OBITUARY: Dr. Richard Giragosyan (1965–2026)

The Hungarian Institute of International Affairs was deeply saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of Dr. Richard Giragosyan, an Armenian-American analyst. Giragosyan guided generations of researchers in understanding and analyzing the South Caucasus and international relations. He visited Hungary on several occasions and had a genuine interest in Central Europe. Committed to strengthening Hungarian-Armenian societal and academic ties, he maintained close cooperation with the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs even during the most challenging years of bilateral diplomatic relations. He supported the work of numerous Hungarian and Central European researchers focusing on the region with his expertise and extensive professional network.

Giragosyan was born in Providence, Rhode Island, USA, on 8 January, 1965. For nine years, he served as a member of the professional staff of the Joint Economic Committee of the United States Congress, specialising primarily in issues related to China and the post-Soviet region. He also contributed his expertise to organisations including Jane’s Information Group and the European editorial office of Radio Free Europe. In 2006, he moved to Armenia, where he first served as Director of the Armenian Center for Strategic and National Studies and, from 2011, as President of the Regional Studies Center, which he founded.

Throughout his professional career, Giragosyan remained deeply committed to mentoring and educating the next generation. He taught hundreds of students at institutions including the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, the NATO Defense College in Rome, and Yerevan State University. He made a significant contribution to modernising the teaching and study of international relations in Armenia.
He was an active and committed advocate for the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. He participated in numerous official and unofficial diplomatic initiatives and enjoyed widespread recognition not only in the broader Caucasus region but also in Western Europe.

While on a professional visit to Istanbul, Giragosyan suffered a stroke on 19 September and subsequently passed away in the intensive care unit of Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşçıoğlu Hospital. He will be laid to rest in Armenia.

Richard Giragosyan was 61 years old.

Photo: Türkiye Today