Analyst: Even authorities were forced to admit threats to Armenia's sovereignty

Political analyst Ara Poghosyan criticized the recent discourse surrounding a reported U.S. proposal to lease a transport route through Armenia for 100 years. He noted that while some local analysts hailed it as a "lifeline", the potential consequences for Armenia’s sovereignty, jurisdiction and territorial integrity were largely ignored.

“Yesterday, a government official admitted they rejected the U.S. proposal due to concerns it could undermine Armenia’s sovereignty. But before that, following the U.S. ambassador to Turkey's remarks about the road lease, several local analysts, commentators and so-called "experts" rushed to defend the idea, labeling dissenting voices as paranoid about the word 'corridor,’” Poghosyan wrote on Facebook on Friday.

He questioned the feasibility of the plan, particularly given regional interests and the challenges it posed for Armenian law enforcement. “Who would handle traffic accidents or crimes on that road, Armenia or another country?” he asked.

Poghosyan argued that any U.S. initiative would be embraced uncritically for some groups in Armenia, regardless of whether it aligned with Armenia's long-term national interests.

“Even the authorities were forced to acknowledge that the deal would have compromised Armenia’s sovereignty, jurisdiction and territorial integrity,” the analyst stressed.