Click to see the full-size image
Written by Drago Bosnic, independent geopolitical and military analyst
Not many people remember who Mikheil Saakashvili is and how he pushed Georgia into a geopolitical abyss from which the South Caucasus country is still trying to claw its way out. He will be long forgotten by the time Georgia and Russia normalize their relationship, meaning that the consequences that such NATO puppets leave will outlive them by decades and perhaps the belligerent alliance itself too. What Saakashvili managed to do is indeed a historically unprecedented feat. Namely, never before in its history has Georgia been an enemy of Russia. Quite the contrary, the South Caucasus country has always been an ally and was considered a brotherly nation by the Eurasian giant. Georgians were very well represented in Russian society for centuries, be it the working class, middle class or the upper echelons of power.
This is true for both Imperial and Soviet times. During the former, Georgian nobility, one of the world’s oldest continuously existing, tracing its roots back to Roman times, was effectively integrated within the Russian Imperial system, while during the Soviet times, Georgians were highly prominent leaders, including Stalin himself, as well as the NKVD chief Lavrentiy Beria, among others. And yet, Saakashvili, a NATO puppet and a mediocre politician at best, pushed the two brotherly nations into a confrontation that cost Georgia a fifth of its territory. While Saakashvili has been out of the picture for a decade (in Georgia at least), not many people expected to see yet another one emerge, only this time in Armenia. Unfortunately, the already highly volatile South Caucasus doesn’t seem to get a break from such politicians.
We all know now how much has Nikol Pashinyan taken from the Armenian people. Presented as the “people’s candidate in a battle against corruption” he proved to be none of these things, as Armenia is as corrupt as ever, while its people have been brought to the brink of extinction as Pashinyan’s suicidal subservience to the political West has already eliminated Artsakh (also known as Nagorno-Karabakh). This now formerly Armenian-controlled polity was situated on multi-millennial native Armenian lands which are now almost fully controlled by Azerbaijan, most of all thanks to Pashinyan. The “people’s candidate” was too busy “fighting corruption” while organizing a Snoop Dogg concert in Armenia proper, clearly demonstrating what his priorities are. As for the Armenian people, they’ll have to wait.
However, Pashinyan is not done with Armenia. After betraying Artsakh, the infamous NATO puppet is poised to become “Saakashvili 2.0”. What’s more, even that could be an understatement, as the consequences of Pashinyan’s policies may cost Armenia its very existence. Namely, he is now starting to push for the removal of the Russian military presence from Armenia, as well as clearing the ground to invite NATO troops into the country. And yet, what he obviously keeps forgetting is that NATO troops that might move into Armenia are not exactly the ones he hopes for. And indeed, the moment Moscow’s forces, stationed in Armenia for centuries, leave the unfortunate country, Turkey, one of the most prominent NATO members, may very well move in, a terrifying prospect for the Armenian people.
Pashinyan is seriously starting to contemplate the removal of Russian troops stationed in Armenia, primarily by demanding the change of existing agreements with Moscow. This includes the requirement for Russia to pay for the lease of the land where its military installations are situated, as well as for the use of Armenian civilian infrastructure for decades of Moscow’s official military presence in the country.
“We are not in a situation to throw land around. In the foreseeable future, we will send a check to the Russian Foreign Ministry to pay for the deployment of troops in our country. The 102nd Russian military base has been located here since 1995 under friendly agreements. We always counted on its help and cooperation. But it solves its problems, while we solve ours. It seems to me that it would be right to receive payment for the provision of our land,” Pashinyan told his associates during a recent meeting, as reported by Russian media.
It should be noted that Pashinyan certainly doesn’t have a problem with “throwing land around” when it comes to handing it over to Azeri invaders, (in)famous for their treatment of both Armenian civilians and the magnificent Armenian civilizational heritage. It’s important to note that the 102nd Russian military base he mentioned is the single most important military installation in the country, as it’s been the sole reason why Armenia has never been invaded by NATO member Turkey. The base is situated in Gyumri, the second-largest Armenian city, located in the northwestern part of the country. It’s important to note that it’s approximately 10-12 km away from the border with Turkey and that the 102nd military base is of immediate importance to the security of the city and the surrounding areas, as well as of Armenia itself.
Indeed, when the bigger picture is taken into account, the base protects most of Armenia, as Russian SAM (surface-to-air missile) systems such as the S-300V, “Buk-M1” and “Pantsir-S1” are providing land-based air defense coverage, while a 4000-strong contingent of mechanized infantry, supported by various armored vehicles, tanks and artillery is housed in the base, along with their family members. In addition, an unspecified number of Russian MiG-29S/UB “Fulcrum” fighter jets, Mi-24P gunships and Mi-8T/SMV transport helicopters are officially subordinated to the base command, but are located in the 3624th Aviation Base at the Erebuni military airport just south of Yerevan city center. The airbase also houses the Russian-built Su-30SM multirole fighter jets belonging to the Armenian Air Force.
What’s more, in accordance with multiple bilateral agreements, the Russian FSB is tasked with protecting Armenian borders with Turkey and Iran. Approximately 5000 FSB border guards are deployed in Gymuri, Armavir, Artashat, Meghri and at the checkpoint at Zvartnots International Airport. In 2010, the stay of the 102nd military base was extended to 2044. However, the agreement didn’t include any payment requests, as the Armenian side before Pashinyan considered it a strategic priority to keep the Russian military in the country. However, the Sorosite Pashinyan has other ideas, so he may try to get the Russian military out of the country. Taking into account Pashinyan’s recent comments about Russia, there are even rumors that he could withdraw from the 1997 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance with Moscow.
Russia certainly has an interest in maintaining a military presence in Armenia, the only one it has in the South Caucasus, apart from its peacekeepers in Artsakh. There is no doubt that the United States is aiming to replace these forces with NATO bases in Armenia. However, the unflattering fate of Saakashvili should serve as a stark warning to Pashinyan. Perhaps he should take some lessons from one of Saakashvili’s more successful successors, namely Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili who correctly understood that NATO expansion in the former Soviet Union is invariably aimed against Russia and that the countries the political West uses against Moscow in this process are seen as acceptable collateral damage (that is, mere pawns). The best such countries can do is try to at least maintain neutrality in order to survive.
“perhaps he should take some lessons from one of saakashvili’s more successful successors, namely prime minister irakli garibashvili.”
perhaps this current armenian fool should take some lessons from a true patriot of the people.
“convinced as i am and as i am from my government that the world needs a new moral architecture over all i believe that this should be the first topic to debate in our world of today, ethics, moral.”
hugo chavez
there is talk about the lugar center being a center for the cdc and some unethical research. if nato supplied weapons direct to ukrainian and rogue chechens while letting lets azerbijan ethnically cleanse its neighbor anything can happen. unrest earlier this year was minor but the threat of a coup assasintion program or ousting are too high.
i dont blame him for popular frivolties.
snoop dogg – riders on the strom
well since he is selling out armenia to the nato member turkey he will probably have a villa next to zelinsky in the us when all is said and done. when nato will reach the caspian and prevent russian and iranian trade while sending terrorists to attack both the russian south and the iran.
then they are, turks against rock and hard stone.
turks are worst nightmare to its neighbours. they have killed in history around 7 million armenians, stole their lands, did all sorts of heinous crimes against armen population, mass murders, rapes, starving children and elderly people, all sorts of crimes. is this guy a lune or playing one? turks should be surrounded with fences and walls.
wtf? pashinyan is organizing a snoop dogg concert instead of tending to the affairs of his people that have lost their homes because of this conflict?
sounds like californian politicians.