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Opinion: The future of the China-US-Russia triangle after Pelosi's visit to Taiwan
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Opinion: The future of the China-US-Russia triangle after Pelosi's visit to Taiwan

4 August 2022
Since February 24, 2022, the international community's focus was concentrated entirely on the war in Ukraine and the growing Russia – West confrontation. It seemed that nothing could change the situation until the end of hostilities in Ukraine. However, on August 2 and 3, almost everyone’s attention shifted from Ukraine to Taiwan. As the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, stated her intention to visit Taiwan, up to half a million people were watching the trajectory of her plane on air flight tracking sites. The negative reaction of China, including the warning of President Xi during his conversation with President Biden that those who played with fire would be perished by it, created hype around this visit. Many were discussing the possibility of Chinese military jets closing the airspace over Taiwan and preventing Pelosi’s plane from landing in Taiwan, while some enthusiasts were even contemplating the possibility of a US-China direct military clash. As Pelosi landed in Taiwan and met with the Taiwanese President, the global social media was full of amateur assessments about the strategic victory of the US and the confirmation of the US global hegemony. However, as the dust settles down, and information noise and manipulation eventually decreases, a more serious assessment is needed to understand the real consequences of this visit.
Benyamin Poghosyan
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Commentary
Armenia goes to the polls, searching for a way forward
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Armenia goes to the polls, searching for a way forward

5 June 2026
This commentary was prepared by Mr Narek Sukiasyan for the 11th issue of the Armenia Election Monitor 2026. ================== On June 7, Armenians will head to the polls for the first time in almost a decade to vote in a regular, not snap, Parliamentary election. The stakes could not be higher. If victorious, the incumbent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will become the longest-serving head of government in Armenia’s independent history, provided he serves the full 5-year term. Standing in his way is a fragmented but determined opposition, led since half a year ago by Samvel Karapetyan and his Strong Armenia party. While reliable polls indicate that the opposition remains at a significant distance from outright victory, their best bet lies in the post-election coalition of several opposition parties. This is often referred to as the "Gyumri-2" scenario— mimicking the successful manoeuvre pulled off in the second-largest city last year, where the coming together of the opposition forces overtook Civil Contract, which failed to secure a majority. This outcome, however, is far from guaranteed on June 7. (To read the full commentary, click on the image above.)