From the Editors 2

From the Editors (Volume 1, Number 2)

In this second issue of Armenian Forum, we are pleased to present an unprecedented exchange among Turkish and Armenian historians on the circumstances leading to the Armenian Genocide. The point of departure is an essay by Ronald Grigor Suny. Three distinguished scholars—Engin Deniz Akarli, Selim Deringil, and Vahakn N. Dadrian—respond to Suny. Suny then replies to his interlocutors.

Although scholars have in the past offered interpretations of various aspects of the Armenian Genocide, they have rarely if ever engaged each other’s interpretations. The only debate in recent decades, it seems, has been over the veracity of the Genocide. It is perhaps the virulence of this contention that has discouraged debate among serious scholars—until now.

Two significant, related disagreements emerge in the exchange. The first is between what might be called the contingency school—which holds that the Armenian Genocide was carried out in response to the specific circumstances of the First World War—and the continuity school—which holds that the world war was but an opportunity for the escalation of a long-standing effort to annihilate the Armenian people. The second disagreement is over the extent to which various factors—such as Pan-Turanian fantasies—motivated the Young Turks.

In both nature and substance, this debate is seminal in Ottoman history.

Also in this issue, we are pleased to present a report on foreign aid and public health in Armenia. Kim Hekimian Arzoumanian writes that infant formula sent to Armenia in large quantities in the aftermath of the 1988 earthquake created more problems than it solved. In recognition of these problems, a campaign to promote breastfeeding was started in 1993. The successful campaign included fundamental changes in hospital postpartum practices. Hekimian Arzoumanian’s article is both an instructive study of the real-life effects of aid choices (by diasporan charities among others) and a fascinating account of cultural change.

Gerard Libaridian, who served for many years as a top aide to President Levon Ter-Petrossian, spoke in May at Princeton University on the evolution of Armenia’s foreign and security policy. A report on his talk is included in this issue.

Finally, the issue includes a number of timely book and CD reviews.

We would like to thank the following individuals for their generous support of Armenian Forum: Berge Bulbulian, Max and Lita Boudakian, Z. Paul Akian, Arsen Sanjian, Liana Gevojanyan, Vartan Abdo, Nua Shala, and Salpie Takadjian. Special thanks to Isgouhi Kassakhian, whose tireless efforts on behalf of Armenian Forum leave us at a loss for words.

The link below helps us count the number of visitors to our Web site.