Security for Armenia Is a Form of Genocide Justice
Security for Armenia is absolutely at the top of my agenda. Never again shall Armenia be threatened by its Turkic neighbors.
When discussing what reparations for genocide should look like, Barsamian pivots from the traditional language of land restoration or financial compensation to something more pressing: Armenia’s security and military capacity. For Barsamian, genocide justice is not merely historical acknowledgment-it must translate into preventing future threats from the same perpetrators and their allies.
This reframing is significant because it elevates Armenia’s immediate security concerns to the same plane as international recognition and education. Barsamian argues that every country recognizing the Armenian Genocide should simultaneously commit to supporting Armenia’s defense capabilities, ensuring robust military systems, and guaranteeing that Armenia’s neighbors-particularly Turkey and Azerbaijan-understand that Armenian sovereignty is non-negotiable. This is justice as prevention, not just as memory.
Barsamian also stresses that normalization in the region can only happen if Armenia’s prisoners held in Azerbaijan are released, if Armenia’s borders are respected, and if Iran remains a reliable partner. In his view, true reparations must be practical and ongoing: armed strength, strong diplomatic alliances, economic development, and the absolute commitment that ’never again’ means Armenia will never again be vulnerable to existential threats from its neighbors. This approach treats genocide justice not as a closed historical chapter but as an active, present-day imperative.
Transcript
Anthony Barsamian: I think reparations takes many forms. Anthony Barsamian: So the question becomes, what is true justice when you suffer a genocide? Anthony Barsamian: Some people believe it's getting lands back. Anthony Barsamian: Some people believe it's just them acknowledging. Anthony Barsamian: I think for every Armenian, it's a little different. Anthony Barsamian: But I think security for Armenia is absolutely at the top of my agenda, Anthony Barsamian: meaning never, Anthony Barsamian: never again shall Armenia be threatened by its Turkic neighbors, Anthony Barsamian: Azerbaijan, Turkey, and anyone else. Anthony Barsamian: I think we're coming to a new place in the region. Anthony Barsamian: I'd like to be optimistic, but cautiously optimistic. Anthony Barsamian: I think Armenia should arm up always. Anthony Barsamian: Security for Armenia is crucial. Anthony Barsamian: Good relations with its neighbors are crucial, including Iran. Anthony Barsamian: I'm one of the first people to say if I was an Armenian in Armenia, Anthony Barsamian: I think Iran is so important to Armenia, Anthony Barsamian: as is Russia, as is Georgia, Azerbaijan. Anthony Barsamian: I mean, all these countries around Armenia need to have normalized relations. Anthony Barsamian: Why? Anthony Barsamian: It's in their best interest. Anthony Barsamian: If no one's going to invest in Armenia, Anthony Barsamian: The only way you're going to get true investment and technology and all these things Anthony Barsamian: that everybody talks about is if there's a normalized peace in the region Anthony Barsamian: and Armenia is respected within its borders, and everyone respects that.