalation over Armenia’s EU direction

📍 Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid escalating tensions over Yerevan’s foreign policy direction and Moscow’s recent export restrictions. 📍 Activist Gegham Ohanyan has launched a sit-in protest in central Yerevan. He is demanding the release of jailed Artsakh activist Artur Osipyan, whose hunger strike has entered a second week amid growing criticism from civil society groups. 📍 Rubio’s Armenia visit and the battle over democracy- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=632rH4cYXQE #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

David Ignatius recalls Ruben Vardanyan as “larger than life” on his birthday

Washington Post columnist and bestselling author David Ignatius joins CivilNet for a personal conversation about Ruben Vardanyan — businessman, philanthropist and former Artsakh state minister — who is marking another birthday behind bars in Baku.Ignatius reflects on how the two met, their work together on the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, and the values that drove Vardanyan to stand with the people of Artsakh during their darkest days. The conversation goes beyond politics, exploring Vardanyan’s vision of Armenian identity, his commitment to humanitarianism, and why Ignatius believes he is "the last person who deserves to be in prison.#civilnet #ՍիվիլՆեթ