Armenia Maidan brewing?

[Encyclopath]

I remember reading about some low-grade dissent and protests in Armenia several months ago, but after not hearing much followup news for a while, it slipped my mind.

Well, it might be something to watch as an unexpected complication for Russia:

http://armenianow.com/commentary/analysis/64707/armenia_rally_activists_russia_sargsyan

Commenting on the events in Armenia, Dmitry Pekov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said that Armenia is a country that is very close to Russia and that in Moscow they are closely watching the developments in Yerevan. The Rosbalt newspaper, reporting on the multi-thousands rallies in Gyumri, reminded that the city in the northwest of Armmenia hosts a Russian military base and mentions that some demonstrators also demand its withdrawal from Armenia.
...
Some Armenian analysts say that Moscow, probably, is preparing for the introduction of troops if protests in Yerevan take a clear anti-Russian character.

The countries that are members of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (Armenia is a member of this defense pact) have an agreement that in the event of internal disturbances, in case of a given country’s political leadership’s application, the CSTO can introduce troops in this country to stabilize the situation.

I'm not familiar with the character of the Armenian press, let alone with their political bloggers, so I may not be reading this with the right grain of salt.... however:
This could be a cause for serious concern for the west, in that it would be a serious concern to Russia to be pulled into another actual military intervention right in the middle of their (barely) covert military intervention in Ukraine.

One one hand, maybe this could end up breaking the spine of the Putin dynasty by attrition.
On the other hand, it could push him into a corner where he may act out of panic.
Back on the first hand, again, a destabilized Russia with its leadership in flux and up for grabs in the middle of two major conflicts could be the worst possible scenario.

I dunno. I'm new here, and I should probably find some more sources here, but this seems like some more no-good.

 

[Encyclopath]

Ok, so this is definitely a potential thing, I believe.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/69671477/dramatic-photo-captures-the-moment-a-protester-is-blown-over
http://www.euronews.com/2015/06/23/armenian-energy-protests-turn-ugly-with-dozens-of-arrests/
http://www.westfieldrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/872510/Protesters-renew-march-against-electricity-prices-in-Armenia.html?isap=1&nav=5073

The unrest was the most serious that Armenia has seen in years, raising concerns about political stability in the impoverished former Soviet nation, which hosts a Russian military base and is part of a Moscow-dominated economic alliance.
...
Russian companies control some of the most prized economic assets in Armenia, including the power grid. The protest was triggered when an Armenian government commission agreed to raise electricity rates at the request of the power company.
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The Russian company which owns Armenia’s electricity network says the price rise is necessary because of a fall in the value of the country’s currency,
...
On Monday, about 5,000 demonstrators marched toward the presidential headquarters, but were stopped by lines of riot police backed by water cannons. The protesters then sat on the road, blocking traffic and ignoring police demands to leave.
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The opposition Armenian National Congress walked out of parliament in protest Tuesday against the rally's breakup and demanded the release of all those detained.
...
Some protesters also called for Sarkisian's resignation.

And ominously enough:

How the Yerevan protests proceed depends in part on the state's response. Foreign diplomats expressed concern over how police detained journalists Tuesday morning, while angry protesters were likely galvanized by the use of violence and water cannons to quell and disperse the crowd.

 

[DEFCON Warning System]

The countries that are members of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (Armenia is a member of this defense pact) have an agreement that in the event of internal disturbances, in case of a given country’s political leadership’s application, the CSTO can introduce troops in this country to stabilize the situation.

Got to admit, I didn't know that.

See, I don't know everything. :lol:

That's kind of an ominous thing to have as part of your treaty. Though it certainly would help those who are in power.

 

[Encyclopath]

The countries that are members of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (Armenia is a member of this defense pact) have an agreement that in the event of internal disturbances, in case of a given country’s political leadership’s application, the CSTO can introduce troops in this country to stabilize the situation.

Got to admit, I didn't know that.

See, I don't know everything. :lol:

To be fair, I learned probably most of what I know about post-cold war Armenia in the last 30 minutes.

 

[Encyclopath]

Oh! That's right, I remember now. The unrest I remember from a few months ago was border skirmishes and instability between Armenia and Azerbaijan flaring up; an unraveling oh a pretty dubious, and shaky ceasefire that seems doomed to fail:

http://en.azvision.az/Azerbaijani_Defense_Ministry%20_Armenians_-12796-xeber.html#.VYpEz5wJz4o.twitter

Armenian Armed Forces violated ceasefire 90 times in various directions of the frontline within a day, said Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

Armenian armed units fired on the positions of Azerbaijani Armed Forces in nameless uplands and Gizilhajili village of Gazakh district from their posts in Vazashen and Berkaber villages of Armenia’s Ijevan district, positions in Gaymagli and Ashaghi Eskipara villages of Gazakh district from the posts in Barekamavan and Voskepar villages of Noyemberyan district, positions in Alibeyli, Aghdam, Kokhanebi and Aghbulag villages of Tovuz district from the posts in Aygepar, Mosesgekh and Chinari villages of Berd district and positions in nameless uplands of Gedebey district from the posts in nameless uplands of Krasnoselsk district.

All too familiar sounding, but maybe with more Ij's s and Akhs, and not so many Kyzy's and Tsk's.