The interlocutor of Radar Armenia is international expert Shahan Gantaharyan.
– How do you evaluate 2024 in the context of geopolitical developments?
In this case, I will try to observe from the Middle Eastern point of view. There is war in Gaza, Lebanon, and regime change in Syria. These 21st-century versions of world wars marked by proxies were recorded in these parts of the Middle East. It seems that the political map of the Middle East is changing. There is a general plan of chain operations, which still has milestones to achieve.
– What were the key events for Armenia in 2024?
– Again, from the Middle Eastern point of view, the continuation of RA-Arab countries relations and the establishment of diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia stand out. Saudi Arabia is a weather-making state in the Arab world. Now, in the Arab world, especially in the direction of the Sunni masses, there is a sharp competition between Riyadh and Ankara to form spheres of influence.
– As a matter of fact, Armenia and Azerbaijan could not reach the signing of the peace agreement in 2024. What can we expect in 2025 in this regard?
– Negotiations will continue. Azerbaijan will continue to renew its preconditions. It depends on Ankara for Azerbaijan to take a step towards an agreement. Now, the opposite is happening. Azerbaijan is torpedoing the process. There will be an Armenian-Azerbaijani agreement if the West and Ankara decide to proceed. This agreement will open the door to opening the Armenia-Turkey border and, later, to establishing diplomatic relations. After that, consider the necessity of locating the Russian military base in Armenia. This is an extended plan, and its implementation is still not visible. At least the moment is not ripe.
– What global changes will we witness in 2025, especially after January 20?
– There will be drastic breakthrough changes. Trump will continue the various wars declared by the USA against Russia, Iran, and China with stylistic changes, stops, and, in some cases, freezes. In the case of China, economic, in the case of Iran, with “negotiate-strike” considerations, and against the Russian Federation, with sanctions and Ukrainian evacuations.
– What do you think? Will the world go more towards peace or wars in 2025?
I think we will continue to witness wars in localized, proxy, economic, and hybrid formats. This is the 21st-century format of world war.
