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ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA COMPLETES 40TH YEAR OF INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) celebrated the 40th year of its program, which provides opportunities for the next generation of Armenian Americans to participate in public service internships in Washington. The Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program, founded in 1977, was the first internship program offered by an Armenian organization in America. For eight weeks each summer, the program gives college students of Armenian descent an opportunity to gain exposure to the policy-making process in our nation’s capital. Over 1,000 students have completed internships through the Assembly.

The Terjenian-Thomas Assembly class of 2017 interns included Lara Avsharian from California, Shant Bekarian from New Jersey, Taylor Boole from North Carolina, Milena Davtyan from Utah, Samantha Dore from Washington, Emily Hagopian from New Jersey, Mateos Hayes from Tennessee, Nicholas Jundanian from Maryland, David Madey from California, Lidia Nalbandyan from Utah, Hugh Rabjohns from Illinois, Axel Sarkissian from California, Alain Tamazian from California, and Sasha Tavitian from Washington. This summer’s internship program was led by Intern Coordinator Robert Arzoumanian, an alumnus from the 2016 program.

“I was honored to have the opportunity to return to Washington, D.C. as this year’s Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Intern Coordinator. It was great to see students from all around the country working together to help the Armenian American community. The Assembly interns were all incredibly intelligent and their passion for their work was contagious. It was a pleasure to work with them and I hope they use the knowledge and experience they gained this summer to continue improving their communities,” Arzoumanian said.

Through the Assembly’s Lecture Series, participants met with Members of Congress, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Representative Ed Royce (R-CA), Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Member and Armenian Caucus Vice Co-Chair Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), and Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA). As part of the Capitol Ideas, the interns sat down with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Program Manager Noris Balabanian, Artsakh Representative to the U.S. Robert Avetisyan, and Armenian Church of America Eastern Diocesan Legate Archbishop Vicken Aykazian. Additionally, they discussed future careers with many Assembly intern alumni, including U.S. Embassy in Armenia Political and Economic Deputy Chief Ruben Harutunian, Nahigian Strategies President Keith Nahigian, and Department of Justice Senior Counsel for National Security and Assembly Board Member Aram Gavoor.

“Congresswoman Speier is one of two Armenian American Representatives in the United States Congress, and I hold her in high regard. She proves her dedication to her work everyday, and I am fortunate to have interned in her office.  I looked forward to work everyday.  It was an incredible experience to hear her story, along with other professionals I met who work in the U.S. Government from meetings organized by the Armenian Assembly,” stated David Madey, a student at the University of California Davis who interned with Rep. Speier. “I believe the Congressional internship position is perhaps one of the most invaluable experiences to have for someone my age, and I am incredibly grateful to have had this one-of-a-kind opportunity,” he added.

They had the opportunity to learn more about their cultural heritage and the Armenian Genocide in conversations and lectures with Armenian National Institute (ANI) Director Dr. Rouben Adalian and Library of Congress Armenian and Georgian Specialist Dr. Levon Avdoyan. The students explored Washington with special tours of Capitol Hill, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the World Bank, where they saw the Armenian art exhibit which features paintings and sculptures from the Balian Art Collection on loan to the Bank since 2007. The Terjenian-Thomas Assembly interns were also graciously hosted by Mrs. Rita Balian, a long-time Assembly Trustee, whose late husband Mr. Vartkess Balian served on the Assembly’s Board of Directors during its early pivotal years.

“It was a great experience being involved with the Armenian Assembly of America Internship Program this summer. We learned a great deal about our Armenian heritage as well as the factors that influence Armenian American relations,” said Taylor Boole, a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who interned with Rep. George Holding (R-NC).

In addition to UC Davis and UNC Chapel Hill, Assembly interns arrived from Stanford University, University of California Los Angeles, University of Southern California, California Polytechnic State University, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, The College of New Jersey, Emerson College, University of Washington, Wake Forest University, Texas Christian University, Brigham Young University, and Salt Lake Community College.

From its earliest phases and over the past four decades, the Armenian Assembly Summer Internship Program has been celebrated and strongly supported by the Armenian community with major gifts from the Richard Tufenkian Memorial Fund, the John Hanessian Scholarship Fund, the Armen Astarjian Scholarship Fund, the Ohanian Memorial Fund, Ann Hintlian, Ann Nahigian, James and Connie Melikian, the Knights of Vartan, the Estate of Haig J. Boyadjian, and the Estate of George Judge Karabedian (George Kay), as well as generous contributions in memory of former Assembly Board Members Dr. Lionel Galstaun, Peter Kezirian, and John O’Connor. In 2003, the Armenian Assembly’s Summer Internship Program was renamed in honor of Aram and Florence Terjenian and Annie Thomas after the announcement of their pace-setting $1 million donation to the program.

To find out more about the 2017 summer interns’ journey in Washington, D.C., visit the Assembly’s Intern Blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

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Photo Caption 1: Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Interns and Armenian National Institute (ANI) Director Dr. Rouben Adalian with Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), who visited Armenia in 1991 and observed the referendum for independence from the Soviet Union

 

Photo Caption 2 (L-R): Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Rep. George Holding (R-NC), Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), and Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)

 

Photo Caption 3 (L-R): Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Member and Armenian Caucus Vice Co-Chair Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA)

Donald Trump Start serving America before Inauguration

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Donald Trump works as an employee in his hotel To remain grounded and in-touch with his employees, Donald Trump spent a day working as an employee in his own hotel.

“He wants to know what we do, how we do it, and what we need to be better at our job. He’s always approachable, and he always listens. He the best boss I’ve ever had.”

Veteran singer leading Armenian dance to Valley

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onnik-dinkjianBy Judy Wakefield jwakefield@eagletribune.com

A popular American-Armenian musician and singer is headed to Andover this weekend to perform a benefit concert for The Armenian Friends of America.

Onnik Dinkjian, 87, will assume the stage for the “Hye Kef 5” Armenian dance on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Doubletree by Hilton (formerly the Wyndham) on Old River Road in Andover.

The enduring performer will be accompanied by his son, Ara Dinkjian, founder of the instrumental group Night Ark, and a local all-star ensemble assembled just for the occasion.

The annual event is organized by the Armenian Friends of America, a nonprofit organization established five years ago to honor, celebrate and, most importantly, unite the four Armenian churches in the Merrimack Valley.

Proceeds will support the four churches, which include St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of North Andover, The Armenian Apostolic Church of Hye Point in Bradford, Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church of Chelmsford and Ararat Armenian Congregational Church of Salem, N.H., as well as other Armenian charities.

“This is an exceptional opportunity to witness history and enjoy the true spirit of what brings Armenian-Americans together,” John Arzigian, chairman of the Armenian Friends of America, said in a press release.

“The goal of the AFA was to bring all Armenians in the Merrimack Valley and New England together for Christian brotherhood. The four Armenian Church communities in the Valley have supported this effort with the proceeds being donated back to each church community.”

A French-born, American-Armenian musician and singer, Dinkjian has performed over the last several decades with various Armenian musicians, such as violin and oud player Roupen Altiparmakian.

He will be joined on Saturday night by John Berberian on oud, Mal Barsamian on clarinet, son Ara Dinkjian on keyboard and Jason Naroian on dumbeg.

Arzigian is anticipating a sell-out event.

“It is without a doubt that having Onnik agree to perform for Hye Kef 5 is extraordinary,” Arzigian said. “At 87 years old, he is a legend, with boundless energy and a timeless love for his music and culture.”

The event goes from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $65, and include a full buffet. For tickets or information, call Arzigian at 603-560-3826, Lucy Sirmaian at 978-683-9121, Peter Gulezian at 978-375-1616, or Sharke Der Apkarian at 978-808-0598.

Armenian National committee of America ANCA published Presidential Candidate Overview – 2016

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election_2016_anca-500x375Over the years, the ANCA has maintained records, to the extent available, of statements and actions taken by Presidential candidates on Armenian American concerns.  The records of the 2016 Democratic and Republican Presidential candidates is provided below.

>> Do you have additional information about a candidate’s record on Armenian American concerns?  We want to ensure we provide each candidate’s complete picture on Armenian American concerns.  Please email us at election@anca.org.

>> Want to encourage the U.S. Presidential candidates to explain their platform positions on Armenian American concerns? Send them a free ANCA WebMail.

>Going to a Presidential candidate townhall or forum?  Here are some sample questions on Armenian American concerns you may wish to ask.  Please share any responses – or photos with the U.S. presidential candidates by emailing election@anca.org

Source: https://anca.org/elections/

Cartalucci writes: How Does the Islamic State Fit into “America Turkey” Syria Master Plan?

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1029692063Washington is an “arsonist” responsible for the ongoing Syrian crisis, Tony Cartalucci writes, stressing that Syria and Russia must attempt to expand their operation across Syrian territory faster than the Pentagon can spread “chaos” there.

Washington is capable of extinguishing the fire of the ongoing Syrian crisis at any moment by shutting down the Turkish-Syrian border and ending Saudi aid to Islamist groups operating in Syria, Bangkok-based geopolitical researcher and writer Tony Cartalucci remarks, calling attention to the fact that the US has so far hesitated to do this.

“At any moment, should the US truly be interested in extinguishing this fire, it can shut down the Turkish-Syrian border, end Saudi aid to terrorist groups operating in Syria, and end the conflict in weeks, if not days. That it refuses to do so, illustrates the key role it plays in creating and perpetuating it, and more specifically, the creation and perpetuation of the “Islamic State” itself,” Cartalucci stresses in his article for New Eastern Outlook.

Since 2007 Washington’s war strategists have been harboring plans aimed at overthrowing the Syrian government through the use of Sunni extremists, more specifically al-Qaeda, the researcher underscored, referring to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh’s essay entitled “The Redirection.”
Proceeding with his narrative, Cartalucci cited a Department of Intelligence Agency (DIA) report drafted in 2012 and published by Judicial Watch, a conservative, non-partisan educational foundation. The researcher stressed that the rise of the Islamic State could have been a part of a premeditated plan for the  “deconstruction” of Syria.
The DIA report contains a number of passages that seem to back up Cartalucci’s narrative.

 

“If the situation unravels there is the possibility of establishing a declared or undeclared Salafist principality in eastern Syria (Hasaka and Der Zor), and this is exactly what the supporting powers to the opposition want, in order to isolate the Syrian regime, which is considered the strategic depth of the Shia expansion (Iraq and Iran),” reads the report.

To clarify just who these ‘supporting powers’ were that sought the creation of a ‘Salafist principality,’ “the West, Gulf countries, and Turkey support the opposition; while Russia, China, and Iran support the regime,” the report continues.
“[The] major forces driving the insurgency in Syria [are] the Salafist, the Muslim Brotherhood, and AQI,” the report states, which contradicts the Obama administration’s public position on the conflict.
Referring to the neoconservative influential Brookings Institution’s reports, Cartalucci noted that US strategists have considered the possible “deconstruction” and balkanization of Syria through establishing so-called “safe” or “buffer” zones.
“The idea would be to help moderate elements establish reliable safe zones within Syria once they were able. American, as well as Saudi and Turkish and British and Jordanian and other Arab forces would act in support, not only from the air but eventually on the ground via the presence of special forces as well,” the June 2015 Brookings document states.
Russia’s military involvement has clearly upset Washington’s applecart.
Cartalucci noted that, in response, the US policymakers “have openly conspired to commit to strategies not aimed at actually fighting ISIS [ISIL] or ending the destructive conflict in Syria they themselves have started, but instead to counter Russia’s attempts to do so, merely under the guise of fighting ISIS, or helping refugees, or virtually any excuse they believe the public might support.”
The researcher suggested that Obama’s “boots on the ground” in Syria could be involved in backing US-trained and armed terrorists in order to take and hold Syrian territories. By fragmentizing Syria, US strategists seek to destroy it as a functioning nation-state ruled by the Assad government.
In order to undermine the plan, “Syria and Russia should seek the expansion of their coalition inside Syria, and in particular, in the regions the US seeks to carve out,” Cartalucci noted.
According to the researcher, Russia and Syria should rush to expand their operations across the Syrian territory faster “than the US can spread chaos.”
He who hesitates is lost: undoubtedly Washington will continue to beef up its presence in Syria, he remarked.

 

“Calling the arsonists out, and removing them before the fire irreversibly takes over the entire structure that is the current nation-state of Syria, may be the only way to prevent Syria from becoming the Levant’s ‘Libya’,” the researcher emphasized.

Source: sputniknews.com

9/11 anniversary: America remembers lives lost on one of its darkest days

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By Faith Karimi, CNN

9-11 2015(CNN)Bells will toll and tears will flow as the nation marks a dark day in sorrowful yet hopeful ceremonies.

Fourteen years ago today, terrorists hijacked passenger planes and rammed two into New York City’s World Trade Center, and a third one into the Pentagon in Washington.

A fourth jetliner crash-landed on an empty field in Pennsylvania.

By the time the carnage was over, terrorists had killed 2,977 people in one of the deadliest attacks on American soil.

People, buildings and planes fell from the sky. Terrified strangers became friends as Americans united on a day that changed the world forever.

Today, like every other anniversary after it happened , a resilient nation will look forward to the future, but remember the past.

Here are the main events that will pay tribute to the many lives lost on September 11, 2001:

GROUND ZERO

At the World Trade Center, where most of the victims were, bagpipers and drummers will provide solemn tunes to accompany the ceremony.

The names of the dead will echo as those gathered read them out and mark moments of silence at the specific times when the planes struck and the towers tumbled.

The first plane hit the north tower at 8:46 a.m. The second one struck at 9:03 a.m.

In this attack, 2,753 people died when terrorists intentionally crashed American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 in the north and south towers.

Of those who perished in these attacks and the collapse of the towers, more than 300 were firefighters who ran into the building while others rushed out.

Dozens more were police officers.

PENNSYLVANIA

Hundreds of miles away, a passenger jetliner crashed near Shanksville at 10:03 a.m.

Crowds will mark a moment of silence at that exact time and read out the names of the victims.

Forty passengers and crew members aboard United Airlines Flight 93 died when the plane crashed into the field. It is believed that the hijackers crashed the plane in that location, rather than their unknown target after the passengers and crew attempted to retake control of the flight deck.

PENTAGON

At sunrise a flag will be unfurled over the side of the Pentagon.

Shortly after, a private memorial ceremony will include wreath laying and remarks by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. It will be attended by relatives of the victims.

At the White House, President Barack Obama will observe a moment of silence on the south lawn to mark the anniversary of the attacks. He is also scheduled to visit Fort Meade in Maryland, where he will talk with troops and express his appreciation.

“The President very much values face time with troops — listening, asking, and answering questions, and he looks forward to taking time on the anniversary of 9/11 to engage directly with service members,” Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said.

At the Pentagon, 184 people were killed when hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the building. It struck at 9:37 a.m.

 

Armenian Assembly of America hails editorials calling for US, international recognition of Armenian Genocide

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Hails-editorials-us-recognice-genocideAs Armenians around the world near the 100th anniversary of the 1915 Armenian Genocide the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) welcomes the call of newspaper editorial boards urging US and international affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

“The Armenian Assembly of America welcomes the editorials of major newspapers around the globe that are speaking truthfully about the need for recognition of the Armenian Genocide,” stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “All people of goodwill, including President Obama, should embrace the call of Pope Francis and acknowledge the incontestable fact of the Armenian Genocide this April 24th,” Ardouny said.

During his mass on Sunday, April 12 at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis recognized the 1915 killing of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Turkish Empire as genocide by quoting his papal predecessor Pope John Paul II. He said, “In the past century, our human family has lived through three massive and unprecedented tragedies… the first, which is widely considered ‘the first genocide of the 20th century,’ struck your own Armenian people.” The Pope’s statement comes appropriately ahead of the April 24th centennial anniversary of the genocide and has caused a wave of editorial board support for the Pope’s statements and urging the US and other powerful allies to officially recognize the killings as a genocide.

Here’s a sampling of the strong statements of support from across the country:

Los Angeles Times Editorial Board: U.S. should call Armenian genocide by its name

• “The president should take a cue from Pope Francis and include the word genocide in his annual message marking the carnage a century ago. Enduring friendships require such honesty.” [Editorial, Los Angeles Times, 4/13/15]

Denver Post Editorial Board: Speaking the truth on genocide

• “The Ottoman Turks did indeed engage in what amounts to attempted genocide of its Armenian population between 1915 and 1923, slaughtering an estimated 1.5 million, and Pope Francis is hardly the first to say so. But the boldness of his declaration Sunday was refreshing nonetheless, even if it did anger Turkey.” [Editorial, Denver Post, 4/13/15]
• And if the pope isn’t qualified to speak out on behalf of beleaguered Christians, or in memory of them, then who would be?” [Editorial, Denver Post, 4/13/15]

New York Daily News Editorial Board: The true name of evil: The Pope rightly calls Armenian killings genocide

• “In 2001, Pope John Paul II used the word genocide to describe the Armenian massacre that began 100 years ago next week. Now, as he decries today’s massacres of Christians, Francis used his singularly unafraid moral voice to tell it like it was. And thank goodness he did.” [Editorial, New York Daily News, 4/13/15]

Jerusalem Post Editorial Board: Israel should recognize the Armenian genocide

• “Exhibiting his characteristic moral clarity and sensitivity, Pope Francis referred to Turkey’s brutal massacre of about 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children during World War I as genocide.” [Editorial, Jerusalem Post, 4/13/15]
• “Founded in the shadow of the Holocaust, the State of Israel is a living testament to the failure of the international community to prevent genocide. It was in large part out of international recognition of this failure that legitimacy for a uniquely Jewish state with its own armed forces and sovereignty was born. Israel has an obligation to live up to that legacy by using its political sovereignty to prevent genocide not just against Jews but against any group… Pope Francis has publicly recognized the Armenian Genocide. Now it is Israel’s turn.” [Editorial, Jerusalem Post, 4/13/15]

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

Erdogan, the Muslims discovered America, not Columbus

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arton105327-460x276The Islamist-rooted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday, very confident that the American continent was discovered by Muslims in the twelfth century, and not by the Genoese navigator Christopher Columbus more than two centuries later.

“The contacts between Latin America and Islam back to the twelfth century. Muslims discovered America in 1178, not Columbus, “assured Mr. Erdogan in a televised speech in Istanbul on the occasion of a summit of Muslim leaders of Latin American countries organized by the authorities Turkey.

“Muslim sailors arrived in America in 1178. Columbus mentions the existence of a mosque on a hill along the Cuban coast,” he has said. Its momentum, Erdogan has even expressed willingness to participate in the construction of a mosque in the place cited by the Genoese sailor.

“I would like to tell my Cuban brothers, a mosque would perfectly well on this hill today as well,” added the head of the Turkish state. History books teach that it is the Genoese sailor Christopher Columbus who in 1492 established the first foreign foot on the American continent while looking with its fleet a new sea route to India rally.

Muslim historians and theologians ultraminoritaires have recently questioned the discovery, suggesting an earlier Muslim presence in America, though no vestige of Islamic inspiration there has never been discovered.

In a controversial article published in 1996, historian Youssef Mroueh had mentioned a passage stories of Columbus in which he refers to a mosque in Cuba. But his colleagues, unanimous, dismissed his hypothesis ensuring that this “mosque” was only a picture to describe the shape of a landscape. Elected president in August, Erdogan reigned over Turkey since 2003.

In Facing Its Adversaries, America’s Got a Hidden Lever: Armenia

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BY DANIEL GAYNOR
From The Truman Project

Most Americans wouldn’t be shocked to learn that the largest American embassy in the world is in Baghdad, Iraq. But the second-largest is in a surprising place: Armenia. It begs the question: why?

The best explanation is a real estate mantra: location, location, location. Armenia, a landlocked country with just three million people, might be in the roughest neighborhood in the world. But in America’s eyes, it might be in the most important position of any US ally to advance President Obama’s foreign policy agenda.

What it lacks in natural resources–it has little oil, gas or jewels–it makes up for in geography. Few countries are in better position to shape US foreign policy than Armenia.

Armenia borders Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Iran. As a part of the former Soviet Union, it relies on nearby Russia extensively for trade and military backing. The US has a significant stake in all five countries, and Armenia is now coming into view as a potentially potent lever to advance American aims.

That is, if the Armenians can be won over.

As the US tries to woo Armenia to become a stronger ally in the region, the term “geostrategic” has never been more apt. Armenia is literally at the center of a number of countries that Washington considers among its top priorities. As President Obama tries to accomplish key foreign policy objectives–like preventing Iran from attaining nuclear bombs or seeing democracy flourish in Russia–he’s got to encourage Armenia to play along.

To Armenia’s south, one such issue is unfolding in Iran’s nuclear centrifuges. Last  week, a media skirmish between the US and Israel boiled over when Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated publicly that America had no “moral right” to say whether or not Israel could bomb Iran to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon. President Obama reportedly called Netanyahu at 3AM to quell tensions.

America is racing to develop every diplomatic pressure point it can on Iran, lest Israel launch a preemptive attack and embroil America in a third Middle East war in ten years. One of those pressure points goes straight through Armenia.

While the US has cut off formal relations with Iran–Washington talks through Switzerland’s embassy there–it’s no secret that it employs a variety of foreign policy crowbars to influence and destabilize Iran’s ruling regime. Some, like President Obama’s latest round of economic sanctions, are well known. Partnering with Armenia is not, but could have a major impact. Through economic and diplomatic incentives, the US is actively trying to shape Armenia into an ally. As President Obama seeks to economically isolate Iran–his sanctions have cut the value of Iran currency in half–he is trying to regionally isolate the regime, as well. Armenia is key to that strategy.

For Armenia, the game is far less simple. Partnering with the US–with whom it has a good, but not great, relationship–could alienate the few friends Armenia has left in the South Caucasus region. It wants military cooperation with Russia, but economic access to the west.

While it has tried to deepen relations with the European Union and the US, Armenia’s two best friends at the moment are arguably the US’s most challenging adversaries: Russia and Iran. That’s not necessarily because of shared ideologies, or even shared interests; it’s because Armenia doesn’t have many friends to pick from.

Of its four neighbors, two–Turkey and Azerbaijan– have have closed off their borders to Armenia. To go on a road trip, every Armenian must pass through either Tbilisi, Georgia or Tehran, Iran.

Why the frosty reception? Turkey, which the New York Times recently called “the historic nemesis of the Armenians,” is still steaming mad over the negative PR associated with Armenian Genocide. The Turks claim rogue military elements are responsible; Armenians believe the Turkish government is reluctant to take the blame.

In either interpretation, the facts are stark: about 1.5 million Armenians perished in a war with Turkey between 1915 and 1918. The Turks closed off its border in 1993, and with it, a significant chunk of Armenia’s economy disappeared. In the decades since, Armenia has pressed for international recognition of the genocide–and rightfully so–but that has only stoked the fire with the Turks.

But, while one would think that the genocide rift is what led Turkey to close off its border, it’s not. Instead, Turkey is standing in solidarity with another neighbor over a contested territory.

Azerbaijan, another fromer Soviet republic, shut its borders with Armenia after the two battled over an Armenian-populated enclave in Azerbaijan, called Nagorno-Karabakh, in the 1990′s. Today, the territory remains a “semi-autonomous” area; meaning that the Azeris want it back, the Armenians believe they control it, and the Karabakhtis has declared independence (which no country has formally recognized).

Meanwhile, the relationship between Armenia and Azerbaijan is sliding downhill. Last week, Azerbaijan made a deal with Hungary to extradite a convicted Azeri murderer. (The man, eight years ago, nearly decapitated a sleeping Armenian serviceman with an axe at a NATO-sponsored English class.) He was returned under the condition that he would serve at least 25 more years in jail.

Instead, as the New York Times put it, he received “a new apartment, eight years of back pay, a promotion to the rank of major and the status of a national hero.” Uproar in Armenia ensued. Armenia’s President released a statement warning, “The Armenians must not be underestimated. We don’t want a war, but if we have to, we will fight and win.”

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan is enjoying the windfall from oil exports. Israel, in particular, has strengthened relations with the Azeris, purchasing 30 percent of their oil from them, as well as selling them over $1.5 billion in military supplies. The US is also a buyer of Azeri oil. As the New York Times points out, Azerbaijan invested more money in its military than Armenia’s entire state budget last year. Hardly the sign of harmonious relations to come.

So far, Armenia’s walked a diplomatic tightrope with skill. As my Lonely Planet travel book explains, “Despite its limited resources, Armenia has become a master at geopolitics. What other country in the world can say it maintains good relations with the US, Russia and Iran?”

Given the cards they’re dealt, Armenia has been a remarkable success story. If America hopes to engender greater cooperation, it’s got to sweeten the deal–through trade agreements, offering economic reforms and encouraging private sector development in Armenia.

Armenia became independent in 1991. Two decades later, it’s still trying to find its footing in the region. It may not have gold, oil, gas or jewels to give to the US. But, instead, it may have something more useful: a strategic position in the most critical—and potentially most dangerous—region in the world.

Daniel Gaynor is Truman’s Writer and Digital Strategist. He can be followed on Twitter @DannyGaynor