Center for Political Innovation and Technologies Director Mubariz Ahmadoglu
The Armenians slightly calmed down during the last period of Russian ex-President Boris Yeltsin's and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's presidency and have become more active during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's presidency. This activity has been directed against Russia, and especially against the interests of Russia in the Caucasus region.
For example, the famous actor Armen Jigharkhanyan, who resides in Moscow, has recently made statements about resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Official Yerevan does not like these statements, and leaves his name off of the list of Moscow's wealthy Armenians with status in the Russian government and rank in the country's social and political life.
Armenians who actively support Armenian separatism and anti-Russian policy either openly or covertly, are given positions and are rewarded by Russia's current leadership.
Surrounding the Russian leadership, the Armenians are trying to prevent it from independent thinking and decision-making. A good example is the collapse of the USSR under the guise of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, although there were periods when Russian policy and officials placed greater pressure on Azerbaijan than on Armenians.
The growing influence of Armenians in the Kremlin stipulates the collapse of Russia's policy in the Caucasus. Armenia's main goal is to maintain relations between Russia and the Caucasian peoples in its monopoly. Thus Russia has never been able to establish normal relations with the Georgians, Azerbaijanis, and the peoples of the North Caucasus. Russia's ties with the peoples of the Caucasus must be established with the help of the Armenians so that Russians would depend on the Armenians .
The Armenians need Russia as a threatening chip against its neighbors, with which Armenia does not have normal relations. From among its four neighboring countries, even the Armenian-Iranian relations remain rather inconsistent. Some in Iran believe that Armenia is tired of Russia and is ready to integrate with Iran momentarily.
Armenian policy holders have considered their policy and strategy toward Iran with some emphasis, which significantly helps Armenia. Armenian experts clearly understand the purpose of this policy: Armenia protects its "anti-Iranian plans" for the future for the sake of its political goals.
Armenian territorial claims against Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia are obvious. But in terms of territory, population and other resources, Armenia is a small country that is unable to threaten any one territory alone, thus Armenia maintains its military base on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Controversial Armenia first hopes to create a conflict with Russia, so that the Russian state would come under Armenian influence. This would be an explanation for Armenia's behavior in discussing the problems of the Northern Caucasus in Europe and the Baltics, despite Armenia's questionable geographical or ethnic links with the North Caucasus.
However, when necessary the Armenians would build mosques for Muslims in the North Caucasus. There are many examples of these "disservices" provided to Russia by Armenia. Armenia openly supports the independence movement of the North Caucasus peoples, including Chechens.
Russia is where Armenia obtains many of its resources. While granting loans to Armenia, the international financial institutions or countries are interested in Russia's financial state, not Armenia's. How Armenia spends the financial resources obtained from Russia is no secret.
Armenia is aware of its actions, of exploiting the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Armenians, who have caused a serious blow to Russia and the image of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now strive to create cleavage in relations between Medvedev and Putin.
At present, the West believes that Russia lacks power in the Caucasus. Armenians have done everything to make such an opinion about Russia. Armenians think that Russia will soon be tired of Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan of Russia. In which case, the Armenians will easily establish relations with Turkey. The cause of Armenia's currently weak relations with Turkey is Azerbaijan. Russia benefits from this dynamic. The Armenians' complex policy intentionally violates the regional geostrategic stability.
When Armenia and Russia want to "punish" their neighbors and large countries, they look toward China. Though Armenia has secretly signed a strategic cooperation agreement with NATO, the country further considers itself a strategic partner to Russia. Russia also considers Armenia as its strategic partner. Armenia's actions have become more intense during Medvedev's presidency, indicating Armenia's threat to the country's president and country.