Armenia's Sacral Claims

https://eurasianet.org/rift-widens-between-armenian-church-government

This is a somewhat hopeless debate to wade into. There are glaring assumptions being made that must be questioned. Armenia is viewed by its Orthodox Church and the religious sections of its populace as a sacral state. As such, Nagorno-Karabakh is in reality Artsakh – part of the ancient conglomeration of Armenian kingdoms. As a people they have lost so much and have been brought so low, that for some a line has been drawn. No further. They will not brook any further humiliation at the hands of Turks and will not tolerate any political party that even entertains capitulation. For some this isn't just politics or nationalism – it's theological.

And yet clearly there are elements in the country that would turn Yerevan to the liberal and secular West and in doing so will mark a break not just with traditional allies Russia and Iran, but will require a new approach when it comes to relating to the Turks of both Türkiye and Azerbaijan. And certainly the outrage felt over the loss to Azerbaijan in 2020, will remain unavenged. No Western-brokered peace settlement is going to restore Nagorno-Karabakh to them – it's a price they will have to pay.

Not a few in Armenia are unwilling to embrace this geopolitical shift, viewing the West as treacherous, they also fear that a turn toward Brussels and Washington will result in not just economic exploitation but emboldened activist movements – namely in the realm of sodomy and sexual perversity.

And they would be right.

The dynamics at work are further complicated by the Ankara-Moscow rapprochement engineered by both Putin and Erdogan.

One thing is certain – Moscow does not want more trouble in the Caucasus at this time and while Russia would in this case be far more likely to side with the Patriarch, at this juncture they would probably prefer that he be silent and not stir the flames of sacral nationalism.

Armenia has faced instability and this instability has both Russian and Western sponsors – but Western designs are far more advanced in neighbouring Georgia. Nevertheless Armenia would be a real prize as it is a connecting link between Russia and Iran – two major enemies of the Western powers. This story is far from over.