Pashism, fascism, revanchism: Three pillars of modern Armenia They are ready to take on any guise

These words must be heard across Europe and the United States—particularly in France, where they should reach President Emmanuel Macron, whose approval ratings have dwindled into irrelevance, and extend to the entire political elite of a nation whose once-great past now starkly contrasts with its disgraceful present.

It would also be telling to witness the reaction of American congressmen and senators who have profited handsomely from defending both Armenia and the Karabakh separatists. In short, the statement published on Facebook by the civil initiative Hayakve exposes a long list of figures who now find themselves in a rather absurd light.

What have they come up with this time? Oh, this is worth hearing.

"In Armenia, instead of fascism, there is Pashism. Pashism is a destructive socio-political system that lacks any ideological foundation and has no connection to socialism, liberalism, or, for that matter, nationalism," claim the members of Hayakve.

Yes, essentially, Pashinyan and his political allies have been compared to fascists. And undeniably, there is a great deal of truth in these words.

Let’s start with the roots—Nikol Pashinyan is a political successor of Armenia’s first president, Levon Ter-Petrosyan. The very same Ter-Petrosyan under whose rule 20% of Azerbaijan’s territory was occupied, and genocide was committed against the peaceful Azerbaijani population in Khojaly. As recently confirmed by video evidence, Ter-Petrosyan was a staunch fascist and a proponent of ethnic intolerance. He viewed his time in power as a means of carrying out the “final solution to the Azerbaijani question.” He openly encouraged ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijanis, believing that the end justifies the means.

Having said "A," Hayakve should have also said "B." That is, they should have called Levon Ter-Petrosyan a fascist as well. And along with him—Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan.

Armenia’s second president, Kocharyan, is the author of the thesis on the "genetic incompatibility of Armenians and Azerbaijanis," which is a prime example of the same "racial superiority" theory that once brought Adolf Hitler to power in Germany.

Serzh Sargsyan, in a conversation with British journalist Thomas de Waal, admitted that the genocide in Khojaly was carried out to instil fear and to prove that Armenians could freely kill peaceful Azerbaijani civilians. The leaders of Hitler’s Germany used identical "justifications" for the existence of concentration camps, where people of various nationalities—primarily Jews—were massacred.

Yet, Hayakve chose to present themselves as "partially pregnant," avoiding any mention of the fascist nature of Armenia’s previous leaders and focusing solely on Nikol Pashinyan. Undoubtedly, this is because, at this historical stage, they find themselves on the opposite side of the barricades from Pashinyan. However, in reality, there is little difference between Pashinyan and his predecessors when it comes to Azerbaijanophobia—and, consequently, fascism.

It is enough to recall that it was Pashinyan who engaged in a simulated negotiation process with Azerbaijan, all while carrying out regular provocations against our country. One moment, he was drunkenly dancing in Shusha; the next, he was shouting in Khankendi that "Karabakh is Armenia, period." As we can see, ideologically, he is no different from Ter-Petrosyan, Kocharyan, or Sargsyan. There is no distinction between them in terms of the methods they use to achieve their goals either.

Let’s not forget that Pashinyan committed a monstrous war crime by ordering missile strikes on peaceful Azerbaijani cities, resulting in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of elderly people, women, and children.

So yes, Pashism is a form of fascism. And all of Armenia’s current prime minister’s attempts to pose as a "dove of peace" are as ridiculous as Kim Kardashian giving speeches on chastity. As Hayakve has rightly pointed out, Pashinyan is willing to take on any guise to maintain his grip on power. In essence, he is a revanchist too.

Yes, the members of the Hayakve movement would do well to remember that fascism rose in Hitler’s Germany precisely because of revanchist ideas—the desire of a large number of Germans to achieve the "triumph of historical justice" through the notion of racial superiority. Once again, this reaffirms that official Baku is absolutely right in demanding that Pashinyan amend Armenia’s Constitution, which still contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan.

Trusting Pashinyan’s mere words, promises, and oaths would be a mistake—especially given that all his opponents flaunt their unbridled thirst for a new war.

At this point, it is worth addressing all politicians in the EU and the United States: take a close look at the country Azerbaijan is negotiating peace with—a nation afflicted by Pashism, fascism, and revanchism. Without a doubt, Azerbaijan has demonstrated extraordinary diplomacy, patience, and restraint in dealing with such a dangerous neighbour. And no one should be surprised if one day, that patience runs out.