In a powerful New Year interview on Noyan Tapan TV, Ara Hakobyan, Chairman of the "National Agenda" Party and former Ambassador, delivers a surgical analysis of the existential threats facing the Armenian state. From the targeting of the Church to Azerbaijan's unabashed military threats, the discussion reveals a nation at a dangerous crossroads.

The Assault on Identity: The Church Under Fire

The interview opens with a deep dive into the growing tension between the Armenian government and the Armenian Apostolic Church. Ara Hakobyan interprets the creation of the "Reformation Council" and the recent incidents at the Masis church not as isolated events, but as a systematic attempt by the ruling administration to dismantle the historical foundations of national identity. Hakobyan argues that targeting the Church—the only surviving pan-Armenian institution—is a direct blow to the moral and social fabric that holds the nation together during times of crisis.

The "Aliyev Doctrine": Peace or Preparation for War?

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s recent strategic statements. Hakobyan dissects Aliyev’s rhetoric, noting that Baku is no longer hiding its territorial ambitions towards the Republic of Armenia. The "corridor" logic and the psychological warfare being waged against the Armenian public are, according to Hakobyan, clear indicators that Azerbaijan is using the "peace process" merely as a tool to gain more strategic advantages without offering any real security guarantees.

The Crisis of Sovereignty

Hakobyan brings his diplomatic expertise to the fore when discussing Armenia’s standing in the international arena. He posits that the current administration’s foreign policy is reactionary and lacks a cohesive national strategy. By weakening internal institutions like the Church and failing to build a robust defense-oriented state, Armenia risks becoming a mere object of regional trade-offs rather than a subject of international law.

The Path to Resilience

The discussion concludes with a call for national mobilization—not just military, but intellectual and spiritual. Hakobyan emphasizes that 2026 must be a year of "sovereignty restoration." He argues that the Armenian people must reject the defeatist narrative and rebuild their state on the pillars of historical truth, institutional strength, and a clear understanding of regional threats.

 

You can watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/p-qfZjpYbm4

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