THE FOREIGN POLICY COURSE OF THE ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT AND DIASPORA-ARMENIAN RELATIONS AFTER THE SECOND KARABAKH WAR

Abstract

The Second Karabakh War not only resulted in the re-joining of Karabakh to Azerbaijan,
but also changed Armenia's foreign policy to an important extent. On the other hand, it revealed
the true potential of its popular diaspora. After the war, the diaspora and Armenia are
experiencing serious problems in determining the direction of foreign policy. The conflicts that
have arisen in relations with Russia have significantly disrupted relations with the diaspora here.
Instead, reformist members of the diaspora in France and the United States are strengthening
their influence on the Armenian authorities. On the other hand, Armenia's claims of normalization
of relations with its neighbors worsened the attitude of radical and traditional diaspora
organizations towards the government. Thus, although the Pashinyan administration's relations
with individual modernist diaspora groups have increased, the relations with traditional and
fundamental diaspora bodies have reached the level of hostility. In particular, the 2022 rallies
revealed the broad cooperation of the radical diaspora with the opposition, led by the Dashnaks.
But in any case, this fear prompted Armenia's indecisive participation in the peace process. The
direction of Armenia in the future will be influenced by the internal balance of diaspora forces.