Sydney, Feb 19, 2026
Chris (Khatchig) Baghsarian, the innocent 85-year-old widower, was laid to rest this
week, in the bosom of a land far away from his cherished Jerusalem.
He had died after being target in a case of mistaken identity in a botched kidnap.
As the mists of incense spiraled upwards, wrapped in golden sunbeams peering in
through the windows of the Armenian church, few eyes were dry.
He had come to Australia seeking to build a new life, but he had never forgotten
Jerusalem.
It was in his blood.
Tireless police work soon led them to two suspects, but they are now looking for three
others who could have also been involved.
As people pass by his now empty house, the sight of flowers carpeting the lawn and
candles lined up on a window-sill, honoring his memory, greet them.
“Hoaghuh tetev gyny coo vrat, Khatchig.” (May the earth lie gentle on you)
Innocent Armenian Laid To Rest
The connection of power systems of Armenia and Turkey means one thing
March: 20, 2026
The authorities are still talking about the prospect of connecting the electricity systems of Armenia and Turkey. They even started discussing investment issues with the Turkish government. They say: “We are ready to start the day before!”
In other circumstances, the given initiative could perhaps be welcomed. For example: 2009-2010. During “football diplomacy”, when there was a serious lack of electricity in Turkey, Armenia was ready to close a part of it. After all, both the economic and security environments in that period were fundamentally different from the current realities.
Today the situation has changed qualitatively.
Turkey is not only overcoming the electricity deficit at a dynamic pace, but has also adopted a strategy to boost exports, including the South Caucasus markets, in the coming years. The prerequisites for the latter are present, especially considering
Continued growth of generating capacity in Turkey: Akkuyu NPP, new nuclear projects in Sinop and Thrace, more than 750 hydropower plants, etc.
In these conditions, the connection of the electricity systems of Armenia and Turkey means one thing: turning Armenia into a net importer.
This trend is additionally deepened by several intra-systemic processes.
The first of these is Yerevan’s choice in favor of a small modular reactor, which in the long run will replace the current base nuclear capacity model, reducing the system’s level of self-sufficiency.
The second is the rapid and chaotic development of solar energy, which, with limited export potential and high seasonal dependence, cannot provide stable coverage of base demand.
The third is the liberalization of the market, which creates all the conditions for importing electricity from foreign markets and actually increasing Armenia’s external dependence.
The EU also acts as a financial supporter of all this, expressing readiness to provide the necessary funds for the purpose of “de-Russification” of Armenia’s energy sector. Naturally, in the form of loans.
Expected results: increase in public debt, sharp decrease in energy self-sufficiency, new security risks.
Vahe Davtyan, doctor of political sciences, professor
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Pro-Government Lawmaker Raps ‘Opposition’ Media During Parliament Debate
- Karlen Aslanian
A pro-government lawmaker engaged in a heated exchange with opposition colleagues and journalists during a parliamentary committee meeting on Thursday, one day after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian complained about media bias ahead of the June 7 parliamentary elections.
The incident began when opposition lawmaker Gegham Manukian asked the interior minister about the practice of deploying large police forces for what he implied were politically sensitive tasks, citing a specific example and alleging police misconduct witnessed by journalists.
Vahagn Aleksanian, a member of the ruling Civil Contract party’s parliamentary faction, responded by questioning the neutrality of reporters covering the meeting. “I see 11 reporters in this room and only one of them represents a neutral media outlet… All the rest represent pro-opposition media,” he said.
Some reporters challenged Aleksanian’s remarks, prompting him to warn them not to speak during committee meetings. “Next time during a committee meeting, don’t you dare talk back to a member of parliament. Who gave you the right to respond to a member of parliament during a committee meeting? That’s my assessment of your news organization. That’s not an insult or something,” Aleksanian said.
He also criticized media financing, accusing unspecified outlets of serving the political and economic interests of an “oligarchic clan.”
“It is obvious that a certain oligarchic clan serving the interest of a specific political center has been deprived of power in Armenia, and there are so many opposition media outlets to protect all that this clan has accumulated… Get out of here, if you think you can [talk back] and continue to be present at a committee meeting,” he said without naming any individuals.
The heated exchange in parliament follows comments by Pashinian at a press briefing on Thursday, in which he took issue with what he described as media bias, but also suggested that as voters most members of Armenia’s media community would vote for his party in the upcoming elections.
“Because you know best that otherwise, if any of our current opponents come to power, for the same work you do now you will face the prospect of at least becoming disabled,” Pashinian said, adding that journalists could also face unemployment if the opposition wins.
Opposition lawmaker Taguhi Tovmasian expressed concern about what she described as “aggression” toward the media by the prime minister and a senior ruling party member, and reminded Aleksanian of the Civil Contract party’s recently adopted code of ethics, which calls for respect toward opponents.
“There has been aggression [towards media] since yesterday when Nikol Pashinian was saying that if his party is not reelected, journalists will become disabled and unemployed, and today you are attacking journalists,” Tovmasian said.
She also noted that media coverage of the 2018 “Velvet Revolution”, including the efforts of many of those present in the room, was instrumental in helping Civil Contract rise to power in Armenia.
“You should not target journalists and generate such hatred towards the fourth estate,” the opposition lawmaker concluded.
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Armenpress: Israel launches new wave of strikes targeting Tehran
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reported a new wave of airstrikes targeting Iran’s capital, Tehran.
In a statement posted on social media, the IDF said that infrastructure across Tehran is being targeted.
Earlier, the Israeli military reported that its air force had carried out dozens of strikes on Iran over the past day, hitting more than 130 targets in the country’s western and central regions.
Al Jazeera reported that eastern Tehran had been hit by several airstrikes.
Meanwhile, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB said that air defense systems had been deployed against enemy targets in the eastern part of the capital.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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Removing sanctions on Iran oil will bring supplies into ports, US energy secre
Removing oil sanctions on stranded Iranian oil would get supplies to Asia within three or four days, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Friday in an interview with Fox Business Network.
According to Reuters, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday the U.S. may soon remove sanctions on Iranian oil stranded on tankers at sea, as Washington seeks to curb prices soaring over Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the war.
“Within days, within three or four days, that oil will start to arrive at ports,” Wright said in an interview with Fox Business Network.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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By holding Karekin II hostage and forbidding him from leaving for Tbilisi, thi
The Chairman of the Pan-Armenian Council for the Preservation of the Armenian Church, Harutyun Agha-Sargsyan, has issued a statement regarding the denial by the authorities of Armenia of the opportunity for the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, to travel to Tbilisi and attend the funeral of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II.
“This is the bottom. The authorities of the day have demonstrated the most absurd degree of their vindictiveness and moral degradation. By effectively holding the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, hostage and forbidding him from traveling to Tbilisi to bid his final farewell to the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, this regime proves that it is completely devoid of any sanctity.
This is petty and cowardly hooliganism. When the state apparatus cannot restrain its anger even in the face of death, mourning, and a final farewell, we are dealing not with a government, but with a national disgrace.
This is an affront to the dignity of our state. By depriving the Patriarch of All Armenians of the opportunity to attend the funeral of his spiritual brother, you are not humiliating His Holiness – you are turning Armenia into a laughing stock, showing the world that our country is ruled by people who do not care about centuries-old Armenian-Georgian relations.
This is blatant blasphemy. Where normal people remain silent and bow their heads, you are building your petty, obsessive barriers. This is an encroachment not only on church order, but also on basic human morality.
We strongly demand that you immediately and without legal tricks lift this shameful ban against the Catholicos. Your hostile and destructive campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Church has crossed all boundaries. Come to your senses. Whoever remains silent and tolerates this disgrace today becomes an accomplice in this spiritual terror carried out at the state level.
You are not attacking the Church – you are exposing your own moral bankruptcy, fear, and pettiness. Your actions evoke nothing but disgust and pity,” the statement reads.
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Gohar Meloyan: Ban on Catholicos Karekin II’s travel to Georgia will negative
Gohar Meloyan, a member of the Strong Armenia party, writes: “My deepest condolences to my Georgian friends on the passing of His Holiness Ilia II, whose spiritual legacy transcends all borders. His earthly departure is a profound loss for the entire Christian world.
The relations between the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and the Georgian Orthodox Church have a centuries-old history. They have consistently been one of the key pillars of Armenian-Georgian brotherly ties, founded on mutual respect, shared Christian values, and a common historical experience.
These relations have often accompanied and strengthened the friendship between the two peoples, preserving a spirit of dialogue and cooperation even during the most challenging periods.
If His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, decides to attend the funeral ceremony of Georgian Patriarch Ilia II, such a visit would not only serve as an _expression_ of respect and brotherhood, but also convey an important message aimed at further strengthening Armenian-Georgian ecclesiastical and interstate relations.
Any obstacle or impediment along this path could negatively affect the international standing of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, as well as harm the brotherly relations between Armenians and Georgians and the centuries-old ties established between the two Churches.”
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Cairo: Ola Abdel Monem Explores Armenian Identity in New Novel
Egyptian writer Ola Abdel Monem presents a powerful exploration of identity, memory, and survival in her latest novel “Taghribat Al-Duduk” (2026), offering a human-centered perspective on the Armenian experience across generations.
In an interview with The Armenian Mirror-Spectator in the United States, Abdel Monem outlined her vision of Armenians not as victims, but as survivors who have managed to preserve their identity despite historical trauma.
“For me, Armenians are not victims, but survivors,” she said.
The novel follows an Armenian family that fled the Armenian genocide and settled in Egypt, tracing their journey through four generations while examining questions of belonging and cultural continuity.
Abdel Monem explained that each generation reflects a different stage of identity formation. “My characters start as pure Armenians, carrying sorrow and longing for the past,” she noted, adding that later generations gradually integrate while maintaining ties to their heritage.
“Finally, the fourth generation is hybrid… they journey through it until the very end, carrying both memory and hope,” she added, describing a recurring cycle of exile and return.
The duduk, a traditional Armenian musical instrument, serves as a central symbol in the novel, representing sorrow and memory. At the same time, Abdel Monem pointed to Armenian resilience and global success as symbols of joy and pride.
“I believe that the success of Armenians in preserving their identity… can serve as a symbol of joy,” she said.
Originally from Assiut, Abdel Monem began writing at an early age and rose to prominence after winning the El Sawy Culturewheel Short Story Award in 2013. Her interest in Armenian history developed through early exposure to Egyptian artists of Armenian descent, later deepening through research into the Armenian genocide.
The novel received a strong reception at the Cairo International Book Fair, particularly among readers interested in history and cultural identity.
“What made me even happier was the positive response from the Armenian community in Egypt,” she said, noting plans to organize a future cultural event with the community.
Abdel Monem also expressed hope that the book will be translated into multiple languages, especially Armenian, to reach a broader international audience.
“I hope it will be translated… so that the story reaches everyone and they can understand how their ancestors survived against all odds,” she said.
Through “Taghribat Al-Duduk”, Abdel Monem delivers a broader message about resilience, emphasizing that memory can be a source of strength and that identity can evolve without being lost.
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Broome County Arts Council’s Artist in Residence explores Armenian heritage a
BINGHAMTON, N.Y.(WBNG) — Binghamton artist Jacqueline Kachadourian is spending March immersed in her work as an Artist in Residence through the Broome County Arts Council, using oil paint to explore family history and Armenian heritage.
In the studio, Kachadourian says she’s drawn to the way oil paint can drip and blur — an effect that can feel like something being “erased” or “melted away,” rather than preserved.
“Kind of seeing the dripping of the paint in the oils… kind of it being erased and melted away, and not preserved, which is something I want to touch on and bring awareness to,” Kachadourian said.
Inspired by a monastery and a community’s displacement
Kachadourian’s current piece is inspired by the Gandzasar Monastery, and she connects the work to the displacement of Armenians from Artsakh.
She said the situation facing the Armenian Artsakh community did not receive widespread attention in 2023, leaving many people around her unaware.
“This displacement of the Armenian Artsakh people was not heavily in the news back in 2023. And so a lot of my friends… people in my community had no idea that this was going on,” she said.
How the Artist in Residence program supports local creators
The Broome County Arts Council’s Artist in Residence program provides selected artists with 24/7 access to a dedicated studio space throughout the month, along with a $250 stipend to help cover the costs of creating new work.
Kachadourian said the flexible access makes it possible to keep painting outside of a traditional schedule.
“Oh, it’s wonderful to be able to come in after work hours and even on the weekends, to be able to paint and do it on my own time,” she said.
Muren Lum, the arts council’s marketing coordinator, said the program is designed to support a wide range of artists.
“They are looking at artists’ potential, artist skill, the diversity,” Lum said.
Lum said beyond the studio space and stipend, the residency encourages artists to experiment.
“They have a dedicated space to really push them to try something new,” she said.
With time left in the studio before the month ends, Kachadourian says she’s making the most of the opportunity — and encouraging other artists to apply.
“You never know where the opportunity may lead. You get to explore your work, create new things, and that’s an opportunity that doesn’t come about often. So definitely apply if you’re interested,” she said.
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Pashinyan claims Armenia faces war if opposition wins parliamentary election
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has claimed that Armenia would face a war if the opposition would come to power, suggesting that they want to ‘revise’ the peace brokered with Azerbaijan. He further accused his main opponents in the upcoming 7 June parliamentary elections of being backed by Russia and Belarus.
The remarks were made during Pashinyan’s press briefing on Thursday.
Pashinyan stated that his Civil Contract party ‘expect[s] to have a constitutional majority’ following the election. He claimed that such a showing would guarantee that ‘in the context of regional peace, we make these processes fully irreversible’.
He further accused the opposition of being a ‘war party’.
This explicit usage of ‘war party’ narrative is a new feature of Pashinyan’s rhetoric, first used in his speech to the EU Parliament earlier in March about the ongoing confrontation between his government and the Church, which has escalated since May 2025.
On Thursday, Pashinyan said that although the opposition claims they support peace with Azerbaijan, they intend to ‘revise [that] peace’ if elected.
Pashinyan insisted that this would lead to an ‘inevitable war’ for Armenia, arguing that it would result ‘not only with territorial losses, but also with a loss of sovereignty’. He even provided a timeframe when the war could occur — ‘not long after the elections, at most by autumn’.
To support his claim, Pashinyan referenced a narrative associated with Russian–Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetyan’s Strong Armenian party — that Armenia needs to have a ‘strong peace’ with Azerbaijan.
Karapetyan’s party has promised to strengthen peace in several ways, including by having ‘several guarantors’, as well as bolstering the country’s army.
Pashinyan also referenced a poem cited by a supporter of Karapetyan, which emphasised that Nagorno-Karabakh should be ‘held captive for long’.
He also brought up comments made by Armenia Alliance MP Anna Grigoryan in March highlighting Armenian symbols and heritage sites, declaring that Ararat Mountain, in present-day Turkey, as well as Gandzasar and Dadivank medieval Armenian monasteries, located in Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding area, ‘are ours’.
‘Some of them, apparently, do not even understand what they are saying, because it is obvious to me that the texts they are voicing — at least part of them — are written elsewhere, and they are simply in the state of readers’, Pashinyan said.
Pashinyan suggested that the ‘emissaries’ would pursue war ‘to keep Armenia in the status of a periphery’. He further blamed them for having issues seeing how ‘Armenia has become independent’ under his tenure.
‘They are emissaries meant to prevent Armenia from becoming independent’, Pashinyan claimed.
‘They will preserve the billions they have in certain countries, because they have been sent here and told: if you do not solve the problem, what is formally registered in your name will no longer exist’, Pashinyan said, explicitly naming Russia and Belarus as the places where their assets are held.
Pashinyan suggested that his comments were directed at three opposition forces, but did not explicitly name them.
However, it was widely understood that he was referring to his main political opponents who have declared their participation in the elections — tycoons Karapetyan, who built his fortune mainly in Russia, Gagik Tsarukyan, who has business both in Russia and Belarus, as well as close ties with Belarusian leader Aliaksandr Lukashenka, and former President Robert Kocharyan.
The opposition harshly criticised Pashinyan’s statement, suggesting that despite him being ‘the symbol of the war and defeat’, he tried to blame the opposition for pursuing war, which threatens Armenian society.
‘In the opposition field, I do not see any political force making revanchist statements, talking about re-liberating Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] after coming to power’, MP Grigoryan told RFE/RL.
‘[The opposition speaks] about defending certain values, returning our prisoners [held in Azerbaijan]. Yes, the return of prisoners does not mean war; defending our churches does not mean war’.
Currently, there are 19 Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan, among them former Nagorno-Karabakh political and military leaders.
Speaking to RFE/RL, Karapetyan’s associate Gohar Meloyan suggested that Pashinyan possess ‘one tool to get re-elected’, which is ‘threatening people with war’.
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