Two months ago, I wrote an analysis titled: “Turkey is Backing its Citizens Abroad, While Armenia is Alienating its Diaspora.” It was based on an article by Abdullah Bozkurt in the Nordic Monitor: “Turkey is expanding its Diaspora engagement to promote political goals abroad.”
Last week, Bozkurt published a follow-up article titled: “Turkey poised to intensify its interference in the domestic affairs of other countries using the Turkish Diaspora.” It provides further details about the Turkish government’s efforts to set up proxy groups using its citizens abroad. In contrast, Armenia is alienating its Diaspora by creating rifts and banning some of them from entering the country. Given the serious crisis in Armenia, its government should be doing everything possible to entice compatriots abroad to visit their homeland, invest in the country and bring over their knowledge and skills. The Diaspora is a valuable asset for Armenia, not a ‘milking cow.’
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Do as i say not as i do seems to erdogans mantra. Although Turkey as a regional power has the resources to cultivate extensive links with its diaspora whereas Armenia doesn’t. Although Armenians idea of Armenia and Armenian diaspora idea of Armenia may be at odds it’s easy to talk tough far from the fray. For Turkey it wants to reassert influence over its diaspora especially the older generations less excited about erdogans policies.