APRI New York Meeting, themed “Armenia’s New Balance: Russia, the West and the Future of the South Caucasus” took place on October 11, 2024 in New York City.
The forum included distinguished experts in regional and global affairs, including leading voices engaged in shaping Armenia’s policy future. The three-hour conference covered Armenia’s new foreign policy balance between Russia and the West, the potential impact of the US presidential election on global stability, Armenia’s ongoing security and defense reforms, and the quest for peace and stability in the South Caucasus.
In addition to serving as a vital platform for discussing Armenia’s foreign policy and peacebuilding in the South Caucasus, the event took place alongside the 93rd General Assembly of the Armenian General Benevolent Union. The assembled audience of community leaders, philanthropists, and young civic activists will present a unique opportunity to engage with some of the most constructive voices in the Armenian diaspora.
get to know the Program
1:00pm
Lunch and Registration
2:00pm
Musical Guest
- Ara Dinkjian
2:10pm
Words of Welcome and About APRI Armenia
- Lara Setrakian, President, APRI Armenia
2:20pm
The US Election and Strategic Interests in the South Caucasus
In the opening session of the APRI New York Meeting, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council Eurasia Center Ambassador John E. Herbst discusses the upcoming US elections and how they could impact US foreign policy in the South Caucasus.
- Ambassador John Herbst, Senior Director, Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center
- Moderator: Nvard Chalikyan, Research Fellow, APRI Armenia
2:45pm
Armenia’s Foreign Policy Pivot in a Multipolar World
Armenia is undergoing a significant transformation in its foreign policy, engaging both new-country partners and traditional allies to build up its resilience in military, political, and economic domains. This panel will assess the current state of Armenia’s foreign policy diversification, the potential for a new diplomatic architecture, and the impact of ongoing geopolitical events on the South Caucasus.
- Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director, Observer Research Foundation America
- Anatol Lieven, Director, Eurasia Program, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
- Garo Paylan, Visiting Scholar, Europe Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Michael Rubin, Visiting Scholar, Europe Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Moderator: Anahide Pilibossian, Vice President of Strategy and Development, APRI Armenia
3:35pm
Musical Guest
- Ara Dinkjian
3:45pm
Armenia’s Security in the Quest for Regional Peace
In a turbulent and unstable region, Armenia is advancing its security and defense capabilities to protect its territorial integrity. But there remain many challenges and open questions. Where does Armenia’s security balance stand today? How can foreign partners engage with Armenia to build up its deterrent and defensive capacities, diminishing the risk of future conflict?
- Colonel (Retired) Robert E. Hamilton, Head of Eurasia Research, Foreign Policy Research Institute
- Nerses Kopalyan, Associate Professor-in-Residence of Political Science, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
- Leonid Nersisyan, Senior Research Fellow, APRI Armenia
- Margarita Tadevosyan, Executive Director, Center for Peacemaking Practice, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University
- Moderator: Lara Setrakian, President, APRI Armenia
4:35pm
Armenia’s Conservative Outreach: On Foreign Policy and Religious Freedom
Armenia’s recent diplomatic and military challenges dovetail with the threat to religious freedom worldwide. This discussion will evaluate how Armenia can position itself as a cornerstone of the international religious freedom agenda to craft a more effective foreign policy.
- Ambassador Sam Brownback, Co-Chair, International Religious Freedom Summit, Senior Fellow, Global Christian Relief, Board Member, Save Armenia, Chairman, National Committee for Religious Freedom
- Moderator: Lara Setrakian, President, APRI Armenia
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