There is a need for more security expertise in Armenia. 

With our defense alliances expanding and global attention on the region increasing, the need for qualified, Armenia-based experts is critical now more than ever. 

Here’s the good news –– Eduard Arakelyan, a security expert from Artsakh with extensive public and private sector experience joined Regional Center for Democracy and Security earlier this year. He was instrumental in making POLITICO’s exclusive story about Belarus selling weapons to Azerbaijan possible. 

Now we need your help to keep Eduard on our team to be able to provide sustainable, accurate security and military analysis for policymakers, press and the public. All it takes is a donation of $25, $50, $100 or whatever you can afford to keep Eduard’s independent, expert analysis going. 

Eduard’s analysis of leaked documents and commentary allowed for fair and balanced reporting and the opportunity for outlets such as RFERL, OC Media, and specialized defense publications to have access to an Armenia-based expert on the issue. In his short time with Regional Center for Democracy and Security, Eduard has become a well-known, sought-after analyst both in Armenia and abroad.

Adding your donation, of any amount, to our growing list of supporters allows us to remain independent in providing the invaluable expertise only Eduard can provide. 

Our team at the Regional Center for Democracy and Security is stronger because of people like Eduard. As a Yerevan-based think tank, we aim to educate policymakers and the public on key regional developments. Specifically on security, with a focus on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and Russia's role in the South Caucasus. 

Eduard, a seasoned security analyst, served as an adviser to the government of Artsakh from 2021 to 2023, worked as an independent analyst and editor and served in the military in the First Karabakh War.

His unique background is what makes it possible for Eduard to provide in-depth analysis and context on Armenia's security environment, defense alliances, weapons procurements, and military reforms, including Armenia's defense cooperation with India, France, and other partners, as well as the diversification of its military alliances. 

The Regional Center for Democracy and Security (RCDS) is an independent think tank based in Yerevan. We aim to educate policymakers and the broader public about key developments in Armenia and the region, and to serve as a platform for evidence-based research and analysis. Our mission is to be a hub of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration, focused on promoting democracy, human rights, and security.

Campaign Goal:

• Raise funds to enable Eduard Arakelyan to continue and enhance his contributions to understanding and addressing Armenia's defense and security challenges.
• Help other analysts from Artsakh to continue their work at Regional Center for Democracy and Security
• Support Impact:
• Enhanced Reports:
• Eduard will produce detailed analytical reports on Armenia’s defense strategies, alliances, and military cooperation with new partners.
• These reports will offer in-depth analysis of regional security threats and geopolitical shifts affecting Armenia.
• Policy Recommendations:
• Eduard’s work will inform actionable policy recommendations for the Armenian government and international stakeholders, aimed at strengthening Armenia's defense sector.
• His expert analysis will contribute to more informed decision-making at various levels.
• Utilization of Refugee Skills:
• Address the integration of Armenians who became refugees following the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh.
• The Regional Center for Democracy and Security prioritizes creating opportunities for forcibly displaced persons and utilizing their human resources to enhance Armenia's analytical capacity.
• Strategic Insights:
• Supporting Eduard’s work ensures his strategic insights into Armenia’s defense cooperation and security alliance diversification are utilized for better strategic planning and international relations.
• Eduard’s media presence and public commentary will continue to raise awareness of critical defense issues, engaging a wider audience.
• Unique Expertise:
• Eduard’s work is crucial for various audiences—Armenian, diasporan, international, diplomatic, academic, and security-oriented—seeking to understand Armenia's complex security situation.
• His unique combination of skills and knowledge makes him indispensable in this field.
• Final Impact:
• Supporting Eduard Arakelyan’s work aids in the dissemination of vital information and contributes to more informed decision-making processes from policy development to academic research.

Proposed Output

Enhanced Analytical Reports:

• Detailed reports on Armenia’s defense strategies and alliances.
• Regular updates on Armenia's military cooperation with other countries.
• In-depth analysis of regional security threats and geopolitical shifts affecting Armenia.

Policy Recommendations:

• Actionable policy recommendations for the Armenian government to strengthen its defense sector.

Publications and Media Contributions:

• Continued contributions to major news outlets and specialized defense publications.

Collaborative Research Projects:

• Joint research projects with other analysts and institutions to broaden the understanding of regional security dynamics.
• Publications of collaborative papers in international journals and conferences.

Digital and Social Media Engagement:

• Utilizing social media to engage with a broader audience and disseminate findings.

You can find the budget here