Groong Links:
Guest(s):
Topics:
- Armenian-American advocacy and its next phase
- Genocide recognition, justice, and reparations
- Church-state conflict and national unity
Episode 569 | Recorded: July 21, 2026
#ArmenianDiaspora #AnthonyBarsamian #ArmenianGenocide #ArmenianChurch #ArmeniaDiaspora #SouthCaucasus
Show Notes
Summary
In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Anthony Barsamian about Armenian Diaspora advocacy, Armenia-Diaspora relations, and the next phase of Armenian-American activism. We discuss decades of work securing U.S.-Armenia relations and aid packages, the achievement of U.S. Armenian Genocide recognition and what comes next, and the role of the Armenian Republic in promoting international genocide recognition—including recent developments with Israeli recognition efforts.Main Topics Addressed
- Anthony Barsamian’s Armenian-American advocacy
- Armenian institutions and community cooperation
- U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide
- Recognition, education, justice, and reparations
- Israeli recognition of the Armenian Genocide
- Armenia’s role in genocide recognition
- Security as a form of national justice
- Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan
- The Armenian Church in American life
- Church renewal and generational change
- Government pressure on the Armenian Church
- The role of the Catholicos of All Armenians
- Armenia’s pivot toward the West
- Complementarity and regional partnerships
- Armenia’s relations with Russia, Iran, India, and the West
- The future of Artsakh and the right of return
- Armenia-Diaspora polarization
- Practical paths toward renewed cooperation
Key Questions Discussed
- What inspired Anthony Barsamian’s Armenian-American activism?
- What were the major milestones in his advocacy?
- How have Armenian-American organizations learned to cooperate?
- Is the campaign for U.S. genocide recognition complete?
- What should follow formal recognition?
- What responsibilities come with genocide recognition?
- Should recognition lead to education and reparations?
- What role should Armenia play in genocide advocacy?
- Why has Israel delayed formal recognition?
- What should Armenians expect from countries that recognize the Genocide?
- Can security for Armenia be part of genocide justice?
- How should Armenia pursue the release of prisoners held in Baku?
- What role does the Armenian Church play in diaspora life?
- How must Armenian churches adapt for younger generations?
- Should the Church hold a new national assembly?
- How should Church leaders and the Armenian government resolve their conflict?
- Can the government interfere with the Catholicos of All Armenians?
- Is Armenia practicing complementarity or replacing Russia with the West?
- Can Turkey serve as the West’s security arm in the South Caucasus ?
- Which countries can become reliable partners for Armenia?
- How can Armenia strengthen its diplomatic and military position?
- Can Artsakh Armenians secure a future right of return?
- How can the diaspora work with a government it strongly opposes?
- What practical work can Armenians continue despite political division?
Other Resources
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Wrap-up
Links and Resources
That’s our show , 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
Anthony J. Barsamian
Anthony J. Barsamian is a prominent Armenian-American attorney and president of real estate firm Gravestar. Based in Boston, Barsamian’s has held an extensive leadership role at the Armenian Assembly of America, where he has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. His efforts have been pivotal in securing U.S. aid packages for the homeland, advancing permanent normal trade relations, and driving key human rights advocacy on Capitol Hill. Barsamian has also championed economic sustainability and environmental restoration through his executive committee role with the Armenia Tree Project.
As the first Eastern Orthodox President of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, Anthony Barsamian has built powerful interfaith coalitions to expand global awareness of the Armenian Genocide, and history. He remains deeply committed to the future of the Diaspora, the role of the Armenian Church, actively mentoring the next generation of American-Armenians through Washington D.C. internship programs to ensure they are equipped to defend their identity and their homeland’s sovereignty.
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.
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.
Related Episodes
Clips from this episode
Israel's Suspended Genocide Recognition and What It Means
Armenian Genocide Recognition Is Just the Beginning
Complementarity vs. Exclusivity: Armenia's Dangerous Western Pivot
Security for Armenia Is a Form of Genocide Justice
Do What You Do Well: Diaspora Activism Beyond Politics
Why the Armenian Church Needs Renewal, Not Political Conflict