Ten years after the earthquake, we focus on the quality of life in Armenia. We are pleased to feature articles on the economy, energy, and civil rights. In addition, we continue to look at the Kurdish question.

An important element of the Armenian government’s economic program is to attract foreign investment. Attorney Sosi Biricik examines the criteria that investors in the energy sector use in deciding where to invest. She explores, from the perspective of potential investors, the strengths and weaknesses of the newly established legal framework for the energy sector in Armenia.

Economist King Banaian focuses on monetary policy. He discusses the terms of the International Monetary Fund’s financing of the Armenian government’s economic program. He then proposes that Armenia adopt a system that allows the government to issue money only insofar as the money is backed by foreign currency reserves.

Scientists Kenell J. Touryan and Renée Azerbegi discuss the potential for renewable energy technologies in Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan in the context of global trends. They find that Armenia and Georgia are poised to make profitable use of certain renewable energy technologies. Azerbaijan, on the other hand, is currently showing little interest in such technologies, but might be moved to do so in the future as it confronts its environmental problems.

Armenians, with their long history of persecution as members of minority groups, might be expected to be particularly sensitive about the protection of minorities. Felix Corley examines Armenia’s record on the protection of religious minorities in the law and in practice. He finds that whereas the government of President Levon Ter-Petrossian succumbed to pressure from nationalists and Armenian Apostolic clerics, especially with regard to new religious movements, the administration of President Robert Kocharian appears more inclined to protect people’s freedom of conscience.

The recent capture of the leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, Abdullah Ocalan, has been a coup for Turkey. Although it brought world attention to the Kurds, much of the attention has focused on Kurdish resistance (characterized as terrorism) rather than on the Turkish state’s treatment of the Kurds. The capture, moreover, has driven a wedge between Kurds and their Greek supporters.

Desmond Fernandes examines the policy and practice of the Turkish government—and of the United States and NATO—regarding the Kurds. He starts with a useful discussion of the definition of genocide. He argues that since its inception the Turkish state has sought to eradicate the Kurdish population within its borders and has engaged in an ongoing genocide. He finds that the United States and NATO are implicated in this genocide.

•

Reflecting over our first year, we are pleased to have been able to cover a wide variety of important topics, to break new ground in some areas, to set new agendas for serious discussion, to introduce new talent into these discussions, and to maintain standards of quality and visual appeal. We have taken and are taking steps to enhance our coverage of the diaspora, and our offerings in the area of cultural critique, including CD reviews and reviews of fiction.

What we publish depends on what people write and submit. With the support of the Friends of Armenian Forum, we are working to encourage promising scholars to focus on Armenian affairs and submit their work to us for publication.