Thursday, April 21, 2016

Nagorno Karabakh: How the Four Day War Played Out in International Media
Map of Nagorno Karabakh Republic
(http://karabakhfacts.com/nagorno-karabakh-republic-artsakh-map/)
In the early morning hours of April 2, 2016, Azerbaijani armed forces launched simultaneous attacks along the Karabakh-Azerbaijan Line of Contact. This military offensive and unprecedented aggression by the Azerbaijani side, which was met by counter-operations by the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army spiraled out of control, resulting in dozens of casualties and hundreds wounded on both sides, including civilians.

There was evidence of gross human rights violations (attacking and mutilating innocent civilians in their homes; signs of torture on bodies of Armenian soldiers, etc.) by Azerbaijani military that run contrary to International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War and the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions (August 12, 1949) relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts.

This recent escalation is the worst since the 1994 Russian-brokered ceasefire that brought hostilities to a tenuous end.


What has now come to be known as the Four Day War caught the attention of the world’s leading media outlets, some of whom sent crews to the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh to report the story from the ground as it was unfolding.
The complex history and political nuances of the ethnically Armenian enclave of Nagorno Karabakh resulted in sometimes questionable journalism. It also brought to the surface the allegiances and biases of several media outlets.
Below is a tentative list of reports from a number of news organizations. This list is not exhaustive and will be continually updated. A sincere attempt was made to avoid duplication (i.e. news organizations using AP or Reuters). At the bottom of the list you can find the opinion pieces written about the issue (these are included in the full list, hence there will be duplication).

A much larger analysis is still needed to identify trends in how the conflict was reported. Missing here is Russian and Turkish media.
Mher Boghigian contributed to this post.
****
April 2, 2016


New York Times: “Fighting Between Azerbaijan and Armenia Flares Up in Nagorno-Karabakh” http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/03/world/europe/nagorno-karabakh-fighting-azerbaijan-armenia.html?_r=0
Wall Street Journal: “A Dozen Die in Armenian Separatist Fightng” http://www.wsj.com/articles/heavy-fighting-reported-in-nagorno-karabakh-1459597114
BBC: “Nagorno-Karabakh ‘Under Daily Threat of War” http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35951625
France24: “Deadly Clashes Erupt in Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh Region”
The Guardian: “Conflict Erupts Between Azerbaijani and Armenian Forces” http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/02/conflict-erupts-between-azerbaijani-and-armenian-forces
Deutsche Welle: “Fighting Erupts on Nagorno-Karabakh Front Lines”
Vice: “Putin Tells Armenia and Azerbaijan to Cool it After Fighting Erupts in Disputed Region”
The Boston Globe: “Ethnic Tinderbox Flares in Armenian Separatist Enclave in Azerbaijan”

April 3, 2016
BBC:”Nagorno-Karabakh Violence: Worst Clashes in Decades Kill Dozens”
BBC: “Nagorno-Karabakh Clash: Turkey Backs Azeris ‘to the end’ Against Armenia
Al Jazeera: “Nagorno-Karabakh: Rehearsal for an Upcoming War?
Al Jazeera: “Nagorno-Karabakh: The Death of Diplomacy”
New York Times: “Azerbaijan Claims to Halt Violence in Nagorno-Karabakh, But Warns Armenia” http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/04/world/europe/azerbaijan-armenia-nagorno-karabakh-conflict.html
WashingtonTimes: “Azerbaijan, Armenia Fight Over Disputed Nagorno-Karabakh Territory:
Wall Street Journal: “U.S., Russia Call for Restraint After Outbreak of Fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh”
CNN: “Azerbaijan Claims Ceasefire in Deadly Feud; Armenia Says Violence is Still Going” http://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/03/asia/azerbaijan-armenia-violence/
RFERL: “At Least 32 Killed in Heavy Fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh”
The Boston Globe: “Azerbaijan Claims to Halt Fighting in Ethnic Enclave But Warns Armenia”

April 4, 2016
Al Jazeera: “Nagorno-Karabakh Crisis Escalates Amid Threat of War”
Wall Street Journal: “Crisis Escalates in Nagorno-Karabakh”
Reuters: “Armenia Warns Nagorno-Karabakh Clashes Could Turn into All-out War” http://www.reuters.com/article/us-nagorno-karabakh-fighting-idUSKCN0X10LX
EuroNews: “Calls for Calm After Third Day of Fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh” http://www.euronews.com/2016/04/04/calls-for-calm-after-third-day-of-fighting-in-nagorno-karabakh/
The Guardian: “Azerbaijan and Armenia Clashes Continue for Third Day” http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/04/azerbaijan-and-armenia-clashes-continue-for-third-day
France24: “Azerbaijan Says Three Killed in Fresh Nagorno-Karabakh Clashes” http://www.france24.com/en/20160404-azerbaijan-armenia-three-killed-nagorno-karabakh-clashes
Deutsche Welle: “New Clashes Erupt Between Armenia, Azerbaijan Over Nagorno-Karabakh”
Eurasianet: “Can Karabakh Pull Back from the Brink?”
Eurasianet: “De Waal: Kremlin ‘Not Primary Actor’ Behind Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict”
The Boston Globe: "Heavy fighting reported between Azerbaijan troops and Armenian separatists:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2016/04/04/heavy-fighting-reported-between-azerbaijan-troops-and-armenian-separatists/VhupjVFzu53fukD3Vl5yNN/story.html
The Chicago Tribune: "Armenia Warns of 'Full-scale War' if Karabakh Clashes Worsen"
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-wp-blm-armenia-06353b9a-fa80-11e5-813a-90ab563f0dde-20160404-story.html

April 5, 2016
Al Jazeera: “Armenia and Azerbaijan Call Nagorno Karabakh Ceasefire”
The Guardian: “Nagorno-Karabakh: Azeri-Armenian Ceasefire Agreed in Disputed Region”
Euronews: “Nagorno-Karabakh: Halt in Hostilities Announced”
Wall Street Journal: “Fighting Dies Down Between Azerbaijan and Armenian Rebels”
Washington Post: “The Crisis Over Nagorno-Karabakh, Explained”
BBC: "Nagorno-Karabakh: Azeri-Armenian ceasefire agreed"
Reuters: "Turkey stands by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Davutoglu"http://www.reuters.com/article/us-nagorno-karabakh-turkey-idUSKCN0X20UZ
Deutsche Welle: "Flare-up of Nagorno Karabakh conflict"
Eurasianet: "Azerbaijan, Armenian-Backed Separatists Agree Karabakh Ceasefire"
France 24: “Azerbaijan agrees truce with authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh”
RFERL: "Azerbaijan, Armenian Forces Announce Karabakh Cease-fire"
http://www.rferl.org/content/azerbaijan-armenia-nagorno-karabakh-fighting-continues/27655354. RFERL: "'Open Secret': Experts Cast Doubt on Yerevan's Claims Over Nagorno-Karabakh" html,http://www.rferl.org/content/armenia-nagorno-karabakh-army-synergy/27656532.html Vice: "A Ceasefire Has been Declared in Nagorno-Karabakh"

April 6, 2016

Al Jazeera: "Nagorno-Karabakh is not a localised conflist"
BBC: “Nagorno-Karabakh Profile”
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18270325
Reuters: "Nagorno-Karabakh truce holds, but residents fear renewed violence"
Eurasianet: "Fighting Over Nagorno Karabakh Takes to Cyber Space"
Washington Post: “Here are the 5 things you need to know about Nagorno-Karabakh”
Haaertz: “Israeli-made Suicide Drone Used in Nagorno Karabakh” http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.713120
The Chicago Tribune: “Oil Riches Help Azerbaijan Outgun Armenia in Military Spending”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-wp-blm-caucasus-oil-3fbfbada-fc00-11e5-813a-90ab563f0dde-20160406-story.html
The Chicago Tribune: “Frozen Post-Soviet Conflicts Don’t Always Stay that Way”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-wp-blm-post-soviet-comment-2ca9f24c-fbf3-11e5-813a-90ab563f0dde-20160406-story.html

April 7, 2016
The Guardian: “Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict: patriotism prevails on both sides”
NewYork Times: “Solve the Nagorno Karabakh Conflict Before it Explodes” http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/08/opinion/solve-the-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-before-it-explodes.html?_r=0
USNews: “Russia and Iran Join Talks Over Nagorno Karabakh Conflict” http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2016-04-07/russia-iran-join-talks-over-nagorno-karabakh-conflict
Eurasianet: "Turkey-Russia Antagonism Playing Out in Karabakh"
Al-Monitor: "Will Iran and Russia join forces on Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict?"
Wall Street Journal: “Germany Steps Up Effort to Resolve Conflict in Nagorno Karabakh” http://www.wsj.com/articles/germany-steps-up-effort-to-resolve-conflict-in-nagorno-karabakh-1460046892
Euronews: “Russia Leads Diplomatic Efforts in Brokering Agreement Over Nagorno Karabakh Conflict”
Deutsche Welle: “Russia mediates as Azerbaijan and Armenia Accuse Each Other of Ceasefire Violations”
RFERL: “Azerbaijan Accuses Nagorno Karabakh Separatists of Violating Ceasefire”
The Jerusalem Post: “Azerbaijan Under Siege: A Friend of Israel in Need of Our Support”

April 8, 2016
The Guardian: “Rights and Wrongs in Nagorno Karabakh”
Reuters: "Nagorno-Karabakh combatants strike deal to safely recover their dead"
Eurasianet: “Nagorno Karabakh: Trying to Separate Fact from Fiction” http://www.eurasianet.org/node/78216
The Chicago Tribune: “Russia Pushes for Karabakh Talks as Fragile Ceasefire Holds”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-wp-blm-caucasus-5b37d6a4-fdad-11e5-813a-90ab563f0dde-20160408-story.html

April 9, 2016
Economist: “A Frozen Conflict Explodes”
Reuters: “Russia Says Won’t Halt Arms Race to Arch Foes Armenia and Azerbaijan”
Foreign Policy News: “Nagorno Karabagh, Part of Azerbaijan”
Independant:”Echoes of Stalinism Abound in the Very Modern Azerbaijan Armenia Conflict”
Newsweek Europe: “What’s Behind the Biggest Flair Up in 20 Years in Karabakh?”

April 10, 2016
Haaertz: “Armenia Protests Azerbaijan’s Use of Israeli-Made Suicide Drone”
April 11, 2016
Haaertz: “Israel Intends to Send More Drones to Azerbaijan in Coming Days, Meretz Chairwoman Claims”
April 14, 2016
Reuters: "Azerbaijan says one soldier killed in fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh"
April 15, 2016
The Economist: “The Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh”
Voice of America: "Erdogan Steps Up Support of Azerbaijan in Karabakh Dispute"
Global Research: "Military Escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh on Russia's Doorstep"
Reuters: "Nagorno-Karabakh Says One of its Soldiers Killed by Azeri Gunfire"
Al-Monitor: “Why Isreal is Staying Silent on Azerbaijan-Armenia Conflict “ http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/04/israel-keeps-silent-ally-azerbaijan-conflict-armenia.html#
The Knicks Nation: “President Aliyev: 400 houses in Azerbaijani Karabakh destroyed by Armenia”
Info Europa: "Nagorno-Karabakh: ICRC Facilitates Retrieval and Transfer of Those Killed in Action"
World Policy Blog: “Diplomacy with Dictators”

April 16, 2016

Arab News:“Resolving Karabakh Problem”
The Daily Star: “Two Armenian Soldiers Killed in Karabakh” http://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/2-armenian-soldiers-killed-karabakh-1209475
Eurasia Review: “Setting Nagorno Karabakh and Reviewing the Peripheral Talking Points” http://www.eurasiareview.com/16042016-settling-nagorno-karabakh-and-reviewing-the-peripheral-talking-points-analysis/
Info Europa: “Responsobility for Unsafe Consequences Lies with Azerbaijan: Armenian MFA” http://info-europa.com/sports/responsibility-for-unsafe-consequences-lies-with-azerbaijan-armenian-mfa/12141
The Jerusalem Post: “Isreal and Azerbaijan--The Odd Couple”

April 17, 2016

Stratfor: “A Game Much Larger Than Nagorno Karabakh”
Korea Times: “Embassy Line”

April 18, 2016
Eurasianet: “Nagorno-Karabakh--Who Won the Media War?”
Mintpress News: “Isreal’s role in the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict” https://www.mintpressnews.com/israels-role-nagorno-karabakh-conflict/215684/
Sputnik News:  “Intensive Phase of Talks on Karabakh Conflict May Start in Coming Days”
RFE/RL: "Nagorno-Karabakh Says Fighter Killed by Azerbaijani Fire"
The Indian Panorama: “Nagorno Karabakh Combatants Strike Deal to Safely Recover”
- “Ceasefire Largely Holding Around Nagorno Karabakh”
- “Skirmishes Continue in Nagorno-Karabakh Despite Ceasefire”
- “Nagorno Karabakh Truce in Trouble as Russia and Iran Join Talks” http://nriworld.net/2016/04/nagorno-karabakh-combatants-strike-deal-to-safely-recover/
The Knicks Nation: “Russian Federation pushes for Karabakh talks as fragile cease-fire holds”
http://theknicksnation.com/world/russian-federation-pushes-for-karabakh-talks-as-fragile-cease-fire-holds/309856
The Jewish Journal: “Violence Against Azerbaijan: The Deep Implications For Our Community” http://www.jewishjournal.com/opinion/article/violence_against_azerbaijan_the_deep_implications_for_our_community
Shanghai Daily: "Azerbaijan denies reports of wounding two Armenian soldiers"

April 19, 2016
New York Times: "Amid Ethnic Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, an Oasis Thrives"
VICE: "In Photos: The Disputed Lands of Nagorno-Karabakh"
The Nation: "Why do Neo-cold Warriors Want Another Proxy Fight with Russia?"
http://www.thenation.com/article/why-do-neo-cold-warriors-want-another-proxy-fight-with-russia/


Opinion Pieces


April 3, 2016
Al Jazeera: “Nagorno-Karabakh: Rehearsal for an Upcoming War?
Al Jazeera: “Nagorno-Karabakh: The Death of Diplomacy”
April 4, 2016
Eurasianet: “Can Karabakh Pull Back from the Brink?”
April 5, 2016


Washington Post: “The Crisis Over Nagorno-Karabakh, Explained”

April 6, 2016
Al Jazeera: "Nagorno-Karabakh is not a localised conflict"
Reuters: “Nagorno-Karabakh truce holds, but residents fear renewed violence”
Washington Post: “Here are the 5 things you need to know about Nagorno-Karabakh”
April 7, 2016
The Guardian: “Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict: patriotism prevails on both sides”
NewYork Times: “Solve the Nagorno Karabakh Conflict Before it Explodes” http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/08/opinion/solve-the-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-before-it-explodes.html?_r=0
Eurasianet: “Turkey-Russia Antagonism Playing Out in Karabakh”
Al-Monitor: “Will Iran and Russia join forces on Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict?” http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/04/iran-azerbaijan-armenia-nagorno-karabach-mediator.html#
The Jerusalem Post: “Azerbaijan Under Siege: A Friend of Israel in Need of Our Support”
April 8, 2016
The Guardian: “Rights and Wrongs in Nagorno Karabakh”
April 9, 2016
Economist: “A Frozen Conflict Explodes”
Foreign Policy News: “Nagorno Karabagh, Part of Azerbaijan”
Independant:”Echoes of Stalinism Abound in the Very Modern Azerbaijan Armenia Conflict”
Newsweek Europe: “What’s Behind the Biggest Flair Up in 20 Years in Karabakh?”
April 15, 2016
The Economist: “The Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh”
Al-Monitor: “Why Isreal is Staying Silent on Azerbaijan-Armenia Conflict “ http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/04/israel-keeps-silent-ally-azerbaijan-conflict-armenia.html#
World Policy Blog: “Diplomacy with Dictators”


April 16, 2016
Arab News: “Resolving Karabakh Problem”
Eurasia Review: “Setting Nagorno Karabakh and Reviewing the Peripheral Talking Points” http://www.eurasiareview.com/16042016-settling-nagorno-karabakh-and-reviewing-the-peripheral-talking-points-analysis/
The Jerusalem Post: "Israel and Azerbaijan -- The Odd Couple"
April 17, 2016
Stratfor: “A Game Much Larger Than Nagorno Karabakh”


April 18, 2016
Eurasianet: “Nagorno-Karabakh--Who Won the Media War?”
Mintpress News: “Isreal’s role in the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict” https://www.mintpressnews.com/israels-role-nagorno-karabakh-conflict/215684/
The Jewish Journal: “Violence Against Azerbaijan: The Deep Implications For Our Community” http://www.jewishjournal.com/opinion/article/violence_against_azerbaijan_the_deep_implications_for_our_community
April 19, 2016
New York Times: "Amid Ethnic Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, an Oasis Thrives"

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Tuesday, April 5, 2016


Peace


Photo by Suren Manvelyan.
Violence begets violence and war is a goddamn ugly human invention. For the past 72 hours our lives have turned upside down.

Once this nightmare is over, although it's not clear how it will play out, there will be plenty of time to evaluate what transpired and why. We'll need to understand that the war taking place on our borders is also one we should have fought harder to overcome within our own borders, but let's leave that for later.

But now, right now, if there was EVER a time for a concerted effort, it is NOW. If there was ever a time for a call to arms, pens, words, advocacy, messages, hope, faith, love and peace it is now. If there was ever a time to put aside differences and come together like the mountains of this small plot of paradise lost but found again, it is now.

Whether we're on the frontiers of Nagorno Karabakh, in the different corners of Armenia or in countries much stronger than our own, or other tucked away places, we can summon the forces of history and memory and narrative that have defined us, that have propelled us forward in spite of the winds of hate and oppression and the sword to write our story the way it should be written.

Although we have been ripped apart, we can use this as a powerful weapon. The boys on the borders will do their job if they know they have a strong, resilient and committed nation behind them. They can endure sleeplessness, hunger, cold, fear, anger and bullets if they know that every single one of us is doing something in the service of the safety and security of both our republics.

While they hold the gun, pick up your pen, write to your elected officials, to news organizations, get the message out to the world. Illustrate that an oil-rich country whose leader sucks the blood of his own people to add to his growing personal coffers, who stifles freedom of speech and thought, who imprisons human rights activists and journalists, who spews anti-Armenian hate, who refuses to negotiate from a place of integrity is not a trustworthy partner. Show the world how Turkey has vowed to support Azerbaijan till the end. Remind them of our history and tell them our story. Our story through the millennia. Our story of struggle and survival and for our right to have our place on this fragile planet.

So while our husbands and sons prepare to go to the front, you go to your governments, your friends in high places, use your contacts, use social media, use the power of your collective voice and stand next to us, shoulder to shoulder. The imperative has never been greater, the danger has never been as imminent.

You cannot extract blood from soil for it is like water and will fill each crevice and tunnel its way into the depths of the earth and remain there for eternity. The blood of our men and women run deep into this dark earth, it is what anchors us, helps us make sense, helps our roots grow deeper and stronger.

In this darkness that is engulfing us right now, we can find the brilliant light.

#NKpeace
#KarabakhNow
#ArtsakhStrong

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Friday, March 25, 2016

Fulfill Your Obligations or Leave

Any government worth its salt is measured by how it cares, attends to the needs of and implements policies for the most vulnerable in society. Regardless of how credible its members are and regardless of how they got their positions, they must fulfill the obligations of their esteemed offices or get out. Simple as that.

When a report by the World Food Programme and UNICEF comes out stating that 19 percent of children under the age of five in rural Armenia are stunted, while 15 percent are overweight because of the lack or ignorance of proper nutritional habits, you begin to wonder.

"A DUAL BURDEN OF MALNUTRITION EXISTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AMONG CHILDREN UNDER 5, WITH LARGE NUMBERS OF BOTH STUNTED AND OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN."
http://documents.wfp.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/ena/wfp282578.pdf

The Armenia Comprehensive Food Security, Vulnerability and Nutrition Analysis states, "Child stunting was significantly linked with household poverty, poor consumption, poor care and feeding practices, and lower education of mothers. The prevalence of overweight was the same across poor and rich households, indicating the need for greater awareness on healthy eating and lifestyle across the entire population."

For a nation that prides itself on its attitude and care toward children, these numbers are disheartening and point to a whole other trend. According to the analysis, we are resistant to change and prone to both internal and external economic shocks. One third of the population is living in poverty, unemployment continues to soar (official numbers place it at 18 percent), and hope has been ebbing away if not lost completely for many.

Children need to be protected, they need proper nutrition and care and most of all they need to have the right to have a fighting chance.






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Monday, March 14, 2016

Days Like This


Verjine and Gohar, Derian Restuarant
Some days are good, others not so much, but days like this are pretty incredible, maybe even a little epic.

A few years ago, unable to come to a consensus about where to go for dinner, my husband resolved our dilemma by suggesting we go to a newly opened Middle Eastern restaurant. He said it was owned by Syrian-Armenians and warned us that it was a very small place, nothing fancy, but with really good food. We were all game, so off we went.

When we arrived at this 'very small place' it was a bit disappointing even for our standards (clearly we're not fancy). The 'restaurant' wasn't small, it was more like a sorry excuse for a hole in the wall, and to be honest, I was annoyed. It was located in a courtyard that had been converted into a parking lot with a number of loitering stray dogs. There was even a car wash to boot. Not a good first impression.

Inside the dimly-lit restaurant there were two rickety tables, a couple of fridges with drinks and a small flight of steps that led right into the kitchen. I tried to keep my irritation in check and thought to myself that the food better be damn good

After settling in and glancing at the sparse menu of familiar dishes, we placed our order surveying our surroundings. I asked my husband about the owners and he said they were two families, in-laws who had come to Armenia to flee the war raging in Syria.

It was at that exact moment that Gohar appeared. She came down the steps from the kitchen and said that our order would be out shortly. Hearing our Western Armenian, she asked where we were from and the conversation blossomed from there. She told us that they had come to Yerevan for the summer with the intention of returning to Aleppo but the situation had deteriorated and they had become 'stuck' as it were.

Gohar was a gracious host, at times almost apologetic about the place. She was trying her best to make us comfortable explaining that this venture was completely new to them. They had never run a restaurant before but sitting at home and doing nothing was driving them all over the edge. She said that her son's mother-in-law was also in Yerevan and since they were good cooks, they decided to try their hand at running a restaurant with the help of their husbands. That was when she introduced us to Verjine, her khnami, who was in the kitchen preparing our meal.

Long story short - Derian Kebab expanded their operations, began creating a solid clientele, built a patio, provided live music and their business like our initial conversation blossomed. We became regulars and enjoyed the delicious flavors of the dishes we had grown up on.

In many ways, I feel like I've become part of their family. Gohar and Verjine symbolize the tenacity and creativity of so many Armenian women that I have been blessed to know. I love their spirit and unfaltering hopefulness and although I'm not much younger than they are, I have come to love them because they remind me of my Haleptsi mother.

Gohar and Verjine with their children.
Tonight, these two lovely women, along with their husbands and children (who moved from Dubai to Yerevan to help their parents run the business!) opened a second location. No small feat in a country with high rates of poverty and unemployment and an unstable economy.

When I arrived, the new Derian Restaurant was packed with well-wishers. There was barely any room to move. I stood there awkwardly because the vast majority were Syrian-Armenians, none of whom I knew. Just then I heard my name and saw Gohar and Verjine walking toward me. As we embraced, they introduced me to their children, tried to get me to drink and eat some food. We got our pictures taken, we hugged some more and for no other reason than because we're Armenian, expressed our love for each other.

Later on, as we were reminiscing about their humble beginnings in what I lovingly referred to as their 'hole in the wall,' Verjine's husband said, "If we hadn't started out there, we wouldn't be here tonight."

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