Armenia and the United States (US) armies will hold a joint military exercise in Armenia next week, as announced. The Ministry of Defense of Armenia stated that the “Eagle Partner 2023” exercise will take place from September 11 to 20. This exercise is part of Armenia’s preparations for its participation in international peacekeeping missions.
The exercise will primarily be conducted at the Zar Peace Corps Brigade Training Center and the N Training Center of the Ministry of Defense, which received modernization and funding from the US in November of the previous year. According to the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, the main objectives of the exercise are to “enhance the cooperative capabilities of Armenian troops participating in international peace missions” and to “prepare for planned changes in the Operational Capability Concept” within the framework of NATO’s Partnership for Peace Program for non-member partner countries. The ministry also noted that “Armenian troops frequently engage in similar joint exercises and training with partner countries in preparation for international peacekeeping operations.”
US-Armenia Military Cooperation Amid Cooling Relations with Russia
The increasing cooperation between the armies of Armenia and the US coincides with a period of strained relations between Yerevan and Moscow. Armenia accused Russia of insufficient support following its heavy defeat against Azerbaijan in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. Armenia also chose not to participate in the 2022 exercises organized by the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization and announced its decision not to host the exercises in January.
In April, the US Department of Defense Pentagon initially included Armenia in the list of 26 participating countries for the international Defender 23 exercise to be held in Europe, but Armenia was removed from the list a few hours later without explanation, raising questions.
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