Groong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Israel hits Iran, talks collapse
- Armenia at risk if Iran weakens
- Russia hardens stance on Ukraine
Episode 447 | Recorded: June 15, 2025
Show Notes
In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs, to analyze the geopolitical fallout from Israel’s surprise military campaign against Iran, known as Operation Rising Lion. We explore how the attacks may sabotage U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, shift Russia’s strategic calculus, and destabilize the South Caucasus—particularly Armenia’s Syunik province. We also examine the implications for Russia-Iran relations, the Zangezur corridor, and Azerbaijan’s military posture. Finally, we discuss Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb, recent Russian rhetoric labeling Ukraine a terrorist state, and whether Moscow is preparing to escalate its war effort.
Main Topics Addressed
- Israel’s Operation Rising Lion and its strategic goals
- U.S.-Iran nuclear talks derailed by the strikes
- Russia-Iran strategic partnership under pressure
- Armenia’s vulnerability amid shifting regional dynamics
- Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb and Russia’s possible escalation
Key Questions Discussed
- How does Moscow view Israel’s attacks on Iran, and what is Russia’s strategic stake?
- Was Israel’s goal truly to neutralize Iran’s nuclear program, or is regime change in play?
- What does the derailment of nuclear negotiations signal about U.S. intentions?
- Is Russia’s partnership with Iran strong enough to deter further aggression?
- Could Armenia lose its southern province if Iran is weakened?
- What are Russia’s real interests in the Zangezur Corridor?
- Has Ukraine’s deep-strike campaign shifted Russia’s rules of engagement?
- Will the “Special Military Operation” become a declared counter-terror operation?
Referenced Articles & Sources
- Brookings – Which Path to Persia?
- Newsweek – Russians No Longer View U.S. as Enemy
- Telegram – Alexander Dugin’s Channel
- CNN – Russia vows payback for Ukraine drone attack
- TASS – Lavrov’s Comments on UK’s Role
- Substack – Larry C. Johnson on Ukraine’s Operations
- TASS – Russia Labels Ukraine Actions as Terrorism
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
Fyodor Lukyanov
Fyodor Lukyanov is Chairman of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, a Russian think tank providing expertise in the foreign policy field. He is also editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs, a platform for publication in English and Russian of research in political science and international relations. Mr. Lukyanov is also Director of Research at the Valdai Discussion Club.
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.