Questions About National Security Strategy In the Republic of Armenia
Abstract
Landlocked between Caspian and Black Seas and surrounded by major competitor powers Russia, Turkey and Iran, Armenia, has gained considerable success since its independence. As a state Armenia meets all three of Max Weber's criteria monopolizing the legitimate use of force within its territorial boundary and society. It keeps the strongest armed forces in Trans Caucasus, benefits from a strategic and military partnership with Russia, and has an amazing level of political and economic support from the United States. Actually, Russia's military support and the Armenian-Americans' lobbying activity in the United States and Europe gives Armenia the advantage of continuing to control not only Nagorno Karabakh but also almost 20% of Azerbaijan's territory. Yet, despite all of these accomplishments, Armenia cannot be yet recognized as a successful state. Armenia's irredentism was the main reason for its war with neighboring Azerbaijan and actually, it is difficult to imagine a set-up under which Armenia and Azerbaijan would have had good relations. The ambiguous idea, popular amongst Armenians, of a "Just Solution of the Armenian Issue" is the reason for mistrust between Armenia and Turkey, as well as source of worry to its neighboring Georgia. Success in the war against Azerbaijan has driven the Armenian government to be very close to the position of a political prisoner of hardline nationalist forces domestically, which combined with heavy dependence on diaspora Armenians for monetary support has left the country very little space to maneuver or compromise. Domestic constraints limit Armenia's flexibility internationally, - restricting the country's ability to integrate into global and regional economic projects, and increasing dependence on military partners, since the military component of state power is becoming dominant. These factors may eventually disrupt Armenia's economy and exhaust its human and material recourses.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA441579
Entities
People
- George Gogashvili
Organizations
- National War College