PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Studies Program
Ingrid Peterson, Administrator
University of Michigan
1080 S. University, Suite 3633
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106
Phone: 734.763.0622; Fax: 734.763.4918
email: irjp@umich.edu

Armenian Studies Program Hosts Colloquium on Third Party Interventions
in Armenian History
International Panel of Experts Question Role Played by Great Powers in
Armenian/ Turkish Relations

ANN ARBOR, MICH., May 14, 2010- The Armenian Studies Program (ASP) at
the University of Michigan recently assembled an international panel
of experts to discuss the role of third party interventions in the
history of Armenia and its relations with Turkey. The panel, which
gathered all day on March 19, attempted to reevaluate the role of
third party humanitarian intervention in Armenian history, as well as
to critically reassess the role played by the Great Powers and
interventionist policies since the Treaty of San Stefano in 1878.

The panel included Dr. Aram Grigoryan, a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the
University of Michigan, Professor Michael Reynolds, Professor of Near
Eastern Studies at Princeton University, Mr Andranik Migranyan from
the Institute for Democracy and Cooperation, Professor Gerard
Libaridian, the Alex Manoogian Chair of Modern Armenian History at the
University of Michigan, and Professor Ron Suny, the Charles Tily
collegiate Professor of Social and Political History.

Dr. Arman Grigoryan began the panel with a discussion of the possible
theoretical and comparative frameworks for understanding third party
interventions, and he mainly focused on the work of political
scientists and scholars of human rights. His comments were followed by
the Michael Reynolds exploration of the parallels between the Armenian
case and the case of Kurds in Eastern Anatolia.
Gerard Libaridian commented on the evolving historiography and the
role of the treaty of San Stephano on the establishment of modern
Armenian politics. Andranik Migranyan commented on the role of the
United States and the Obama administration in crafting contemporary
political accords between Turkey and Armenia.
Ron Suny concluded by remarking on the interdisciplinary nature of the
panel and positioning the case of Armenia in a particularly rich and
changing historical context. Armenia today faces a conflict between a
global hegemon and a regional hegemon (mainly Russia), although
Armenia’s long term goals are focused on regional stability. How do
each of the others imagine the world around them? How do they imagine
threat?
The panel hoped that scholars would continue to pursue these critical
questions in the future. The proceedings of the colloquium are
available online. For more information, please visit:
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Armenian Studies Program
The University of Michigan’s Armenian Studies Program promotes the
study of Armenian history, culture, and society. A member of the
University of Michigan International Institute, the program organizes
educational opportunities for students, faculty and the community.
For more information, contact the Armenian Studies Program at (734)
763-0622 or visit
University of Michigan International Institute
The University of Michigan International Institute houses 18 centers
and programs focused on world regions and global themes. The institute
develops and supports international teaching, research, and public
affairs programs to promote global understanding across the campus and
to build connections with intellectuals and institutions
worldwide. For more information, visit
From: Baghdasarian