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Metsamor’un Sırlarını Açığa Çıkarmak: Nükleer Tehditler Arasında Güney Kafkasya’yı Anlamak

Year 2025, Issue: 51, 187 - 216, 26.06.2025

Abstract

Sovyet döneminde Ermenistan bölgesinde Metsamor Nükleer Enerji Santrali’nin (Metsamor) kurulması jeopolitik manzaraya yeni bir boyut kazandırdı. Görünüşte nükleer enerji üretimi için inşa edilen tesis, aslında sekiz yıl boyunca çok sayıda zorluğa neden oldu.
Metsamor’un deprem sonrası hasarı radyoaktif sorunlarla birleşerek küresel endişeye neden oldu. Dahası, Metsamor’un hem enerji üretimine katkıda bulunan hem de nükleer silahlar için malzeme sağlayan ikili yapısı nedeniyle bölge uluslararası bir endişe kaynağı haline geldi. Ekolojik serpinti, sismik olaylar, nükleer atıklar ve nükleer silah hayaleti gibi faktörlerin bir araya gelmesi, bölgesel ve küresel düzeyde derin ve yaygın endişelere yol açmıştır.

References

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  • News.am Staffs. (2023). Armenia nuclear plant operation period to be extended again. https://news.am/eng/news/798342.html
  • Nour News Staffs, (2023). Iran and Armenia to monitor and diminish pollution in Aras River. https://nournews.ir/n/155439
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  • Ozdasli, E. (2016). Kafkasya’nin Çernobil’i Metsamor Nükleer Santrali. Karadeniz Araştırmaları, Yaz, 50. 45-64 Petros’yants, A.M. (1984). A pioneer of nuclear power. Special reports, IAEA BULLETIN, 26(4), 42-46.
  • Philip, J. (2014). Regulatory Guide Technical Lead. U.s. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research Revision 3.
  • Puiu, T. (2017). Home Environment Environmental Issues Armenia’s Metsamor nuclear power station – most dangerous in the world? ZME Science LLC. https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/environmental-issues/amernia-metsamor-nuclear-powerplant-hazard-to-world-14354523/
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  • RFE/RL’s Armenian Service (2020). Armenia Rejects Russian Funding For Nuclear Plant Upgrade. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-rejects-russian-funding-for-nuclear-plant-upgrade/30667786.html.
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  • Socor, V. (2013). Armenia’s Economic Dependence on Russia Insurmountable by the European Union. Eurasia Daily Monitor, 10(221), https://jamestown.org/program/armenias-economic-dependence-on-russia-insurmountable-by-the-european-union/.
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  • Wertman, O. (2022). When Israel Destroyed Syria’s Nuclear Reactor: The Inside Story. Middle East Quarterly, Spring, 29(2).
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  • Zulfugarov, Z. and Babayev, I. (2012). The Furthermore Operation of Metsamor is a Sourge of Danger. Atatürk University 1st Winter Summit at the Anatolian Summit, Atatürk Üniversitesi Yayınları.

Unveiling Metsamor: Navigating the South Caucasus Amid Nuclear Concerns

Year 2025, Issue: 51, 187 - 216, 26.06.2025

Abstract

The establishment of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant (Metsamor) nuclear facility in the Armenian region during the Soviet era added a new dimension to the geopolitical landscape. Ostensibly built for the production of nuclear energy, the plant actually caused numerous difficulties over the course of eight years.
Metsamor’s post-earthquake damage combined with radioactive problems to cause global concern. Moreover, the region has become a source of international concern due to the dual nature of Metsamor, both contributing to energy production and providing material for nuclear weapons. The confluence of factors such as ecological fallout, seismic events, nuclear waste and the specter of nuclear weapons has led to deep and widespread concerns at regional and global levels.

Ethical Statement

There is no potential conflict of interest in the study. As a matter of fact, the views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not bind any person or institution.

Supporting Institution

The author contributed to the study alone. No support was received from any institution or organization in the study.

Thanks

I would like to express my appreciation to Prof. Dr. Timuçin Kodaman for his unwavering support. Additionally, I extend my gratitude to Prof. Dr. Didem Buhari for her kindness and willingness to answer any questions at any time.

References

  • Aras, Osman N. (2008). Karabağ Ekonomisi ve Karabağ Savaşı’nın Ekonomik Etkileri. Karabağ Savaşı: Siyasi-Hukuki-Ekonomik Analiz. Ed. Aras, Osman N. Kafkasya Araştırmaları Enstitüsü Yayınları, Bakü.
  • Armenpress Staffs (2023). Armenia’s Metsamor meets all safety standards, Türkiye’s allegations are unfounded – says Nuclear Safety Committee chief. https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1121208/
  • Brands, H. & Palkki, D. (2011). Saddam, Israel, and the Bomb: Nuclear Alarmism Justified?. International Security, 36(1), Summer, pp. 133–166.
  • Brown, P. (2004). EU halts aid to Armenia over quake-zone nuclear plant. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2004/jun/02/energy.europeanunion
  • Cabbarlı, H. (2003). Bağımsızlık Sonrası Ermenistan’ın Enerji Politikası. Avrasya Dosyası, Enerji Özel, Bahar, 9(1). 236-258.
  • Danielyan, E. (2006). Russia Tightens Control over the Armenian Energy Sector. https://eurasianet.org/russia-tightens-control-over-the-armenian-energy-sector
  • Deen, T. (2023). Saudi Arabia Seeks Civilian Nuclear Program in Return for Ties with Israel. https://indepthnews.net/saudi-arabia-seeks-civilian-nuclear-program-in-return-for-ties-with-israel/
  • Fotyga, Anna E. (2017). Answer in writing: Question for written answer E-005076-17 to the Commission, Rule 130. European Parliament, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-8-2017-005076_EN.html
  • Goksel, Diba N. (2012). Ermenistan-Bağımsızlıktan Bugüne. Ed. Mustafa Aydın. Kafkasya’da Değişim Donuşum (Avrasya Uclemesi; III), Ankara: Nobel Yayın. 43-64.
  • Hadzhieva, E. (2016). Easy target for terrorists: Armenia’s Metsamor nuclear plant. euractiv. https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/opinion/easy-target-for-terrorists-armenias-metsamor-nuclear-plant/
  • IAEA. (2006). Advanced nuclear plant design options to cope with external events. IAEA-TECDOC-1487.
  • IAEA. (2008). Chernobyl: Looking Back to Go Forward. Proceedings Series, Chernobyl Forum, September 2005, Vienna.
  • IAEA. (2021). Country Nuclear Power Profiles: Armenia. https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/CNPP-2021/countryprofiles/Armenia/Armenia.htm
  • IAEA (2023). Nuclear Power Capacity Trend. https://pris.iaea.org/pris/worldstatistics/worldtrendnuclearpowercapacity.aspx Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy in Armenia Progress in 2014 and recommendations for actions, SWD, 63 final. (2015). European Commission, http://eeas.europa.eu/enp/pdf/2015/armenia-enp-report-2015_en.pdf
  • Iran’s Constitution. (1989). “Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran”, Adopted: 24 October 1979 Effective: 3 December 1979 Amended: 28 July 1989, https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Iran_1989.pdf?lang=en
  • Joint Staff Working Document. (2015). Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy in Armenia Progress in 2014 and recommendations for actions, European Commission For Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, http://eeas.europa.eu/enp/pdf/2015/armenia-enp-report-2015_en.pdf
  • Karabayram, F. (2011). Guney Kafkasya Jeopolitiğinde Rusya Gerceği, IQ Kültür Sanat Yayıncılık, İstanbul.
  • Kaufman, Alexander C. (2023). Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear Ambitions Have Put The U.S. Into A Bind. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/saudi-nuclear_n_64f229b7e4b0cf2755340114
  • Kovynev, A. (2015): Nuclear plants in war zones. In: Nuclear Engineering International 2015. 30–32.
  • Makovsky, D. (2012). The Silent Strike: How Israel bombed a Syrian nuclear installation and kept it secret. The New Yorker, Sept. 10.
  • Markosyan, G. (2023). Armenia’s Energy Security Faces Frosty Relations with Russia. IWPR, https://iwpr.net/nrjegvy6
  • Mason, R. (2020). As UAE Nuclear Power Plant Comes On Line, Attention Turns to Saudi Plans. AGSIW, https://agsiw.org/as-uae-nuclear-power-plant-comes-on-line-attention-turns-to-saudi-plans/
  • Mills, L. (2020). Evaluation of the European Union’s: Co-operation with Armenia, 2010-2017. Final Report, Volume I – Main Report. March.
  • Murphy, F. (2023). Iran undoes slowdown in enrichment of uranium to near weapons-grade -IAEA. Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-undoes-slowdown-enrichment-uranium-near-weapons-grade-iaea-2023-12-26/
  • Nadirov, R., & Rizayev, O. (2017). The Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant in the Active Tectonic Zone of Armenia is a Potential Caucasian Fukushima. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection. 05(04), 46–55. https://doi.org/10.4236/gep.2017.54005
  • News.am Staffs. (2023). Armenia nuclear plant operation period to be extended again. https://news.am/eng/news/798342.html
  • Nour News Staffs, (2023). Iran and Armenia to monitor and diminish pollution in Aras River. https://nournews.ir/n/155439
  • Nuclear Power in Armenia, (2023). Nuclear Power in Armenia. World Nuclear Association. https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-a-f/armenia.aspx
  • Ogan, S. (2007). AB’nin Metsamor Nükleer Santrali’nin Kapatılmasına Yönelik Politikaları, https://www.turksam.org/detay-ab-nin-metsamor-nukleer-santrali-nin-kapatilmasina-yonelik-politikalari
  • Ozdasli, E. (2016). Kafkasya’nin Çernobil’i Metsamor Nükleer Santrali. Karadeniz Araştırmaları, Yaz, 50. 45-64 Petros’yants, A.M. (1984). A pioneer of nuclear power. Special reports, IAEA BULLETIN, 26(4), 42-46.
  • Philip, J. (2014). Regulatory Guide Technical Lead. U.s. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research Revision 3.
  • Puiu, T. (2017). Home Environment Environmental Issues Armenia’s Metsamor nuclear power station – most dangerous in the world? ZME Science LLC. https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/environmental-issues/amernia-metsamor-nuclear-powerplant-hazard-to-world-14354523/
  • Radio Farda Staffs. (1400/2021). Vazir-e Sabegh-e Rah va Shahrsazi-ye Iran: 400 Milyard Dolar Baray-e Dovrzadan-e Tahrimha Hazineh Kardim/Former Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran: We have spent 400 billion dollars to circumvent sanctions, https://www.radiofarda.com/a/the-cost-of-hundreds-of-billions-of-dollars-in-us-economic-sanctions-for-the-islamic-republic/31215633.html
  • RFE/RL’s Armenian Service (2020). Armenia Rejects Russian Funding For Nuclear Plant Upgrade. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-rejects-russian-funding-for-nuclear-plant-upgrade/30667786.html.
  • Saha, D. et al. (2018). The economic effect of a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on Armenia and Azerbaijan. BE Berlin Economics GmbH.
  • Semenov, B. A. (1983). Nuclear power in the Soviet Union. IAEA BULLETIN, 25(2).
  • Socor, V. (2013). Armenia’s Economic Dependence on Russia Insurmountable by the European Union. Eurasia Daily Monitor, 10(221), https://jamestown.org/program/armenias-economic-dependence-on-russia-insurmountable-by-the-european-union/.
  • Solomon, J. (2023). The Saudis want the US to help build a ‘nuclear Aramco’. https://www.semafor.com/article/06/01/2023/saudi-us-nuclear-aramco
  • Squassoni, S. & Feickert, A. (2004). Congressional Research Service, Disarming Libya: Weapons of Mass Destruction, CRS Report for Congress RS 21823, April.
  • Statista. (2023). Number of operable nuclear power reactors worldwide as of May2023, by country, https://www.statista.com/statistics/267158/number-of-nuclear-reactors-in-operation-by-country/
  • Stefanova, S., Chantoin, P. & Kolev, I. G. (1995). VVER Reactor Fuel Performance, Modelling and Experimental Support. Eds. Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Varna, Bulgaria.
  • Tehran Times Staffs, (2023). Tehran, Yerevan sign MOU to remove Aras pollution in a year. https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/491460/Tehran-Yerevan-sign-MOU-to-remove-Aras-pollution-in-a-year
  • Torosyan, L. (2012). Revisiting the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant. https://armenianweekly.com/2012/12/07/revisiting-the-metsamor-nuclear-power-plant/
  • UN. (2022). World Population Prospects, Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division, https://population.un.org/wpp/Graphs/DemographicProfiles/Line/51
  • Ustohalova, V. & Englert, M. (2017). Nuclear safety in crisis regions. Öko-institut e.V. Darmstadt.
  • Wertman, O. (2022). When Israel Destroyed Syria’s Nuclear Reactor: The Inside Story. Middle East Quarterly, Spring, 29(2).
  • WNN Staffs, (2014). Russia and Armenia agree to unit 2 life extension. WORLD Nuclear News, https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Russia-and-Armenia-agree-to-unit-2-life-extension
  • Yuksel, M. (2014). Türk-Ermeni İlişkilerinde Başka Bir Sorun: Metsamor Nükleer Santrali ve Türkiye’ye Etkileri, Yeni Türkiye, 60. 1-18.
  • Zartonk Media. (2023). Armenia To Spend $65 Million To Extend Life Of Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant Until 2036. Twitter, https://twitter.com/ZartonkMedia/status/1735702120480006618
  • Zolyan, M. (2023). Defeated Armenia Looks to a New, Post-Russia Foreign Policy. https://carnegieendowment.org/politika/91121
  • Zheludev, I.S. and Konstantinov, L.V. (1980). Nuclear power in the USSR. IAEA BULLETIN, 22(2). 34-45.
  • Zulfugarov, Z. and Babayev, I. (2012). The Furthermore Operation of Metsamor is a Sourge of Danger. Atatürk University 1st Winter Summit at the Anatolian Summit, Atatürk Üniversitesi Yayınları.
There are 52 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects International Relations (Other)
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Mohammad Reza Pashayi 0000-0001-7022-8017

Publication Date June 26, 2025
Submission Date April 5, 2024
Acceptance Date February 21, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Issue: 51

Cite

Chicago Pashayi, Mohammad Reza. “Unveiling Metsamor: Navigating the South Caucasus Amid Nuclear Concerns”. Review of Armenian Studies, no. 51 (June 2025): 187-216.