The Christian Science Monitor: Neither Armenia not Georgia has found what looks like a successful path forward in an increasingly unstable world order

Armenia and Georgia, two key Caucasus nations, are in political turmoil, and the situations look quite similar on the surface, The Christian Science Monitor writes.

The publication writes, that both former Soviet states are moving to diversify their international relationships in response to fallout from Russia’s war in Ukraine. Each is facing domestic pushback, spurring them to wage “lawfare” campaigns against a strong political opposition and try to compel their respective national churches to toe the government line.

But despite the similarity of their tactics, Armenia and Georgia are pushing in opposite directions: Armenia is striving to join the European Union, and Georgia is turning its back on Europe and restoring ties with Russia. And neither has found what looks like a successful path forward in an increasingly unstable world order. In Armenia tensions are roiling just beneath the surface.

“The Armenian leadership declare that they are leaving Eurasian Economic Union, but they want to go on indefinitely enjoying all the benefits they get from it. This is insulting. If you want to leave, then leave. But don’t expect us to pick up the tab,” says Andrei Klimov, an official with the ruling United Russia party in Moscow.

At least 300 opposition leaders, activists, journalists, and business figures, including a former president, have been arrested or subjected to travel bans or asset seizures since Pashinyan won parliamentary elections in June.

Pashinyan’s efforts to curb the rebellious clergy have run into problems. So far, four judges have recused themselves rather than hear the case against Karekin, and a prosecutor has resigned, but efforts to change the church’s leadership seem likely to continue.