Relations between Armenia and the United States continue to develop within the framework of the signed strategic partnership document. A transition to a higher level of cooperation, including in the military sphere, cannot be ruled out in the future.
American studies expert Suren Sargsyan commented in this context on the legislative package adopted in the United States, which provides for expanded Armenian-American cooperation, including in defense and security.
According to him, the initiative is not accidental and reflects the broader policy of the Donald Trump administration toward the South Caucasus.
Sargsyan describes the current stage as exceptional, arguing that the United States is seeking to deepen relations with the countries of the region as quickly as possible, particularly Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The process concerns not only political cooperation but also security, defense and several other sectors.
Armenia Could Theoretically Become a Major Non-NATO Ally
According to Sargsyan, Washington could theoretically grant Armenia the special status of a major non-NATO ally of the United States.
He notes that the United States maintains several levels of security relationships with foreign countries.
These include NATO allies, major non-NATO allies and partners that hold a particularly important position within the American security system.
Sargsyan recalled that countries such as Australia and New Zealand possess a similar status, while Israel and Japan also occupy special roles in the US security architecture.
In his assessment, Armenia could theoretically receive such a designation as well.
However, he does not expect Washington to make that decision exclusively in Armenia’s case.
Azerbaijan Could Receive the Same Status
Sargsyan believes the United States could grant a similar status to Azerbaijan in order to develop relations with both countries under the same framework.
Washington, in his assessment, is interested in maintaining a degree of balance between Yerevan and Baku and may avoid steps that would be perceived as choosing one country over the other.
The expert stresses that such a designation would not be merely symbolic.
It could move relations to a qualitatively new level, including in the field of military cooperation.
The status could expand opportunities for joint programs, access to American defense technologies, military education and cooperation between relevant institutions.
A Higher Level of Relations Could Carry a Political Price
At the same time, Sargsyan notes that moving to a higher level of relations could have its own “price.”
He argues that this would be political rather than primarily financial.
If the United States ever offers Armenia a higher allied status, Washington could attach certain political conditions.
Among the possible requirements, Sargsyan does not rule out Armenia’s withdrawal from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, departure from the Eurasian Economic Union or the removal of the Russian military base from Armenian territory.
He emphasizes, however, that any conditions would depend not only on Washington’s priorities but also on the broader international environment.
Much Will Depend on US Relations With Russia and Iran
According to Sargsyan, the future of US-Russia relations, the Trump administration’s policy toward Moscow and the course of US-Iran relations will all be decisive.
If Washington and Tehran manage to move beyond the current deadlock and begin a more constructive dialogue, while the United States and Russia continue negotiations, the entire regional environment could change substantially.
Under such conditions, political requirements that appear plausible today could lose relevance or take a significantly different form.
In the expert’s assessment, a confrontational US approach toward Russia and Iran would increase the likelihood of more demanding conditions for Armenia.
By contrast, lower international tensions could allow Washington to deepen cooperation with Yerevan without requiring the immediate and complete severing of Armenia’s existing ties with Moscow.
The International Environment Will Define the Relationship
Sargsyan believes the current stage creates new opportunities for Armenia, although the final format of Armenian-American relations has not yet been determined.
The strategic partnership could gradually develop into deeper cooperation in security and defense.
Any increase in status, however, would involve more substantial mutual obligations and could require Armenia to make significant foreign policy choices.
According to Sargsyan, only the future development of relations among Washington, Moscow and Tehran will make it possible to assess more clearly the political conditions and format under which Armenian-American relations may evolve.