Government Completes 44-Day War Inquiry, Sends Report to Archives, Denies Public Access

The National Assembly’s Inquiry Committee, which was created to examine the circumstances of Armenia’s defeat in the 2020 44-day war, has completed its investigation after nearly three and a half years of work. However, instead of being made public, the report has been placed in the parliamentary archives and classified. 

The decision not to release the findings raises serious concerns about government transparency and accountability. For a country that suffered a devastating military defeat against Azerbaijan, public understanding of what went wrong is essential for national recovery and reform. Keeping the report secret prevents Armenia from learning vital lessons and addressing the deep structural and leadership failures that contributed to the loss of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

Modern democratic nations that face military setbacks typically conduct open inquiries to identify mistakes and improve their defense systems. Armenia’s secrecy, however, sends the opposite signal — a fear of responsibility and a lack of political courage. Without transparency, it becomes impossible for citizens to understand what happened or to trust that reforms are being made to prevent another tragedy.

In Israel, every major military defeat has been followed by a transparent investigation. After the surprise attack of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the Agranat Commission publicly revealed intelligence failures and forced major reforms in the Israeli Defense Forces. Similarly, after the 2006 war with Hezbollah, the Winograd Commission exposed severe strategic and operational flaws, leading to resignations at the highest levels of government and the army.

Despite the political cost, Israel’s approach strengthened public confidence and military effectiveness. Open acknowledgment of mistakes became part of its national resilience, showing that transparency is not a weakness but a foundation of strength.

The United Kingdom also demonstrated this principle through the Chilcot Inquiry, which examined the government’s decision to join the Iraq War. The final report, spanning millions of words, was released in full, holding leaders accountable and prompting major institutional reforms.

Even Georgia, after its 2008 war with Russia, released an official report that identified the aggressor and described the events of the conflict. Although the investigation had political influence, its publication still provided a basic level of openness and accountability.

Five years after the end of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, Armenian authorities have repeatedly promised to explain the reasons for the defeat. The 2022 parliamentary committee was presented as a step toward transparency. Yet the final outcome — a secret report — undermines those promises and casts doubt on the government’s commitment to reform.

The classified document likely includes known details about battlefield losses and leadership errors, but it may also reveal deeper political or strategic misjudgments that officials prefer to hide. By keeping it sealed, the government avoids short-term embarrassment but risks long-term damage to public trust and national defense.

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