Hrair Balian
Hrair Balian has served in leadership positions with the UN as Director of the SG’s High Representative Office in Ivory Coast (2006-2008), the OSCE/ODIHR as Head of Elections (1998-2003) and NGOs, including with the Carter Center as Director of Conflict Resolution (2008-2022) as well as with the International Crisis Group as Director of its Bosnia and Herzegovina field office (1996-1998).
During a 35-year career in public service, he has worked on conflict resolution, elections and human rights in the Balkans, Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia, Middle East and Africa. Hrair Balian has also taught conflict resolution, negotiations, and mediation at the Emory University School of Law (2008-2018). Book publication – Anatomy of Peacemaking: Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict & Missed Opportunities (Palgrave Macmillan, Feb 2016). Armenian title of the book: “ԱՆԱՎԱՐՏ ԽԱՂԱՂՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ - Ղարաբաղյան հակամարտությունն ու բաց թողնված հնարավորությունները (April 2026, Newmag).
- Human Rights— Human rights abuses, accountability, and justice — covering Armenian prisoners of war, civilian casualties, international law violations, and the struggle for human dignity in the South Caucasus.
- U.S. Foreign Policy— U.S. foreign policy strategy, military interventionism, and diplomatic engagement — covering America's role in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the South Caucasus, with emphasis on restraint, non-interventionism, and the costs of military overextension.
- 2026 Parliamentary Elections— The June 2026 Armenian parliamentary elections, the parties competing, campaign dynamics, electoral integrity concerns, and the stakes for Armenian democracy.
- Armenia-Azerbaijan Relations— The complex political, diplomatic, and conflict relationship between Armenia and Azerbaijan, centered on Nagorno Karabakh and the elusive peace process.
- Armenia-NATO Relations— Armenia's relationship with NATO, including military exercises, interoperability programs, and the debate over whether deeper ties are feasible or desirable.