Keep Armenia in Your Thoughts

I am sure all of you have heard about the conflict in Georgia (the country not the state) involving Russia and separatist groups.  We have a mix of reports and earlier today I was not able to reach anyone in Armenia via phone.  However, people in Armenia are safe as Armenia has a very good relationship with Russia.  However, most of the natural gas and much of the trade routes are through Georgia.  Armenia will receive collateral damage.  There are already reports that the gas pipeline has been destroyed in Georgia.

The Southern Caucacuses, much like many places in central Asia, have many different ethnic groups living in very close quarters and they have never liked each other much.  While I do not forsee the Georgians and the Armenians entering into an armed conflict, both economies will sustain damage should trade routes be cut off.

Keep those in Armenia in your thoughts.  Most of us take peace and security for granted but as we can see that in the process of 96 hours that cities can be destroyed and many displaced.  I hope that Russia will pull back but I do believe that Moscow wants to remove the pro-western government and replace it with a puppet.  Let’s hope for a positive and quick change of direction.