These are spiraling really badly out of control. We have three of the wealthiest Arab nations that are now considering pulling out of the U.S. economy, pulling out investments because of the cost of this war that has been waged by Donald Trump. And when I say that they are, they are the foundation of our economy, and if they pull out their investments, it could crash our economy. That is an understatement. And now we have this letter that was just sent to Donald Trump and published for all of us to read by the leading businessman of the United Arab Emirates. His name is Khalaf Hamad Al Habtour. You’re going to need to sit down for this as I read this.

His Excellency President Donald Trump, a direct question. Who gave you the authority to drag our region into a war with Iran? And on what basis did you make this dangerous decision? Did you calculate the collateral damage before pulling the trigger? And did you consider that the first to suffer from this escalation will be the countries of the region itself? The people of this region have the right to ask as well. Was this your decision alone, or did it come as a result of pressures from Netanyahu and his government? You have placed the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab countries at the heart of a danger they did not choose. Thank God we are strong and capable of defending ourselves, and we have armies and defenses that protect our homelands, but the question remains: Who permitted you to turn our region? into a battlefield.

Before the ink has dried on your Board of Peace initiative that you announced in the name of peace and stability, we find ourselves facing a military escalation that endangers our entire region. So where did those initiatives go? And what is the fate of the commitments made in the name of peace? Most of the funding proposed in your initiatives came from the countries of the regions themselves and from Arab Gulf countries that contributed billions of dollars on the basis of supporting stability and development. And these countries have the right to ask today, where did this money go? And are we funding peace initiatives or funding a war that exposes us to danger? More dangerous than that, your decision threatens not only the people of the region but also the American people, whom you promised peace and prosperity. And here they are today, finding themselves in a war funded from their money and taxes, which costs, according to the Institute of Policy Studies, between $40 to $65 billion for direct military operations and could reach $210 billion, including economic impacts and indirect losses, if it lasts four to five weeks.

Not to mention the sacrifice of Americans themselves in a war in which they have neither camel nor she-camel, which I take that phrase to mean being on foot. You have even broken your promises not to get involved in wars and to focus only on America and put it at the top of your priorities, as you ordered foreign military interventions during your second term that included seven countries: Somalia, Iraq, Yemen, Nigeria, Syria, Iran, and Venezuela, in addition to naval operations in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean. You directed more than 658 foreign airstrikes in your first year in office, which equals the total number of strikes in Biden’s entire term, for which you directed your arrows of criticism for involving the United States in foreign wars. Your Excellency, the President, these numbers have severely affected your approval rating in America.

Source: Bayo News Network

Anna Hakobyan prepared a heartbreaking text about the deprivations she has lived with during these years, not even having money for clothes. “Hraparak”

The “Hraparak” daily writes: For the sake of votes, for the sake of keeping power, Nikol Pashinyan is ready for the most incredible, crazy steps, he is ready to “sacrifice” even his family, make his personal life a subject of public discussion, put everything on the altar, just to be re-elected and remain in the post of Prime Minister.

Pensions and benefits, raising the salaries of kindergarten teachers, maintaining the water supply schedule, increasing the amount of declaration amounts and other decisions, as well as many promises that will certainly be made in the near future, are aimed at this. Just as the ceasefire declared in the campaign against the Church, the formation of Varchabend, the holding of intra-party primaries, personnel transfers, etc., which are part of the arsenal of political technologies, are aimed at this. From that arsenal are also the lofty statements that if we are not there, there will be no peace, if we are not elected, Trump’s path will not be built.

Yesterday, this pre-election theater was replenished with another one: Pashinyan’s wife, Anna Hakobyan, announced her divorce from her husband, leaving the government summer house and living on rent. She had prepared a heartbreaking text about the deprivations and restraints she has lived with during these years, that she did not even have money for clothes, she borrowed designer clothes “on the street”, wore them, appeared at some state ceremony, and then returned them to the owners. The couple, who create an image of poor, destitute people, probably hopes that the voter will sympathize with them, value the prime minister for not wasting the state budget on his wife, and they will get a few more votes. Or they will use this to refute the rumors about corruption, the negative impression left by the paid dinners of the “My Step” foundation.

By the way, yesterday, behind the scenes of the CP, they were discussing that the idea of ​​this theater was Pashinyan’s, he understands that his wife has a high anti-rating, that in the Armenian reality she has managed to become “Sashik 2”, so he suggested that Anna Hakobyan officially leave his life; perhaps this departure, even if insignificant, will help their joint cause – his reproduction.

Pashinyan probably thinks that the voter has forgotten the promises he and his group made in 2021 and hopes that this time, by misleading the voter, he can reproduce himself in a third term.

And what did he promise five years ago, on the eve of the elections on June 20, 2021? The CP made the most extravagant promises in its pre-election program regarding Artsakh: the realization of the right of the Artsakh people to self-determination, guaranteeing the security of the Artsakh people, de-occupation of Shushi and Hadrut, and the resolution of the conflict by ensuring the rights of the Artsakh Armenians. Even before that, when the whole country was demanding his resignation, he was making heartbreaking speeches, asking for 6 months to change the situation and publishing a roadmap. He promised to restore the Artsakh negotiation process in the format of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship, and to return the captives as soon as possible, and to resolve the issue of the missing.

“The captives will forgive us for staying in captivity for a month, two more months,” Pashinyan shamelessly declared during the campaign. Those 1-2 months have already turned into 5 or more years, to which the military-political leaders of Artsakh, who have been tortured in Baku for 2.5 years, have also been added. He promised to sign a peace treaty, but it was only initialed, and the Azerbaijani president continues to give Pashinyan homework: change the Constitution, get rid of the Declaration, refuse international lawsuits, etc.

The promises made by Pashinyan’s team in the social sphere have also remained on paper. “Reduce unemployment to below 10%; Reduce the poverty level by half; Increase the average pension from 43,500 drams to 61,000 drams; Increase the minimum pension from 26,500 drams to 37,000 drams; Increase the minimum salary from 68,000 drams to at least 85,000 drams,” Pashinyan promised in his 2021 election program. Let’s see what the picture is now, with official figures. According to information published by the Statistical Committee, according to the data for the 3rd quarter of 2025, the unemployment rate was 11.8%. The average pension, instead of the promised 61 thousand, is 49 thousand 32 drams. The minimum pension was increased only after 5 years, and at that, in a desperate way. From April 1, 2 months before the elections, people will receive 10 thousand more. The promise regarding the minimum wage has not been fulfilled either. Now the minimum wage is 75 thousand drams.

So, the grandiose promises made before the 2026 elections will suffer the same fate, if by some miracle the CP is reproduced. But Aliyev’s promises about “Western Azerbaijan”, 300 thousand Azerbaijanis living in Armenia, taking Tigranashen and receiving the Zangezur corridor will become reality.

Details in today’s issue of the “Hraparak” daily.

By Wally Sarkeesian,

Endless Wars & Concentration of power in one man’s hand:

History shows how dangerous that can be. From figures like Adolf Hitler to more recent leaders, major conflicts and crises have often been driven by the choices of one individual. That’s a serious flaw in how many political systems are structured.

There are exceptions. In countries like Switzerland, power is more distributed. Leadership rotates, and decisions are made collectively rather than resting on one person’s authority. It’s a very different model.

The concern is that people often place too much trust in a single leader, voting for one individual to carry enormous responsibility. When power is that centralized, the risk of misuse or poor decisions is always there-and that’s a problem many societies continue to face.

Look at the United States as an example. Leaders often campaign one way and govern another, and major military actions can still end up tied to decisions at the top.

George H. W. Bush led the Gulf War in Iraq. Then Bill Clinton, who wasn’t elected on a war platform, still oversaw military interventions, including NATO’s campaign in Yugoslavia.

After that, George W. Bush came in saying he would avoid nation-building, yet the U.S. went into Iraq and Afghanistan. Then Barack Obama, elected in part on anti-war sentiment, authorized actions in Libya and expanded involvement in Syria.

More recently, under Joe Biden, the U.S. has supported Ukraine in its war with Russia. And even Donald Trump, who often spoke against wars, still authorized military strikes during his presidency.

The broader issue is that, despite elections and promises, major decisions—especially about war—can still come down to a small group of leaders, sometimes even one person. That concentration of power is what worries many people, because the consequences affect millions.

According to a report by Hetq, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his Deputy Prime Ministers received significant bonuses in 2025, raising questions about government compensation practices and transparency.

Based on official information obtained by Hetq via a written request to the Armenian government, **Pashinyan received about 11.95 million AMD in performance-related bonuses in the first half of 2025. Additionally, he was awarded approximately 1.97 million AMD in a separate bonus. This brings his total bonus for that period to nearly 13.9 million AMD (~$35,700 USD at typical exchange rates). **

The Hetq report also notes that, combined with bonuses paid to the two Deputy Prime Ministers and others in the Prime Minister’s Office, **Pashinyan, his deputies, and senior staff received a total of 51.6 million AMD in bonuses and reward payments for the period from 2021 through 2025. **

These figures emerged in the context of broader reporting on government compensation, which has included discussion of salary increases for ministers and senior officials in recent years. For example, media reporting has noted past increases in ministerial and deputy ministerial salaries and the use of bonus systems tied to performance and other criteria. **

Supporters of the bonus practice argue that such payments are part of legally authorized wage and reward systems that are included in the state budget. Critics, however, point to concerns about transparency and fairness, especially in a context where average incomes in Armenia remain modest and public institutions are under strain.

By Wally Sarkeesian

It does feel like the world is drifting toward a kind of modern “Wild West”, where power matters more than rules and strength is being tested everywhere at once. For decades after World War II, there was at least a rough global order: borders were mostly respected, wars were restrained, and institutions acted as referees. That order is weakening.

Here’s what I see happening, in plain terms:

1. Power is replacing rules.
When international law is enforced selectively, leaders learn that force works. Once that lesson spreads, others follow. That’s why you see simultaneous pressure points — Ukraine, Gaza, Taiwan, Artsakh, Venezuela. None of these are isolated.

2. Strongmen are testing limits.
Every major player is watching the others:
“If they can take land and face no real consequences, why can’t I?”
That mindset is contagious.

3. Smaller nations suffer first.
History shows that when global order breaks down, it’s not the powerful who pay first — it’s the vulnerable, the borderlands, the ancient peoples. Armenia knows this better than most.

4. Chaos feeds more chaos.
Once instability becomes normal, it accelerates. Trust collapses, alliances weaken, and fear replaces diplomacy.

So where are we heading?

Not necessarily to total collapse — but to a dangerous transition period. The world is deciding whether it moves toward:

• a new balance of power with clearer limits, or
• a prolonged era where force becomes the default language.

History says these moments don’t last forever — but they are painful while they last.

What matters most now is not who is strongest, but who is strategic, united, and clear-eyed. For nations like Armenia — and for ordinary people everywhere — survival depends less on emotion and more on realism, unity, and long memory.

By Wally Sarkeesian

Message to Armenian Political Organizations and Parties
It is time for you to unite—and here is why.
If all opposition parties form a single coalition, you will make voting simple and clear for the Armenian people. There will be one united coalition on one side, and Pashinyan on the other. For voters, the choice will be obvious and straightforward.
What happened in the last election should be a lesson. There were 17 opposition parties, and you all lost. In the end, only two forces remained visible: Pashinyan and the Kocharyan bloc. That is the reality.
Do not underestimate Kocharyan’s voters—they represent a large and disciplined voting base. Ignoring this fact only guarantees another defeat. The solution is simple: all opposition forces must unite into one single political coalition.
By doing so, you give Armenian voters clarity. They should not have to wonder, “Should I vote for this party or that party?” Fragmentation confuses voters and divides the opposition—and that is exactly what happened last time.
You already have experience. You were wiped out once. Learn from it.
Today, everyone knows about Pashinyan’s failures and crimes. But when voters face 15 or 17 different parties, they cannot easily determine who truly represents change. Division only helps your opponent.
Unite. Form one coalition. Present one clear message. Prepare seriously for 2026, because this election is a matter of life and death for Armenia.
You already lost Artsakh. If you fail again, you risk losing the Church and the country itself.
Smarten up. We are not attacking you—we are trying to help you. Listen, unite, and do what is right for the Armenian people.
———-Armenian———–
Ուղերձ Հայաստանի քաղաքական կազմակերպություններին և կուսակցություններին

Ժամանակն է միավորվել։ Եվ ահա՝ ինչու։

Եթե բոլոր ընդդիմադիր ուժերը ձևավորեն մեկ միասնական կոալիցիա, դուք կդարձնեք ընտրությունը պարզ և հստակ հայ ժողովրդի համար։ Մեկ կողմում կլինի միասնական ազգային կոալիցիան, մյուս կողմում՝ Փաշինյանը։ Ընտրողի համար ընտրությունը կլինի հեշտ և միանշանակ։

Վերջին ընտրությունները պետք է դաս լինեն ձեզ համար։ Կային 17 ընդդիմադիր կուսակցություններ, և բոլորդ պարտվեցիք։ Արդյունքում մնացին միայն երկու իրական ուժեր՝ Փաշինյանը և Քոչարյանի բլոկը։ Սա փաստ է։

Մի թերագնահատեք Քոչարյանի ընտրազանգվածը․ այն մեծ և կազմակերպված ուժ է։ Այս իրողությունը անտեսելը նշանակում է կրկնել նույն պարտությունը։ Լուծումը պարզ է․ բոլոր ընդդիմադիր ուժերը պետք է միավորվեն մեկ միասնական քաղաքական կոալիցիայի մեջ։

Այդ կերպ դուք ընտրողին կտաք հստակություն։ Մարդիկ չպետք է կանգնեն երկմտանքի առաջ՝ «ո՞ւմ ընտրել»։ Քայքայված ընդդիմությունը միայն օգնում է ձեր հակառակորդին։ Դա հենց այն է, ինչ տեղի ունեցավ նախորդ ընտրություններում։

Դուք արդեն ունեք փորձ։ Մի անգամ արդեն լիովին դուրս մնացիք քաղաքական դաշտից։ Սովորեք այդ սխալից։

Այսօր բոլորը գիտեն Փաշինյանի ձախողումների և հանցագործությունների մասին։ Բայց երբ ընտրողը տեսնում է 15–17 տարբեր կուսակցություն, նա չի կարող հասկանալ՝ ով է իրական փոփոխության կրողը։ Պառակտվածությունը միայն խորացնում է պարտությունը։

Միավորվեք։ Ստեղծեք մեկ կոալիցիա։ Ներկայացրեք մեկ հստակ ուղերձ։ Լրջորեն պատրաստվեք 2026 թվականի ընտրություններին, որովհետև այս ընտրությունը կյանքի և մահվան հարց է Հայաստանի համար։

Դուք արդեն կորցրել եք Արցախը։ Եթե կրկին ձախողվեք, կկորցնեք նաև Եկեղեցին և պետությունը։

Խելքի եկեք։ Մենք ձեզ չենք հարձակվում․ մենք փորձում ենք օգնել։ Լսեք, միավորվեք և արեք այն, ինչ ճիշտ է հայ ժողովրդի համար։

By Wally Sarkeesian

My response to Mr. Shahan Kalfayan’s on keghart ridiculous defense of war criminal Pashinyan:
The claim that Pashinyan was “democratically elected” is a myth.

In the first election, he effectively blocked serious opposition and rushed the country into a snap election, giving people virtually no time to organize or respond. That was not free choice – it was political manipulation.

In the second election, after the war, the situation was even worse. Once again, it was a snap election. More than 52% of eligible voters did not vote, and Pashinyan received only about 37% of the total electorate. Calling this a popular mandate is simply dishonest.

Low turnout, rushed elections, suppressed alternatives, and a traumatized population do not equal legitimacy.

If Armenians truly want the truth, the path is clear: remove him from power, arrest him, and conduct a full, independent investigation. Only a serious inquiry – with international-level financial and intelligence oversight – can uncover the full scope of his actions, including possible coordination with Azerbaijan and Turkey, political deception, and abuse of power.

By Wally Sarkeesian

Those of Us Who Lived in the U.S. Long Enough Witnessed the Shift — Before and After the USSR Fell

When the Soviet Union existed, the West was restrained. There was a balance of power, and the U.S. had to behave more carefully. After the USSR collapsed, that restraint disappeared — and the U.S. moved from competition to constant wars and interventions. At the same time, America hollowed itself out at home. Once a country of small businesses and opportunity, it’s now dominated by corporate giants like Walmart and Home Depot that crush local enterprise. Try opening a small coffee shop today and surviving — that’s the real test. America didn’t lose its soul overnight; it lost it when power went unchecked and corporations replaced communities.

By Wally Sarkeesian

Dr. Margaret Simonian, PhD, received the Global Australian Awards 2025, in the Health and Life Sciences category. This award recognizes Australians who are making an extraordinary impact worldwide. The award was celebrated and presented on December 4th in Los Angeles, followed by an award celebration/presentation in Sydney, Australia, on December 11th

Born in Iraq to Armenian parents, as a young adult Simonian migrated to Australia by herself during the Iraq War. Her resilience, tenacity and courage helped her forge a future in a new country, culture and language.

Margaret, having excelled in her field in Australia, is today recognized as one of the leading experts in the world and has made significant contributions to both research and academic teaching. The objective of her work is to enhance diagnostic accuracy and support personalized treatment strategies for cancer patients undergoing radiological, radiosurgical and other therapies. 

A research Scientist at UCLA for many years, Dr Simonian earned her Doctorate in Advanced Medicine from the Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. Dr Simonian has served as a Research Scientist at Macquarie University and later as a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Neurology at Harbor–UCLA Medical Center. 

Margaret, having excelled in her field in Australia, is today recognized as one of the leading experts in the world and has made significant contributions to both research and academic teaching throughout her career.  The objective of her work is to enhance diagnostic accuracy and support personalized treatment strategies for cancer patients undergoing radiological, radiosurgical and other therapies. More specifically, Her research focuses on the application of proteomics, molecular biology and radioproteomics in biomarker discovery, as well as in advancing drug development and therapeutic strategies for diseases including brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), brain tumors, and liver and prostate cancers

Notably, Dr Simonian’s pioneering work on brain AVMs, which began at Macquarie University and continued at UCLA, was the first worldwide to employ proteomics to identify protein targets for vascular and molecular therapies following radiosurgery. This groundbreaking research has resulted in numerous publications and continues today at Macquarie University. Her proteomics research on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is also among the few studies conducted at an international scale.

Dr Margaret Simonian exemplifies the power of science, resilience and global contribution. Through pioneering research, international collaboration and a deep commitment to advancing medical knowledge, she has helped open new frontiers in the treatment of complex and life-threatening diseases.

Her journey, from arriving in Australia alone to becoming a globally respected research scientist, reflects the very best of Australian opportunity and determination.

https://globalaustralians.org/media-releases/australians-honoured-for-global-impact-in-2025

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/globalaustralians_congratulations-dr-margaret-simonian-mphil-activity-7411179195768320000-7OJu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAlE_NgB85ysxTEZopTB9wVgdbNJt_pTZrE

By Harut Sassounian

Last week, I came across a disturbing 8-page document described as a “White Paper” titled “Clarifying Church-State Relations in Armenia: A Rebuttal to the Narrative of Religious Persecution under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.” It is dated Sept. 5, 2025.

This is a blatant attempt by the Pashinyan regime to whitewash its shameful attacks on the Armenian Apostolic Church, making unfounded allegations about Church leaders and the political opposition.

Strangely, this document, prepared at the request of the Prime Minister, is posted only on the website of “Save the Persecuted Christians,” an organization based in Washington, D.C. It is not even posted on the Prime Minister’s website. Most probably, the public relations firm Mercury Public Affairs, hired in April by the Armenian government, prepared the White Paper.

This propaganda document makes a number of baseless statements against the Armenian Apostolic Church and the political opposition. For example, it claims that those opposed to Pashinyan are accusing him of making “a deliberate effort to ‘Islamize’ Armenia by bringing in 300,000 Muslim Azeris.” No source is provided for this claim. Even if someone had made such an allegation, the White Paper generalizes it to the entire opposition. Nevertheless, it is a fact that Pashinyan has made endless concessions to Pres. Aliyev, including handing over Artsakh to Azerbaijan, ceding parts of the territory of the Republic of Armenia, changing the constitution, agreeing to disband the Minsk Group of mediators, and reducing the defense budget.

The White Paper further asserts that “the use of incendiary language and misinformation undermines democratic discourse and distracts from Armenia’s urgent security and governance challenges.” This is precisely what Pashinyan and his partner, Anna Hakobyan, have been doing for months through embarrassing posts on their Facebook pages. Furthermore, the White Paper accuses businessman Samvel Karapetyan of having “direct ties with the Kremlin,” thus appearing to excuse his arrest and justify the confiscation of his multi-million-dollar business interests in Armenia. Karapetyan had simply expressed his support for the Catholicos. Armenia’s Prime Minister does not respect freedom of expression, which is the bedrock of any democratic society.

In another objectionable statement, the White Paper criticizes the Catholicos for publicly calling for Pashinyan’s resignation, adding: “Yet, no law-enforcement measures have been taken in response to these statements.” Is expressing one’s opinion a crime?

More importantly, the White Paper misrepresents Armenia’s constitution by stating that “Pashinyan’s government has promoted a policy agenda that emphasizes civilian supremacy over clerical institutions, in line with constitutional principles of secular governance.” On the contrary, the constitution provides for separation of Church and State, which bars the government from meddling in internal Church affairs. Those who say that the Church is meddling in politics are mistaken. Clergymen have the same rights as every other citizen — to vote and run for office. Furthermore, any Armenian, including clergymen, who sees that political leaders are leading the country to destruction, has a patriotic duty to speak up to save the country.

Pashinyan ordered the arrests of three high-ranking clergymen under the pretext that they were engaged in illegal acts He sent police onto the grounds of Holy Etchmiadzin, posted pornographic words referring to his sexual organ on his Facebook page, confessed that he was married neither by the Church nor by secular authorities, urged his followers to “converge” on Etchmiadzin and “liberate” the Catholicosate, and attended Mass celebrated by defrocked “priests” who are desecrating the Church. That alone is sufficient reason to excommunicate Pashinyan from the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Meanwhile, Pashinyan’s partner, Anna Hakobyan, on her Facebook page described high-ranking Armenian clergymen as “the country’s chief pedophiles” and “black-vested maniac perverts.” This is a wholly inappropriate way of addressing the clergy, particularly without presenting any evidence for such claims. She would have been sued for libel if Armenia’s judges were not under Pashinyan’s thumb.

The White Paper desperately tries to argue that Pashinyan is against the Catholicos but not against the Armenian Church by claiming that the public trust in the Church is “high, around 60%, whereas confidence in its top leadership drops sharply.” While the approximate 60% figure is accurate, the White Paper presents no evidence that public confidence in Church leadership is low. The White Paper does not mention that Pashinyan’s approval rating plummeted from a high of 82% when he came to power in 2018 to a little over 10% now.

The most troubling aspect of the White Paper is that it was probably prepared by Mercury Public Affairs, a Washington PR firm hired by Pashinyan’s government for $600,000 a year to promote Armenia’s interests in the U.S. Congress and the Administration and to counter the lobbying and PR firms retained by Azerbaijan and Turkey. I infer Mercury’s involvement because the signed contract mentions that it was hired to “provide strategic communications and media relations services to Client [Republic of Armenia].”

However, rather than targeting Azerbaijan and Turkey or defending Armenia’s interests in Washington, Pashinyan has decided to use the expensive services of the PR firm to attack the Armenian Apostolic Church and its leadership.

Source: www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com