Media: Armenia seeks closer military ties with US after Karabakh defeat

Following its defeat in Karabakh, Armenia has intensified its military engagement with the United States, holding high-level meetings with senior American officers.

In a significant development, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Major General Arthur Yeroyan, recently visited the headquarters of the US Army Europe and Africa Command (USAREUR) in Stuttgart, Germany, for undisclosed discussions with American military officials, Caliber.Az reports, citing Haber Global.

This visit follows a series of diplomatic and military engagements aimed at strengthening Armenia’s defence cooperation with Western allies. In January, Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, held one-on-one meetings at NATO headquarters with his counterparts from Greece, Georgia, France, and Sweden. Yeroyan's latest visit signals Yerevan’s continued efforts to forge closer security ties with the US and NATO.

According to Western military sources, Armenia and the US have now held consecutive annual staff-level talks focused on deepening defence and security collaboration. Official statements from the Armenian Ministry of Defence confirmed that these discussions covered various aspects of bilateral military cooperation, including joint exercises and training programmes.

Military analyst and retired Brigadier General Dr Hüseyin Fazla noted that Armenia is seeking to modernise its armed forces and align with NATO standards through US-led training initiatives. “Yerevan is requesting military technology transfers and equipment support from Washington, while also sending a message that it is not alone in the region,” Fazla said.

Fazla also suggested that Washington could be looking to increase its strategic presence in Armenia as part of a broader effort to counter Iran’s influence. He argued that Yerevan, struggling to formulate an independent military strategy after its loss in Karabakh, is turning to the US in search of new security arrangements. “With Azerbaijan and Türkiye enhancing their military and strategic cooperation, Armenia sees deeper ties with the US as a counterbalance,” he added.

Meanwhile, researcher and writer Şeref Sevimli emphasised that Armenia is pursuing a multi-layered security policy, maintaining relations with traditional allies while also seeking closer Western engagement. “These meetings with the US reflect Armenia’s broader strategy of reinforcing its defence posture through stronger ties with the West,” Sevimli stated. He further noted that such interactions align with Washington’s efforts to expand its influence in the South Caucasus.

Armenia’s growing cooperation with the US has been evident in recent military engagements. In November 2023, General Asryan visited US military command centres in Europe and met with US Army Europe and Africa Deputy Commander, Lieutenant General Steven Basham. During that visit, Asryan acknowledged Armenia’s ongoing military reforms and expressed a keen interest in learning from US expertise.

With regional dynamics shifting, Armenia’s pursuit of deeper military ties with the US marks a significant pivot in its defence policy. Whether this alignment will translate into tangible security guarantees remains to be seen.

By Aghakazim Guliyev