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Regional Center for Democracy and Security

An independent think tank in Armenia that informs policymakers and the public about regional developments, Armenia’s foreign policy, security environment, and democratic trajectory, fostering evidence-based research and collaboration.

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Latest RCDS news and events

RCDS Presents Report on Hate Speech Against Nagorno-Karabakh Refugees During Armenia’s Parliamentary Elections

On October 26, the Regional Center for Democracy and Security (RCDS) presented its final report, Armenia’s Parliamentary Elections and Hate Speech Against Nagorno-Karabakh Refugees. The report was presented by Tigran Grigoryan, RCDS Director and co-author. The discussion brought together foreign diplomats, civil society representatives, and experts.  Tigran Grigoryan outlined the main hate speech narratives targeting […]

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RCDS Discussion: “Armenia’s Energy Future: Prospects and Scenarios.”

On October 22, the regular RCDS discussion was held, on the topic “Armenia’s Energy Future: Prospects and Scenarios.” The speaker was Hakob Vardanyan, former Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia. The meeting was moderated by RCDS analyst Hayk Khanumyan. The discussion addressed the situation surrounding Russian gas and possible […]

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RCDS Discussion on Peacetime Deaths in Armenia’s Armed Forces

On September 23, the Regional Center for Democracy and Security (RCDS) hosted a discussion on deaths in Armenia’s Armed Forces during peacetime. The discussion featured Artur Sakunts, President of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office; Vilen Gabrielyan, Chair of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Defense and Security Affairs; and Colonel (Ret.) Grigory Sahakyan. The […]

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RCDS Holds Two-Day Strategic Planning Retreat for Nagorno-Karabakh Refugees

On August 29–30, the Regional Center for Democracy and Security organized a two-day retreat focused on strategic planning as part of the “Enhancing Democratic Inclusion of Nagorno-Karabakh Refugees” project. The event brought together representatives of the groups that participated in the five workshops organized within the framework of the project. During the two-day meeting, participants […]

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Latest Publications
Articles

Armenia’s Purchase of Czech L-39 Skyfox Aircraft: A Transition to a New Generation of Trainer Aviation?

By Eduard Arakelyan On October 20, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan arrived in the Czech Republic on an official visit and published a video showing an L-39 Skyfox aircraft in flight, accompanied by the caption: “Soon, these wonders will be soaring in Armenia’s skies.” The minister also posed for a photograph next to an aircraft […]

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Articles

An Azerbaijani Soldier in an Armenian Village: Lessons That Cannot Be Ignored

By Eduard Arakelyan On October 1, an incident occurred in the village of Shaki in Armenia’s Syunik Province that exposed serious vulnerabilities in the security system protecting Armenia’s border regions. Armed Azerbaijani serviceman Nasimi Musayev, who had apparently abandoned his post without authorization, likely a frontline combat position, spent several days moving freely through Armenian […]

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Articles

Armenia and Russian Gas: Agreements, Scenarios, and Alternatives

In recent months, Russian officials at various levels and representatives of the Russian media have repeatedly stated that Armenia could lose its current “preferential” price for Russian gas and be forced to purchase gas at “market prices.” The wholesale price of natural gas in Europe is often cited as an example of such a market […]

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Research

Armenia’s Parliamentary Elections and Hate Speech Against Nagorno-Karabakh Refugees: Final Report

The Regional Center for Democracy and Security (RCDS) has published its final report examining hate speech targeting Nagorno-Karabakh refugees during Armenia’s June 2026 parliamentary elections and the period immediately following them. Based on four months of monitoring, the report documents the main narratives used to stigmatize and marginalize refugees, the political figures and pro-government media […]

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