Armenia to suffer a fate worse than that of Syria - professor

Doctor of Political Science at Stanford University Arthur Khachikian has said that Armenia will suffer a fate worse than that of Syria.

"If Armenia continues its current policy, which hints at a possible break in relations with Russia, it could lead to serious negative consequences for the country. Especially in case Armenia fails to find a reliable alternative in the form of membership in another military-political bloc such as NATO," Khachikian said as he commented on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s interview with British The Telegraph, Caliber.Az reports.

"And NATO is not waiting for us – Armenia. Just because we want to become a NATO member is no guarantee that this is exactly what will happen. We need to listen to our partners. Not a single responsible figure in the US and the EU has offered Armenia to conclude some kind of defence alliance, as it was offered to Ukraine. No country has agreed to ensure security of Armenia. These are our realities," Khachikian noted.

The reasons for this, according to the expert, are obvious: "For the EU and the US, the most valuable ally in our region is Türkiye, and the next in importance and significance is Azerbaijan due to the factor of confrontation with Iran and the availability of oil and gas resources.

Under these conditions, losing Russia as an ally for Armenia is fraught with complicated and rather painful consequences, Khachikian underlined.

"Russia's influence in the region has weakened because of the war in Ukraine. It cannot go to a new war in our region. And we have to some extent made it easier for Russia by spoiling our relations and giving an excuse to get rid of us," he said, while noting that if the current foreign policy course continues, Armenia may find itself in a security vacuum.

"In this respect, Armenia is not even threatened by the fate of Syria, as some experts warn about it. Armenia is threatened with occupation, at least of some districts or regions. Armenia is in the Turkish-Azerbaijani encirclement, there will be no Syria here, there will be instant military intervention and occupation, as it was done in northern Syria," the professor concluded.