Europe and America, JD Vance in Armenia, Pashinyan vs. The Armenian Church
Philippe Raffi Kalfayan argues that “America First” has turned the U.S. into a harder, more transactional power toward Europe, and that Europe is exposed because it still lacks unified defense and foreign policy capacity. The discussion then moves to JD Vance’s reported Armenia stop and the TRIPP, which Kalfayan frames as a long-horizon corridor project that may be “secured” without securing Armenia, with unclear beneficiaries and success conditions Armenia does not fully control. The episode also covers Azerbaijan’s leverage, pressure tied to “returns” narratives, hostages in Baku, and the broader strain between Pashinyan and the Armenian Church, all set against Europe’s limited willingness to pay real costs for Armenia.
Topics
A European View of America
JD Vance in Armenia
Pashinyan vs. The Armenian Church
Europe and Armenia
Guest
Hosts
Episode 516 | Recorded: February 9, 2026
