be enough to counter Moscow’s interest in
maintaining the status quo. Without accounting for the economic role of
Russia in Armenia, any efforts to enhance the country’s democratic
institutions will largely fall flat.

Two days before Christmas, as American policymakers were settling into the holidays, Russia quietly signed a sweeping air defense agreement with Armenia,
accelerating a growing Russian military buildup that has unfolded
largely under the radar. It was the most tangible sign yet that Putin is
creating a new satellite state on NATO’s border and threatening an
indispensable U.S. ally. The buildup in Armenia has been glossed
over in Washington, despite being a key piece of Vladimir Putin’s plan
to dominate the region — along with its proxy Syria and growing military
ties with Iran. Most importantly, Armenia shares an approximately 165 mile border with Turkey, aa worrisome trend: Putin’s threat
to NATO and America’s interests in Europe.

The Armenian-Russian alliance is gaining strength

The Armenian-Russian alliance is gaining strength. Armenia currently hosts an estimated 5,000 Russian military personnel and two Russian bases. In 2010, both countries signed an agreement that extended Russia’s basing rights in Armenia by 24 years, until 2044,
and committed Moscow to supply the Armenian armed forces with “modern
and compatible weaponry and special military hardware,” according to
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. The 102nd Military
Base in Gyumri, Armenia — nearly 120 kilometers from the capital (and
less than 10 kilometers from the Turkish border) — has become a crucial
Russian beachhead. A similar Russian deployment on the
borders of any other NATO member state would produce an outcry of
outrage. Why are we staying silent in the face of this