Post: #1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Armenian_revolution

The forum includes some threads about Armenia, mostly regarding girls. There is also a thread about the Armenian/Azeri war in Nagorno Karabakh.

/thread-54904.html

What that thread does not say, however, is that for the last two decades, two Karabakh Armenians--Robert Kocharyan followed by Serzh Sargsyan--successfully ruled the country as de facto dictators. (Incidentally, reading the Wikipedia article about Sargsyan, one might think he was elected democratically, but I know for a fact that he was not. PM me if you would like to hear the evidence.) Recently, Sargsyan stepped down as President but essentially appointed himself as Prime Minister for life. Earlier he had seen to it that in future power will reside with the Prime Minister rather than with the President. In other words, unlike Kocharyan who stepped down after two presidential terms--as per the constitution--Sargsyan prepared to stay in power indefinitely. Apparently, he learned game from Putin (although the details are very different the essence is the same). Enter Nicol Pashinyan, who led a peaceful revolt that forced Sargsyan to step down. Although it took several weeks, one can say that Pashinyan was elected Prime Minister by public acclamation. Having followed the process, I would say that his achievement is going to enter history as a model revolt. His initial step was to walk from the second largest city in Armenia, Gyumry, to Yerevan, the capital. By the time he arrived, he already had thousands of followers. When arrested, huge numbers of citizens protested and soon thereafter he was released. Sargsyan's resignation followed swiftly. I assume there were negotiations behind the scenes, because, for example, Sargsyan is still involved in Armenian politics as the leader of the largest current party (based on the last version of stolen elections), whereas it is a sure bet that most Armenians would like to see him hang. But it also seems that Armenia is now on a new path.

Among other things, it is highly likely that the country will now see serious economic growth, because diaspora Armenians are now considering investing there again. Previously, only businesses directly endorsed by Sargsyan could hope to flourish, and those endorsements did not come cheap.

By the way, I hesitated whether this subject belongs in the Politics subforum, but my reading of the rules precludes that, because it seems to limit "politics" to US politics. So I posted it here in EE to be on the safe side.

Post: #2

You have to have a certain number of posts to post in the Politics sub-forum. I can't remember what the limit is.

There are many threads there about politics outside the USA.

Post: #3

(05-21-2018 11:12 PM)puckerman Wrote:  You have to have a certain number of posts to post in the Politics sub-forum. I can't remember what the limit is.

There are many threads there about politics outside the USA.

Thank you for the comment. My reading suggests the number is 50 at this time but it was 250 during the election period. That's would make it "legal" for me to post there at this time. Anyway, whereas this post deals with politics, one of the main points--which I probably did not clarify properly--is that (in my opinion) this revolution is going to enter the history books as one of the most successful peaceful ones in a very long time. Just ten years earlier, Armenian protesters were killed by the same despot that was now deposed.

Post: #4

(05-19-2018 12:39 AM)Gray Beard Wrote:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Armenian_revolution

The forum includes some threads about Armenia, mostly regarding girls. There is also a thread about the Armenian/Azeri war in Nagorno Karabakh.

/thread-54904.html

What that thread does not say, however, is that for the last two decades, two Karabakh Armenians--Robert Kocharyan followed by Serzh Sargsyan--successfully ruled the country as de facto dictators. (Incidentally, reading the Wikipedia article about Sargsyan, one might think he was elected democratically, but I know for a fact that he was not. PM me if you would like to hear the evidence.) Recently, Sargsyan stepped down as President but essentially appointed himself as Prime Minister for life. Earlier he had seen to it that in future power will reside with the Prime Minister rather than with the President. In other words, unlike Kocharyan who stepped down after two presidential terms--as per the constitution--Sargsyan prepared to stay in power indefinitely. Apparently, he learned game from Putin (although the details are very different the essence is the same). Enter Nicol Pashinyan, who led a peaceful revolt that forced Sargsyan to step down. Although it took several weeks, one can say that Pashinyan was elected Prime Minister by public acclamation. Having followed the process, I would say that his achievement is going to enter history as a model revolt. His initial step was to walk from the second largest city in Armenia, Gyumry, to Yerevan, the capital. By the time he arrived, he already had thousands of followers. When arrested, huge numbers of citizens protested and soon thereafter he was released. Sargsyan's resignation followed swiftly. I assume there were negotiations behind the scenes, because, for example, Sargsyan is still involved in Armenian politics as the leader of the largest current party (based on the last version of stolen elections), whereas it is a sure bet that most Armenians would like to see him hang. But it also seems that Armenia is now on a new path.

Among other things, it is highly likely that the country will now see serious economic growth, because diaspora Armenians are now considering investing there again. Previously, only businesses directly endorsed by Sargsyan could hope to flourish, and those endorsements did not come cheap.

By the way, I hesitated whether this subject belongs in the Politics subforum, but my reading of the rules precludes that, because it seems to limit "politics" to US politics. So I posted it here in EE to be on the safe side.

Nice read, thanks. I had another Armenian guy tell that old election was a sham as well.

Post: #5

^ Thank you. About the elections, not only was it a sham, but on top of that there were EU observers who endorsed it even though the evidence to the contrary was clear. In other words, they must have been bribed. I was personally more upset by that than by the original fraud: At the time, I fully expected election fraud but I had thought more highly of the EU institutions.

Post: #6

It looks like one of the moderators moved this here.

Post: #7

(05-23-2018 11:33 PM)puckerman Wrote:  It looks like one of the moderators moved this here.

Must have done because I did not originally post it here, but it looks like a good call.

Post: #8

I've always thought very positive about the Armenians--at least, the ones I know or have met. Very determined people.

I recently watched an episode of Anthony Bourdain where he visits Armenia with the lead singer of System of a Down (I think the whole band are Armenian). It was fascinating. He dives into the nature of the conflict(s) and the direction the people are moving. It was really interesting. Ya'll should check it out.