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We are pleased to announce the publication of the 52nd issue of the Review of Armenian Studies (RAS), an edition that continues our dedication to rigorous, evidence-based scholarship on the historical and contemporary dimensions of the Armenian question and regional dynamics in the South Caucasus.
This issue appears at a time of renewed movement in Armenia’s evolving domestic and international orientation. The Facts and Comments section surveys the period of June–November 2025, chronicling notable developments that shaped the interplay between domestic contestation, diaspora engagement, and international diplomacy. The continuing efforts toward the normalization of Türkiye–Armenia relations and progress in the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace negotiations form the backdrop to this multidisciplinary volume.
Building on RAS’s recent editorial innovations, the Commentary Section returns with a timely analysis of the enduring resonance of the Armenian issue within Turkish politics and diplomacy. In his contribution, Prof. Dr. Ömer Turan explores the evolution of the "Armenian question" from the realm of diplomacy into public debate, underscoring the growing significance of normalization efforts in the aftermath of the Karabakh conflict.
The centerpiece of this issue is the special section, “Conflict Narratives and Strategic Perceptions in the Armenian Question,” which examines how legal frameworks, propaganda, and strategic discourse intertwine across multiple contexts:
Assist. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Deniz Altınsoy analyzes the international legal dimensions of Azerbaijan’s accusations regarding Armenia’s alleged use of child soldiers during the Second Karabakh War, revealing the evidentiary and ethical complexities of wartime jurisprudence.
Dr. Çağatay Balcı investigates Iran’s evolving defense industry strategy in the shadow of the Karabakh conflict, identifying an emergent pattern of regional adaptation that signals new strategic alignments.
Assist. Prof. Yusuf Dinçel offers a historical lens by scrutinizing the Pro Armenia newspaper as an instrument of psychological warfare in the late Ottoman period, exposing mechanisms of propaganda and perception management within international political contexts.
Expanding the scope beyond the immediate region, PhD Candidate Minhazul Abedin examines the British naturalization of Turkish Armenians in Bengal, shedding light on the transnational legal and identity transformations of diaspora communities. Rounding out this issue, Dr. İlaha Khantamirova presents a critical review of Robert Gerwarth’s The Vanquished: Why the First World War Failed to End, challenging Eurocentric historiography and calling for a more inclusive engagement with Ottoman and Turkish sources.
As regional actors pursue normalization and reconciliation, this 52nd issue of RAS reaffirms its commitment to archival depth, interdisciplinary inquiry, and balanced analysis. Through the scholarly contributions presented here, RAS continues to illuminate the interconnections between history, law, and security across the Caucasus and its surrounding regions.
We extend our gratitude to all authors, reviewers, and readers who sustain the journal’s intellectual mission. For electronic access to the 52nd issue and previous volumes, please visit our website. For printed copies or inquiries, contact us at honalp@avim.org.tr or call +90 312 438 50 23.
Join us as we continue to explore the evolving narratives and realities that shape Armenian studies and regional geopolitics today.
