The Path to Democracy: Dragunov Sniper Rifle

First let's identify the photo: it shows an Armenian Special Forces soldier with a Russian-designed Dragunov sniper rifle, a fearsome semi-automatic weapon that is effective to a range of one kilometers. Think about that for a second, which coincidentally is also the length of time it will take the bullet to get to its farthest target.

What does this have anything to do with Armenia? Besides a glimpse into one of the weapons used by our countrymen, quite a bit. You see, when a given government grows too powerful and too corrupt, it begins to act in a way which is not in harmony with the will of the people and it can get away with that because of its power and the fear that it inspires in people. But what if the government was to be held accountable for its actions, afraid of the very people who created it and who continue to support it, at least for as long as they choose? What if everyone had a Dragunov sniper rifle and the knowledge that anyone in power caught abusing it would be destroyed without questions asked?

Of course, this is all metaphor. Until such power is exercised by the people Armenian, we will continue to see a government acting in its own interest only.

Then again, maybe it's not a metaphor at all; after all, revolutionaries need to be well armed!

Source: mil.am

Yet Another Armenian Soldier Killed by Azeri Sniper

Remember this a few weeks back? Well, another Armenian soldier has met the same fate.

On February 14, at about 09:30, an Azeri sniper wounded the major Ervand Pashikyan (b. in 1958), contractual serviceman, in the chest. Ervand Pashikyan died on the spot, RA Defense Ministry reports.

The investigation is under way.

I find it sad that virtually nothing is done after such killings: a few words condemning the act here, a few harsh words there, and that's it. Then again, short of an all-out war, what can be done? Obviously, we have to involve the international community, but all too often these soldiers get forgotten shortly after all is said and done.

Source: A1+

Azerbaijani Sniper Kills Armenian Soldier

I hope this incident is not related to this one. Here's the story:

Armenian defense ministry said an Armenian serviceman was fatally wounded by an Azerbaijani sniper today morning at a position on Armenian-Azerbaijani border near the town of Berd. The ministry said Armen Malkhasian, 19, was wounded in the head and died on the road to hospital. Seyran Shahsuvarian, a spokesman for Armenian defense ministry, said an investigation was started into the incident.

This is getting out of hand: what is the future of our two countries?

Source: ArmenPress