Groong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Ukraine and Iran-Israel Conflicts
- C5+1 in Washington DC
- Vagharshapat/Etchmiadzin Municipal
Episode 486 | Recorded: November 17, 2025
Show Notes
Summary
We spoke with Dr. Sergei Melkonian about the shifting fronts in the Ukraine war, Russia’s winter strategy, and how these dynamics tie into Trump’s post-Alaska summit ceasefire diplomacy. We also discussed the rising risk of an Iran–Israel war, Iran’s view of the TRIPP (Trump Route) corridor in Armenia, and the strategic opening the U.S. is making in Central Asia with the C5+1 summit. Finally, we reviewed the Vagharshapat municipal election, reports of administrative resource abuse, the role of state-affiliated NGOs, and what this vote may or may not signal for Armenia’s 2026 parliamentary elections.
Main Topics Addressed
- Ukraine war developments and Russia’s strategic posture
- Regional escalation risks in the Iran–Israel arena
- Armenia’s exposure if a wider regional war erupts
- TRIPP corridor and Iran’s security concerns
- U.S. expansion into Central Asia via C5+1
- Turkey’s influence through the Organization of Turkic States
- Vagharshapat municipal election results and administrative resource issues
- Early signals for Armenia’s 2026 parliamentary elections
Key Questions Discussed
- What is the current trajectory of the Ukraine war, and why is Russia rejecting a temporary ceasefire?
- What lessons does Putin believe he learned from Armenia’s 1994 ceasefire?
- If Iran–Israel war breaks out, what should Armenia prepare for?
- How does Iran’s security apparatus view the TRIPP corridor?
- What does Moscow think of the C5+1 summit and U.S. entry into Central Asia?
- Why has Turkey’s military cooperation with Turkic states become a concern in Moscow?
- Do the Vagharshapat results predict anything for the 2026 parliamentary elections?
- Why did the major opposition blocs avoid the Vagharshapat ballot?
Thoughts from the Participants
- Sergei Melkonian: Armenia must keep the POW issue and the destruction of Armenian heritage in Artsakh in constant focus, regardless of the government’s avoidance of the topic.
- Hovik Manucharyan: Media repression is intensifying, from arrests of journalists to harassment of outlets. International journalists should cover these developments.
Referenced Articles & Sources
- Trump’s C5+1 Gamble: Can America Reclaim Central Asia?
- Central Asia and U.S. Reaffirm Commitment to Economic Cooperation
- Critical minerals – Geopolitical Monitor tag
- Russia–Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership & NPP Financing
- Kazakhstan–Russia Strategic Partnership Declaration
- China’s Xi signs treaty to elevate ties with Central Asia
Vagharshapat Municipal Election
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
Sergei Melkonian
Dr. Sergei Melkonian is currently a Research Fellow at APRI Armenia, a Yerevan-based think tank. He served as assistant to President of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian, on foreign policy (Middle East and post-Soviet space). Sergei is also a guest lecturer at Yerevan State University and the Russian-Armenian University.
Hosts
Asbed Bedrossian
Asbed Bedrossian is an IT professional, and for years oversaw the central IT enterprise infrastructure and services at USC. His decades of experience spanned across IT strategy, enterprise architecture, infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, data center operations, high performance computing, ITSM, ITPM, and more.
Asbed founded the Armenian News Network Groong circa 1989/1990, and co-founded the ANN/Groong podcast in 2020.
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.