Remembering Richard Giragosian, a valued voice and partner of CivilNet

The CivilNet team mourns the death of Richard Giragosian, director of the Regional Studies Center and a frequent commentator on our platform, who died in Istanbul on September 19 at the age of 61.

Richard had traveled to Istanbul for a meeting when he suffered a brain hemorrhage. He died after receiving treatment in intensive care.

For CivilNet, his loss carries particular significance. Richard was a familiar voice to our audience, regularly sharing his analysis of Armenia’s foreign policy, security challenges and relations with its neighbors. His contributions helped our viewers make sense of developments affecting Armenia and the wider region.

Our cooperation extended beyond interviews. The Regional Studies Center, the independent think tank he led in Yerevan, partnered with CivilNet on several projects. Through both his commentary and our institutional collaboration, Richard became a valued part of our work.

Born on January 8, 1965, in Providence, Rhode Island, Richard built a career spanning public service, research and political analysis. He spent nine years on the staff of the U.S. Congress’s Joint Economic Committee, focusing on the former Soviet Union and China.

He moved to Armenia in 2006, bringing his international experience to the country’s policy debates. He also served as director of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies. His consulting work included assignments for the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the U.S. Department of State.

Throughout his career, Richard remained engaged in dialogue across the region, including with colleagues in Turkey. His work brought him into conversations where disagreement was common but continued exchange remained essential.

We will remember Richard with gratitude for the knowledge he shared with our audience and the cooperation we built over the years. His absence will be felt by our team and by the wider community of journalists, researchers and colleagues who worked with him.

The CivilNet staff extends its deepest condolences to Richard’s family, loved ones, friends and colleagues at the Regional Studies Center.