I find the more I look that the surface "reporting" is decidedly designed to conceal more than it reveals. Almost put you to sleep vibes - (no real story here - go back to your circuses and bread!). Conversely, if it's vibrant and highly detailed then it's mostly fabrication and covering for what they don't want you to know (don't touch that dial! A word from our sponsors and we'll BRB!)
And even when all these varied things come to light practically no one sets them end to end to create a composite story. Even if the conclusions are wrong, the exercise itself is worthwhile as a reminder of the status quo.
"If they can't beat them they will drown them out." Or the West markets the new African coup leaders' egos and buys them out.
I feel for Armenia. Its population is less than the City of Cape Town. It hasn't gotten the help it needs from Russia, because the latter is in a tricky spot with Erdogan (Black Sea/Syria/NATO) and the express they want to run past Azerbaijan to the Middle East.
Armenia, being fucked, considers a helping hand from the West which is doing what great powers do i.e. take advantage. It's not like every little country enjoyed being part of the Cold War in the 80s.
Not to mention all the Europeans who are being robbed of cheap holidays because so many Russians dodged conscription to push up rentals in Yerevan. True, but also meant as a smiley away from imminent destruction.
Well there's a contingent that is believing that now that Wagner is dissolved all the Russian "protection" mechanism will land elsewhere. But I am not in that number. The recent expedition of African defense leaders to Belarus says otherwise. Touadera (in an ill fitting business suit no less) hugging Macron notwithstanding. Narratives and diversionary optics are building in contrary ways everywhere.
If Armenia is a victim of a "good" coup it will be either a) from the past - Velvet Revolution Pashinyan was it, or b) future because he isn't getting the job done for his American taskmasters. I feel for the people in either case.
I don't know much of Armenia (past or present) but I do know when you lie with dogs you tend to get fleas. This "sudden" far Western shift looks for all the world manufactured as an irritant to the Putin/Erdogan relationship. If not a wedge to try to dislodge Russia from Nagorno-Karabakh.
I may support Russia in the war, and against US propaganda, but I don't make the mistake of believing they aren't opportunists too. The Nagorno situation is complicated but, as the security guarantor, Russia should have done more. I cannot believe that the intended freight corridor, from Russia through Azerbaijan to India and Iran is irrelevant to Putin's decisions.
I think that is mostly Iran's beef - access to Armenia, Georgia, Russia. At least with any Azerbaijani control over it. Russia had no clearly defined mission criteria in N-K, which bogged down several situations. When you're between two dogs that hate the scent of each other optimum is seldom seen. But I don't know specifics. I do know they did the best they could with the situation. Two toddler brains attached to two countries that desperately need spankings. I wonder if that's really why Israel got involved then and now. This diaspora Jewish element is a crock.
No the Zangezur corridor wouldn't harm any ambitions for future benefit. But I doubt that's any main reason why they overstayed their welcome voluntarily for three years. Still say there's more here (and most places) than meets the eye. It will emerge if it's there and not emerge if it isn't.
It's a historical zone of conflict and way beyond any of us to totally figure out. I return to my original feeling which is empathy for Armenia (and Georgia). They're born into a shit location.
I’m reading through your back posting. Great detail. Some things I was aware of. Most not. At any rate you’re “fleshing out” my understanding.
I find the more I look that the surface "reporting" is decidedly designed to conceal more than it reveals. Almost put you to sleep vibes - (no real story here - go back to your circuses and bread!). Conversely, if it's vibrant and highly detailed then it's mostly fabrication and covering for what they don't want you to know (don't touch that dial! A word from our sponsors and we'll BRB!)
And even when all these varied things come to light practically no one sets them end to end to create a composite story. Even if the conclusions are wrong, the exercise itself is worthwhile as a reminder of the status quo.
"If they can't beat them they will drown them out." Or the West markets the new African coup leaders' egos and buys them out.
I feel for Armenia. Its population is less than the City of Cape Town. It hasn't gotten the help it needs from Russia, because the latter is in a tricky spot with Erdogan (Black Sea/Syria/NATO) and the express they want to run past Azerbaijan to the Middle East.
Armenia, being fucked, considers a helping hand from the West which is doing what great powers do i.e. take advantage. It's not like every little country enjoyed being part of the Cold War in the 80s.
Not to mention all the Europeans who are being robbed of cheap holidays because so many Russians dodged conscription to push up rentals in Yerevan. True, but also meant as a smiley away from imminent destruction.
Well there's a contingent that is believing that now that Wagner is dissolved all the Russian "protection" mechanism will land elsewhere. But I am not in that number. The recent expedition of African defense leaders to Belarus says otherwise. Touadera (in an ill fitting business suit no less) hugging Macron notwithstanding. Narratives and diversionary optics are building in contrary ways everywhere.
If Armenia is a victim of a "good" coup it will be either a) from the past - Velvet Revolution Pashinyan was it, or b) future because he isn't getting the job done for his American taskmasters. I feel for the people in either case.
I don't know much of Armenia (past or present) but I do know when you lie with dogs you tend to get fleas. This "sudden" far Western shift looks for all the world manufactured as an irritant to the Putin/Erdogan relationship. If not a wedge to try to dislodge Russia from Nagorno-Karabakh.
I may support Russia in the war, and against US propaganda, but I don't make the mistake of believing they aren't opportunists too. The Nagorno situation is complicated but, as the security guarantor, Russia should have done more. I cannot believe that the intended freight corridor, from Russia through Azerbaijan to India and Iran is irrelevant to Putin's decisions.
I think that is mostly Iran's beef - access to Armenia, Georgia, Russia. At least with any Azerbaijani control over it. Russia had no clearly defined mission criteria in N-K, which bogged down several situations. When you're between two dogs that hate the scent of each other optimum is seldom seen. But I don't know specifics. I do know they did the best they could with the situation. Two toddler brains attached to two countries that desperately need spankings. I wonder if that's really why Israel got involved then and now. This diaspora Jewish element is a crock.
No the Zangezur corridor wouldn't harm any ambitions for future benefit. But I doubt that's any main reason why they overstayed their welcome voluntarily for three years. Still say there's more here (and most places) than meets the eye. It will emerge if it's there and not emerge if it isn't.
It's a historical zone of conflict and way beyond any of us to totally figure out. I return to my original feeling which is empathy for Armenia (and Georgia). They're born into a shit location.