YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia is pleased to announce the publication of a new article by Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan, professor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
The article, published in the leading peer-reviewed journal Small Wars & Insurgencies, explores the instrumental utility and limitations of the concept of revenge in explaining Azerbaijan’s institutional practices and strategic choices of retribution.
Drawing on the theoretical framework developed by Löwenheim and Heimann, the paper offers a novel perspective on Azerbaijan’s military behavior toward Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, arguing that the triumphalist rhetoric and state-sponsored celebration of victory in Azerbaijan in the post-2020 period represent the deliberate institutionalization of state-manufactured revenge and its sustained perpetuation.
The findings contribute to broader debates in international relations and conflict studies by highlighting the importance of ideational factors alongside material considerations in explaining state behavior.
Reflecting on the publication, Dr. Ter-Matevosyan said, “The concept of revenge first captured my academic attention during my Fulbright fellowship at UC Berkeley in 2009-2010. Even then, there was already ample evidence of institutionalization of revenge in Azerbaijan. The events of the past five to six years, which culminated in the forced displacement of Artsakh’s Armenians and occupation of Armenia’s sovereign territory, made it impossible to leave the research unfinished. This article, therefore, offers readers an additional analytical lens to understand how the weaponization of revenge in Azerbaijan has shaped its policy toward Armenia and Artsakh.”
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.