NEWS
RCDS discussion: The Instrumentalization of Justice in Armenia and Civil Society’s Response
The Regional Center for Democracy and Security organized a discussion on November 19 titled “The Instrumentalization of Justice in Armenia and Civil Society’s Response.” The event was moderated by RCDS Director Tigran Grigoryan, with Hasmik Harutyunyan, a legal expert at the NGO Protection of Rights Without Borders, serving as the speaker.
RCDS Discussion on Lessons of the Russo-Ukrainian Conflict for Armenia
On October 8, the Regional Center for Democracy and Security held a discussion of its report “The New Face of War: Lessons of the Russo-Ukrainian Conflict for Armenia.”
The report’s author, Eduard Arakelyan, presented the main findings of the study, drawing parallels with Armenia’s own context.
RCDS Completes Participatory Budgeting Awareness Campaign in Armenia’s Largest Community, Artashat
The awareness-raising campaign phase of the Participatory Budgeting process has been completed in Armenia’s biggest enlarged community, Artashat. As part of this phase, 38 awareness-raising sessions were held in 37 rural and 1 urban settlement.
RCDS report presentation: "Narratives of Division"
On July 29, the Regional Center for Democracy and Security presented its latest report, “Narratives of Division: Ruling Party-Linked Hate Speech Against Karabakh Armenian Refugees.”
Discussion: Challenges to the Consolidation of the Party System in Armenia
The panel featured politician Hayk Khanumyan and Liana Badalyan, Program Manager at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation’s Armenia office.
Direct Dialogue: Addressing Refugee Needs in Armenia
On February 4, the Regional Center for Democracy and Security (RCDS) held a conference
RCDS Holds a discussion on Challenges Facing the Expert Community in Armenia
On January 23, a discussion titled “Challenges Facing the Expert Community in Armenia” took place.
Second Annual Armenian Conference for Democratic Security
On December 16, the Second Annual Armenian Conference for Democratic Security took place, bringing together experts, policymakers, and civil society representatives to discuss Armenia's democratic development amidst a challenging geopolitical and security landscape.
Webinar by RCDS and the Heinrich Boell Foundation
On October 15, The Heinrich Böll Foundation’s Tbilisi Office for the South Caucasus Region hosted a Böll Talks webinar examining Armenia's strategic dependencies on Russia. The event featured the presentation of the report, "Armenia's Structural Dependence on Russia: Trade, Energy, Security," prepared by the Regional Center for Democracy and Security.
New Research Presentation: Armenia's Structural Dependence on Russia
On September 27, the Regional Center for Democracy and Security (RCDS) presented its new research, "Armenia's Structural Dependence on Russia: Trade, Energy, Security," to an audience of invited guests. This research was conducted in collaboration with the Heinrich Böll Foundation's Yerevan Office for the South Caucasus region.
RCDS Visits to HCA Vanadzor and Journalists' Asparez Club: Supporting the Integration of Nagorno-Karabakh Refugees
On September 21, as part of the RCDS program focused on integrating Nagorno-Karabakh refugees into Armenia's NGO and analytical sectors
RCDS Director Tigran Grigoryan Testifies at U.S. Helsinki Commission Congressional Hearing on Armenia
On September 10, Tigran Grigoryan, director of the Regional Center for Democracy and Security (RCDS), delivered a testimony at the U.S. Helsinki Commission's Congressional hearing on Armenia. His address emphasized the urgent need for international support to strengthen Armenia’s democracy and security in the face of ongoing challenges.
RCDS Hosts Discussion on Integrating Artsakh Officers into Armenia's Security Structures
On August 30, the Regional Center for Democracy and Security hosted a discussion titled "Integration of NK refugees into Armenia's Security Structures: Challenges and Next Steps."
RCDS Retreat Equips Nagorno-Karabakh Refugees with NGO Skills
On August 24-25, the second RCDS retreat under the "Integration of Nagorno-Karabakh Refugees
Visit to APRI Armenia
On August 6, participants from the RCDS project, which focuses on integrating Nagorno-Karabakh
Visit to Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center
On July 12, participants from the RCDS project focused on integrating Artsakh refugees
visit to the caucasus institute
On June 20, we visited the Caucasus Institute research center with participants of the People's Democratic Party program for the integration of Artsakh refugees in the analytical and NGO fields of Armenia. During the meeting, Caucasus
RCDS retreat in aghveran
On May 25-26, a retreat organized by the Regional Center for Democracy and Security took place in Aghveran as part of the project "Integration of Nagorno-Karabakh Refugees in the Analytical and NGO Fields of Armenia."
Discussion on Housing Assistance Program for Displaced Families from Nagorno-Karabakh Organized by RCDS
On January 22, the Regional Center for Democracy and Security (RCDS) organized a discussion on the Armenian government's housing assistance program for displaced families from Nagorno-Karabakh. The speakers included RCDS expert Aram Tadevosyan and former Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of Artsakh, Hayk Khanumyan. The discussion was moderated by RCDS head Tigran Grigoryan.
Meeting at the Eurasia Partnership Foundation
On May 7, we had the opportunity to accompany participants from the "Integration of Artsakh Refugees in the Analytical and NGO Fields in Armenia" project, generously supported by the Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF), on a visit to EPF headquarters. During the visit, EPF staff shared insights into their organization's mission and ongoing programs with our project’s participants, many of whom previously led NGOs in Artsakh that have recently re-registered in Armenia following forced displacement. This visit provided our project participants with valuable insights into the practical opportunities offered by EPF to support integration efforts.
RCDS Welcomes Eduard Arakelyan and Aram Tadevosyan
We're excited to announce Aram Tadevosyan and Eduard Arakelyan as the newest additions to RCDS. Aram brings extensive project management skills, while Eduard offers deep analytical expertise. Their combined experience in private and public sectors enriches our think tank's ability to deliver insightful solutions. We're eager to see their contributions in driving impactful outcomes
Inaugural Conference on Democratic Security in Armenia
The Regional Center for Democracy and Security (RCDS) hosted its first-ever Democratic Security in Armenia conference on December 14. The conference featured three dynamic panels, each exploring critical aspects of Armenia's democratic and security landscape.
Stephanie Thain Joins the RCDS Team as intern
Barev! I am Stephanie Thain, the most recent addition to the RCDS team, from London. My time in Armenia has been a remarkable experience for me thus far, and despite being only ten days into my journey, I am already contemplating extending my stay. Having recently completed my Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology at the University of Bristol, I am eager to apply my research skills in this unique environment. I am currently enrolled in the Birthright program and have completed an intensive language course where I was able to improve my rudimentary knowledge of Western Armenian and build on my conversational abilities which I hope to use in my new role here.
Joint Statement by a Group of Armenian Civil Society Organizations on the Press Statement by Charles Michel
The undersigned civil society organizations in Armenia express their alarm over the press statement of July 15 made by Charles Michel, President of the European Council, following the latest trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Aliyev. Specifically, we are concerned that the announcement equates the Lachin Corridor and Aghdam as options to address the current humanitarian crisis.
Working Dinner with Matthias Lüttenberg
The head of the Regional Center for Democracy and Security Tigran Grigoryan had a working dinner yesterday with Matthias Lüttenberg, Director for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia of the German MFA. The deepening humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh and the ongoing peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan were discussed during the meeting.
Meeting with ''Shell'' Vice President Joanna Kunsberg at the RCDS Office
On June 30, Joyanna Kunsberg, Vice President of the ''Shell'' company, and Anatoly Leontiev, Regional Senior Advisor, visited the Regional Center for Democracy and Security. Issues related to regional security were discussed during the meeting.
Working Breakfast with Bundestag Member Ms. Merle Spellerberg
On June 26, Tigran Grigoryan, the Head of the Regional Center for Democracy and Security, had a working breakfast with Ms. Merle Spellerberg, a member of the German Bundestag, member of the committees on foreign affairs and defense, rapporteur for the South Caucasus of the green parliamentary group. During their meeting, they discussed various aspects of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, and issues related to Armenia’s foreign policy.
The Visit of the Finnish Ambassador to the RCDS Office
On May 24, the Regional Center for Democracy and Security hosted Ms. Kirsti Narinen, the roving Ambassador of Finland to the South Caucasus, along with Tanya Taminen and Dimitri Saramonov from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. They discussed the internal situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and several regional issues with the guests. Furthermore, they discussed the role of the EU in initiatives that contribute to the establishment of trust and stability in the Armenian-Azerbaijani context.
The visit of the Swedish ambassador to the RCDS office
The ambassador of Sweden to Armenia, Patrick Svensson, visited the office of the RCDS on May 11th. Ambassador Svensson and the head of the RCDS, Tigran Grigoryan, discussed the recent developments in the region and exchanged views on other pressing issues. Mr. Grigoryan stressed the importance of EU engagement in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process and talked about the need for the creation of viable international security mechanisms in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The visit of the RCDS president Tigran Grigoryan to Brussels
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Yerevan and Brussels offices jointly organized an expert visit to the EU institutions from 5th June to 8th June 2023. This visit served as a platform for fruitful engagement, encompassing meetings and the exchange of ideas with members of the European Parliament, the European External Action Service, the Office of the Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia, the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, and the Directorate-General for Energy, among others.
Latest Publications
Polarization and Its Consequences for Democracy in Armenia
Political polarization is the displacement of social diversity from the political arena, replacing it with a categorical division of “us versus them.” This model becomes the main principle by which the political field is structured and the core subject of political debate—both in form and in substance. All other issues become secondary, and their solutions are dictated by the logic of this division.
State–Church Relations Through the Lens of Domestic and International Human Rights Law
In the context of modern states, questions concerning the state and religion, as well as separation of state and church, encompassing both political and legal dimensions, have been a subject of scholarly and public debate in democratic world for about two centuries now. Scholars have developed a range of classification models to describe the relationship between the state and religion, reflecting diverse historical, cultural, and constitutional contexts. For example, European scholarship often distinguishes between models such as the French laïcité, characterised by strict separation of religion and state, and the established churches of the United Kingdom or the Lutheran state churches in Scandinavia, where historical churches maintain formal ties with the state. In the United states, typologies emphasise the balance between the Establishment Clause (no official religion) and the Free Exercise Clause (freedom to practice faith), highlighting the tension between government neutrality and individual religious freedoms.
The Armenian Defense Minister’s 2025 Address: Key Priorities and Emphases
The Armenian Minister of Defense’s address summarizing the results of 2025 overall gives the impression of a managerial report on the administration of a large state institution. Almost all key theses are built around finances and social programs, while issues of armaments, military equipment, combat training, and operational thinking remain on the periphery. A brief review of the main points individually makes it possible to understand what exactly is being presented as a success.
From Aleppo to the Caucasus: Kurdish Defeat and Turkey’s Expanding Influence
During the latest wave of the civil war in Syria, which began on November 27, 2024, the pro-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) refused to fight on the side of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Pro-government forces loyal to Assad attempted to involve Kurdish formations in coordinating actions and defending key areas, particularly in Aleppo. However, the Kurdish leadership declined to take part in the fighting, maintaining neutrality and autonomous control over its forces. During the assault on the city, the leadership of the anti-Assad Islamist group issued a statement declaring that its struggle was directed against the Assad regime rather than against the SDF, promising to ensure the safety of the Kurds.
Pashinyan’s New Year address exposes erosion of institutional boundaries
As the 2026 parliamentary elections draw closer, every sphere of Armenia’s public life is gradually turning into an instrument of domestic political struggle. This politicization has extended even to traditionally unifying moments, including the festive season. Accordingly, many of the negative trends observed throughout 2025 found clear expression in Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s New Year address.