When the head of state says: I knew our army was capable of fighting, but it turned out that it was not capable of war, it is an unmistakable message to the enemy: “your army is stronger; come and conquer my country.” But it is not the worst thing: it is disappointing when such expressions do not cause protest and anger in society. That means most citizens agree with that message.
This series of self-deprecations could be continued. For example, I thought that we have a state and a government, but it turns out that we don’t. Or, I thought we were a nation, but we turned out to be some unrelated mob living only with social problems. Last example: I thought I was human, but I’m a jelly-like mass.
Why do we expect others to think well of us if we think poorly of ourselves? In the specific case of the army, if you say in advance that the military (and, in a broader sense, the state) is weak and will lose, is it logical to assume that anyone will support you politically or militarily? Based on what should keep? Out of pity?
It is clear that during the past 30 years, many crimes have been committed in the army, including economic ones. They are mostly talked about but have yet to be seriously examined. But our army was capable of combat, particularly in 2016 and 2020 (please read Edik Baghdasaryan’s post on that occasion).
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It is also capable of fighting now. But any severe military expert will confirm that to show combat capability and record success, the coordinated work of all state structures is needed in economic, political, diplomatic, propaganda, ideological and other directions. As a starting point or prerequisite for that work, you MUST NOT say: “I can’t fight; I’ll lose anyway.” That, I repeat, is an “invitation” to the enemy to defeat you once again.
We lost the war not because Seyran Ohanyan built a luxurious mansion for himself. Although I think the general should not do this, it is about something else. The victory in the battle to win the heart of the lumpen with propagandistic, populist tales is absolute zero compared to the ongoing national defeat.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
