U.S. Intelligence chief warns of Nagorno Karabakh escalationFebruary 10, 2016 - 11:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijan’s current economic woes caused by falling oil prices may have heightened the risk of a further escalation of violence in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, a top U.S. intelligence official said Tuesday, February 9. “Baku’s sustained military buildup coupled with declining economic conditions in Azerbaijan, are raising the potential that the conflict will escalate in 2016,” Director of National Intelligence James Clapper noted in his annual Worldwide Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community. “Azerbaijan’s aversion to publicly relinquishing its claim to Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia’s reluctance to give up territory it controls will continue to complicate a peaceful resolution,” Clapper added. Azerbaijani armed forces fired around 700 shots from various caliber weapons in ceasefire violations on the night of February 9-10, the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army says. Karabakh’s troops continue controlling the situation on the contact line and protecting their positions. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |