After successfully recruiting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijan and Turkey are trying to neutralize the Armenian Diaspora, the final step for their conquest of Armenia. Both Aliyev and Erdogan are very pleased with the compliant regime in Armenia and do not wish to see the Diaspora stand in the way of their anti-Armenian plots.
On March 2, 2026, Apollo Strategic Communications (ASC), a London-based public relations firm, attacked the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) by sending a covert memo to the U.S. media titled “Armenian Diaspora Voices Russian Interests on Capitol Hill.” ASC has ties to Azerbaijan and its Caspian Sea petroleum partners. The firm is listed in the UK Companies House registry as being involved in “public relations and communication activities.” It has undergone several name changes in recent years: “Apollo Public Relations Limited” (Aug. 13, 2009 – Aug. 29, 2014), and “Red Public Relations Limited” (Apr. 14, 2008 – Aug. 13, 2009).
The ASC memo spreads lies and disinformation by claiming that “U.S. administration efforts [in Armenia]…face resistance and opposition from the influential Armenian National Committee of America, the largest Armenian organization in the U.S., which, it is feared by some on Capitol Hill, is seeking to undermine the ongoing peace process in Congress. ANCA is accused of aligning with pro-Moscow forces, while working against Armenian national interests by endorsing Russian positions and misinformation narratives, often verbatim, at the heart of American institutions.” The memo goes on to condemn “senior ANCA officials” for issuing “an impassioned defense of the Armenian Apostolic Church.” The ANCA and the Diaspora oppose a fake peace, not genuine peace, and are not against Armenia’s national interests. On the contrary, they want to protect Armenia from Pashinyan’s endless concessions to Aliyev, which could lead to the demise of the homeland.
I would like to point out several questionable aspects of ASC’s memo:
1. Election Timing: The memo makes a direct reference to the “crucial general election in Armenia,” indicating that Azerbaijan and Turkey are doing everything possible to ensure that Prime Minister Pashinyan remains in power after the parliamentary election of June 7.
2. Unusual Choice of PR Channel: Azerbaijan is paying millions of dollars to public relations and lobbying firms in Washington. Yet, strangely, this hit piece is being circulated to the U.S. media by a London-based firm rather than the ones in Washington to which Azerbaijan pays large sums each year to lobby and do PR. This appears to be a waste of money and a slap in the face to the PR firms hired by Azerbaijan in Washington.
3. Sources ASC offered to Journalists: ASC offered the names of four individuals who would “be happy to share further materials and information”:
. An unnamed “senior staffer at the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe — a congressional commission.” The ANCA should determine if this individual is receiving payment from a foreign firm with Azeri ties, while working for Congress. If so, he should be fired.
. “Maria Karapetyan, Member of Parliament for Armenia’s Ruling Civil Contract party and a member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations.” Maria should be questioned about her collaboration with a foreign lobbying firm against an Armenian organization, and possibly being compensated for it.
. “Nzhdeh Hovsepyan, a respected academic and historian, who can speak to the fraternity between ANCA and the pro-Moscow Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) party in Armenia, as well as links between the ARF and Russia itself.” He has listed several positions in the Pashinyan government on his LinkedIn page.
. “Garo Paylan, visiting scholar with the Europe Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, is available to speak off the record on Armenian politics, Russian interference operations, as well as ANCA’s affiliation with pro-Moscow actors.” Paylan, a former member of the Turkish Parliament, contradicted the ASC when he posted on X: “It has come to my attention that messages were sent to journalists on my behalf regarding Armenia that I did not authorize. I speak publicly and with reporters, and my views are well known.”
4. Possible FARA violation: The ASC memo was sent to the American media by a UK, not U.S., PR firm, possibly intending to circumvent the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which requires U.S. firms working on behalf of foreign entities to register with the Dept. of Justice. This may constitute a violation of American law.
5. ASC’s lack of response: I sent several emails to ASC last week asking the firm to provide, as it had promised in its memo, additional information on the ANCA. ASC did not respond. Such unprofessional behavior can only result in a PR firm doing negative PR against itself.
6. Commercial ties to Azerbaijan: Apollo’s parent company, RSK Group, has a wholly owned company, “Azerbaijan Environment and Technology Centre Ltd (AETC),” with an in‑country office and project work in the Caspian region, demonstrating long‑standing commercial activity in Azerbaijan.
The ANCA should consider filing a lawsuit against ASC for making false and defamatory statements about the organization.
The National Security Council urges Israelis to avoid travel to three additional countries and warns of heightened
Iranian efforts to target Israelis and Jews abroad since the launch of Operation Roaring Lion
Panorama
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan faced an unusual request from a citizen during a meeting in Ashtarak, Aragatsotn Province, as part of his regional tour on Saturday.
A local woman told him she had three sons, the eldest aged 30, and asked whether the government had any programs to help young people get married. Pashinyan replied that no such initiative existed.
The woman then pointed out that Pashinyan himself has three daughters and asked if he might consider one of them for her son.
Armenian police barred Iranian protesters in Yerevan from
rallying near the Iranian Embassy on Sunday following the US and Israeli
strikes that killed top members of Iran’s leadership, including Supreme Leader
Ali Khamenei, as well as numerous civilians.
Hosein Setoode, an Iranian protester, told OC Media that some participants had arrived at the location in advance to prepare for the demonstration, but later called him and advised him not to come, as police had not allowed them to proceed.
‘I asked why, they responded that they were not aware and that the police did not allow them to stay in the park [adjacent to the embassy]’, Setoode said.
According to him, as the group attempted to change locations, police intervened, and around 20 people were detained.
Later, as he headed toward the Yerevan Municipality building, he saw police blocking other protesters who were attempting to approach on foot.
After parking nearby and walking to assess the situation, he said a white Nissan Rogue stopped beside him, and two officers called him over. As he approached, additional police vehicles arrived, and he was taken to the criminal police station.
‘They very roughly and inhumanely detained us right near the municipality’, Setoode said, adding that the treatment was different at the police station, where they were told that the Iranian authorities were receiving condolences from people at the embassy.
‘They said to make a decision and do not go [near the embassy] for a few days until things calm down a bit, then apply again, obtain permission [for rallies]’, Setoode said.
Following the detentions, no further gatherings were held in the following days. Instead of protests, people left flowers and toys in memory of the victims, including children.
The Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor rights group strongly condemn[ed]’ the authorities’ actions, including the arrest and phone calls urging Iranians to appear before the police and the National Security Service (NSS).
The group also noted that for a ‘considerable period of time’, it had been receiving alerts from Iranians that their peaceful assemblies near the embassy were being hindered and Iranians were threatened ‘with deportation and extradition’.
‘We demand the immediate safeguarding of Iranian citizens’ right to peaceful assembly, [and] the immediate cessation of unlawful actions aimed at mass human rights violations’, the statement read.
Iranians in Armenia have been holding daily rallies near the embassy since January in support of widespread anti‑government protests which broke out in Iran starting in late December 2025. The brutal crackdown at the hands of Iranian authorities resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.
Amid those earlier protests, Iranians told OC Media that they faced various forms of pressure from the Armenian authorities, with some having been questioned by the NSS.
In the meantime, Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Khalil Shirgholami criticised the daily demonstrations, saying that they have continued despite Tehran’s protests.
In response, Yerevan said Armenia is a democratic country that ensures the right of free assembly, but reports of pressure on protesters have nonetheless continued.
One hundred ninety-five Armenians, mostly servicemembers, are still considered missing following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, also known as the 44-Day War, which was launched by Azerbaijan, according to Armenia’s Minister of Justice, Srbuhi Galyan.
“According to official data, we have 195 missing persons, of whom 175 are servicemembers and the others civilians,” Galyan said in parliament in response to a question from MP Garnik Danielyan (Hayastan faction).
Galyan also spoke about the DNA identification process of the remains.
- Gayane Saribekian
commentary,
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