ANN/Groong — The English-Language Armenian Podcast

• EP570: Dr. Archil Sikharulidze discusses Russia’s shifting strategy in the South Caucasus, Georgia’s widening dispute with Europe, Armenia’s move away from Russian alignment, and how regional transit corridors reshape competition among Moscow, Brussels, and Washington.
• EP571: Hovik and Asbed examine escalating regional tensions as Ukraine expands operations into the Caspian Sea, striking Iranian and Russian assets, while analyzing how this merger of northern and southern conflicts affects Armenia, Kazakhstan’s energy security, and Pashinyan’s diplomatic positioning amid new pressure from Western capitals following Aliyev’s recent visits to Germany and Berlin.
• EP572: Christine Arakelian discusses American foreign policy fractures, the Iran war, NATO 3.0 and Europe’s militarization, Turkey’s rising regional influence, Armenia’s 2026 parliamentary elections and managed democracy, and the risks of TRIPP as Armenia pivots toward an undefined Western relationship.

Tensions between Pashinyan and Putin over Armenia’s EU trajectory, Russian trade sanctions, and a forced choice between Moscow and Brussels dominate regional developments as a new parliament convenes.

Groong Links:

• GIVE to GROONG
• linktr.ee/Groong

Guest(s):

• Christine A. Arakelian

Topics:

• US Foreign Policy & the Fracture of MAGA
• Iran and the Risk of Forever Wars
• NATO 3.0 and Europe’s Militarization
• Post-2026 Election Armenia
• TRIPP and Pashinyan’s Pivot to the West

Episode 572 | Recorded: July 29, 2026

#ForeverWars #NATO #IranWar #Armenia #TRIPP #MAGA #USForeignPolicy #SouthCaucasus

Groong Links:

• GIVE to GROONG
• linktr.ee/Groong

Topics:

• Ukraine expands its war into the Caspian
• Iran warns of a wider regional response
• Russia and the West test stalled diplomacy
• Aliyev positions Baku as a geopolitical hub
• Armenia faces pressure over EU alignment
• Baku POW abuse and their deteriorating health
• Housing policy expose domestic failures

Episode 571 | Recorded: July 27, 2026

#Armenia #UkraineWar #Iran #CaspianSea #SouthCaucasus #MiddleCorridor #ArmenianPOWs #Geopolitics

Groong Links:

• GIVE to GROONG
• linktr.ee/Groong

Guest(s):

• Archil Sikharulidze

Topics:

• Russia’s changing South Caucasus strategy
• Georgia’s widening dispute with Europe
• Armenia’s shift away from Russia
• Georgia’s role in regional transit
• Armenia-Georgia ties under pressure

Episode 570 | Recorded: July 24, 2026

#Armenia #Georgia #Russia #EuropeanUnion #SouthCaucasus #GeorgianDream #NikolPashinyan #MiddleCorridor

• EP568: Asbed and Hovik examine escalating US-Iran war tensions following the June ceasefire collapse, Konstantin Sokolov’s appointment to lead TRIPP+ while acquiring Armenia’s Teghut mine, and Pashinyan’s political vulnerabilities including charges against Archbishop Galstanyan and prolonged Armenian POW detention.
• EP569: Anthony Barsamian discusses Armenian Diaspora advocacy, U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the role of Armenia’s government in genocide recognition efforts, the suspension of Israeli recognition, the Armenian Church’s place in Armenian life, and Armenia’s geopolitical positioning between East and West.

Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijani custody demand government accountability; opposition faces legal crackdowns; regional powers maneuver as US-Iran tensions escalate near Armenia’s borders.

Groong Links:

• GIVE to GROONG
• linktr.ee/Groong

Guest(s):

• Anthony J. Barsamian

Topics:

• Armenian-American advocacy and its next phase
• Genocide recognition, justice, and reparations
• Church-state conflict and national unity

Episode 569 | Recorded: July 21, 2026

#ArmenianDiaspora #AnthonyBarsamian #ArmenianGenocide #ArmenianChurch #ArmeniaDiaspora #SouthCaucasus

Groong Links:

• GIVE to GROONG
• linktr.ee/Groong

Topics:

• US-Iran War Continues
• Summer Lull in Yerevan Politics
• Konstantin Sokolov: Master of TRIPP & Teghut
• UN: Abp. Galstanyan Charges Unjustified
• Armenian POW Slams Pashinyan from Baku

Episode 568 | Recorded: July 20, 2026

#IranWar #TRIPP #Teghut #Armenia #PoliticalPrisoners #ArmenianPOWs #KonstantinSokolov