EDITORIAL: Resolving to Advance the Armenian Cause

2013 began and ends with conflict. Beginning with the election cycle in Armenia—presidential and municipal—which was marred, once again, with voter fraud and corruption to the Armenian government’s abrupt decision to join the Russia-led Customs Union, the ruling party in Armenia reinforced its grip on power by neglecting the population.

One of the key threats to Armenia’s national security—emigration—continued at an alarming pace, as more and more people left the homeland due to lack of a social-economic fabric that can sustain a country’s infrastructure.

The bright spot was the wave of popular protests in Armenia that solidify the people’s discontent with the current regime. The mass protests after the presidential elections signaled that Armenians are fed up and are willing to take action to assert their views. The summer began with one such action, when the people’s outcry over random bus fare hikes resulted in the municipality of Yerevan to reverse course.

Despite the continued anti-Armenian rhetoric emanating from Baku, the government and people of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh) unwaveringly worked to strengthen the Artsakh’s statehood. This past year also saw a surge in foreign dignitaries visiting Artsakh and pledging their commitment for Artsakh’s right to self-determination.

Meanwhile in the Middle East, the deepening conflict in Syria had a greater impact on the Armenian population of the country, forcing greater numbers to leave this community and seek refuge elsewhere. Many have settled in the homeland. While attempts by the government and organizations to welcome and provide the basic necessities to their Syrian-Armenian brethren accelerated the challenges stemming from this conflict and the displacement of the Armenian community will be a priority in 2014.

On the eve of the Genocide centennial, the Turkish government amped up its efforts to further its denialist policies. However, diasporan organizations that pursue the just resolution of the Armenian Cause were at the forefront of that struggle. In the US, the Armenian National Committee of America, with its Western and Eastern regional entities galvanized the community and strengthened its grass-roots to advance Hai-Tahd.

As we close the year with the traditional celebrations and reflection, we must be aware that the events of 2013 were a harbinger of things to come and the challenges awaiting out entire nation. 2014 must become the beginning of our collective commitment to advance the Armenian Cause with each of us pledging to roll up our sleeves and get in the trenches. What a great resolution for the New Year.

Happy New Year!

Editor’s Note
This year was another successful year for Asbarez as we celebrated our 105th anniversary and unveiled a new project of digitizing our more than a century-old archives.

We continued to be the number one and most trusted news source for Armenians, not only in the US, but throughout the world.

Through your engagement and participation, YOU, our readers, propelled us to excel and encouraged us to do more.
We Thank You!

We also would like to thank our advertisers, sponsors and supporters, who look at Asbarez as an effective arena and enable us to enhance our product and services.
And, last, but not least, our staff, writers and the army of contributors who tirelessly work all year and add fresh voices to our publication