Category: Azerbaijan

Roundup on the Ukraine Crisis - February 22, 2022

Topics:

• Why did Putin Recognize Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts as Independent Republics?
• Is Putin Trying to Recreate the USSR?
• Is “The West” a Homogeneous Political Bloc?
• What are the Objectives of the US?

Guest:

• Dr. Pietro Shakarian, who is a Lecturer in History at the American University of Armenia in Yerevan. His research focuses on the history of Soviet Armenia and the Caucasus.

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 123 | Recorded on Friday, February 22, 2022 Show notes: https://groong.org/podcasts/CoG-20220222.html

Roundup on the Ukraine Crisis - February 22, 2022

Topics:

• Why did Putin Recognize Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts as Independent Republics?
• Is Putin Trying to Recreate the USSR?
• Is “The West” a Homogeneous Political Bloc?
• What are the Objectives of the US?

Guest:

• Dr. Pietro Shakarian, who is a Lecturer in History at the American University of Armenia in Yerevan. His research focuses on the history of Soviet Armenia and the Caucasus.

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 123 | Recorded on Friday, February 22, 2022 Show notes: https://groong.org/podcasts/CoG-20220222.html

2021-ի «Շուշիի Հռչակագիրը» - The 2021 “Shushi Declaration” by Azerbaijan and Turkey

A Conversation in Armenian with Mihran Hakobyan (in Armenian)

Topics:

• 2րդ Արցախեան պատերազմի Õ°Õ«Õ´Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ պատճառները
• ՀՀ Ô´Õ«Õ¾Õ¡Õ¶Õ¡Õ£Õ«Õ¿Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶/Ռազմավարական ձախողումները
• Շուշիի համաձայնագրի Õ°Õ«Õ´Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ բաղադրիչները և սպառնալիքներ
• Ռուսաստանի և Իրանի երկարաժամկետ շրջանային եւ աշխարհաքաղաքական նպատակները
• The

2021-ի «Շուշիի Հռչակագիրը» - The 2021 “Shushi Declaration” by Azerbaijan and Turkey

A Conversation in Armenian with Mihran Hakobyan (in Armenian)

Topics:

• 2րդ Արցախեան պատերազմի Õ°Õ«Õ´Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ պատճառները
• ՀՀ Ô´Õ«Õ¾Õ¡Õ¶Õ¡Õ£Õ«Õ¿Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶/Ռազմավարական ձախողումները
• Շուշիի համաձայնագրի Õ°Õ«Õ´Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ բաղադրիչները և սպառնալիքներ
• Ռուսաստանի և Իրանի երկարաժամկետ շրջանային եւ աշխարհաքաղաքական նպատակները
• The

ANN/Groong Week in Review - February 20, 2022

Topics:

• Ukraine: Biden’s Tunnel of Crisis
• Azeri Commission to Destroy Armenian Heritage
• Artsakh Law on Occupied Territories
• Azerbaijan Wants to Arrest Artsakh President
• IRI Poll Results Revisited

Guests:

• Hrant Mikaelian TW/@hrant_m

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian

Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 121 | Recorded: Sunday, February 20, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220220.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - February 20, 2022

Topics:

• Ukraine: Biden’s Tunnel of Crisis
• Azeri Commission to Destroy Armenian Heritage
• Artsakh Law on Occupied Territories
• Azerbaijan Wants to Arrest Artsakh President
• IRI Poll Results Revisited

Guests:

• Hrant Mikaelian TW/@hrant_m

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian

Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 121 | Recorded: Sunday, February 20, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220220.html

Political Topics with Edmon Marukyan - February 18, 2022

Topics:

• Constitutional Change Commission
• Artsakh Law on Occupied Territories
• State of Bright Armenia Party
• Turkish-Armenian Normalization

Guest:

• Edmon Marukyan, who is a lawyer by profession and the leader of the Bright Armenia party (Լուսավոր Հայաստան). He was a member of the fifth, sixth and seventh convocations of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia from 2012 till 2021. He’s also a member of the newly formed commission to amend the constitution.

Guest(s):

• Edmon Marukyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan

Political Topics with Edmon Marukyan - February 18, 2022

Topics:

• Constitutional Change Commission
• Artsakh Law on Occupied Territories
• State of Bright Armenia Party
• Turkish-Armenian Normalization

Guest:

• Edmon Marukyan, who is a lawyer by profession and the leader of the Bright Armenia party (Լուսավոր Հայաստան). He was a member of the fifth, sixth and seventh convocations of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia from 2012 till 2021. He’s also a member of the newly formed commission to amend the constitution.

Guest(s):

• Edmon Marukyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - February 13, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00:00 Introduction
• 00:02:43 8 More POWs Released, But What At What Cost?
• 00:20:40 Parliamentary Commission on the 44-Day War Established
• 00:33:42 The Degrading Norms of Democracy in Armenia
• 00:46:42 Who Needs Armenia?
• 01:06:32 Latest MPG Poll Results in Yerevan
• 01:18:51 Rants

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 119 | Recorded: Sunday, February 14, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220213.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - February 13, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00:00 Introduction
• 00:02:43 8 More POWs Released, But What At What Cost?
• 00:20:40 Parliamentary Commission on the 44-Day War Established
• 00:33:42 The Degrading Norms of Democracy in Armenia
• 00:46:42 Who Needs Armenia?
• 01:06:32 Latest MPG Poll Results in Yerevan
• 01:18:51 Rants

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 119 | Recorded: Sunday, February 14, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220213.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - February 6, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:10 The Continuing Ukraine Crisis
  • Putin in Beijing, Erdogan in Kyiv, Pashinyan at Olympic Diplomacy?
• 23:44 Civil Contract Nominates Vahagn Khachatryan for President
• 41:21 New IRI Poll Results
• 58:57 Rants

Guests:

• Dr. Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan https://twitter.com/HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian https://twitter.com/qubriq

Episode 118 | Recorded: Sunday, February 8, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220206.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - February 6, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:10 The Continuing Ukraine Crisis
  • Putin in Beijing, Erdogan in Kyiv, Pashinyan at Olympic Diplomacy?
• 23:44 Civil Contract Nominates Vahagn Khachatryan for President
• 41:21 New IRI Poll Results
• 58:57 Rants

Guests:

• Dr. Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan https://twitter.com/HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian https://twitter.com/qubriq

Episode 118 | Recorded: Sunday, February 8, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220206.html

Guest(s):

• Ruben Melikyan

Legal & Human Rights Developments in Armenia A Conversation with Ruben Melikyan

Ruben Melikyan was formerly Artsakh’s Human Rights Ombudsman, and prior to that he was rector of the Justice Academy of Armenia. In 2019, Melikyan co-founded and currently leads the “Path of Law” NGO. Իրավական ուղի in Armenian.

Topics:

• Introduction
• Decisions of the International Court of Justice
• Turkish-Armenian “Normalization”
• More Constitutional Changes
• Civil Contract Appoints new HR Ombudsman for Armenia
• Continuing Harassment of Opposition Leaders

Guest(s):

• Ruben Melikyan

Legal & Human Rights Developments in Armenia A Conversation with Ruben Melikyan

Ruben Melikyan was formerly Artsakh’s Human Rights Ombudsman, and prior to that he was rector of the Justice Academy of Armenia. In 2019, Melikyan co-founded and currently leads the “Path of Law” NGO. Իրավական ուղի in Armenian.

Topics:

• Introduction
• Decisions of the International Court of Justice
• Turkish-Armenian “Normalization”
• More Constitutional Changes
• Civil Contract Appoints new HR Ombudsman for Armenia
• Continuing Harassment of Opposition Leaders

ANN/Groong Week in Review - January 30, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:43 Game of Chicken over Ukraine
• 08:17 Antalya Diplomatic Forum
• 22:54 Army Day in Armenia
• 27:54 Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• 31:11 Rants/Announcements

Guests:

• Suren Sargsyan https://twitter.com/s_a_sargsyan

Guest(s):

• Suren Sargsyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan https://twitter.com/HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian https://twitter.com/qubriq

Episode 116 | Recorded: Sunday, January 30, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220130.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - January 30, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:43 Game of Chicken over Ukraine
• 08:17 Antalya Diplomatic Forum
• 22:54 Army Day in Armenia
• 27:54 Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• 31:11 Rants/Announcements

Guests:

• Suren Sargsyan https://twitter.com/s_a_sargsyan

Guest(s):

• Suren Sargsyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan https://twitter.com/HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian https://twitter.com/qubriq

Episode 116 | Recorded: Sunday, January 30, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220130.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - January 23, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:04 President Armen Sarkissian Resigns
• 20:46 Russia-NATO Standoff over Ukraine
• 47:55 Vahan Kerobyan, Minister of Comedy

Guests:

• Dr. Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan twitter.com/HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian twitter.com/qubriq

Episode 114 | Recorded: Sunday, January 25, 2022

ANN/Groong Week in Review - January 23, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:04 President Armen Sarkissian Resigns
• 20:46 Russia-NATO Standoff over Ukraine
• 47:55 Vahan Kerobyan, Minister of Comedy

Guests:

• Dr. Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan twitter.com/HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian twitter.com/qubriq

Episode 114 | Recorded: Sunday, January 25, 2022

ANN/Groong Week in Review - January 16, 2022

Topics:

• Major incident on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Line of Contact
• Turkish-Armenian meeting in Moscow

Guests:

• Edgar Elbakyan TW/@ElbakyanEdgar

Guest(s):

• Edgar Elbakyan

Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan

Episode 113 | Recorded: Sunday, January 17, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220116.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - January 16, 2022

Topics:

• Major incident on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Line of Contact
• Turkish-Armenian meeting in Moscow

Guests:

• Edgar Elbakyan TW/@ElbakyanEdgar

Guest(s):

• Edgar Elbakyan

Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan

Episode 113 | Recorded: Sunday, January 17, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220116.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - January 9, 2022

Topics:

• Color Me Kazakhstan
• Turkish-Armenian Normalization Meeting on January 14

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@Benyamin_Poghos
• Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan

Episode 112 | Recorded: Sunday, January 9, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220109.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - January 9, 2022

Topics:

• Color Me Kazakhstan
• Turkish-Armenian Normalization Meeting on January 14

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@Benyamin_Poghos
• Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan

Episode 112 | Recorded: Sunday, January 9, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220109.html

Turkish-Armenian Normalization Negotiations A Conversation with Harut Sassounian

• Harut Sassounian has been the publisher of The California Courier newspaper since 1983. He is also the President of the Armenia Artsakh Fund, a non-profit organization which has delivered to Armenia and Artsakh $947 million of humanitarian assistance since 1989. He is currently engaged in forming the Diaspora Armenian Parliament through local elections.

Topics:

• History of Turkish-Armenian Attempts at Negotiations
• Who are The Players?
• Why Now? What’s on the Agenda?
• What are the Pitfalls and Opportunities?

Turkish-Armenian Normalization Negotiations A Conversation with Harut Sassounian

• Harut Sassounian has been the publisher of The California Courier newspaper since 1983. He is also the President of the Armenia Artsakh Fund, a non-profit organization which has delivered to Armenia and Artsakh $947 million of humanitarian assistance since 1989. He is currently engaged in forming the Diaspora Armenian Parliament through local elections.

Topics:

• History of Turkish-Armenian Attempts at Negotiations
• Who are The Players?
• Why Now? What’s on the Agenda?
• What are the Pitfalls and Opportunities?

ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 26, 2021

Topics:

• Nikol Pashinyan holds a press conference
• Robert Kocharyan holds a press conference
• The Yerevan Mayor Saga

Guests:

• Tevan Poghosyan TW/@ TevanPoghosyan

Guest(s):

• Tevan Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 110 | Recorded: Sunday, December 27, 2021

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211226.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 26, 2021

Topics:

• Nikol Pashinyan holds a press conference
• Robert Kocharyan holds a press conference
• The Yerevan Mayor Saga

Guests:

• Tevan Poghosyan TW/@ TevanPoghosyan

Guest(s):

• Tevan Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 110 | Recorded: Sunday, December 27, 2021

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211226.html

Thirty Years After the USSR

• Dr. Pietro Shakarian is a Lecturer in history at the American University of Armenia in Yerevan. His research focuses on the history of Eastern Armenia and the Caucasus, especially Soviet Armenia during the era of Nikita Khrushchev’s Thaw. His analyses on Russia and the former Soviet region have appeared in The Nation, The Plain Dealer, the Russian International Affairs Council, Hetq, and more.

Topics:

• How did the USSR Dissolve, who were the personalities behind it?
• Did Ethnic Nationalism Have a Hand in it?
• Did Ronald Reagan Defeat the Soviet Union?
• What are the

Thirty Years After the USSR

• Dr. Pietro Shakarian is a Lecturer in history at the American University of Armenia in Yerevan. His research focuses on the history of Eastern Armenia and the Caucasus, especially Soviet Armenia during the era of Nikita Khrushchev’s Thaw. His analyses on Russia and the former Soviet region have appeared in The Nation, The Plain Dealer, the Russian International Affairs Council, Hetq, and more.

Topics:

• How did the USSR Dissolve, who were the personalities behind it?
• Did Ethnic Nationalism Have a Hand in it?
• Did Ronald Reagan Defeat the Soviet Union?
• What are the

ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 19, 2021

Topics:

• Turkish-Armenian normalization
• Brussels Sprouts
• Armen Grigoryan in Washington DC
• The Armenian Project - US Tour
• Analyst Rants

Guest:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan

Episode 108 | Recorded: December 20, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 19, 2021

Topics:

• Turkish-Armenian normalization
• Brussels Sprouts
• Armen Grigoryan in Washington DC
• The Armenian Project - US Tour
• Analyst Rants

Guest:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan

Episode 108 | Recorded: December 20, 2021

Anar Valiyev and Benyamin Poghosyan discuss stumbling blocks in post-war negotiations

Guests:

• Dr. Anar Valiyev, Associate Professor at Azerbaijani Diplomatic Academy (ADA) University in Baku.
• Dr. Benyamin Poghosyan, Chairman of Yerevan-based think tank Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies.

Topics:

• Artsakh Status (@4:54)
• Is the conflict really “solved” (@11:04)
• Opening of Communications (@38:52)
• Corridor for Corridor (@46:32)
• “Unimpeded” Access (@50:15)
• Russia’s regional role (@53:16)
• Turkey’s regional role (@58:48)
• 3+3 or 3+2 Format

Anar Valiyev and Benyamin Poghosyan discuss stumbling blocks in post-war negotiations

Guests:

• Dr. Anar Valiyev, Associate Professor at Azerbaijani Diplomatic Academy (ADA) University in Baku.
• Dr. Benyamin Poghosyan, Chairman of Yerevan-based think tank Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies.

Topics:

• Artsakh Status (@4:54)
• Is the conflict really “solved” (@11:04)
• Opening of Communications (@38:52)
• Corridor for Corridor (@46:32)
• “Unimpeded” Access (@50:15)
• Russia’s regional role (@53:16)
• Turkey’s regional role (@58:48)
• 3+3 or 3+2 Format

ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 12, 2021

Topics:

• Zoom for Democracy
• Domestic Politics
• Regional Politics
• Artsakh Independence at 30
• Analyst Rants

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@benyamin_poghos
• Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian
• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 106 | Recorded: Sunday, December 12, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 12, 2021

Topics:

• Zoom for Democracy
• Domestic Politics
• Regional Politics
• Artsakh Independence at 30
• Analyst Rants

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@benyamin_poghos
• Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian
• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 106 | Recorded: Sunday, December 12, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 5, 2021

Topics:

• Regional Geopolitics @1:07
• Turkmenistan / Iran Gas Swap Deal @46:58
• Opposition Fizzles Out. Again @58:18

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@benyamin_poghos

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 105 | Recorded: Sunday, December 5, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211205.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 5, 2021

Topics:

• Regional Geopolitics @1:07
• Turkmenistan / Iran Gas Swap Deal @46:58
• Opposition Fizzles Out. Again @58:18

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@benyamin_poghos

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 105 | Recorded: Sunday, December 5, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211205.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - November 28, 2021

Topics:

• Pashinyan Live on Facebook
• Trilateral in Sochi, Bilateral in Brussels
• Turkish-Armenian “Normalization”
• Russian-Turkish “Co-opetition” in Eurasia

Guests:

• Hrant Mikaelian TW/@hrant_m
• Yeghia Tashjian TW/@yeghig

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Yeghia Tashjian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 104 | Recorded: Sunday, November 28, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211128.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - November 28, 2021

Topics:

• Pashinyan Live on Facebook
• Trilateral in Sochi, Bilateral in Brussels
• Turkish-Armenian “Normalization”
• Russian-Turkish “Co-opetition” in Eurasia

Guests:

• Hrant Mikaelian TW/@hrant_m
• Yeghia Tashjian TW/@yeghig

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Yeghia Tashjian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 104 | Recorded: Sunday, November 28, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211128.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - November 21, 2021

Topics:

• Russia-NATO escalation
• Border escalation
• Goodbye Moscow, Hello Brussels!
• Protests in Yerevan

Guest: Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 103 | Recorded: Monday, November 22, 2021 Show notes: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211121.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - November 21, 2021

Topics:

• Russia-NATO escalation
• Border escalation
• Goodbye Moscow, Hello Brussels!
• Protests in Yerevan

Guest: Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 103 | Recorded: Monday, November 22, 2021 Show notes: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211121.html

Groong Links:

• GIVE to GROONG
• linktr.ee/Groong

Guest:

• Mr. Vardan Aramyan - Fmr. Minister of Finance, Republic of Armenia

Topics:

• 2022 Budget and Economic Growth @1:24
  • Did Armenian economy recover already? @3:55
  • Does the structure of growth mirror worldwide growth @8:55
  • What happens if growth doesn’t meet target @14:25
  • Why did the IMF underestimate Armenian growth initially @17:38
• Growth Sectors in Budget @23:41
  • Are prices for Copper/Aluminum extremely inflated? @25:50
• Inflation @32:48
  • Effect on wages, income inequality, poverty & other socioeconomic markers? @41:36

Groong Links:

• GIVE to GROONG
• linktr.ee/Groong

Guest:

• Mr. Vardan Aramyan - Fmr. Minister of Finance, Republic of Armenia

Topics:

• 2022 Budget and Economic Growth @1:24
  • Did Armenian economy recover already? @3:55
  • Does the structure of growth mirror worldwide growth @8:55
  • What happens if growth doesn’t meet target @14:25
  • Why did the IMF underestimate Armenian growth initially @17:38
• Growth Sectors in Budget @23:41
  • Are prices for Copper/Aluminum extremely inflated? @25:50
• Inflation @32:48
  • Effect on wages, income inequality, poverty & other socioeconomic markers? @41:36

ANN/Groong Week in Review - November 7, 2021

Topics:

• Armenia under wide scale attacks by Azerbaijan @0:55
• Border Politics @7:20
• Azerbaijan Returns to the OSCE MG @29:49
• Municipal elections Over the Past Weekend @44:38

Guests:

• Arthur Martirosyan TW/@ArtMart96

Guest(s):

• Arthur G. Martirosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 101 | Recorded: Monday, November 16, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211114.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - November 7, 2021

Topics:

• Armenia under wide scale attacks by Azerbaijan @0:55
• Border Politics @7:20
• Azerbaijan Returns to the OSCE MG @29:49
• Municipal elections Over the Past Weekend @44:38

Guests:

• Arthur Martirosyan TW/@ArtMart96

Guest(s):

• Arthur G. Martirosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 101 | Recorded: Monday, November 16, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211114.html

Talking with Alison Tahmizian Meuse - TW/@AliTahmizian - November 17, 2021

• Alison Tahmizian Meuse is a graduate of the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. She is a French and Arabic speaker, and a veteran Middle East journalist, having worked over the past decade as a producer, correspondent and editor for major international publications including Agence France-Presse, NPR, and the Asia Times. She currently serves as a strategic advisor for the New Delhi-based consultancy DeepStrat and is newly based in Yerevan.

Topics:

• The drive to cover dangerous

Talking with Alison Tahmizian Meuse - TW/@AliTahmizian - November 17, 2021

• Alison Tahmizian Meuse is a graduate of the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. She is a French and Arabic speaker, and a veteran Middle East journalist, having worked over the past decade as a producer, correspondent and editor for major international publications including Agence France-Presse, NPR, and the Asia Times. She currently serves as a strategic advisor for the New Delhi-based consultancy DeepStrat and is newly based in Yerevan.

Topics:

• The drive to cover dangerous

ANN/Groong Week in Review - November 7, 2021

Topics:

• The War in Artsakh, One Year Later
• Erika Olson visits the South Caucasus
• Internal political developments

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@Benyamin_Poghos

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 99 | Recorded: Monday, November 8, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211107.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - November 7, 2021

Topics:

• The War in Artsakh, One Year Later
• Erika Olson visits the South Caucasus
• Internal political developments

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@Benyamin_Poghos

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 99 | Recorded: Monday, November 8, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211107.html

Guest(s):

• Virginia Davies
• Heghnar Watenpaugh

Save Armenian Monuments A Conversation with Virginia Davies and Heghnar Watenpaugh

Topics:

• One year after the War in Artsakh, the State of Armenian Monuments in Lands turned over to Azerbaijan
• What is Save Armenian Monuments?
• The Significance of Pilgrimage and Holy Sites
• Armenia and Azerbaijan at the International Court of Justice: Is Intentional Cultural Destruction a form of Racial Discrimination?
• What Next Steps?

Guests:

• Virginia Davies TW/@vdaviesnyc
• Heghnar Watenpaugh TW/@HeghnarW

Host:

• Simon Maghakyan TW/@simonforco

Episode 97 |

Guest(s):

• Virginia Davies
• Heghnar Watenpaugh

Save Armenian Monuments A Conversation with Virginia Davies and Heghnar Watenpaugh

Topics:

• One year after the War in Artsakh, the State of Armenian Monuments in Lands turned over to Azerbaijan
• What is Save Armenian Monuments?
• The Significance of Pilgrimage and Holy Sites
• Armenia and Azerbaijan at the International Court of Justice: Is Intentional Cultural Destruction a form of Racial Discrimination?
• What Next Steps?

Guests:

• Virginia Davies TW/@vdaviesnyc
• Heghnar Watenpaugh TW/@HeghnarW

Host:

• Simon Maghakyan TW/@simonforco

Episode 97 |

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 31, 2021

Topics:

• Georgia’s Runoff Elections
• Turkish Drones in Donbas
• Iran-Turkey Tensions
• The G20 Palooza

Guests:

• Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 96 | Recorded: October 31, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211031.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 31, 2021

Topics:

• Georgia’s Runoff Elections
• Turkish Drones in Donbas
• Iran-Turkey Tensions
• The G20 Palooza

Guests:

• Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 96 | Recorded: October 31, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211031.html

Armenia’s Borders in Maps - A Conversation with Rouben Galichian | Ep 95 - Oct 29, 2021

Guest:

• Rouben Galichian

Topics:

• Following the 44-day War in Artsakh, Azerbaijan’s president demands Armenia sign a “Peace Treaty” involving full border recognition.
• Historical and contemporary mapping of Armenian borders
• Early cartography and 20th-century developments
• Enclaves, the Goris-Kapan Highway, and Sev Lake
• Armenia-Iran border considerations

Episode 95 | Recorded: October 29, 2021

Armenia’s Borders in Maps - A Conversation with Rouben Galichian | Ep 95 - Oct 29, 2021

Guest:

• Rouben Galichian

Topics:

• Following the 44-day War in Artsakh, Azerbaijan’s president demands Armenia sign a “Peace Treaty” involving full border recognition.
• Historical and contemporary mapping of Armenian borders
• Early cartography and 20th-century developments
• Enclaves, the Goris-Kapan Highway, and Sev Lake
• Armenia-Iran border considerations

Episode 95 | Recorded: October 29, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 24, 2021

Topics:

• Yerevan’s “Positive Messages”
• Opposition Going Back to Street Rallies?
• Ruling Party Setbacks in Local Elections
• Vano Siradeghyan Dies

Guests:

• Tevan Poghosyan TW/@TevanPoghosyan

Guest(s):

• Tevan Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 94 | Recorded: October 25, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211024.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 24, 2021

Topics:

• Yerevan’s “Positive Messages”
• Opposition Going Back to Street Rallies?
• Ruling Party Setbacks in Local Elections
• Vano Siradeghyan Dies

Guests:

• Tevan Poghosyan TW/@TevanPoghosyan

Guest(s):

• Tevan Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 94 | Recorded: October 25, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211024.html

Armenia’s Diplomacy and Corridor Politics

Topics:

• In the past month a flurry of diplomatic activity has risen around Armenia. The top diplomats from neighboring countries, regional and global powers have met with Armenia’s top leadership to discuss the shifting geopolitics reshaping the South Caucasus politically and economically for the coming decades. How is Armenia’s diplomacy navigating the “Corridor Politics” and what are the prospects for a peaceful neighborhood?

Guest:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan

Episode 93 | Recorded: October 18, 2021

Armenia’s Diplomacy and Corridor Politics

Topics:

• In the past month a flurry of diplomatic activity has risen around Armenia. The top diplomats from neighboring countries, regional and global powers have met with Armenia’s top leadership to discuss the shifting geopolitics reshaping the South Caucasus politically and economically for the coming decades. How is Armenia’s diplomacy navigating the “Corridor Politics” and what are the prospects for a peaceful neighborhood?

Guest:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan

Episode 93 | Recorded: October 18, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 17, 2021

Topics:

• A Flurry of Diplomatic Activity
• Results from Tavush, Shirak and Syunik
• Vaccination in Armenia
• Trust in the Authorities about Information from Border Areas

Guests:

• Hrant Mikaelian TW/@hrant_m

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 92 | Recorded: October 18, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211017.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 17, 2021

Topics:

• A Flurry of Diplomatic Activity
• Results from Tavush, Shirak and Syunik
• Vaccination in Armenia
• Trust in the Authorities about Information from Border Areas

Guests:

• Hrant Mikaelian TW/@hrant_m

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 92 | Recorded: October 18, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211017.html