Anti-Corruption Crackdown: Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee detained former President Robert Kocharyan and his eldest son Sedrak after raids on family-linked businesses, charging Kocharyan with abuse of authority, bribery and large-scale money laundering; prosecutors also moved against other figures, including charging Serzh Sargsyan in the expanded case. EU Pivot: Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan laid out a 2026–2031 plan built around “Real Armenia” and the “Fourth Republic,” saying Armenia will formally apply for EU membership before any referendum, while insisting the country has no territorial claims tied to Karabakh. Russia Backlash: Russian officials warned the EU bid will damage ties with Russia and the EAEU, as Armenia also faces reported Russian pressure on trade. Domestic Tensions: IODA and opposition groups say the arrests and court actions point to political repression, while Pashinyan rejects calls for CSTO “peacekeeping” troops. Migration Planning: Armenia says it will not block Russians fleeing another mobilization and is preparing to help arrivals. Economy Watch: Armenia’s Economic Activity Index rose 6.5% in July; construction and services led growth. Regional Connectivity: S&P says TRIPP could boost connectivity, and Armenia’s EU track is increasingly tied to transport and trade links.