Armenia – CounterVortex https://countervortex.org Resisting Humanity's Downward Spiral Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:11:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 https://countervortex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/newsflash_logo-1-300x300.png Armenia – CounterVortex https://countervortex.org 32 32 Podcast: Trump for War-is-Peace Prize https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-trump-for-war-is-peace-prize/ https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-trump-for-war-is-peace-prize/#respond Sun, 24 Aug 2025 23:15:17 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=24680 perverse ambition to win the Nobel Peace Prize, he is citing his supposed diplomatic victories in ending six conflicts: Armenia-Azerbaijan, Congo-Rwanda, Israel-Iran, India-Pakistan, Thailand-Cambodia and Egypt-Ethiopia. In Episode 292 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg examines each of these examples, and breaks down how claims to have won "peace" are either extremely overstated or (more often) total Orwellian jive. The implication that Russia-Ukraine will be next, as Putin escalates his aggression, puts a hideous crown on the irony. (Image via Twitter)]]> In Donald Trump’s perverse ambition to win the Nobel Peace Prize, he is citing his supposed diplomatic victories in ending six conflicts: Armenia-Azerbaijan, Congo-Rwanda, Israel-Iran, India-Pakistan, Thailand-Cambodia and Egypt-Ethiopia. In Episode 292 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg examines each of these examples, and breaks down how claims to have won “peace” are either extremely overstated or (more often) total Orwellian jive. The implication that Russia-Ukraine will be next, as Putin escalates his aggression, puts a hideous crown on the irony.

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]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-trump-for-war-is-peace-prize/feed/ 0 ‘Trump Corridor’ through Armenia under ‘peace’ deal https://countervortex.org/blog/trump-corridor-to-bisect-armenia-under-peace-deal/ https://countervortex.org/blog/trump-corridor-to-bisect-armenia-under-peace-deal/#respond Sun, 17 Aug 2025 16:38:03 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=24661 joint declaration at the White House, with Donald Trump boasting that the US-brokered deal ends decades of conflict between the Caucasus neighbors. Critically, the agreement calls for a new transport corridor across Armenian territory, linking Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan, which lies between Armenia and the borders with Turkey and Iran. The corridor is to be named the "Trump Route for International Peace & Prosperity," and Armenia has granted the United States the right to manage it for 99 years. US companies will have exclusive development rights on the corridor throughout this period. (Map: Peter Hermes Furian/Shutterstock via The Conversation)]]> Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan signed a joint declaration at the White House on Aug. 8, with Donald Trump boasting that the US-brokered deal ends decades of conflict between the Caucasus neighbors. Critically, the agreement calls for a new transport corridor across Armenian territory, linking Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan, which lies between Armenia and Iran. The corridor is to be named the “Trump Route for International Peace & Prosperity,” and Armenia has granted the United States the right to manage it for 99 years. US companies will  have exclusive development rights on the corridor throughout this period.

Nakhchivan also shares a small strip of border with Azerbaijan’s historical ally Turkey, making the route militarily strategic. The corridor would follow the Iranian border to Turkish territory. Under the deal, the Minsk Group, created by the OSCE in 1992 to mediate the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, is to be dissolved. (The Guardian, The Cradle, Armenian Weekly, AzerNews, News.az, Middle East Uncovered)

Under the terms of the agreement, Armenia is required to officially recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity within Soviet-era borders, and renounce any current or future territorial claims. This effectively bars Armenia from seeking redress over questions concerning Nagorno-Karabakh, the formerly Armenian-governed breakaway enclave within Azerbaijan’s borders, which was taken by Azerbaijani forces in September 2023, amid accusations of ethnic cleansing of Armenian inhabitants.

Murad Papazyan of the opposition Armenian Revolutionary Federation harshly criticized the agreement, stating that it “benefits Azerbaijan and Turkey” at the expense of Armenia. He called the “Trump Route,” which had previously been proposed under the name of the Zangezur Corridor, “a serious encroachment on the sovereignty and security of Armenia,” and potentially “an existential threat” to the survival of the country. (Armenian Weekly)

Map: Peter Hermes Furian/Shutterstock via The Conversation

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/trump-corridor-to-bisect-armenia-under-peace-deal/feed/ 0 More advances for Palestinian statehood https://countervortex.org/blog/more-advances-for-palestinian-statehood/ https://countervortex.org/blog/more-advances-for-palestinian-statehood/#comments Tue, 28 May 2024 17:26:41 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=23491 ordered the opening of an embassy in Palestine, joining a handful of other nations around the world that have done so. The announcement comes after Petro's government withdrew its diplomats from Israel and broke relations with the country, describing Israel's actions in Gaza as a "genocide." The Colombian embassy is to be installed in Ramallah, the Palestinian Authority's capital on the West Bank. The move also comes as Spain, Ireland and Norway have announced their recognition of Palestine as a state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of course opposed these decisions, charging that "the intention of several European countries to recognize a Palestinian state is a reward for terrorism." (Image: Nicolas Raymond via Flickr)]]> Colombian President Gustavo Petro on May 22 ordered the opening of an embassy in Palestine, joining a handful of other nations around the world that have done so. The announcement comes after Petro’s government withdrew its diplomats from Israel and broke relations with the country on May 2, describing Israel’s actions in Gaza as a “genocide.” The Colombian embassy is to be installed in Ramallah, the Palestinian Authority’s capital on the West Bank.

Colombia’s move comes as Spain, Ireland and Norway have announced their recognition of Palestine as a state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of course opposed these decisions, charging that “the intention of several European countries to recognize a Palestinian state is a reward for terrorism.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz also announced that Israel will bar the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem from providing services to Palestinians in the West Bank.

The Spanish second vice president Yolanda Díaz won special opprobrium when she posted a video saying that it was not enough to recognize Palestine, but to isolate Israel until Palestine is free “from the river to the sea”—a remark labeled anti-Semitic by Katz.

The 1933 Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States identify four conditions for recognition of statehood: “a permanent population, defined territory, government, and capacity to enter into relations with other states.” (Jurist, Jurist, Jurist, Anadolu Agency)

Some 140 countries have now recognized the state of Palestine. (DW)

Image: Nicolas Raymond via Flickr

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/more-advances-for-palestinian-statehood/feed/ 1 Podcast: New Caledonia in the Great Game https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-new-caledonia-in-the-great-game/ https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-new-caledonia-in-the-great-game/#respond Thu, 23 May 2024 18:11:48 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=23483 accusations of genocide against Armenians, suddenly rallies to the defense of the Kanak indigenous people in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia, and accuses France of a legacy of "crimes against humanity" in its colonial holdings. This appears to be blatant retaliation for French support of Armenia in the conflict between the two Caucasus nations. The repression of the Kanak uprising in their colonized homeland and the cleansing of the Armenians from their usurped ancestral lands both demand our protest—but the propaganda game makes everything more complicated. Yet another example of how a global divide-and-rule racket is the essence of the state system. Bill Weinberg discusses in Episode 227 of the CounterVortex podcast. Listen on SoundCloud or via Patreon. (Flag image via Wikipedia)]]>

Azerbaijan, now facing accusations of genocide against Armenians, suddenly rallies to the defense of the Kanak indigenous people in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia, and accuses France of a legacy of “crimes against humanity” in its colonial holdings. This appears to be blatant retaliation for French support of Armenia in the conflict between the two Caucasus nations. The repression of the Kanak uprising in their colonized homeland and the cleansing of the Armenians from their usurped ancestral lands both demand our protest—but the propaganda game makes everything more complicated. Yet another example of how a global divide-and-rule racket is the essence of the state system. Bill Weinberg discusses in Episode 227 of the CounterVortex podcast.

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Flag image via Wikipedia

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-new-caledonia-in-the-great-game/feed/ 0 France accuses Azerbaijan of interfering in New Caledonia https://countervortex.org/blog/france-accuses-azerbaijan-of-interfering-in-new-caledonia/ https://countervortex.org/blog/france-accuses-azerbaijan-of-interfering-in-new-caledonia/#comments Tue, 21 May 2024 17:33:18 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=23480 report published by the French state investigative agency Viginum, alleging that Azerbaijan has disseminated "manifestly inaccurate or misleading content...blaming France for its handling of the situation in New Caledonia in the context of the riots." The report came one day after French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin accused Azerbaijan of making an agreement with the New Caledonia independence leadership, implying that this was retaliation for French support of Armenia in the conflict between the two Caucasus nations. Darmanin further added that France will not cede to the violence, and that it maintains sovereignty over New Caledonia. (Photo: New Caledonia protesters fly flag of Azerbaijan alongside that of the independence movement. Credit: @BabakTaghvaee1)]]> France accused Azerbaijan on May 17 of interfering in the conflict in New Caledonia, and spreading anti-French propaganda on social media to enflame the unrest in the French overseas territory. The charge was based on a report published by the French state investigative agency Viginum, alleging that Azerbaijan has disseminated “manifestly inaccurate or misleading content—photo or video montages—blaming France for its handling of the situation in New Caledonia in the context of the riots.” The report came one day after French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin accused Azerbaijan of making an agreement with the New Caledonia independence leadership, implying that this was retaliation for French support of Armenia in the conflict between the two Caucasus nations. Darmanin further added that France will not cede to the violence, and that it maintains sovereignty over New Caledonia.

Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry strongly rejected the accusations and denied any ties with protest leaders. The statement further accused France of a long history of “crimes against humanity” and the “brutal murder of millions of innocent people” in its colonial holdings.

The Baku Initiative Group, a political enterprise started by Azerbaijan that aims to support anti-colonialist movements, issued a statement May 16 condemning France’s new amendment to the electoral structure in New Caledonia, which sparked the current unrest. The amendment would give the right to vote to residents who have been living for at least 10 years in the country, including French nationals, in the provincial ballots.

The protests started on May 13, after approval of the constitutional amendment by the French National Assembly. France has imposed a curfew and a ban on public gatherings in New Caledonia, and declared a state of emergency May 16.

From Jurist, May 18. Used with permission.

Photo: New Caledonia protesters fly flag of Azerbaijan alongside that of the independence movement. Credit: @BabakTaghvaee1

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/france-accuses-azerbaijan-of-interfering-in-new-caledonia/feed/ 3 ICC petitioned to investigate new Armenian genocide https://countervortex.org/blog/icc-petitioned-to-investigate-new-armenian-genocide/ https://countervortex.org/blog/icc-petitioned-to-investigate-new-armenian-genocide/#comments Thu, 25 Apr 2024 18:03:35 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=23427 Center for Truth & Justice (CFTJ) published a report purporting that acts of genocide have been committed in the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region and Armenian border provinces, and calling upon the International Court of Justice to open an investigation. The CFTJ claims that Azerbaijani security forces have evicted ethnic Armenians from their native lands in these areas since the war of 2020, documenting instances of torture, arbitrary detentions and extrajudicial killings. (Map: Wikipedia)]]> The California-based Center for Truth & Justice (CFTJ) published a report April 18 purporting that acts of genocide have been committed in the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region and Armenian border provinces, and calling upon the International Court of Justice to open an investigation. The CFTJ claims that Azerbaijani security forces have evicted ethnic Armenians from their native lands in these areas since the war of 2020, documenting instances of torture, arbitrary detentions and extrajudicial killings.

The CFTJ report claims that acts by the Azerbaijani armed forces meet both the actus reus and mens rea elements for genocide, prohibited under Article II(c) of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Under this provision, “genocide” is defined as “deliberately inflicting upon the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its destruction in whole or in part.” (Jurist, CivilNet, AP)

The Armenian government meanwhile continues to make territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Yerevan announced April 19 that it will return four villages to Azerbaijan as a result of the 8th meeting of the joint Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border. Baku celebrated the return of the villages it said had been “under occupation” by Armenia since the war of the early 1990s. (Jurist, Al Jazeera)

Nonetheless, Armenia’s government decried what it called modern-day “ethnic cleansing” as it commemorated Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day on April 24. “In 2020-2023, we faced new manifestations and consequences of the policy of ethnic cleansing,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. “More than 150,000 Armenians were…forced to leave their historical homeland because of war, xenophobia, crimes based on identity.” (TNA)

Map: Wikipedia

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/icc-petitioned-to-investigate-new-armenian-genocide/feed/ 6 Refugee exodus mounts from Nagorno-Karabakh https://countervortex.org/blog/refugee-exodus-mounts-from-nagorno-karabakh/ https://countervortex.org/blog/refugee-exodus-mounts-from-nagorno-karabakh/#comments Sun, 01 Oct 2023 17:02:48 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=22954 announced that it will disband by the end of the year. Azerbaijan took full control of Nagorno-Karabakh following a swift military offensive last week. The region, an enclave within the borders of Azerbaijan, is home to around 120,000 ethnic Armenians who have considered it a de facto independent state, the Republic of Artsakh, since 1991. Most of that population—almost 90,000 people—has fled to Armenia in the past week due to fears of persecution and ethnic cleansing by the Azerbaijani forces that are now in control. Authorities in Armenia are struggling to register and provide for the needs of the tens of thousands of people arriving from the enclave, and concerns are growing about a nascent humanitarian crisis. (Map: Wikipedia)]]> The separatist government of Nagorno-Karabakh, which controlled the disputed territory for more than three decades, announced on Sept. 28 that it will disband by the end of the year. Azerbaijan took full control of Nagorno-Karabakh following a swift military offensive last week. The region, an enclave within the borders of Azerbaijan, is home to around 120,000 ethnic Armenians who have considered it a de facto independent state, the Republic of Artsakh, since 1991. Most of that population—almost 90,000 people—has fled to Armenia in the past week due to fears of persecution and ethnic cleansing by the Azerbaijani forces that are now in control. At least 170 people died in a massive fuel depot explosion amid the scramble to leave. Authorities in Armenia are struggling to register and provide for the needs of the tens of thousands of people arriving from the enclave, and concerns are growing about a nascent humanitarian crisis.

From The New Humanitarian, Sept. 29

Map: Wikipedia

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/refugee-exodus-mounts-from-nagorno-karabakh/feed/ 1 Podcast: the fall of Artsakh & the fate of the Armenians https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-the-fall-of-artsakh-the-fate-of-the-armenians/ https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-the-fall-of-artsakh-the-fate-of-the-armenians/#respond Tue, 26 Sep 2023 22:51:28 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=22942 mass exodus of ethnic Armenians underway from the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh following its fall to Azerbaijani forces, the threat of "ethnic cleansing" looms. The enclave had maintained a de facto independence as the Republic of Artsakh since 1991, but the war in Ukraine has pushed the stand-off out of the headlines, and ironically given Azerbaijan a free hand to finally re-take the territory. In Episode 193 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg explores the historical roots of the conflict, and demonstrates how the Armenians of Artsakh have been betrayed by all the Great Powers—including both Russia and the United States. Listen on SoundCloud or via Patreon. (Map: Wikipedia)]]> With a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians underway from the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh following its fall to Azerbaijani forces, the threat of “ethnic cleansing” looms. The enclave had maintained a de facto independence as the Republic of Artsakh since 1991, but the war in Ukraine has pushed the stand-off out of the headlines, and ironically given Azerbaijan a free hand to finally re-take the territory. In Episode 193 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg explores the historical roots of the conflict, and demonstrates how the Armenians of Artsakh have been betrayed by all the Great Powers—including both Russia and the United States. Listen on SoundCloud or via Patreon.

Production by Chris Rywalt

We ask listeners to donate just $1 per weekly podcast via Patreon—or $2 for our special offer! We now have 59 subscribers. If you appreciate our work, please become Number 60!

Map: Wikipedia

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/podcast-the-fall-of-artsakh-the-fate-of-the-armenians/feed/ 0 Republic of Artsakh falls to Azerbaijan https://countervortex.org/blog/republic-of-artsakh-falls-to-azerbaijan/ https://countervortex.org/blog/republic-of-artsakh-falls-to-azerbaijan/#respond Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:51:32 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=22931 Wikipedia)]]> Through the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent stationed in the breakaway enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan and leaders of the self-declared Republic of Artsakh reached an agreement on a cessation of hostilities Sept. 20. The ceasefire went into effect 24 hours after Azerbaijan launched an assault on Artsakh, taking the territory that had been held by ethnic Armenian separatists since 1991. The agreement calls for the disbanding of the Artsakh Defense Army, and the removal of Armenian military forces from the peacekeeping zone that has linked the enclave to Armenia. The military operation claimed some 30 lives, including at least seven ethnic Armenian civilians. (Armenian Weekly)

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said in a statement: “The European Union condemns the military operation by Azerbaijan against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and deplores the casualties and loss of life caused by this escalation… Azerbaijan bears the responsibility to ensure the rights and security of the Karabakh Armenians, including their right to live in their homes without intimidation and discrimination. Forced displacement of the civilian population through military or other means will be met with a strong response by the EU.” (ArmenPress)

Map: Wikipedia

]]> https://countervortex.org/blog/republic-of-artsakh-falls-to-azerbaijan/feed/ 0 Armenia detains anti-Russia protesters amid Lachin Corridor stand-off https://countervortex.org/blog/armenia-detains-anti-russia-protesters/ https://countervortex.org/blog/armenia-detains-anti-russia-protesters/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2023 19:38:48 +0000 https://countervortex.org/?post_type=blog&p=22399 At least 65 were arrested in Armenia's second city of Gyumri as authorities dispersed a rally outside a Russian military base. Activists were demanding that Yerevan cut ties with Moscow amid a deepening stand-off with Azerbaijan over the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. Russian "peacekeepers" have failed to re-open the Lachin Corridor, the only access in or out of Nagorno-Karabakh, which has been closed by Azerbaijan for almost a month—leaving 100,000 ethnic Armenians trapped, with supplies of food and medicine running low. The corridor was supposed to remain open under terms of the November 2020 ceasefire deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan. But the corridor has for nearly a month been blocked by Azeri activists, who charge that unregulated mining operations in Nagorno-Karabakh are causing environmental damage to the territory. (Map via Wikimedia Commons)]]> At least 65 protesters were arrested in Armenia’s second city of Gyumri on Jan. 8 as authorities dispersed a rally outside a Russian military base. Activists were demanding that Yerevan cut ties with Moscow amid a deepening stand-off with Azerbaijan over the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. A livestream of the rally showed demonstrators struggling with police officers, including troops from the notorious Red Berets anti-riot squad, while crowds chanted slogans calling for Armenia’s withdrawal from the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Armenia, unlike rival Azerbaijan, is a CSTO member. But the military alliance has drawn popular ire as Russian “peacekeepers” have failed to re-open the Lachin Corridor, the only access in or out of Nagorno-Karabakh, which has been closed by Azerbaijan for almost a month—leaving 100,000 ethnic Armenians trapped, with supplies of food and medicine running low. (Eurasianet)

The corridor was supposed to remain open under terms of the November 2020 ceasefire deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan. But the corridor has been blocked since Dec. 12 by Azeri activists, who charge that unregulated mining operations in Nagorno-Karabakh are causing environmental damage to the territory. The activists are ostensibly demanding that Baku be allowed to inspect the “illegal” ore mines. Azerbaijan’s authorities have acquiesced in the roadblocks. (Moscow Times, HRW, RFE/RL)

Acceding to popular pressure, Yerevan has announced that Armenia will not be participating in the latest round of annual CSTO military drills. The drills were to take place in Armenian territory, as a different CSTO member hosts them each year on a rotating system. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said hosting the upcoming exercise would be “inappropriate in the current situation.” (Moscow Times, DW, Al Jazeera)

Map via Wikimedia Commons

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