Benyamin Poghosyan - MPG Poll, Russia-Azerbaijan Relations Deteriorate, Armenian Strategic Geopolitical Balancing, Azerbaijan and the ‘Zangezur Corridor’ | Ep 410, Feb 2, 2025 [EP410]
Posted on Tuesday, Feb 4, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Poll | Series: wir
Groong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- MPG Poll: Pashinyan’s Rating Tanks
- Russia Azerbaijan Relations Deteriorating
- Armenia’s Strategic Geopolitical Balancing
- Azerbaijan and the “Zangezur Corridor”
Episode 410 | Recorded: February 3, 2025
Show Notes
In this episode of Groong Week in Review, we speak with Benyamin Poghosyan about the latest MPG poll, which shows a significant drop in Pashinyan’s approval ratings and highlights key concerns among Armenians, such as security, border issues, and economic instability. We also examine the growing tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan, Aliyev’s increasingly anti-Russian rhetoric, and the possible geopolitical consequences. The discussion extends to Armenia’s strategic geopolitical balancing, Russia’s warnings regarding Armenia’s EU aspirations, and whether Armenia can leverage its position in the North-South trade corridor. Finally, we assess Azerbaijan’s push for a ‘Zangezur Corridor’, Armenia’s counterproposals, and the potential for military escalation in the region.
Topics Covered
- MPG Poll: Pashinyan’s Rating Tanks – A detailed discussion on the latest MPG poll revealing a significant decline in Pashinyan’s approval ratings and Civil Contract’s political standing. The poll also highlights key public concerns, including security, border issues, and economic struggles. (MPG Poll Report)
- Russia-Azerbaijan Relations Deteriorating – Analysis of worsening diplomatic ties following the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash, Aliyev’s historical accusations against Russia, and growing anti-Russian rhetoric in Azerbaijani media. (Aliyev’s Accusations Against Russia) (Russia House Espionage Allegations)
- Armenia’s Strategic Geopolitical Balancing – A discussion on Armenia’s delicate positioning between shifting global alliances, including the impact of EU and US relations, as well as Russian warnings about economic consequences. (Russia Warns of Armenia’s ‘Total Impoverishment’ if it Leaves EEU)
- Azerbaijan and the “Zangezur Corridor” – Examination of Aliyev’s ongoing demands for an extraterritorial corridor through Armenia, Armenia’s counterproposals, and the potential for military escalation. (Stratfor Report: Possible Regional Escalations) (Pashinyan’s January 31st Press Conference on Transit & Corridor Proposals)
Key Questions Discussed
- What do the MPG poll results indicate about Pashinyan’s ability to govern until the 2026 elections?
- What is driving Aliyev’s anti-Russian stance, and how might this affect the region?
- Is Armenia’s “balancing” strategy effective in maintaining stability amidst external pressures?
- How viable is Azerbaijan’s demand for a “Zangezur Corridor”, and what are Armenia’s strategic alternatives?
- Could Armenia leverage the North-South trade corridor to improve its geopolitical position?
Thoughts from the Participants
- Hovik: “70-year-old Artsakh refugee Gharib Babayan video exposes Azeris in central Yerevan celebrating destruction of Artsakh, and gets arrested for ‘inciting ethnic hatred.’ Armenia is an occupied country.”
- Benyamin: “Changes in the US precipitating transformation of the post-unipolar world.”
Links Referenced During The Show
- MPG Poll Results & Analysis
- Aliyev’s Accusations Against Russia
- Russia House Espionage Allegations
- Russia Warns of Armenia’s ‘Total Impoverishment’ if it Leaves EEU
- Stratfor Report: Possible Regional Escalations
- Pashinyan’s January 31st Press Conference on Transit & Corridor Proposals
- Russia-Iran-Azerbaijan Transit Agreements
Slides Referenced During The Show
Wrap-up
Links and Resources
That’s our Week in Review, we hope you found it helpful. We invite your feedback and your suggestions, you can find us on most social media and podcast platforms.
Thanks to Laura Osborn for the music on our podcasts.
Guests
Benyamin Poghosyan
Dr. Benyamin Poghosyan is a Senior Research Fellow at APRI Armenia, a Yerevan based think tank,and the Chairman of the Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies. He has served as the vice president for research and head of the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense Research University in Armenia. Dr. Poghosyan was a Distinguished Research Fellow at the US National Defense University College of International Security Affairs. He is a graduate from the US State Department Study of the US Institutes for Scholars 2012 Program on US National Security Policy Making. He holds a PhD in history and is a graduate from the 2006 Tavitian Program on International Relations at Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
Hosts
Asbed Bedrossian
Asbed is founder of the Armenian News Network Groong and co-founder of the ANN/Groong podcast.
Hovik Manucharyan
Hovik Manucharyan is an information security engineer who moved from Seattle to Armenia in 2022. He co-founded the ANN/Groong podcast in 2020 and has been a contributor to Groong News since the late 1990s.
Disclaimer: The views expressed by Hovik Manucharyan on the ANN/Groong podcast are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of his employer or any other organization.