By Armen Gevorgyan

Armenia’s domestic political life has been surprisingly calm over the recent months. Singles instances of protest by the “radical Opposition” and pickets by “nationalist forces” do not appear convincing, especially against the Diaspora’s activities.

The paradox can be defined as follows: Armenia’s political life has gone far beyond Armenia’s borders and is developing there. It is not the Parliament members of Ministers (they are getting more and more uninteresting day by day) or the Opposition leaders (what news can be expected from Stepan Demirchyan or even Levon Ter-Petrosyan) that are key newsmakers. Rather, they are active members and analysts from the Armenian Diaspora, the ordinary Armenians are not acquainted with. Everything has been said inside the country, but processes are going on. The Diaspora is clearly showing its dislike for the present developments. From the strategic point of view, the Diaspora’s intensified political activities, combined efforts and new motives for struggle are a significant process for Armenia, which may enhance the country’s reputation in the future. Obviously, it is due to the consolidation and consistent activities of the Jewish Diaspora that the state of Israel has never restricted itself to surviving in its struggle with the Arab world. Another matter is that, with all the violence of its protests and rightness of concerns, the Armenia Diaspora is presently “in isolation” from the real state of affairs in Armenia. The passivity and confusion of the Armenian Opposition camp is evidence thereof.

It is not a severe shortage of ideas, ideologies or development strategies that can be the only cause of internal protest. A way out of the political deadlock can invigorate the domestic political life in that the same Opposition will have an opportunity to analyze the latest developments instead of trying to make “two matches match.”

From this point of view, the Diaspora is appealing to enduring values, without trying to predict any development of Armenia as a state or the consequences of a regional conflict. It thinks of its own interests and is fiercely defending them. It shows! However, it should be admitted that the Diaspora had better vent its fury on Turkey as it did before, but not on the historical Homeland. It is only the separation of roles of the two “wings” of the Armenian nation, namely, Armenia and the Diaspora that can produce long-expected results. One wing “strokes gently,” while the other “beats.” In this case alone can we hope for an effect. In a sense, Armenia is a hostage to Diaspora – a hostage in the battlefield encircled by the enemy. Disregarding this delicate situation means playing into Turkey’s hand. Turkish Premier Recep Erdogan clearly defined its country’s task: “Armenia does not need the Diaspora, it is of no use to her.”