Posted on 09/11/2023 11:50:51 AM PDT by McGruff
Armenia on Monday launched a joint military exercise with the United States, a move that has angered the Caucasus nation's main ally, Russia.
The “Eagle Partner” war games will run through Sept. 20 and involve 175 Armenian and 85 troops. They reflect Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's efforts to forge closer ties with the United States and other Western allies amid the simmering tensions with neighboring Azerbaijan.
Moscow has reacted with dismay. On Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Armenian ambassador to lodge a formal protest over the exercises and other moves by Armenia that it described as “unfriendly.”
Russia has been Armenia’s main economic partner and ally since the 1991 Soviet collapse. Landlocked Armenia hosts a Russian military base and is part of the Moscow-led security alliance of ex-Soviet nations, the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
(Excerpt) Read more at usnews.com ...
As Russia appears to get weaker its allies look for ways to get out from under Moscow’s thumb.
As Russia appears to get weaker its allies look for ways to get out from under Moscow’s thumb.
It’s tough figuring these things out nowadays, since for each country there’s really two countries.
The first version of a country is its citizens and what they believe about what their government is doing and telling them.
The second version is the deep state (which controls the government in each country) and what they’re really doing.
Alot of friendly countries in the area.
175 Armenian troops? That’s it?
More straws on the camel. Eventually someone will hit a few buttons and a shower of nukes will calm the world. Peace will guide the planets and love will steer the stars.
Another country Putin hopes to take over some day.
If you’re troubled and you can’t relax
Close your eyes and think on this
If the rumors floating in your head all turn to facts
Close your eyes and think on this
Armenia, city in the sky
Armenia, city in the sky
If you ever want to lose some time
Just take off, there’s no risk
If you ever want to disappear
Just take off and think of this
Armenia, city in the sky
Armenia, city in the sky
The sky is glass but the sea is brown
And everyone is upside down
Armenia, city in the sky
Armenia, city in the sky
Freak out!
Freak out!
-The Who
Formerly, Armenia's only regional ally was Iran, due to their common pain in the ass, Azerbaijan. Biden, like Obama before him, and Pruneface Kerry, favor Iran.
Putin has tried to play both sides in the on-again off-again fracas between Christian Armenia and Muslim Azerbaijan, because (a) it helps his military industries (from 2011 to 2020 Russia was the largest exporter of arms to both Armenia and Azerbaijan) and (b) geography (part of the southern underbelly land bridge from Russia down to Turkey and Iran) and (c) other regional power seekers like Turkey (backing Azerbaijan) and Iran (Shia Muslim like 85% of Azerbaijan).
Armenia is telling Putin his playing both sides is not working. Putin would like to keep backing Muslim Azerbaijan in an attempt to deny stronger influence there from Turkey and Iran, but Armenia is noticing Putin aiding both sides is really working in Azerbaijan’s favor, and the opposite side of Armenia is Turkey, which is also taking sides with Azerbaijan.
Armenia is seeking a major ally from outside the region, because it needs one.
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