“Lowering the bar” is the nightmare that defines this chapter

The citizens of Artsakh are like most people in this world. They want a good life for their children, a chance to make a decent living and to prepare for a prosperous future. They dream about their aspirations. They don’t dream about murder, oppression, betrayal and capitulation. Those are the nightmares that disrupt the dreams of good people in this world like the Artsakhtsis. This is a common thread that runs between Armenians living in Artsakh and anywhere in the diaspora. The major difference between us is that we have a tendency to lapse into taking our freedom for granted while they wake up every morning praying for that gift. While our college-age youth enjoy the privilege of advanced education, many of our Artsakh youth serve the nation on the front. They grow up far too fast, and far too many never see the joy of an extended life. Our brave brethren have been living on the edge every day as lawless border attacks continue despite a clear indication of the identity of the aggressor (that would be Azerbaijan) and the presence of peacekeepers (that would be Russia). In addition to the outrageous ambivalence of the world powers to the abuse these people have endured for decades, they have to listen to humiliating comments from the Armenian government, such as the international community expects us to “lower the bar” on the status of Artsakh, and “for us, the Nagorno-Karabakh issue has never been about territory but rather rights.” In the vernacular of this country, this would be referred to as being thrown under the bus.

We are all incredibly frustrated and confused by these comments. I will not, however, resort to personal insults or negative generalizations. There is plenty of that to go around, and the vast majority of it adds no value. It only builds walls. It is ironic, however, that in only four short years Prime Minister Pashinyan has become the 2022 version of Serzh Sargsyan. The latter lost credibility in 2018 when despite assurances, he chose to stay in power as prime minister under the constitutional revision. Many considered this as a power retention move. The pressure built through a street revolution, and Sargsyan eventually resigned. Say what you will about the third president of Armenia, but at a critical juncture, he chose to resign rather than preside over civil strife. Doubters will say he had no choice, but I believe he understood the reality and deep down some patriotic vein was struck. If he had resisted, think of what the outcome would have been on the ground. March 1 would have looked like a day in the park. Four years later and the current prime minister finds himself on the defensive. It is interesting to note that in both cases the leader’s party carried the majority of the National Assembly and maintained political control. The Republican party of Sargsyan had a majority control of the NA for several years either outright or through coalitions. Pashinyan’s party has control today despite a few defections, and in addition has had the opportunity to influence the replacement of former President Armen Sarkissian, who resigned suddenly under questionable circumstances. Political control has not been in question in 2018 or 2022. The Velvet Revolution forced the resignation of Sargsyan, and the constitutional process led to the rise of Pashinyan. The opposition and public outcry have grown stronger in recent weeks against Pashinyan, but it remains to be seen whether this will be a replay of 2018.