Category: Azerbaijan

Guest(s):

• George Tabakian
• Karen Vrtanesyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 28, 2021

Topics:

• What’s Going on with the Armed Forces?
  • Turkey: Enemy No More?
  • What Just Happened in the General Staff?
  • Morale and Readiness of the Armed Forces
  • The Defense Budget
• Report from Syunik

Guests

• George Tabakian
• Karen Vrtanesyan

Hosts

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210328.html Episode 55 | Recorded: March 28, 2021

Guest(s):

• George Tabakian
• Karen Vrtanesyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 28, 2021

Topics:

• What’s Going on with the Armed Forces?
  • Turkey: Enemy No More?
  • What Just Happened in the General Staff?
  • Morale and Readiness of the Armed Forces
  • The Defense Budget
• Report from Syunik

Guests

• George Tabakian
• Karen Vrtanesyan

Hosts

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210328.html Episode 55 | Recorded: March 28, 2021

Guest(s):

• David Davidian
• Emil Sanamyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 21, 2021

Topics:

• Snap On - June 20th!
• Gas Through Azerbaijan
• Military Exercises by Armenia and Azerbaijan

Guests

• David Davidian
• Emil Sanamyan

Hosts

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210321.html Episode 54 | Recorded: March 21, 2021

Guest(s):

• David Davidian
• Emil Sanamyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 21, 2021

Topics:

• Snap On - June 20th!
• Gas Through Azerbaijan
• Military Exercises by Armenia and Azerbaijan

Guests

• David Davidian
• Emil Sanamyan

Hosts

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210321.html Episode 54 | Recorded: March 21, 2021

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 14, 2021

Topics:

• Newly Released IRI Poll Results
• Armen Grigoryan’s Interview
• Snap On, Snap Off!

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210314.html Episode 53 | Recorded on March 14, 2021

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 14, 2021

Topics:

• Newly Released IRI Poll Results
• Armen Grigoryan’s Interview
• Snap On, Snap Off!

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210314.html Episode 53 | Recorded on March 14, 2021

Guest(s):

• David Davidian
• George Tabakian

ANN Groong Week in Review - Episode 52 - Feb 28, 2021

Topics Covered:

• Wait, Did Armenia Use the Iskander to Blow Up its Relations With Russia?
• Wait, Was There a Coup?
• The Opposition Picks up Steam
• Wait, was The 737 Hijacked?

Guests:

• David Davidian
• George Tabakian

Your Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210228.html Episode 52 | Recorded: February 28, 2021

Guest(s):

• David Davidian
• George Tabakian

ANN Groong Week in Review - Episode 52 - Feb 28, 2021

Topics Covered:

• Wait, Did Armenia Use the Iskander to Blow Up its Relations With Russia?
• Wait, Was There a Coup?
• The Opposition Picks up Steam
• Wait, was The 737 Hijacked?

Guests:

• David Davidian
• George Tabakian

Your Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210228.html Episode 52 | Recorded: February 28, 2021

Guest(s):

• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 49 - February 14, 2021

Topics Covered:

• Syunik Confidential
• Developments in Artsakh
• Snap elections flip flop

Guests:

• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Your Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210214.html Episode 49 | Recorded: February 14, 2021

Guest(s):

• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 49 - February 14, 2021

Topics Covered:

• Syunik Confidential
• Developments in Artsakh
• Snap elections flip flop

Guests:

• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Your Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210214.html Episode 49 | Recorded: February 14, 2021

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 48 - February 7, 2021

Topics Covered:

• Lost in Artsakh, Thirsty in Syunik
• Amending the Law on Mass Media
• Update on the Political Scene in Yerevan
• Rising National Debt, Inflation and Interest Rates

Guests

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210207.html Recorded: February 7, 2021

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 48 - February 7, 2021

Topics Covered:

• Lost in Artsakh, Thirsty in Syunik
• Amending the Law on Mass Media
• Update on the Political Scene in Yerevan
• Rising National Debt, Inflation and Interest Rates

Guests

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210207.html Recorded: February 7, 2021

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Hrant Mikaelian

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 31, 2021

Topics Covered:

• Another Constitutional Amendment?
• Opposition Rising: New Bottle, Old Wine?
• Iran’s FM Zarif on a Tour de Six
• State of the Virus in Armenia
• Armenia Fund Used to Shore up the Dram?

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Hrant Mikaelian

Your Hosts:

• Alen Zamanyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210131.html Episode 47 | Recorded on January 31, 2021

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Hrant Mikaelian

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 31, 2021

Topics Covered:

• Another Constitutional Amendment?
• Opposition Rising: New Bottle, Old Wine?
• Iran’s FM Zarif on a Tour de Six
• State of the Virus in Armenia
• Armenia Fund Used to Shore up the Dram?

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Hrant Mikaelian

Your Hosts:

• Alen Zamanyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210131.html Episode 47 | Recorded on January 31, 2021

Guest(s):

• Ruben Muradyan

Armenian IT Security and Readiness During Wartime - with Ruben Muradyan - Jan. 31, 2021

Experience being called up and participating in the war

Ethics of a security professional. What to do when a government member asks you to conduct greyhat (potentially unlawful or unethical) security?

On the 2nd day of the war Ruben was called up to the army as part of an infantry company.

• Can you describe your experience?
• How were you drafted? And where did you serve?
• What specialty did you have in the army?
• What can you tell us about what you saw?
• Why did we lose the war?

Guest(s):

• Ruben Muradyan

Armenian IT Security and Readiness During Wartime - with Ruben Muradyan - Jan. 31, 2021

Experience being called up and participating in the war

Ethics of a security professional. What to do when a government member asks you to conduct greyhat (potentially unlawful or unethical) security?

On the 2nd day of the war Ruben was called up to the army as part of an infantry company.

• Can you describe your experience?
• How were you drafted? And where did you serve?
• What specialty did you have in the army?
• What can you tell us about what you saw?
• Why did we lose the war?

Guest(s):

• Aram Suren Hamparian
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 24, 2021

Topics Covered:

• Supreme Judicial Council Appointments
• Turkish-Azerbaijan Military Exercises in Kars Region
• Incoming US Secretary of State Tony Blinken on Armenia

Guests

• Aram Hamparian
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210124.html Episode 45 | Recorded on January 24, 2021

Guest(s):

• Aram Suren Hamparian
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 24, 2021

Topics Covered:

• Supreme Judicial Council Appointments
• Turkish-Azerbaijan Military Exercises in Kars Region
• Incoming US Secretary of State Tony Blinken on Armenia

Guests

• Aram Hamparian
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210124.html Episode 45 | Recorded on January 24, 2021

Groong Links:

• GIVE to GROONG
• linktr.ee/Groong

Guest:

• Armen Ashotyan , MP, VP Republican Party of Armenia (HHK)

Topics:

• What took place in 2018?
• Why did RPA support Vazgen Manukyan as PM candidate?
• Nov. 9/10 ceasefire agreement & Jan 11 statement
• Is the RPA truly serious about removing Pashinyan? Why hasn’t the opposition mobilized more people onto the streets?
• Lessons learned from Dec. 2018 elections.

Episode 44 | Recorded on January 17, 2021

Groong Links:

• GIVE to GROONG
• linktr.ee/Groong

Guest:

• Armen Ashotyan , MP, VP Republican Party of Armenia (HHK)

Topics:

• What took place in 2018?
• Why did RPA support Vazgen Manukyan as PM candidate?
• Nov. 9/10 ceasefire agreement & Jan 11 statement
• Is the RPA truly serious about removing Pashinyan? Why hasn’t the opposition mobilized more people onto the streets?
• Lessons learned from Dec. 2018 elections.

Episode 44 | Recorded on January 17, 2021

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Edgar Elbakyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 17, 2021

Topics Covered:

• Outcomes from Nikol Pashinyan’s trip to Moscow
• What is Azerbaijan’s geo-political situation after the war?
• Domestic politics in Baku
• Azerbaijan’s losses from the second war in Artsakh

Guests

• Edgar Elbakyan
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210117.html Recorded: January 17, 2021

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Edgar Elbakyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 17, 2021

Topics Covered:

• Outcomes from Nikol Pashinyan’s trip to Moscow
• What is Azerbaijan’s geo-political situation after the war?
• Domestic politics in Baku
• Azerbaijan’s losses from the second war in Artsakh

Guests

• Edgar Elbakyan
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210117.html Recorded: January 17, 2021

Guest(s):

• Ruben Melikyan

Former Artsakh Ombudsman Ruben Melikyan - 01/18/2021

We’ll be discussing various legal and human-rights topics within the context of recent developments in Armenia.

Guest:

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

Topics:

• Why are there Armenian POWs still in Azerbaijan so long after the Nov. 9 ceasefire agreement?
• On Constitutional Court judges being forced to resign
• On Parliament’s endorsement of Gagik

Guest(s):

• Ruben Melikyan

Former Artsakh Ombudsman Ruben Melikyan - 01/18/2021

We’ll be discussing various legal and human-rights topics within the context of recent developments in Armenia.

Guest:

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

Topics:

• Why are there Armenian POWs still in Azerbaijan so long after the Nov. 9 ceasefire agreement?
• On Constitutional Court judges being forced to resign
• On Parliament’s endorsement of Gagik

Guest(s):

• Aram Vardevanyan

Conversation with Aram Vardevanyan - 01/13/2021

Since Nikol Pashinyan came to power in 2018, and prior to the Artsakh war of 2020, issues around the Armenian constitution and constitutional court have been in the center of public attention. These issues have been partly fueled by one of the most prominent legal cases in recent Armenian history, the March 1 trial against Armenian president Robert Kocharyan and military leadership at the time. We’ll explore issues surrounding the March 1 case, as well as legal and specifically constitutional questions related

Guest(s):

• Aram Vardevanyan

Conversation with Aram Vardevanyan - 01/13/2021

Since Nikol Pashinyan came to power in 2018, and prior to the Artsakh war of 2020, issues around the Armenian constitution and constitutional court have been in the center of public attention. These issues have been partly fueled by one of the most prominent legal cases in recent Armenian history, the March 1 trial against Armenian president Robert Kocharyan and military leadership at the time. We’ll explore issues surrounding the March 1 case, as well as legal and specifically constitutional questions related

Guest(s):

• Maria Karapetyan

Conversation with My Step’s Maria Karapetyan - 01/08/2021

As protesters in the streets of Yerevan continue demanding the resignation of PM Nikol Pashinyan in the aftermath of the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, the ruling My Step faction seems to be firmly on the side of the prime minister.

In the last week or so here at Groong we hosted representatives of various opposition parties and today we will host a representative from the ruling My Step faction to talk about the ongoing political crisis in Armenia.

Today we’re joined by:

Maria Karapetyan, who is a member

Guest(s):

• Maria Karapetyan

Conversation with My Step’s Maria Karapetyan - 01/08/2021

As protesters in the streets of Yerevan continue demanding the resignation of PM Nikol Pashinyan in the aftermath of the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, the ruling My Step faction seems to be firmly on the side of the prime minister.

In the last week or so here at Groong we hosted representatives of various opposition parties and today we will host a representative from the ruling My Step faction to talk about the ongoing political crisis in Armenia.

Today we’re joined by:

Maria Karapetyan, who is a member

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Dec 6, 2020

Topics:

• Turkey and Azerbaijan Connecting
• Armenia’s Political Opposition Uniting
• Does Putin support Pashinyan?
• Robert Kocharyan Interview

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Asbed Kotchikian

Episode 30 | Recorded: Dec 6, 2020

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Dec 6, 2020

Topics:

• Turkey and Azerbaijan Connecting
• Armenia’s Political Opposition Uniting
• Does Putin support Pashinyan?
• Robert Kocharyan Interview

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Asbed Kotchikian

Episode 30 | Recorded: Dec 6, 2020

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Suren Sargsyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 25 - Nov 1, 2020

Topics Covered:

• Summary of diplomatic activities
• Iranian mediation offers
• Negotiations in Geneva
• Support from ex-presidents
• Latest update on the war

Your Hosts:

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

Resident Panelists:

• Asbed Kotchikian https://twitter.com/asbedk
• Suren Sargsyan https://twitter.com/s_a_sargsyan

Recorded: Oct 30, 2020

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Suren Sargsyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 25 - Nov 1, 2020

Topics Covered:

• Summary of diplomatic activities
• Iranian mediation offers
• Negotiations in Geneva
• Support from ex-presidents
• Latest update on the war

Your Hosts:

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

Resident Panelists:

• Asbed Kotchikian https://twitter.com/asbedk
• Suren Sargsyan https://twitter.com/s_a_sargsyan

Recorded: Oct 30, 2020

Guest(s):

• Katia Peltekian
• Vera Yacoubian

Conversations on Groong: Artsakh in the Arab Media - Oct 28, 2020

Since September 27, Azerbaijan has been waging an all out war on Artsakh, cluster-bombing towns and villages and killing civilians and destroying churches and cultural centers, with the aim to destroy and depopulate the region. The worldwide Armenian Diaspora has come together to fight this existential threat.

We’ve read much about the Diaspora’s activities around most of the world, but what about the Arab world? This episode explores some of the challenges and opportunities that

Guest(s):

• Katia Peltekian
• Vera Yacoubian

Conversations on Groong: Artsakh in the Arab Media - Oct 28, 2020

Since September 27, Azerbaijan has been waging an all out war on Artsakh, cluster-bombing towns and villages and killing civilians and destroying churches and cultural centers, with the aim to destroy and depopulate the region. The worldwide Armenian Diaspora has come together to fight this existential threat.

We’ve read much about the Diaspora’s activities around most of the world, but what about the Arab world? This episode explores some of the challenges and opportunities that

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 18, 2020

Topics Covered:

• In retrospect: Tracing our steps back to Sep. 27
• Call from extra-parliamentary opposition for a War Council
• Mobilization of the Armenian diaspora

Your Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Resident Panelists:

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

Episode 22. Recorded: October18, 2020 Playlist: WiR (Week in Review)

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 18, 2020

Topics Covered:

• In retrospect: Tracing our steps back to Sep. 27
• Call from extra-parliamentary opposition for a War Council
• Mobilization of the Armenian diaspora

Your Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Resident Panelists:

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

Episode 22. Recorded: October18, 2020 Playlist: WiR (Week in Review)

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 4, 2020

Topics:

• Stepanakert under persistent bombardment using banned cluster bombs.
• Turkey’s role in the war.
• Why is Russia quiet?
• What can we expect next?

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Marine Manucharyan
• Emil Sanamyan

Episode 20 | Recorded: Oct 3, 2020

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 4, 2020

Topics:

• Stepanakert under persistent bombardment using banned cluster bombs.
• Turkey’s role in the war.
• Why is Russia quiet?
• What can we expect next?

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Marine Manucharyan
• Emil Sanamyan

Episode 20 | Recorded: Oct 3, 2020

Guest(s):

• Tom de Waal
• Jerald Libaridian

Conversations on Groong - October 3, 2020

It has now been 7 days since Azerbaijan initiated a wide-scale attack against Armenia and Artsakh. The tragic news of deaths and destruction continue to stream in every hour.

In today’s conversation on Groong, we talk to Jirair Libaridian and Thomas DeWaal about the regional geopolitics that helped create a ripe environment for renewed fighting and various potential scenarios that may develop as a result of it.

Questions explored:

• What was the path leading to the latest escalation?
• Why has Turkey taken an

Guest(s):

• Tom de Waal
• Jerald Libaridian

Conversations on Groong - October 3, 2020

It has now been 7 days since Azerbaijan initiated a wide-scale attack against Armenia and Artsakh. The tragic news of deaths and destruction continue to stream in every hour.

In today’s conversation on Groong, we talk to Jirair Libaridian and Thomas DeWaal about the regional geopolitics that helped create a ripe environment for renewed fighting and various potential scenarios that may develop as a result of it.

Questions explored:

• What was the path leading to the latest escalation?
• Why has Turkey taken an

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Marine Manucharyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #18) - 09/27/2020

Topics:

• The 29th Anniversary of Armenian Independence;
• Armenia’s foreign policy;
• Azerbaijan war of disinformation; and lastly
• Opposition trio rally and Tsarukyan’s arrest

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Marine Manucharyan
• Emil Sanamyan

Hosts

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200927.html Episode 18 | Recorded on September 26, 2020

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Marine Manucharyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #18) - 09/27/2020

Topics:

• The 29th Anniversary of Armenian Independence;
• Armenia’s foreign policy;
• Azerbaijan war of disinformation; and lastly
• Opposition trio rally and Tsarukyan’s arrest

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Marine Manucharyan
• Emil Sanamyan

Hosts

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200927.html Episode 18 | Recorded on September 26, 2020

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/20/2020

Topics:

• Constitutional Court Appointment
• Armenia’s Growing National Debt
• Calls for the Resignation of the Minister of Education
• Escalated Tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border
  • Armenian Soldier dies amidst escalation
  • Azerbaijan again slams negotiations, turns away Russian AWACS
• Khodorkovsky Publishes New Dossier on Armenian & Azerbaijan
• Bob Dole hired by Embassy of Armenia as a Lobbyist

Guests

• Hrant Mikaelyan
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/20/2020

Topics:

• Constitutional Court Appointment
• Armenia’s Growing National Debt
• Calls for the Resignation of the Minister of Education
• Escalated Tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border
  • Armenian Soldier dies amidst escalation
  • Azerbaijan again slams negotiations, turns away Russian AWACS
• Khodorkovsky Publishes New Dossier on Armenian & Azerbaijan
• Bob Dole hired by Embassy of Armenia as a Lobbyist

Guests

• Hrant Mikaelyan
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Armenian News Network/Groong: Telecommunications Security in Armenia - Sep 15, 2020)

Conversations on Groong

Background and formulation of the telecoms market in Armenia

Telecommunications market in Armenia started with the monopoly of the incumbent operator ArmenTel owned jointly by Greek state owned company OTE (90%) and Armenian government (10%). The sale-purchase agreement granted ArmenTel (recently rebranded to VEON) exclusive rights to provide basic telecommunications services including international Internet connectivity, mobile and fixed telephony. ArmenTel’s monopoly remained till

Armenian News Network/Groong: Telecommunications Security in Armenia - Sep 15, 2020)

Conversations on Groong

Background and formulation of the telecoms market in Armenia

Telecommunications market in Armenia started with the monopoly of the incumbent operator ArmenTel owned jointly by Greek state owned company OTE (90%) and Armenian government (10%). The sale-purchase agreement granted ArmenTel (recently rebranded to VEON) exclusive rights to provide basic telecommunications services including international Internet connectivity, mobile and fixed telephony. ArmenTel’s monopoly remained till

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/13/2020

Topics:

• Electoral Reforms in Armenia
• Journalist Dana Mazalov passes away
• ANSEF Reorganization
• My Step MP Arsen Julfalakyan Resigns from Parliament
• Russian Opposition Leader Navalny’s Poisoning and Recovery
• What is going on in Baku?
  • Azeri pressure on Arms Providers to Armenia
  • Aliyev vs. Aliyeva?
  • Caucasus 2020 Joint Military Exercises and those MIA

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website:

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/13/2020

Topics:

• Electoral Reforms in Armenia
• Journalist Dana Mazalov passes away
• ANSEF Reorganization
• My Step MP Arsen Julfalakyan Resigns from Parliament
• Russian Opposition Leader Navalny’s Poisoning and Recovery
• What is going on in Baku?
  • Azeri pressure on Arms Providers to Armenia
  • Aliyev vs. Aliyeva?
  • Caucasus 2020 Joint Military Exercises and those MIA

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website:

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• David Sandukhchyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/06/2020

Topics:

• Adios Madrid?
• A New Repatriation Package & iGorts
• Adios Torosyan?
• Update on Covid in Armenia / State of Emergency
• Panelist Soapboxes

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• David Sandukhchyan
• Emil Sanamyan

Hosts

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200906.html Episode 13 | Recorded on September 6, 2020

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• David Sandukhchyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/06/2020

Topics:

• Adios Madrid?
• A New Repatriation Package & iGorts
• Adios Torosyan?
• Update on Covid in Armenia / State of Emergency
• Panelist Soapboxes

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• David Sandukhchyan
• Emil Sanamyan

Hosts

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200906.html Episode 13 | Recorded on September 6, 2020

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/30/2020

Topics:

• Armenian POW Gurgen Alaverdyan
• Armenia’s Humanitarian Aid to Aleppo
• Serge Sargsyan’s Interview and the Four-Day War Deliberations
• National Awards
• Vagharshak Harutyunyan’s Appointment as Chief Advisor to Pashinyan

Guests:

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200830.html Episode 11 | Recorded on August 30 2020

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/30/2020

Topics:

• Armenian POW Gurgen Alaverdyan
• Armenia’s Humanitarian Aid to Aleppo
• Serge Sargsyan’s Interview and the Four-Day War Deliberations
• National Awards
• Vagharshak Harutyunyan’s Appointment as Chief Advisor to Pashinyan

Guests:

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200830.html Episode 11 | Recorded on August 30 2020

Topics:

• Turkey: Zero Problems?
• Azerbaijan: The Myth of Brotherly Relations?
• Armenia: From Diplomatic Overtures to a Mini Cold War

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Ara Sanjian
• Vahram Ter-Matevosyan
• Diana Yayloyan

Host:

• Asbed Kotchikian

Episode 10 | Recorded: August 2020

Topics:

• Turkey: Zero Problems?
• Azerbaijan: The Myth of Brotherly Relations?
• Armenia: From Diplomatic Overtures to a Mini Cold War

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Ara Sanjian
• Vahram Ter-Matevosyan
• Diana Yayloyan

Host:

• Asbed Kotchikian

Episode 10 | Recorded: August 2020

Topics:

• Turkey’s Transformation in Historical Perspective
• Change and Continuity of Turkish Political Culture
• Turkey’s Foreign Policy

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Ara Sanjian
• Vahram Ter-Matevosyan
• Diana Yayloyan

Host:

• Asbed Kotchikian

Episode 9 | Recorded: August 2020

Topics:

• Turkey’s Transformation in Historical Perspective
• Change and Continuity of Turkish Political Culture
• Turkey’s Foreign Policy

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Ara Sanjian
• Vahram Ter-Matevosyan
• Diana Yayloyan

Host:

• Asbed Kotchikian

Episode 9 | Recorded: August 2020

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Hrant Mikaelian
• Artyom Tonoyan
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/16/2020

This Week in Review we talk with Hrant Mikaelian to discuss important issues and developments around Armenia, such as the Coronavirus Pandemic, and its economic effect; Armenia’s membership in EurAsian Economic Union and the economic effect of that organization on Armenia; and some of the trends affecting Russia and its economy.

Hrant will then join us in our weekly lightning round of questions from the past week’s headlines, to analyze Prime Minister Pashinyan’s

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Hrant Mikaelian
• Artyom Tonoyan
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/16/2020

This Week in Review we talk with Hrant Mikaelian to discuss important issues and developments around Armenia, such as the Coronavirus Pandemic, and its economic effect; Armenia’s membership in EurAsian Economic Union and the economic effect of that organization on Armenia; and some of the trends affecting Russia and its economy.

Hrant will then join us in our weekly lightning round of questions from the past week’s headlines, to analyze Prime Minister Pashinyan’s

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Yeghia Tashjian
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/09/2020

Topics:

• The Massive Explosion in Beirut
• Lightning Round
  • Turkey-Azerbaijan Military Exercises
  • Mashtots Park
  • Cyber Security Intrusion
  • Law on Media Regulation
  • Beirut Explosion

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Yeghia Tashjian
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200809.html Episode 6 | Recorded on August 9, 2020

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Yeghia Tashjian
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/09/2020

Topics:

• The Massive Explosion in Beirut
• Lightning Round
  • Turkey-Azerbaijan Military Exercises
  • Mashtots Park
  • Cyber Security Intrusion
  • Law on Media Regulation
  • Beirut Explosion

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Yeghia Tashjian
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200809.html Episode 6 | Recorded on August 9, 2020