Another lovely oh so positive article on Armenia

[IAmMadAtAC]

http://groong.usc.edu/news/msg100269.html
What a TERRIBLE article! I can't understand this person's uber-pessimistic and/or anti-Armenian tone. Here are some choice quotes (first is an explanation and refuting of it by me, followed by in quote marks quotations from the article):

1. This makes it seem like NK is all Armenians fault. It also makes us all seem like crazed nationalist freaks beyond all reason. Of course we won't negotiate "seriously" with the "serious" things thrown at us by Azerbaijan, since they are mostly along the lines of since you won Armenia, we think a good solution would be for you to totally surrender all of Karabakh to us and we will give it "a measure of autonomy". If that's being rational I know I don't want to be.

"Armenia has refused to negotiate down from this untenable geopolitical
position. After winning the Nogorno-Karabakh war, Armenian leaders --
backed by a fiery nationalism that is quite popular among Armenians
within both the country and the diaspora -- have refused to seriously
negotiate a peace agreement with Azerbaijan that might end the
military standoff."

2. Look at this skepticism! "If you believe Yerevan's public relations?!" What the hell, it's well known that volunteers like Monte came from all over to help in the war.

"Armenia became embroiled in a war with Azerbaijan over
the fate of Nogorno-Karabakh, a majority Armenian enclave within
Azerbaijani territory. Armenia -- or if you believe Yerevan's public
relations, Armenian volunteers supporting the Karabakh Armenians --
won the war and continues to control a large western slice of
Azerbaijani territory contingent to it."

3. I am not even going to comment on the following faulty and horrible line.

"To be fair, the Azerbaijanis have not exactly been extending olive
branches either, but Baku believes that ultimately its oil and natural
gas revenues will allow it to build up a military force capable of
recapturing its lost territory. It likely is correct."

4. And of course here's the last line to this rosy feel-good article of the year:

"Winds of change are blowing in Armenia; it is not clear whether
Armenia will survive them."

[IAmMadAtAC]

This just in, minimal research on the company that wrote this article has revealed that it is an oil-slicked company based in Austin, Texas that has been accused of lying on other countries as well. It's no surprise that something under the sway of the oil companies would write such a callous article attacking Armenia while glorifying Azerbaijan. I was also suspicious why such a "world-respected company" would declared all of Georgia and Azerbaijan's problems solved by the building of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, which hasn't even been finished yet. Not only that, but it scolded Armenia for "missing its chance" to get involved with the BC pipeline. As if Armenia was able to get involved without giving up its very viability as a state (a.k.a. pandering to Turkey and Azer. and do whatever they wanted). It's apparant though now why this article is so anti-Armenian, it's a mouthpiece for those in the oil industry. Don't they wish Armenia's position was this hopeless. I'm not saying Armenia is in great shape, but the way this article was talking we can expect the overrunning and conquering of Armenia within the next year or two. It also said how Armenia has no hope on the genocide issue but by sticking to it is only speeding up the country's demise, conveniently not mentioning the EU and its wanting Turkey to recognize it.

[xBaron Dants]

Stupid article. No author name. I'm guessing it ends in "oglu" or in case it ends with a "yev", it starts with "Ahmed". Sheer propaganda. Luckily it hasn't been published in any major newspapers or even websites (had never heard of stratfor.com)

[xBaron Dants]

Eh, your second post just confirmed my (and your) skepticism. Ridiculous stuff..

[IAmMadAtAC]

The more I read about STRATFOR, the more worried I get about them. They seem like real shady and powerful folks. Read this article on an Armenian website I found about Stratfor written earlier in the year, way before this piece of crap article came out. It seems like the Pentagon and STRATFOR are attempting to single-handedly take over Armenia. I don't like this at all...
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dikran.yegye/news-Big%20Insinuations%20For%20Little%20Armenia.htm

[xBaron Dants]

Well, as I mentioned in the "war in Iraq" thread, the Pentagon right now has no choice but to stay out of Armenian internal politics, because Demirchyan's opposition (which I suspected the U.S. might support) has now lost all chances of gaining U.S. support. Yes, the government will be trying to please the U.S., but they can now breathe a little easier. As for the U.S. presence in the region, I don't see how it is any stronger in Armenia than it would be in Georgia, for example.

[MadHandle]

I don't see why the world doens't want to recognize Nagarno Karabagh as part of Armenia. Armenia won it over, fair and square, period...A war was declared and Armenia won, bottom line. Azeries shouldn't even be whining about it. Israel, the US, etc...they can all do what Armenia did and yet they don't recognize it? Nagarno-Karabagh has some of the best soil you can find in that region and Armenia needs it for a stable economy. Atleast the Azeries have access to a large body of water. So as far as I know, they can shut the xxxx up and deal with their loss. And shouldn't Armenia be more conserned with defending the Karabagh front? Anyone have some info on the Armenian defenses at Karabagh?

[xBaron Dants]

I think the more this status-quo lasts, the more the Armenian victory will be irreversible.

Nobody can possibly justify putting all those Armenians in Artsakh under the jurisdiction of Azerbaidjan. There is absolutely no logic there, especially considering the fact that the residents of Artsakh have built a society that is more democratic than the one in Azerbaidjan.

[Anonymouse]

Yea, what a terrible article no different than Susan Sach's bromide of the NYTimes.

[obi]

Well, as I mentioned in the "war in Iraq" thread, the Pentagon right now has no choice but to stay out of Armenian internal politics, because Demirchyan's opposition (which I suspected the U.S. might support) has now lost all chances of gaining U.S. support. Yes, the government will be trying to please the U.S., but they can now breathe a little easier. As for the U.S. presence in the region, I don't see how it is any stronger in Armenia than it would be in Georgia, for example.


Sir, when you are the first to say something needs doing.... who is your greatest ally???

just a moment for thought...

[xBaron Dants]

Greatest ally is Russia, whether anyone likes it or not.

[IAmMadAtAC]

Greatest ally is Russia, whether anyone likes it or not.

Indeed Baron. You see obi, Mr. "West is Best", in the case of America, not only are its current intrests aimed around subjugating and weakening Armenia, but it favors our enemies and blackmails us with policies like "without being our friend you cannot expect us to settle NK in your favor". America, while it would like Armenia in its orbit, has no real need for it. Russia on the other hand, having just lost Ukraine but with dreams of greater power, has its best interests with Armenia. Armenia is one of its last CIS allies and as long as we stay behind it it will make sure Armenia is as strong as possible. It is in Russia's best interests for a strong Armenia and a weaker Azerbaijan. So in joining America we become a lacky of the big superpower who doesn't want us to do well. We need to stick with Russia because they will look out for us in their contention with America. In the case of America though, rolling over and submitting to them will give them greater free reign to do what they want in the region and pursue their interests, which is Baku oil. We need to remain with Russia as to be a counterbalance to the American allied states of Georgia and Azer.

[Thai-Samurai]

Indeed Baron. You see obi, Mr. "West is Best", in the case of America, not only are its current intrests aimed around subjugating and weakening Armenia, but it favors our enemies and blackmails us with policies like "without being our friend you cannot expect us to settle NK in your favor". America, while it would like Armenia in its orbit, has no real need for it. Russia on the other hand, having just lost Ukraine but with dreams of greater power, has its best interests with Armenia. Armenia is one of its last CIS allies and as long as we stay behind it it will make sure Armenia is as strong as possible. It is in Russia's best interests for a strong Armenia and a weaker Azerbaijan. So in joining America we become a lacky of the big superpower who doesn't want us to do well. We need to stick with Russia because they will look out for us in their contention with America. In the case of America though, rolling over and submitting to them will give them greater free reign to do what they want in the region and pursue their interests, which is Baku oil. We need to remain with Russia as to be a counterbalance to the American allied states of Georgia and Azer.

And of course pride, don't forget Pride.

[xBaron Dants]

Well said madatac (I always read your names as Mad Attack by the way).

Russia is our greatest ally because it arguably needs us as much as we need Russia. This can't be said of the United States. Heck, they might treat us even better now because they want to "win us over".