Groong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Trump’s Iran ultimatum explored
- Turkey’s protests seen as strategic
- Azerbaijan’s peace deal as smokescreen
- Armenia’s Westward drift analyzed
- Gyumri elections stir controversy
Episode 424 | Recorded: March 25, 2025
Show Notes
In this episode of the Groong Week in Review, we sit down with former Armenian diplomat Dziunik Aghajanian to analyze recent developments in and around Armenia. We discuss escalating tensions in the Middle East, the implications of Trump’s outreach to Iran, Azerbaijan’s stalled peace process with Armenia, and the geopolitical games being played by Turkey and Azerbaijan. We also touch upon Armenia’s delicate balancing act between Russia and the West and explore the role of the Armenian diaspora in advocating for the release of Armenian POWs held by Azerbaijan. Finally, we delve into the upcoming Gyumri municipal elections and their broader implications.
Topics Covered
Middle East Tensions and Trump’s Iran Strategy
- Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff’s backchannel efforts with Iran.
- Khamenei’s reaction to Trump’s proposals.
- Implications for Armenia amid shifting U.S.-Iran relations.
Turkey’s Internal Unrest and Geopolitical Maneuvering
- Protests over Imamoglu’s arrest and Erdogan’s possible electoral strategy.
- How Turkey’s actions impact the region and Armenia.
Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Process: A Diplomatic Illusion?
- Azerbaijan’s preconditions and delays in signing the agreement.
- Is Baku using the talks to maintain a facade while preparing for conflict?
Armenia’s Diplomatic Tightrope Between Russia and the West
- Armenia’s outreach to Lavrov and renewed EU accession push.
- Is Armenia hedging its bets or fully pivoting toward the West?
The Fate of Armenian POWs and the Diaspora’s Role
- International calls for the release of Armenian POWs.
- What actions can the diaspora take to elevate this issue?
Gyumri Elections: Political Maneuvering and Democratic Risks
- Allegations of manipulation and government interference.
- The implications of the March 30 elections for Armenia’s political future.
Key Questions Discussed
- What are the real motives behind Trump’s Iran strategy, and how might it affect Armenia?
- Is Azerbaijan genuinely seeking peace, or is this just a calculated delay tactic?
- How is Armenia navigating its complex relationship with Russia while pursuing closer ties with the EU?
- Can the Armenian diaspora pressure international actors to take meaningful steps toward securing the release of POWs?
- Are the Gyumri municipal elections a microcosm of broader democratic challenges in Armenia?
Links Referenced During the Show
- Axios – Trump’s Iran Letter
- France24 – Khamenei Rejects US Proposal
- Tehran Times – Iran on South Caucasus
- Armenpress – Mirzoyan-Lavrov Talks
- Azatutyun – Armenia’s EU Accession Bill
- Christian Today – WCC Demands POW Release
- Belgian Parliament Resolution on POWs
Other Resources
Wrap-up
That’s our show! We hope you found it useful. Please find us on Social Media and follow us everywhere you get your Armenian news.
Thanks to Laura Osborn for the music on our podcasts.
Guests
Dziunik Aghajanian
Ms. Dziunik Aghajanian has served Armenia through the ranks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and most recently as a diplomat, as Armenia’s Ambassador to such countries as the Netherlands, Malaysia, and Indonesia. She received her education at Yerevan State University, Columbia University in NY, and Uppsala University in Sweden.
Hosts
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.