Armenian analyst accuses Pashinyan of political 'frivolity' amid rising regional war risks

Political analyst Suren Surenyants on Saturday sharply criticized Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government for failing to adopt a crisis-management approach as the region moves closer to large-scale war following the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

In a social media post, Surenyants argued that the escalating military developments surrounding Iran and the growing risk of broader confrontation were predictable. He pointed in particular to U.S. President Donald Trump’s public expression of dissatisfaction with the outcome of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran, saying it signaled a diplomatic deadlock and a renewed shift toward force-driven scenarios.

According to Surenyants, a major regional conflict would pose “existential threats” to Armenia, with both immediate and long-term consequences for national security, transport corridors, energy stability, migration flows and the overall strategic balance in the South Caucasus.

He stressed that such risks demand maximum political focus, sober judgment and disciplined crisis management from the country’s leadership.

“Instead, the Armenian authorities, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, continue election campaigning, displaying carelessness and political frivolity against the backdrop of mounting external threats,” Surenyants said. “When the region is literally burning, the authorities’ response signals lack of state seriousness and suggests underestimation of the situation.”

"When a country faces existential threats but its leadership fails to shift into a mode of extraordinary responsibility and gravity, external dangers are only compounded by internal inaction," he added.