Olesya Vartanyan
@olesyavart.bsky.social
Conflicts and security issues in the South Caucasus. Former senior analyst at Crisis Group and journalist at the New York Times & Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. King's College London/War Studies alumna. Contact me at olesya.vartanyan@gmail.com
The EU will discuss suspending visa-free travel for Georgian citizens by the end of this year, according to the results of today’s EU Foreign Council meeting. rb.gy/bd7esb
October 20, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The EU will discuss suspending visa-free travel for Georgian citizens by the end of this year, according to the results of today’s EU Foreign Council meeting. rb.gy/bd7esb
See this white device in #GEOLocalElections2025? It acknowledges a key flaw in last year’s parliamentary vote: the machines failed to ensure secrecy, letting the ruling party control results. The opposition even demanded new elections, which Georgian Dream still refuses.
October 4, 2025 at 2:07 PM
See this white device in #GEOLocalElections2025? It acknowledges a key flaw in last year’s parliamentary vote: the machines failed to ensure secrecy, letting the ruling party control results. The opposition even demanded new elections, which Georgian Dream still refuses.
One of today’s stunning moments from local elections: Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of ruling Georgian Dream, froze when a journalist shouted a question about possible new UK sanctions. U.S. sanctions have already cost him a good part of his fortune.
October 4, 2025 at 1:37 PM
One of today’s stunning moments from local elections: Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of ruling Georgian Dream, froze when a journalist shouted a question about possible new UK sanctions. U.S. sanctions have already cost him a good part of his fortune.
Georgians are still showing they’re able and willing to protest. Even as the regime jails dozens and imposes huge fines just for appearing in the street. #GeorgiaProtests
October 4, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Georgians are still showing they’re able and willing to protest. Even as the regime jails dozens and imposes huge fines just for appearing in the street. #GeorgiaProtests
7/ And yes, there’s still a talk of Trump being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. If that happens, he might even show up in DCAF's next crosswords of the winners! (You can test your knowledge here: dcaf.ch/sites/defaul...)
September 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
7/ And yes, there’s still a talk of Trump being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. If that happens, he might even show up in DCAF's next crosswords of the winners! (You can test your knowledge here: dcaf.ch/sites/defaul...)
5/ Much will depend on whether the EU steps in with funds for infrastructure. Just last week, the EU Special Representative’s team toured the region to explore options.
September 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
5/ Much will depend on whether the EU steps in with funds for infrastructure. Just last week, the EU Special Representative’s team toured the region to explore options.
4/ On the transit route, the real challenge is still ahead. The devil is very much in the details - those can either make the deal work or sink it entirely.
September 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
4/ On the transit route, the real challenge is still ahead. The devil is very much in the details - those can either make the deal work or sink it entirely.
2/ The piece offers insights into how the summit came together. One major outcome: initiation of a peace treaty. Not the final step, but Baku & Yerevan can now start discussing appointing ambassadors - likely first based outside each other’s capitals, perhaps even in Tbilisi.
September 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
2/ The piece offers insights into how the summit came together. One major outcome: initiation of a peace treaty. Not the final step, but Baku & Yerevan can now start discussing appointing ambassadors - likely first based outside each other’s capitals, perhaps even in Tbilisi.
1/ In my new commentary for @ceip-politika.bsky.social I look at what has and hasn’t happened in the month since the historic Armenia-Azerbaijan summit at the White House.
Key takeaway - much is still unresolved: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras... 🧵
Key takeaway - much is still unresolved: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras... 🧵
September 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
1/ In my new commentary for @ceip-politika.bsky.social I look at what has and hasn’t happened in the month since the historic Armenia-Azerbaijan summit at the White House.
Key takeaway - much is still unresolved: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras... 🧵
Key takeaway - much is still unresolved: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras... 🧵
12/ Whether it ends in a handshake or another deadlock, this DC meeting will be a turning point - hopefully for better, not worse - in the decades-long Armenia–Azerbaijan saga.
📷 The White House
📷 The White House
August 6, 2025 at 7:26 AM
12/ Whether it ends in a handshake or another deadlock, this DC meeting will be a turning point - hopefully for better, not worse - in the decades-long Armenia–Azerbaijan saga.
📷 The White House
📷 The White House
5/ Despite that, there are signs of movement.
Aliyev recently said Azerbaijan may agree to initiate - though not sign - the peace deal, preserving the current text.
It’s still an important step that offers hope for stability in a region still prone to flare-ups. president.az/en/articles/...
Aliyev recently said Azerbaijan may agree to initiate - though not sign - the peace deal, preserving the current text.
It’s still an important step that offers hope for stability in a region still prone to flare-ups. president.az/en/articles/...
August 6, 2025 at 7:26 AM
5/ Despite that, there are signs of movement.
Aliyev recently said Azerbaijan may agree to initiate - though not sign - the peace deal, preserving the current text.
It’s still an important step that offers hope for stability in a region still prone to flare-ups. president.az/en/articles/...
Aliyev recently said Azerbaijan may agree to initiate - though not sign - the peace deal, preserving the current text.
It’s still an important step that offers hope for stability in a region still prone to flare-ups. president.az/en/articles/...
2/ The meeting had been the subject of speculation for days. Only now, as Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan’s motorcade heads to the airport - shown by Russian state media - is the visit being confirmed by officials in Yerevan.
August 6, 2025 at 7:26 AM
2/ The meeting had been the subject of speculation for days. Only now, as Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan’s motorcade heads to the airport - shown by Russian state media - is the visit being confirmed by officials in Yerevan.
1/ If you’re enjoying your summer, Donald Trump is about to interrupt it - possibly with significant news.
He’s expected to host the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan at the Oval Office this week. The goal: a handshake after 30+ years of conflict. But much remains uncertain. 🧵
📷 by AFP
He’s expected to host the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan at the Oval Office this week. The goal: a handshake after 30+ years of conflict. But much remains uncertain. 🧵
📷 by AFP
August 6, 2025 at 7:26 AM
1/ If you’re enjoying your summer, Donald Trump is about to interrupt it - possibly with significant news.
He’s expected to host the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan at the Oval Office this week. The goal: a handshake after 30+ years of conflict. But much remains uncertain. 🧵
📷 by AFP
He’s expected to host the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan at the Oval Office this week. The goal: a handshake after 30+ years of conflict. But much remains uncertain. 🧵
📷 by AFP
1/ Trump seems to be aiming for a Nobel Prize with his latest proposals to resolve one of the crucial unresolved issue in Armenia–Azerbaijan talks.
At the center: opening transit corridors to boost the Middle Corridor linking Asia with Europe via the South Caucasus. 🧵
At the center: opening transit corridors to boost the Middle Corridor linking Asia with Europe via the South Caucasus. 🧵
July 2, 2025 at 6:35 AM
1/ Trump seems to be aiming for a Nobel Prize with his latest proposals to resolve one of the crucial unresolved issue in Armenia–Azerbaijan talks.
At the center: opening transit corridors to boost the Middle Corridor linking Asia with Europe via the South Caucasus. 🧵
At the center: opening transit corridors to boost the Middle Corridor linking Asia with Europe via the South Caucasus. 🧵
2/ The PM’s online outburst comes just days after CRRC’s annual poll showed rising trust in the Armenian Church — and declining confidence in government leadership. @hovnzrt.bsky.social has more details about the survey: evnreport.com/new-updates/...
May 30, 2025 at 1:45 PM
2/ The PM’s online outburst comes just days after CRRC’s annual poll showed rising trust in the Armenian Church — and declining confidence in government leadership. @hovnzrt.bsky.social has more details about the survey: evnreport.com/new-updates/...
1/ Timely criticism from 10+ Armenian NGOs focused on women’s rights and human rights, aimed at PM Pashinyan — who has been storming Facebook since early morning with posts targeting church clerics and their personal lives. shorturl.at/swpxE
May 30, 2025 at 1:45 PM
1/ Timely criticism from 10+ Armenian NGOs focused on women’s rights and human rights, aimed at PM Pashinyan — who has been storming Facebook since early morning with posts targeting church clerics and their personal lives. shorturl.at/swpxE
4/ The survey showed deep poverty: majority rely on subsidies and pensions, over half are in debt, and most find only temp jobs in services, construction, or farming. Female employment is especially low, deepening dependence on men.
May 26, 2025 at 12:01 PM
4/ The survey showed deep poverty: majority rely on subsidies and pensions, over half are in debt, and most find only temp jobs in services, construction, or farming. Female employment is especially low, deepening dependence on men.
3/ Officials now promise a new shift from subsidies to housing support. A plan to resettle refugees in border areas failed due to low interest. Most remain near Yerevan, where jobs are. A survey by ACTED found that very few plan to move elsewhere. www.acted.org/wp-content/u...
May 26, 2025 at 12:01 PM
3/ Officials now promise a new shift from subsidies to housing support. A plan to resettle refugees in border areas failed due to low interest. Most remain near Yerevan, where jobs are. A survey by ACTED found that very few plan to move elsewhere. www.acted.org/wp-content/u...
1/ Armenia reports some progress in integrating Nagorno-Karabakh refugees - but the process is slow and weighed down by long-term challenges.
Passport applications have nearly doubled since last September: from 4,400 to 8,300. 🧵
Passport applications have nearly doubled since last September: from 4,400 to 8,300. 🧵
May 26, 2025 at 12:01 PM
1/ Armenia reports some progress in integrating Nagorno-Karabakh refugees - but the process is slow and weighed down by long-term challenges.
Passport applications have nearly doubled since last September: from 4,400 to 8,300. 🧵
Passport applications have nearly doubled since last September: from 4,400 to 8,300. 🧵
Statements by Armenia & Azerbaijan: Yerevan wants to discuss where to sign the peace deal, while Baku insists on constitutional changes first.
No shift in Azerbaijan’s stance vs. more Armenian concessions.
Key question: Is today’s announcement enough to move the Armenia-Turkey process forward?
No shift in Azerbaijan’s stance vs. more Armenian concessions.
Key question: Is today’s announcement enough to move the Armenia-Turkey process forward?
March 13, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Statements by Armenia & Azerbaijan: Yerevan wants to discuss where to sign the peace deal, while Baku insists on constitutional changes first.
No shift in Azerbaijan’s stance vs. more Armenian concessions.
Key question: Is today’s announcement enough to move the Armenia-Turkey process forward?
No shift in Azerbaijan’s stance vs. more Armenian concessions.
Key question: Is today’s announcement enough to move the Armenia-Turkey process forward?
4/ Another deterrent: reported presence of Donbas fighters linked to Russia-born Abkhaz commander “Pyatnashka,” a Gunba supporter. Their presence after the first election round sent a clear message.
March 3, 2025 at 7:31 AM
4/ Another deterrent: reported presence of Donbas fighters linked to Russia-born Abkhaz commander “Pyatnashka,” a Gunba supporter. Their presence after the first election round sent a clear message.
3/ Election day was tense, especially in Armenian-populated areas where Gunba had strong support. Despite some shootings, Russia’s Investigative Committee quickly threatened punishment, swiftly cooling tensions.
March 3, 2025 at 7:31 AM
3/ Election day was tense, especially in Armenian-populated areas where Gunba had strong support. Despite some shootings, Russia’s Investigative Committee quickly threatened punishment, swiftly cooling tensions.
2/ Putin’s message makes it clear: Moscow sees this as revenge for the opposition-led unrest that toppled its favored leader - the one ready to pass long-demanded Russian-backed laws.
March 3, 2025 at 7:31 AM
2/ Putin’s message makes it clear: Moscow sees this as revenge for the opposition-led unrest that toppled its favored leader - the one ready to pass long-demanded Russian-backed laws.
@globsec.bsky.social is now accepting applications for its Young Leaders program! I was part of it 10 years ago, and many from my cohort have become lifelong friends. If you're interested in security & policy, I highly recommend applying: forum2025.globsec.org/gylf/?utm_ca...
March 1, 2025 at 7:57 AM
@globsec.bsky.social is now accepting applications for its Young Leaders program! I was part of it 10 years ago, and many from my cohort have become lifelong friends. If you're interested in security & policy, I highly recommend applying: forum2025.globsec.org/gylf/?utm_ca...
EU Parliament members visited Armenia this week for a partnership committee meeting with Armenian colleagues. Their joint statement strongly backed Armenia’s position on its conflict with Azerbaijan & the Nagorno-Karabakh situation. Read it here: www.europarl.europa.eu/cmsdata/2933...
February 27, 2025 at 7:17 AM
EU Parliament members visited Armenia this week for a partnership committee meeting with Armenian colleagues. Their joint statement strongly backed Armenia’s position on its conflict with Azerbaijan & the Nagorno-Karabakh situation. Read it here: www.europarl.europa.eu/cmsdata/2933...