Everyone Views Us Through the Prism of Their Own Geopolitical Interests: Suren Sargsyan

Political scientist Suren Sargsyan wrote on his Facebook page:

“A few key foreign policy factors:

1. No one loves us (neither Merkel, nor Macron, nor the Canadian, nor the Greek, nor the American): Love is not a political category. Everyone views us through the prism of their own geopolitical interests (as we do not love anyone either).
2. No one owes us anything. No one is obligated to help us; it is not inscribed on anyone’s forehead to provide us with financial assistance (for example, it is not written on an American's or EU's forehead).
3. “Tricolor socks, arrivals, hugs, selfies, balloons, and prisons” do not solve issues in international politics (as they did not solve them before).
4. You cannot be at war against those who are many times stronger than you and not have a more powerful ally. To put it in the language of a decent program for better comprehension, you need to have one 'big brother,' and you must build relationships characteristic of 'good friends' with others if you can. Moreover, you must always be aware that you will never be equal to the big brother; he will always be greater than you, always!
5. No one will fight on your behalf, and no one will ruin their relationship with anyone for your sake (as has been the case).
6. They will come, help, extend a hand, support you, but they won’t fight (as was the case). Each of their soldiers is more valuable to them than your 100 soldiers. And the same goes for you. Is not your soldier the most valuable? Have you ever been willing to sacrifice your soldier even for your best ally in Chechnya, Syria, Donbas, or Crimea?
7. If you have a strategic ally and want them to be an ally too, treat them as befitting an ally.
8. Foreign policy is based on agreements. You cannot ignore all the agreements you make. Otherwise, you will fail.

Now the question is: Have we developed a coherent foreign policy, flexible diplomacy, or a security strategy? No, that is why we are in this situation today.”