Armenia to conduct military exercises with US amid growing tensions with Russia

Armenia announced Wednesday that its forces will hold military exercises this month with the United States as tensions rose with longtime ally Russia. Armenia's Defense Ministry said the exercises that begin Monday are aimed at preparing units for international peacekeeping operations. U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command said in a release Thursday that about 85 U.S. soldiers will participate in the exercises along with about 175 Armenian soldiers. "As regards the exercise, certainly, the news raises alarm, especially in today’s circumstances," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said after the announcement. The...