CIVILNET

📍 Armenia became a founding member of the newly-launched Board of Peace at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, while questions remain over the body's operations and scope months after it was announced as part of Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.📍 Armenia and Azerbaijan intend to connect their energy systems under the U.S.-backed Trump Route initiative. 📍 US, Armenia announce terms of...

Against the backdrop of escalating domestic tensions and widespread protests in Iran, Yerevan has also emerged as a venue for political mobilization by Iranians living in Armenia. In recent days, dozens of Iranian residents have rallied to condemn the Iranian authorities’ crackdown on nationwide protests triggered by soaring inflation and the sharp devaluation of the national currency. Some demons...

📍 The Armenian finance minister has addressed criticism over large bonuses for government officials and concerns over public debt. 📍 The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan spoke about the normalization between their countries at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said goods of Armenian origin will soon be allowed to transit through Azerbaijan.#CivilNet...

📍 Armenia expects hybrid threats and foreign interference to intensify this year, particularly in the run-up to the country’s general elections in 2026, the Foreign Intelligence Service says.📍 Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has accepted an invitation to join the Board of Peace, a U.S.-led intergovernmental organization proposed by President Donald Trump.📍 Armenia has established Januar...

📍 A senior Armenian official refused to speculate on reports that a Turkish border checkpoint is preparing to open later this month. 📍 Armenia plans to tighten student military deferments after data shows most graduates who studied abroad did not return to serve or work in the country. 📍 Armenia’s escalating conflict between the government and the Armenian Apostolic Church tests the limits of s...

📍 The United States and Armenia revealed major new details on the corporate and financial arrangements behind the ‘Trump route’ planned for southern Armenia.📍 Yerevan called on Moscow to speed up a possible decision on restoring key sections of Armenia’s aging rail network that would connect the country with Turkey and Azerbaijan.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #civilnetbusiness

📍 Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia will respect democratic freedoms while taking steps to address Iran’s concerns about protests at the Iranian embassy in Yerevan. 📍 Pashinyan urged Russia to quickly restore Armenia’s key railway sections, linking the move to the new U.S.-backed Trump Route initiatives and signaling impatience with delayed Russian investment. 📍 Where is Iran’s nation...

In this episode of the CivilNet podcast, commentator Eric Hacopian examines where the unrest in Iran may be headed and which outcomes are realistically possible. He discusses how the Iranian instability could impact Armenia, and what the intentions of the U.S. and Israel might be. Finally, he analyzes the new prisoner swap between Armenia and Azerbaijan. 0:00- What’s happening with the Iranian pro...

📍 Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have revealed some details of the TRIPP project. Armenia will receive a 26% stake in the joint venture, and may upgrade its share to 49% should the agreement be extended beyond 2075.📍 Armenia has secured the release of four Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan. In exchange, Yerevan handed two Syrian mercenaries...

📍 U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Washington would impose a 25% tariff on any country engaged in trade with Iran, a move that could significantly affect Armenia–U.S economic relations.📍 Armenia expects Azerbaijani forces to withdraw from its sovereign territory as border delimitation talks continue, Defense Minister Suren Papikyan said. However, there has been no progress in negot...

📍 Armenian authorities have not been able to contact members of the Armenian community in Iran due to widespread internet outages amid escalating mass protests. 📍 A prominent Russian state TV host openly suggested possible military intervention in Armenia, escalating hostile public rhetoric amid strained relations between Yerevan and Moscow. 📍 Beyond the black-and-white narratives on Armenia- h...

📍A second Azerbaijani fuel shipment is headed to Armenia, officials confirmed.📍Reported financial troubles at Russia’s state-run rail company are renewing questions over Moscow’s management of Armenia’s rail network.📍The former owner of Armenia’s main utility company, Samvel Karapetyan, was moved to house arrest.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #civilnetbusiness

By Tigran Grigoryan #DemocracyWatch –  As the 2026 parliamentary elections draw closer, every sphere of Armenia’s public life is gradually turning into an instrument of domestic political struggle. This politicization has extended even to traditionally unifying moments, including the festive season. Accordingly, many of the negative trends observed throughout 2025 found clear expression in Prime M...

In this episode of the CivilNet podcast, CivilNet’s Eric Hacopian sets the record straight on some of the most contentious disputes in Armenia, from tensions between the government and the Armenian Apostolic Church to debates over foreign influence and electoral interference. He explains how such portrayals are harming Armenia’s institutions and global reputation. 0:00- The First Armenian Prayer B...

📍 Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a rally on Christmas Day and used the holiday to once again address his standoff with Catholicos Karekin II.📍 As Armenia launches its historic universal health insurance system on January 1, critics argue the government is not adequately prepared to ensure its effective implementation.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

For the past eight years, Hayk Barseghyan has been living right above Vachagan village in Syunik. His home is near Mount Khustup, in a place called Pskhu Khut. As a photographer always in search of beauty, he discovered this area and has been bringing it to life through his lens. Near his home, Hayk is building a “Gitatachar”, meaning “knowledge shrine”. He means to turn it into a sanctuary for le...

In this special year-end episode of Insights, host Eric Hacopian shares his Christmas wish list for Armenia in 2026: from peace and security to better governance, institutions, and public discourse. #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #insightswitherichacopian

By Tigran Grigoryan The year 2025 proved to be deeply troubling for Armenia’s democratic development. Over the course of the year, a series of negative developments and entrenched trends cast serious doubt on the prospects for democratic consolidation in the country. Equally alarming were the growing questions about society’s capacity to resist increasingly overt anti-democratic practices. Through...

What does the planned “Trump Route” actually look like on the ground? CivilNet’s team travels to Armenia’s southern Syunik region to explore the local realities behind the TRIPP initiative — the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity — announced in Washington in August. From abandoned railways in Kapan and Meghri to the Armenia–Iran border at Agarak, this short film follows Eric Hacopi...

📍 A company linked to Khachatur Sukiasyan, a pro-government Armenian tycoon, is among the buyers of an Azerbaijani fuel shipment, RFE/RL’s Armenian service reported.📍 Armenia could take back control of some sections of its railroads, currently operated by Russia under a 30-year concession deal, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said.📍 Speaking with CivilNet, Babken Tunyan, a leading pro-government...

By Tigran Grigoryan In recent days, the confrontation between Armenia’s ruling party and the Armenian Apostolic Church has reached a new level of escalation. On December 17, a group of bishops–who had earlier publicly demanded the resignation of Catholicos Karekin II and had also met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan– issued a statement  calling on the public to gather the following day, Decembe...

An estimated 8-10 million Armenians live in over 100 countries across the world, spanning different time zones, political systems, languages and cultural traditions. This diversity brings richness, but also, a multiplicity of beliefs, attitudes and perspectives, especially when it comes to the place that’s become a unifying point for all - the Republic of Armenia. From its political and social dir...

📍 Armenian and U.S. officials launched talks to establish a joint venture to oversee the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, a major new transit proposal.📍 U.S. ambassador talks ‘Trump route’ and border security: https://shorturl.at/R2Q6l📍 Azerbaijan sent a fuel shipment to Armenia via Georgia, the first in decades.📍 Armenia lowered interest rates to 6.5%, after holding steady...

📍 Azerbaijan has launched gasoline shipments to Armenia via Georgia, reviving debate over rail connectivity, transit politics, and strategic dependence.📍 Authorities and church leaders urged calm ahead of planned gatherings at Holy Etchmiadzin of Catholicos with both opponents and supporters. 📍 Armenia at the Oscars: What does it take?- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZgUIe-53iU#CivilNet #Սիվի...

In this episode of Insights, host Eric Hacopian breaks down Turkey’s repeated insistence on linking normalization with Armenia to the signing of an Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty, and explains why Ankara’s long-standing promises to open the border are unlikely to be kept. He also reviews Armenia’s 2026 state budget and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s problematic response to Baku’s renewed “Weste...