ANN/Groong — The English-Language Armenian Podcast

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Guest(s):

• Richard Campbell

Topics:

• Global AI race and hype
• Economics of AI data centers
• Energy limits and infrastructure demands
• Armenia’s Firebird AI project
• Jobs, innovation, and local benefits
• AI sovereignty and export controls
• Military value and security risks

Episode 577 | Recorded: August 11, 2026

#ArtificialIntelligence #Armenia #FirebirdAI #AIDataCenters #SovereignAI #EnergySecurity #TechGeopolitics #NationalSecurity

• EP576: Asbed and Hovik examine Pashinyan’s confrontation with the Armenian Church, Armenia’s balancing act between Russia and the EU, the geopolitical implications of TRIPP, Iran’s military leadership realignment under wartime pressure, the Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defense pact, and how these shifts reshape Armenia’s role in the South Caucasus.
• EP577: Richard Campbell discusses the global AI race, data center economics, energy constraints, and Armenia’s Firebird project, examining whether current AI infrastructure investments align with physical and economic realities.

One year after Washington’s Armenia-Azerbaijan peace summit, regional tensions escalate as Aliyev threatens military action, Iran rejects TRIPP terms, and Pashinyan pursues EU integration while constitutional reform divides the opposition.

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Topics:

• Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Alliance
• Iran War Update
• Catholicos on Trial
• EAEU Meeting in Cholpon-Ata
• Corruption & Persecutions

Episode 576 | Recorded: August 10, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #ArmenianChurch #GareginII #TRIPP #ArmeniaRussia #SouthCaucasus #Groong

• EP573: Dr. Pietro Shakarian explores the parallels between Stalinist repression in Soviet Armenia and authoritarian practices under the Civil Contract regime, examining how incomplete historical reckoning leaves societies vulnerable to recognizing new forms of political control.
• EP574: We examine Armenia’s new parliament sworn in on August 2, 2026, the Armenia Alliance’s direct challenge to Civil Contract over Tigranashen’s territorial status, the government’s evasive responses on border red lines, Armenia’s challenge to Russia’s railway concession, and how TRIPP reshapes regional power dynamics in the South Caucasus.
• EP575: Hrant Mikaelian discusses Armenia’s Western pivot, the opening of the new parliament, Ruben Rubinyan’s appointment as speaker, Armenia-Russia-EAEU relations, European aid, the Armenian Church’s role in national identity, and Armenia’s economic direction amid geopolitical pressure.

One year after Trump-brokered peace, Armenia and Azerbaijan mark accord while Pashinyan faces mounting pressure from Russia, religious conflict, and domestic opposition challenges.

Groong Links:

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Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian

Topics:

• New Armenian Parliament
• Armenia-Russia-EAEU Relations
• EUropean Aid for Armenia
• Church & National Identity
• Armenian Economy

Episode 575 | Recorded: August 4, 2026

#Armenia #Russia #EuropeanUnion #ArmenianPolitics #ArmeniaRussia #ArmenianChurch #SouthCaucasus #Geopolitics

Groong Links:

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Topics:

• New parliament is sworn in
• Tigranashen and Armenia’s territorial red lines
• Civil Contract’s evasive enclave answers
• Armenia challenges Russia’s railway concession
• TRIPP reshapes regional power and transit

Episode 574 | Recorded: August 3, 2026

#ArmenianNews #Tigranashen #ArmenianRailways #TRIPP #SouthCaucasus #ArmeniaRussia #ZangezurCorridor #Geopolitics

Groong Links:

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Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian

Topics:

• Erasing memory across Yerevan
• Great Purge in Soviet Armenia
• Khanjyan’s assassination and Beria
• Repression of Armenia’s national institutions
• Remembering Stalinist repression
• Historical parallels with modern Armenia
• Attacks on memory and Church
• Opposition strategy after the election

Episode 573 | Recorded: July 31, 2026

#Armenia #GreatPurge #AghasiKhanjyan #PietroShakarian #Artsakh #ArmenianChurch #PoliticalRepression #MemoryUnderSiege #Authoritarianism #SovietArmenia