Armenia enjoys sizable advantages over Azerbaijan: EurasiaNetOctober 18, 2017 - 14:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia genuinely enjoys some recognizable advantages over Azerbaijan, such as its favorable geographic position in and around the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh, Eurasianet.org said in an article on Wednesday, October 18. Representing the difference between the defense expenditures of both countries, the analytical platform reminds that Armenian troops not only control Karabakh itself, but broad swaths of Azerbaijani “buffer” territories, offering significant strategic depth protecting Karabakh as well as Armenia itself. "Although both sides have established expansive defensive fortifications along their line of contact, Azerbaijani military objectives depend on the ability to go on the offensive. In the event of a large-scale conflagration, a preservation of the status quo would likely count as a victory in Yerevan, whereas Baku could only be satisfied with significant territorial gains," EurasiaNet says. "In its defensive posture, Armenia does not need to possess the same level of offensive capabilities being stockpiled by Azerbaijan, which has spent many millions of dollars on developing a full-spectrum, combined arms military capability. Still, Yerevan has significant capabilities of its own at its disposal, including an advanced S-300 air defense system (which Azerbaijan also fields), as well as the short-range Iskander-M missile system (which Azerbaijan notably does not)—the latter likely being much more useful for deterrence than in the event of open war." "And although Russia sells advanced weapons to both sides—a practice seemingly at odds its treaty obligations to Armenia—Armenia benefits from favorable terms and rates. One common saying in the region is that by buying Russian arms at a premium, Azerbaijan indirectly subsidizes the Armenian military, which tends to buy the same weapons at cost," the article says. Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders recently held a meeting, after which president Serzh Sargsyan said that the only solution to the Karabakh conflict is for Artsakh to remain outside Azerbaijan. 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. |