Dziunik Aghajanian – Fallout From Israel’s War on Iran, Azerbaijan’s Confrontation With Russia, Pashinyan’s Persecution of the Armenian Church, While He Courts the EU | Ep 451 [EP451]

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Guest:

• Dziunik Aghajanian

Topics:

• Iran War
• Iran-Azerbaijan Relations
• Russian-Azerbaijani Tensions
• Russian-Armenian Relations
• Persecution of The Church Continues
• Kaja Kallas in Armenia
• OIC Declaration

Episode 451 | Recorded: June 30, 2025

Show Notes

🎙️ Summary

In this Week in Review, former ambassador Dziunik Aghajanian joins the show to unpack a week of escalating tensions across Armenia’s borders and within. The discussion covers the aftermath of Israel’s war on Iran, claims that Azerbaijan facilitated Israeli strikes, and a sudden fallout between Baku and Moscow after raids and retaliatory actions. Domestically, the Pashinyan government’s crackdown on the Armenian Church deepens, even as Emmanuel Macron offers public support. The episode also examines Kaja Kallas’ visit to Armenia and new EU-Armenia defense consultations, as well as Iran’s support for the OIC’s pro-Azerbaijani Istanbul Declaration.

🧭 Main Topics Addressed

• Israel’s war on Iran and its aftermath
• Iran-Azerbaijan tensions over use of airspace by Israeli drones
• Russia-Azerbaijan fallout after police raids and media suppression
• Frictions in Russian-Armenian trade and the EAEU
• The Armenian government’s deepening crackdown on the Church
• Macron’s endorsement of Pashinyan amid political unrest
• EU-Armenia defense talks following Kaja Kallas’ visit
• Iran’s support for the OIC’s Istanbul Declaration

❓ Key Questions Discussed

• What does Iran’s response to Israeli attacks reveal about its red lines?
• Is Azerbaijan’s collaboration with Israeli operations sustainable?
• Are Russia and Azerbaijan undergoing a real rupture or just a public spat?
• Is Armenia risking its economic position by distancing from Russia?
• What does the government’s crackdown on the Church mean for Armenia’s democracy?
• How should we interpret Macron’s endorsement of Pashinyan during this crisis?
• What real security value does the EU offer Armenia?
• Why did Iran back a strongly pro-Azerbaijani declaration at the OIC?

💬 Thoughts from the Participants

• Dziunik: The government’s actions against Holy Etchmiadzin are an attack on Armenian identity. Many are grieving, but also beginning to resist.
• Hovik: New MPG poll shows nearly 80% disapprove of the crackdown on the Church. This has hurt Pashinyan’s standing and may spark broader political pushback.

🔗 Referenced Articles & Sources

• Iran-Azerbaijan-Israel triangle
• Baku rejects Iran’s drone claims
• Russia-Azerbaijan tensions escalate
• Sputnik Azerbaijan raided
• Cultural fallout in Baku
• Kremlin response
• Crackdown on the Armenian Church
• Macron’s tweet
• OIC Istanbul Declaration

Wrap-up

Links and Resources

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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.

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