SECURITY SECTOR REFORMS IN ARMENIA AND THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE EXPERT COMMUNITY AND CIVIL SOCIETY
On March 10, 2026, the Caucasus Institute organized a public discussion on the topic “Security Sector Reforms in Armenia and the Engagement of the Expert Community and Civil Society.”Following the opening remarks by the Director of the Caucasus Institute, Alexander Iskandaryan, speeches were delivered by Artsrun Hovhannisyan, Head of the Command and Staff Institute of the Vazgen Sargsyan Military Academy, Arsen Kharatyan, founder of Aliq Media, and journalist and TV host Arshaluys Mgdesyan. The speeches were followed by an open discussion moderated by Sergey Minasyan, Deputy Director of the Caucasus Institute. During the discussion, participants addressed the status of security sector reforms in Armenia in the context of existing geopolitical threats, and their potential future trajectory, current involvement of the expert community and civil society in security reforms, incentives and obstacles to expert and CSO involvement in security reforms. Participants also discussed the possible formats in which state institutions can cooperate with CSO, experts and analytical media, emphasizing the importance of developing an inclusive national security agenda. Representatives of civil society presented several proposals regarding the implementation of security sector reforms. The project is funded by the Government of the United Kingdom as part of its international development assistance.