South Caucasus is entering a new phase of turbulence - ex-official 

ArmInfo.  The South Caucasus is entering a new phase of turbulence, but it is unclear whether the current Armenian authorities, led by Nikol Pashinyan, are prepared to  withstand it. This is what Artak Zakaryan, former Deputy Defense  Minister of Armenia and member of the Executive Body of the  Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), writes.

To support his assertion, the politician outlined the current  situation globally and around the South Caucasus.

He noted that the US Armed Forces have renewed the naval blockade of  Iran, restricting the entry and exit of ships to Iranian ports. The  politician noted that, according to The New York Times, US President  Donald Trump officially notified Congress of the resumption of  military action against Iran, after which global oil prices rose by  8%.

"Iran also has its own plans for resistance and actions aimed at  protecting its interests. Countries that cooperate with the US  against it have already been declared legitimate targets. These  targets include US- owned facilities in neighboring countries," the  Republican noted in a post on his Facebook page.

He then drew attention to the situation around Ukraine, noting that,  at the initiative of France and England, the leaders of 25 countries  within the "coalition of the resolute" are meeting and discussing  support for Kyiv against Russia, including through defense against  more powerful ballistic and strategic strikes.

Zakarian noted that, in response, Russian President Vladimir Putin  has promised to inflict several times more powerful strikes on  Ukraine.

The politician emphasized that, amid renewed regional tensions,  Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has adopted an ambitious and  tougher stance, seeking to strengthen his position in the South  Caucasus. The Republican believes that Aliyev's statements indicate  he is not particularly interested in a peace treaty with Armenia.

"Azerbaijan has a different view of the developments and its role in  them. Clearly, a new phase of regional turbulence is beginning. Does  the head of a completely failed government, wandering aimlessly along  the slopes of Khustup, have even the slightest idea of how to counter  the expected new turbulence?" asked Zakaryan.

Baku has repeatedly stated that a peace treaty will be signed by  Armenia only after the Armenian Constitution is amended. This is one  of Baku's many preconditions for fully normalizing relations with  Yerevan. Experts are inclined to believe that the Azerbaijani  authorities are not inclined to sign a treaty with Armenia and will  continually put forward new preconditions for normalizing relations  and strengthening their position in the region.

They are convinced that the concessive position of the Armenian  authorities will not lead to anything good.