The discussion of the Armenian political scientists ahead of the visit of French writer and scholar of geopolitics Frédéric Encel (photos)

Jean Mazejian, executive director of Amundi-Acba Asset Management, informed that the political scientist will participate in the economic conference organized by Amundi-Acba. Ideological leaders, industry experts, and innovators will convene in Armenia for the 2nd time, to study and discuss the challenges, trends, and important topics shaping the economic environment. Through this conference, they want to inform society about the upcoming economic situation and their observations about it. And within the framework of the conference, they invited a prominent political scientist.

"It is very important for us to have a prominent political scientist like Encel in this forum, with whom you will convey our observations and remarks to the Armenian society. Let me explain why we invited a political scientist and not an economist. First, we thought that this time we could invite a prominent European figure, not an Armenian or a Russian, who knows Armenia the best and will be able to represent the global economic influence on Armenia and what could happen. And since the economy relates to history, we have decided to invite this famous French scholar of geopolitics. He is very close to Armenia; in his most recent book he touches on Armenia a lot."

Encel provides a comprehensive overview of key issues in all major state units and regions. The Armenian reader will find impartial and reasonable descriptions and conclusions of the last 30 years of Armenia, the Artsakh conflict, the 44-day war, the Armenian-Azerbaijani enmity, the complex Armenian-Russian relations and the lost opportunities for the Armenian society in this book. Artak Aleksanyan, the CEO of Newmag publishing house noted that Encel is indeed one of the most prominent political scientists. He received the annual award of French publishers in 2020 for the "Paths of Power" translated by Newmag, as the best regional work. "Encel participated in the translation of the book because there were difficult parts that we sent him, and he made corrections. This book will help Armenian political scientists and analysts to look at France with a larger horizon as a superpower or a friend country for Armenia that has its interests in Armenia."

According to Gnel Nalbandian, editor-in-chief of Newmag, Encel's analyses are well argued, and the best results of international political thought are used. “We don’t have these kinds of analyses much. The sources used are so authoritative, and so numerous, that it's quite difficult to argue with a person against any of the arguments he makes. This book is very important for political scientists because we see how he analyses our understanding of power. His special attitude towards Armenia can be seen in the text when he talks about Armenia, Artsakh, and Azerbaijan. The pain of the author who is concerned with political science values is felt. The feedback from the Armenian political scientists and analysts on the book is especially important for us."

According to Ani Avetyan, the verifier of the book, Armenia often appears in the book. "In every episode, at some stage, in some way, the author touches on Armenia. When explaining any manifestation of power, he refers to Armenia. It is remarkable, because if in other books Armenia is discussed in separate chapters, the case of Armenia here is considered not as a separate episode, but as a part of the general flow of history and diplomacy, and it correctly shows the place of Armenia and how the others see and perceive us".

This book first examines the criteria of power, its instruments, manifestations, and even the illusions it creates, and then presents a comprehensive overview of the key issues of all the major state units and regions of the planet. The presentation of the book will take place at the economic conference on January 24. Encel will arrive in Armenia for 2 days and will participate in 3 big events.