War Intimidation as Blackmail: Why the Government Terrifies the People

In this episode, the most critical layers of Armenia's internal political life and security environment are discussed, ranging from the threat of war utilized by the government to the devaluation of state symbols and moral norms. The core of the analysis is the current administration's rhetoric, where its own people are subjected to constant terror with the prospect of a "catastrophic war," claiming that only their presence and constitutional majority prevent destruction. This "war blackmail" is characterized as psychological pressure directed against its own citizens, where the government is identified with the existence of the state, and any alternative is presented as a pretext for inevitable conflict.

Reference is made to the historical course of Armenian statehood, starting from the 1991 independence vote and the "crooked" path formed during the first president's tenure. The absence of an institution for the transfer of power is discussed, noting that none of the former leaders were able to ensure a smooth and safe transition, which brought the country to a critical point in 2018 and the rise of "accidental people" to power. The abyss that has formed between society and the leadership is analyzed, as a result of which even objective warnings become unheard, leading the country toward new military-political disasters.

The episode also criticizes the collapse of the value system and the generation of false myths. It addresses absurd promises that attempt to mask the real danger of war with stories about "500 billion in investments," chip production in Hrazdan, or air taxis. Special attention is paid to the pro-government propaganda directed against the people of Artsakh, accusing them of "ingratitude" while ignoring the role of Artsakh as the security backbone of Armenia and especially Syunik. In the concluding section, the erasure of human relationship codes and "red lines" is emphasized, where even the state map and coat of arms become cheap election booklets, and the political struggle turns into the rejection of all moral norms and total internal enmity.

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Edmon Marukyan and Karpis Pashoyan, within the framework of the Platform podcast, discuss the truths they believe are as vital as air and water for Armenia and the Armenian people, while also addressing the challenges facing Armenia.