Richard Giragosian, Founding Director of the Yerevan-based Regional Studies Center (RSC), an independent think tank operating in Armenia, passed away in an Istanbul hospital on September 19.

Agos reports that Giragosian suffered a brain hemorrhage after travelling to Istanbul for a meeting.

Before relocating to Armenia in 2006, Giragosian spent nine years serving as a professional staff member of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) of the U.S. Congress, specializing in matters concerning China and the former Soviet Union.

He worked as a guest lecturer for the U.S. Army Special Forces at Fort Bragg's John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School and taught at the NATO Defense College in Rome and Yerevan State University.

Giragosian was born on January 8, 1965, in Providence, Rhode Island.