Groong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Israel’s war on Iran and U.S. involvement
- Risks of Iranian regime change or partition
- Strategic dangers to Armenia
Episode 448 | Recorded: June 21, 2025
Show Notes
In this conversation, we speak with Dr. Arman Grigoryan about the rapidly escalating war between Israel, the United States, and Iran. We explore the strategic goals behind the conflict, the risks of nuclear escalation, and whether regime change or the partitioning of Iran is a realistic objective—or a dangerous delusion. We also examine how Russia, China, and Europe are responding, and why Iran’s survival or collapse could reshape Armenia’s geopolitical position. Finally, we discuss how Armenia might navigate the fallout of a regional war it cannot afford to ignore.
Main Topics Addressed
- Israel’s and the U.S.’s strategic aims in the war on Iran
- Risks of regional escalation and the possibility of nuclear weapons use
- Strategic consequences of Iranian collapse or survival for Armenia
- Russia and China’s limited involvement and balancing calculations
Key Questions Discussed
- Is regime change the real goal behind the Iran war?
- Can Iran count on meaningful support from Russia or China?
- Is Europe now irrelevant in Middle East diplomacy?
- What are the risks to Armenia if Iran is defeated—or partitioned?
- How might Iran’s outcomes strengthen or weaken Armenia’s regional position?
Referenced Articles & Sources
- Jerusalem Post: “Forge a Middle East coalition for Iran’s partition”
- Iran-China diplomatic statement (X)
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
Arman Grigoryan
Dr. Arman Grigoryan is an associate professor of International Relations at Lehigh University. He has a doctorate in political science from Columbia University in New York, and a Master in IR from the University of Chicago. His research has appeared in International Security, Security Studies, International Studies Quarterly, International Political Science Review, Nationalities Papers, Ethnopolitics, and International Analytics.
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.