Arminfo.info


 Friday, April 25 2025 16:47
Aline Grigoryan

Iskandaryan: Any region seems larger and more important from the  inside than from the outside

Iskandaryan: Any region seems larger and more important from the  inside than from the outside

ArmInfo. There is a well-known fact in political science: any region is perceived as more significant and larger from the inside than from the outside, that is, what happens inside our region seems much more important to us  than if we were looking at it, for example, from New York.  

Political scientist and Director of the Caucasus Institute Alexander  Iskandaryan said this in a conversation with an ArmInfo  correspondent, while discussing the purpose of the meeting between  the US President's Special Representative, Steve Witkoff, and the  President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. 

In this vein, Iskandaryan expressed his opinion that the value of the  so-called "Zangezur corridor" is exaggerated in the Armenian,  Azerbaijani and even Russian media, while lacking global  significance.  According to the political scientist, Witkoff was  unlikely to discuss this issue with Aliyev at the Baku airport, as it  is not as important as the Iranian-Israeli confrontation and the  events around Iran.  "Washington does not have a specific, verified  policy on the so-called "Zangezur corridor". The US position is  situational: regardless of whether this corridor opens or not, no one  will die or be resurrected in Washington because of this,"  Iskandaryan emphasized.  In this regard, the political scientist  explained that from an external perspective, all post-Soviet states  are perceived in the context of Russia and the countries surrounding  it. "They treat us depending on the situation that is developing  around Russia, primarily in the context of the issues around Ukraine.   Everything else is seen as insignificant, and only tackled by experts  in that specific field," the director of the Caucasus Institute  added.

Iskandaryan expressed his conviction that the main goal of Whitkoff's  in Baku is connected with Iran and the events  around this country. "I would even say that this is a kind of  triangle - Iran, Israel, the United States. In this sense, Azerbaijan  has a certain significance due to its geographical location. However,  it is impossible to visit Baku and not touch upon the  Armenian-Azerbaijani complex.  Perhaps, some statements were made  about the regulation of this issue and the need to resolve it  peacefully.  One of the reasons why Azerbaijan announced the approval  of a peace treaty with Armenia was also due to this. Although  Whitkoff was not in Baku at the time, we must understand that all  this is part of the overall process," the political scientist  explained. 

In light of this, Iskandaryan expressed the opinion that the US's  attention to the South Caucasus is now decreasing rather than  increasing. He added that there will be no clear policy from  Washington in this region, at least in the near future. Meanwhile,  the director of the Caucasus Institute clarified that this does not  mean that America does not influence events in the South Caucasus in  some way through the "other shoulder." He noted that when speaking  about relations between Europe and Russia, it is important to  recognize that these are the issues that the United States is dealing  with and will address to some extent.  However, according to  Iskandaryan, it is necessary to take into account that America has  certain interests in the region, including matters related to Iran  and Israel. In this context, the political scientist explained that  developments in Iran, for example, will also affect the South  Caucasus.  Touching upon whether Whitkoff had raised the issue of the  route through Syunik with Armenia during the meeting, Iskandaryan  noted that he does not think that Armenia is needed for the Middle  Corridor at all. He explained this by stating that discussions on  this issue are merely "figures of silence" or discourses that create  media noise. "The road from Azerbaijan to Turkey already exists and  doesn't require Armenia's involvement. We are talking about the  Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars route, which is already operational.   Additionally, there are highways. The only commodities that can be  transported from Azerbaijan to Europe through Turkey are oil and gas.  The necessary pipelines and gas pipelines already exist, and in this  sense, Armenia is not a "Crossroads of Peace". This is simply media  noise and holds no global significance," Iskandaryan concluded.

 Let us recall that after his visit to Moscow, Steve Witkoff traveled  through Baku, where he met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.  He spoke about this in a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, where  he mentioned the international tasks assigned to him by Donald Trump  - Gaza, Ukraine, Iran  and also highlighted the issue of settling  Armenian-Azerbaijani relations.

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     

News
Samvel Karapetyan sues blogger Roman Baghdasaryan demanding retraction and payment of 6 million dramsSamvel Karapetyan sues blogger Roman Baghdasaryan demanding retraction and payment of 6 million drams
Zhanna Andreasyan: RA government  prioritizes development of Armenian StudiesZhanna Andreasyan: RA government  prioritizes development of Armenian Studies
Court`s decision to arrest NA deputy Artur Sargsyan to be appealed- lawyerCourt`s decision to arrest NA deputy Artur Sargsyan to be appealed- lawyer
Artur Sargsyan arrested for 2 monthsArtur Sargsyan arrested for 2 months
ARF members, Russian State Duma representatives discuss regional security issuesARF members, Russian State Duma representatives discuss regional security issues
RA Prime Minister arrives in UAE on working visitRA Prime Minister arrives in UAE on working visit
RA MFA: There can be no agreement on  RA MFA: There can be no agreement on  "Zangezur corridor"
Zakharova comments on information about Azerbaijan selling weapons to UkraineZakharova comments on information about Azerbaijan selling weapons to Ukraine
Oppositionist: It is necessary to integrate Artsakh residents in Armenia in order to move away from the principle of Oppositionist: It is necessary to integrate Artsakh residents in Armenia in order to move away from the principle of "no man, no problem"
Starting January 1, citizenship  services for both obtaining and terminating citizenship will be digitized- MIAStarting January 1, citizenship  services for both obtaining and terminating citizenship will be digitized- MIA
A decision to arrest a member of the National Assembly to be made within the next  2-3 hours - lawyerA decision to arrest a member of the National Assembly to be made within the next  2-3 hours - lawyer
Armenia, Iran  Defense Ministers discuss regional security issuesArmenia, Iran  Defense Ministers discuss regional security issues
Prosperous Armenia Party  leader  interrogated by  Anti-Corruption CommitteeProsperous Armenia Party  leader  interrogated by  Anti-Corruption Committee
Oppositionist: Pashinyan  repressing the opposition to show Aliyev and Erdogan his loyalty to the agreements made with them Oppositionist: Pashinyan  repressing the opposition to show Aliyev and Erdogan his loyalty to the agreements made with them 
AAC followers from all over the world form Pan-Armenian Council for  the Protection of the Armenian ChurchAAC followers from all over the world form Pan-Armenian Council for  the Protection of the Armenian Church
Armenia, Greece discuss recent developments in  South CaucasusArmenia, Greece discuss recent developments in  South Caucasus
Zakharova: Armenian side was offered concrete steps on  stop listsZakharova: Armenian side was offered concrete steps on  stop lists
Briefing on Swiss Peace Initiative for Artsakh  in US CongressBriefing on Swiss Peace Initiative for Artsakh  in US Congress
Lawyer: Nowadays, any political process in Armenia is accompanied by  interference from the state apparatusLawyer: Nowadays, any political process in Armenia is accompanied by  interference from the state apparatus
Armenia to tighten criminal liability for attacks on doctorsArmenia to tighten criminal liability for attacks on doctors
Armenia`s Deputy FM, UN official exchange views on UN80 initiativeArmenia`s Deputy FM, UN official exchange views on UN80 initiative
Court discussing MP`s arrestCourt discussing MP`s arrest
Armenian premier, Azerbaijani president to meet in Abu Dhabi Armenian premier, Azerbaijani president to meet in Abu Dhabi 
Civil Contract party board meeting take place Civil Contract party board meeting take place 
Judge`s decision on Samvel Karapetyan case one more incitement to legal absurdity - lawyer Judge`s decision on Samvel Karapetyan case one more incitement to legal absurdity - lawyer 
U.S. Sec of State mentioned Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization `for a  reason` - Tammy BruceU.S. Sec of State mentioned Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization `for a  reason` - Tammy Bruce
Azerbaijan`s government plan to take control of Armenia under  humanitarian disguise being executed - Arman Tatoyan Azerbaijan`s government plan to take control of Armenia under  humanitarian disguise being executed - Arman Tatoyan 
Expecting 2026 elections amid promises given to external forces  extremely risky - opposition MPExpecting 2026 elections amid promises given to external forces  extremely risky - opposition MP
Tashir Pizza allowed to resume operation in Abovyan Tashir Pizza allowed to resume operation in Abovyan 
Armenian premier sends congratulatory message to president of Argentina Armenian premier sends congratulatory message to president of Argentina 
Law-enforcers confiscate large batch of drugs Law-enforcers confiscate large batch of drugs 
Aliyev regime continues destroying Artsakh Armenians` property in Stepanakert Aliyev regime continues destroying Artsakh Armenians` property in Stepanakert 
Situation surrounding ENA has political implication - Tashir Situation surrounding ENA has political implication - Tashir 
Armenia`s authorities seeking to neutralize all rivals and form  atmosphere of fear - expert Armenia`s authorities seeking to neutralize all rivals and form  atmosphere of fear - expert 
Armenian authorities prove quality of all before unlawfulness -  Larisa Alaverdyan Armenian authorities prove quality of all before unlawfulness -  Larisa Alaverdyan 
Forest fire prevention discussed at RA Ministry of Interior Forest fire prevention discussed at RA Ministry of Interior 
Washington hopes for peace deal between Armenia, Azerbaijan soon Washington hopes for peace deal between Armenia, Azerbaijan soon 
Aram I calls for putting end to destructive atmosphere in Armenia Aram I calls for putting end to destructive atmosphere in Armenia 
Artur Sargsyan stripped of his parliamentary immunityArtur Sargsyan stripped of his parliamentary immunity
Political scientist: Pashinyan`s government acknowledges that it is  impossible to simultaneously oppose two non-agreement-capable  opposition centersPolitical scientist: Pashinyan`s government acknowledges that it is  impossible to simultaneously oppose two non-agreement-capable  opposition centers
World Council of Churches expresses deep concern regarding recent  developments involving the Armenian Apostolic ChurchWorld Council of Churches expresses deep concern regarding recent  developments involving the Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian Deputy FM participates in the Special Session of the  Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute on the Review of the  Draft Amendments on the Crime of AggressionArmenian Deputy FM participates in the Special Session of the  Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute on the Review of the  Draft Amendments on the Crime of Aggression
Armenian Ombudsperson signals a violation of lawyers` right to access  their clients in the preliminary investigation bodyArmenian Ombudsperson signals a violation of lawyers` right to access  their clients in the preliminary investigation body
 RA Prime Minister visits Kotayk branch of  SOS Children`s Villages RA Prime Minister visits Kotayk branch of SOS Children`s Villages
Jerusalem`s Armenian Quarter  most targeted by anti- Christian  incidents in Israel - ReportJerusalem`s Armenian Quarter  most targeted by anti- Christian  incidents in Israel - Report
Narek Karapetyan: Authorities want to start a pre-planned process  against Tashir GroupNarek Karapetyan: Authorities want to start a pre-planned process  against Tashir Group
Armenia officially joins UN Countering Terrorism Travel Program Armenia officially joins UN Countering Terrorism Travel Program 
Vice Speaker: The government must respond to threats, otherwise it  will lead to chaosVice Speaker: The government must respond to threats, otherwise it  will lead to chaos
No detainees from among ENA staff members - acting CEONo detainees from among ENA staff members - acting CEO
War in Armenia - politician War in Armenia - politician 
Armenian law-enfrocers publicly ordered to attack AAC - lawyerArmenian law-enfrocers publicly ordered to attack AAC - lawyer
Swiss MPs to present peace initiative on return to Artsakh in  Washington Swiss MPs to present peace initiative on return to Artsakh in  Washington 
RA Human Rights Defender condemns squabble in NA RA Human Rights Defender condemns squabble in NA 
Russian-Armenian businessman files slander claims against Armenian  premier, deputy head of RA premier`s staff Russian-Armenian businessman files slander claims against Armenian  premier, deputy head of RA premier`s staff 
Everyone expected this - Narek Karapetyan Everyone expected this - Narek Karapetyan 
Armenia`s Investigative Committee investigating major embezzlement  cases Armenia`s Investigative Committee investigating major embezzlement  cases 
ENA Board chairman brought to ENA head office ENA Board chairman brought to ENA head office 
Tensions in Armenia`s parliamentTensions in Armenia`s parliament
AraratBank participated in the WEPs regional experience-sharing workshopAraratBank participated in the WEPs regional experience-sharing workshop
Ruling force`s action illegal - Arman TatoyanRuling force`s action illegal - Arman Tatoyan
Read more



Commented