Radar Armenia's interlocutor is international affairs expert Shahan Gandaharian.
- Let's look at the acceptance of Trump's initiative to establish a ceasefire in Gaza. In your opinion, what forced the parties to take such a step and accept Trump's peace plan?
- When Netanyahu apologized to Washington for the Qatari authorities ' attack on Qatari territories, some signs already made it clear that we dictated further steps. That apology was simply Trump's order. Israel's quick agreement to the American plan and the deadline given to Hamas to submit a response suggested that the American initiative would have to be agreed upon through pressure on the parties. Hamas had asked for several days to give its response. The response was agreed upon with Iran.
- Will this lead to lasting peace, or are minor and major clashes still possible after the implementation of the first stage?
- It is possible that there will be upheavals or ceasefire violations. However, in the long term, a broader consensus has emerged, as Trump stated that this peace concerns not only Gaza but also the entire region. This suggests that a general agreement has been reached among the region's leading actors.
- How will these events affect our region?
- There are parallel developments. In the case of TRIPP, the Gaza Transitional Government and the international council overseeing the peace process both involve Trump personally. The same actors are present in both regions. In the case of the South Caucasus, the entry of the United States into the area and Israel's cooperation with Azerbaijan, which is aimed at Iran. These realities exist, but the "red lines" are still set by the United States.
- Could the cessation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict also affect the Russian-Ukrainian conflict? If so, how?
- That impact is not yet noticeable. This exhausting war will still have to continue. In the Middle East, peace talks have also been preceded by long wars. After Gaza, Syria will likely be next, then Lebanon. The time for a complete ceasefire in the Russian-Ukrainian war has not yet come.
Arman Galoyan
