Between Yerevan and Baku, the battle for influence is in full swing, with disinformation campaigns being waged by both sides. Meanwhile, the traditional allies and opponents of both countries are caught in the crossfire.
The Armenian government, which is looking for lobbyists and communications consultants in the West, has hired the services of a veteran British defence industry adviser.
Across the globe, spies gather in inconspicuous dens to meet contacts and hold discreet conversations. This week, Intelligence Online explores the Blue Mosque in Yerevan, a focal point for Iranian diplomacy in the Caucasus that is run by Iran and is home to the cultural attaché of the Iranian embassy.
Ex-NATO secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen penned an op-ed in support of Armenia in Le Monde on 4 April, but his article failed to mention that his firm has lobbied for Yerevan since last year.
The French ambassador to Armenia has again been the target of a disinformation campaign. A screenshot obtained by us indicates his phone may have been hacked by Israeli NSO Group's Pegasus spyware. This destabilisation operation forms part of a broader stand-off between France and Azerbaijan.
Virulent attacks targeting the French ambassador to Armenia have mobilised the French governmental network tasked with combating informational attacks. Networks linked to Azerbaijan are under close surveillance.
Posters criticising France and its ambassador have been popping up in the Armenian capital, an operation that pro-West activists believe Russia is behind. These struggles for influence and disinformation campaigns are slipping out beyond Armenia's borders.
