Category: China

Guest:

Topics:

  • Israel hits Iran, talks collapse
  • Armenia at risk if Iran weakens
  • Russia hardens stance on Ukraine

Episode 447 | Recorded: June 15, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Israel hits Iran, talks collapse
  • Armenia at risk if Iran weakens
  • Russia hardens stance on Ukraine

Episode 447 | Recorded: June 15, 2025

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs, to analyze the geopolitical fallout from Israel’s surprise military campaign against Iran, known as Operation Rising Lion. We explore how the attacks may sabotage U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, shift Russia’s strategic calculus, and destabilize the South Caucasus—particularly Armenia’s Syunik province. We also examine the implications for Russia-Iran relations, the Zangezur corridor, and Azerbaijan’s military posture. Finally, we discuss Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb, recent  Read More

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia legalizes round-the-clock surveillance.
  • Law enables political targeting, critics warn.
  • No oversight, no privacy laws.
  • Silence from Armenia’s new geopolitical allies.

Episode 446 | Recorded: June 12, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia legalizes round-the-clock surveillance.
  • Law enables political targeting, critics warn.
  • No oversight, no privacy laws.
  • Silence from Armenia’s new geopolitical allies.

Episode 446 | Recorded: June 12, 2025

In this episode of Groong: Spotlight on Silence, we speak with Rafael Ishkhanyan of the Armenian Center for Political Rights about Armenia’s sweeping new surveillance law. Passed quietly in March 2025, the law grants police 24/7 access to camera networks across public institutions and allows for real-time facial recognition, raising deep concerns about privacy, political targeting, and unchecked state power. We explore what the law says, what it leaves out, and why international silence—despite clear risks to civil liberties—has been so striking.

Guest:

  • Rananjay Anand , Co-Founder & President of the Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO.

Topics:

  • Operation Sindoor
  • Indians Boycott Turkey & Azerbaijan
  • Armenia as a Robus Partner

Episode 445 | Recorded: June 9, 2025

Guest:

  • Rananjay Anand , Co-Founder & President of the Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO.

Topics:

  • Operation Sindoor
  • Indians Boycott Turkey & Azerbaijan
  • Armenia as a Robus Partner

Episode 445 | Recorded: June 9, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Turkey-Pakistan-Azerbaijan Axis
  • Operation Sindoor
  • Armenia As a Strategic Partner
  • West Asia and Eurasia Context
  • Future Outlook

Episode 443 | Recorded: June 3, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Turkey-Pakistan-Azerbaijan Axis
  • Operation Sindoor
  • Armenia As a Strategic Partner
  • West Asia and Eurasia Context
  • Future Outlook

Episode 443 | Recorded: June 3, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Status of Ukraine and US-Iran Crises
  • Hakan Fidan in Moscow
  • Erdogan, Aliyev, Sharif in Lachin
  • Azerbaijan and Pashinyan Attack the Armenian Church
  • Impeachment vs. Elections
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 442 | Recorded: June 2, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Status of Ukraine and US-Iran Crises
  • Hakan Fidan in Moscow
  • Erdogan, Aliyev, Sharif in Lachin
  • Azerbaijan and Pashinyan Attack the Armenian Church
  • Impeachment vs. Elections
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 442 | Recorded: June 2, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US-Iran Nuclear Talks
  • Pezeshkian Visit to Baku
  • Iran-Armenia Relations
  • US Support for Azerbaijan

Episode 437 | Recorded: May 16, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US-Iran Nuclear Talks
  • Pezeshkian Visit to Baku
  • Iran-Armenia Relations
  • US Support for Azerbaijan

Episode 437 | Recorded: May 16, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • May 9, Victory Day and Parade
  • Pashinyan, Aliyev Posture at Victory Day
  • Artsrun Hovhannisyan’s Historical Revision
  • Armenia and Artsakh Contributions to WW2

Episode 436 | Recorded: May 15, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • May 9, Victory Day and Parade
  • Pashinyan, Aliyev Posture at Victory Day
  • Artsrun Hovhannisyan’s Historical Revision
  • Armenia and Artsakh Contributions to WW2

Episode 436 | Recorded: May 15, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • May 9 Victory Parade
  • Ukraine
  • India and Pakistan
  • Armenian Azerbaijani Talks
  • American Pope

Episode 435 | Recorded: May 12, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • May 9 Victory Parade
  • Ukraine
  • India and Pakistan
  • Armenian Azerbaijani Talks
  • American Pope

Episode 435 | Recorded: May 12, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran Sanctions Escalate Amid Tensions
  • Journalist Beaten Inside Yerevan Office
  • Moscow Celebrates Victory Day Parade
  • Armenia Caught Between EU and Russia

Episode 434 | Recorded: May 6, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran Sanctions Escalate Amid Tensions
  • Journalist Beaten Inside Yerevan Office
  • Moscow Celebrates Victory Day Parade
  • Armenia Caught Between EU and Russia

Episode 434 | Recorded: May 6, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Genocide Recognition and State Silence
  • Iran-Azerbaijan Talks & Geopolitical Shifts
  • Bandar Abbas: Explosion, or Warning?

Episode 432 | Recorded: April 29, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Genocide Recognition and State Silence
  • Iran-Azerbaijan Talks & Geopolitical Shifts
  • Bandar Abbas: Explosion, or Warning?

Episode 432 | Recorded: April 29, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Vatican’s alliance with Azerbaijan
  • Whitewashing of Artsakh’s ethnic cleansing
  • Global silence on Armenian Genocide
  • U.S. policy under Trump and risks to Armenia

Episode 431 | Recorded: April 29, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Vatican’s alliance with Azerbaijan
  • Whitewashing of Artsakh’s ethnic cleansing
  • Global silence on Armenian Genocide
  • U.S. policy under Trump and risks to Armenia

Episode 431 | Recorded: April 29, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Vatican Hosts Fake Azeri Conference
  • Azerbaijani Propaganda and Cultural Misappropriation
  • Weakness and Silent Complicity of the Armenian State

Episode 430 | Recorded: April 26, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Vatican Hosts Fake Azeri Conference
  • Azerbaijani Propaganda and Cultural Misappropriation
  • Weakness and Silent Complicity of the Armenian State

Episode 430 | Recorded: April 26, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US-Iran Talks & Israeli Threats
  • Trump Administration Support for Azerbaijan
  • Iran-Azerbaijan Relations & Corridor Demands
  • Vatican Controversy & Global Anti-Armenian Propaganda
  • Local Elections in Gyumri and Parakar
  • Government-Fueled Hate Against Artsakh Refugees

Episode 429 | Recorded: April 22, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US-Iran Talks & Israeli Threats
  • Trump Administration Support for Azerbaijan
  • Iran-Azerbaijan Relations & Corridor Demands
  • Vatican Controversy & Global Anti-Armenian Propaganda
  • Local Elections in Gyumri and Parakar
  • Government-Fueled Hate Against Artsakh Refugees

Episode 429 | Recorded: April 22, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • U.S. Tariff Wars
  • Target: Iran
  • The Global South
  • The Belt and Road Initiative

Episode 427 | Recorded: April 6, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • U.S. Tariff Wars
  • Target: Iran
  • The Global South
  • The Belt and Road Initiative

Episode 427 | Recorded: April 6, 2025

In this Conversations on Groong episode, we speak with Professor Warwick Powell about the tectonic shifts in global trade, economics, and geopolitics. From Washington’s renewed tariff wars to China’s expanding influence through BRICS and infrastructure initiatives like the BRI, Powell shares his insights on the emerging multipolar order and the declining dominance of the U.S.-centric financial system.

Guest:

Topics:

  • US Iran Escalation
  • Aftermath of Gyumri and Parakar
  • MFA blames Artsakh for Regional Isolation
  • Bullets and Peace

Episode 426 | Recorded: April 8, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US Iran Escalation
  • Aftermath of Gyumri and Parakar
  • MFA blames Artsakh for Regional Isolation
  • Bullets and Peace

Episode 426 | Recorded: April 8, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran Rejects US Offer of Direct Negotiations
  • Iran and Armenia Ties
  • Gyumri and Parakar Municipal Elections
  • Artsakh Refugee Protests in Armenia

Episode 425 | Recorded: March 31, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran Rejects US Offer of Direct Negotiations
  • Iran and Armenia Ties
  • Gyumri and Parakar Municipal Elections
  • Artsakh Refugee Protests in Armenia

Episode 425 | Recorded: March 31, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump’s Iran ultimatum explored
  • Turkey’s protests seen as strategic
  • Azerbaijan’s peace deal as smokescreen
  • Armenia’s Westward drift analyzed
  • Gyumri elections stir controversy

Episode 424 | Recorded: March 25, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump’s Iran ultimatum explored
  • Turkey’s protests seen as strategic
  • Azerbaijan’s peace deal as smokescreen
  • Armenia’s Westward drift analyzed
  • Gyumri elections stir controversy

Episode 424 | Recorded: March 25, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia-Azerbaijan “Treaty”: Concessions, secrecy, opposition backlash.
  • Preconditions for Peace: OSCE Minsk dissolution, constitutional changes.
  • Ukraine War Talks: Jeddah negotiations, UAV attacks, Trump-Putin call.
  • Witkoff’s Baku Stop: Mysterious visit raising geopolitical questions.

Episode 423 | Recorded: March 17, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia-Azerbaijan “Treaty”: Concessions, secrecy, opposition backlash.
  • Preconditions for Peace: OSCE Minsk dissolution, constitutional changes.
  • Ukraine War Talks: Jeddah negotiations, UAV attacks, Trump-Putin call.
  • Witkoff’s Baku Stop: Mysterious visit raising geopolitical questions.

Episode 423 | Recorded: March 17, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ceasefire Terms:
  • Negotiation Dynamics
  • Posturing & International Pressure
  • Risks & Challenges

Episode 422 | Recorded: March 12, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ceasefire Terms:
  • Negotiation Dynamics
  • Posturing & International Pressure
  • Risks & Challenges

Episode 422 | Recorded: March 12, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Abkhaz Elections & Regional Implications – The second round of Abkhazia’s presidential elections, the impact of mass protests, and what Badra Gunba’s victory means for the region.
  • Armenian Hostages in Baku – Ongoing trials of Armenian POWs and former Artsakh leaders, reports of torture, and international calls for independent medical evaluations.
  • Protests in Yerevan Over POWs – Civil society and opposition-led demonstrations demanding stronger government action and international intervention.
 Read More

Guest:

Topics:

  • Abkhaz Elections & Regional Implications – The second round of Abkhazia’s presidential elections, the impact of mass protests, and what Badra Gunba’s victory means for the region.
  • Armenian Hostages in Baku – Ongoing trials of Armenian POWs and former Artsakh leaders, reports of torture, and international calls for independent medical evaluations.
  • Protests in Yerevan Over POWs – Civil society and opposition-led demonstrations demanding stronger government action and international intervention.
 Read More

Guest:

Topics:

  • US Foreign Policy Under Trump
  • Transactional Foreign Policy
  • Trump’s Cabinet & Policy Shifts
  • US-Armenia Relations

Episode 420 | Recorded: February 27, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US Foreign Policy Under Trump
  • Transactional Foreign Policy
  • Trump’s Cabinet & Policy Shifts
  • US-Armenia Relations

Episode 420 | Recorded: February 27, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Jean-Daniel Ruch’s Career & Background
  • The Role of Diplomacy in Conflict Resolution
  • Western Democracy Promotion & Geopolitical Power Plays
  • The War in Ukraine & Failed Peace Efforts
  • US & European Geopolitical Strategies
  • The International Criminal Court & Selective Justice
  • The Artsakh Conflict & Armenian Displacement

Episode 419 | Recorded: February 27, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Jean-Daniel Ruch’s Career & Background
  • The Role of Diplomacy in Conflict Resolution
  • Western Democracy Promotion & Geopolitical Power Plays
  • The War in Ukraine & Failed Peace Efforts
  • US & European Geopolitical Strategies
  • The International Criminal Court & Selective Justice
  • The Artsakh Conflict & Armenian Displacement

Episode 419 | Recorded: February 27, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine Negotiations in Riyadh
  • Edgar Ghazayan Bullied by the Government
  • Robert Kocharyan Press Conference
  • Yerevan Bus Fares

Episode 418 | Recorded: February 24, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine Negotiations in Riyadh
  • Edgar Ghazayan Bullied by the Government
  • Robert Kocharyan Press Conference
  • Yerevan Bus Fares

Episode 418 | Recorded: February 24, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • World Politics
  • Plan, or No Plan?
  • Corridor Talk
  • Domestic Politics

Episode 416 | Recorded: February 17, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • World Politics
  • Plan, or No Plan?
  • Corridor Talk
  • Domestic Politics

Episode 416 | Recorded: February 17, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Think Tanks: Defining the Problem
  • Media Manipulation, NGOs, and Colored Coups
  • Reforming the Think Tank Industry

Episode 415 | Recorded: February 6, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Think Tanks: Defining the Problem
  • Media Manipulation, NGOs, and Colored Coups
  • Reforming the Think Tank Industry

Episode 415 | Recorded: February 6, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • A New Détente?
  • The Trump-Putin Call
  • Russia’s Strategic Choices
  • Russo-Armenian Relations
  • Russo-Azerbaijani Relations
  • Georgia’s Pragmatism

Episode 414 | Recorded: Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • A New Détente?
  • The Trump-Putin Call
  • Russia’s Strategic Choices
  • Russo-Armenian Relations
  • Russo-Azerbaijani Relations
  • Georgia’s Pragmatism

Episode 414 | Recorded: Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025

A New Détente? The Trump-Putin Call. Russia’s Strategic Choices. Russo-Armenian Relations. Russo-Azerbaijani Relations. Georgia’s Pragmatism.

Guest:

Topics:

  • The Ongoing conflicts: Gaza, Syria, Ukraine
  • Shifting Global Power and Alliances
  • Small Countries in a Multipolar World

Episode 411 | Recorded: February 6, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • The Ongoing conflicts: Gaza, Syria, Ukraine
  • Shifting Global Power and Alliances
  • Small Countries in a Multipolar World

Episode 411 | Recorded: February 6, 2025

The Ongoing conflicts: Gaza, Syria, Ukraine. Shifting Global Power and Alliances. Small Countries in a Multipolar World.

Guest:

Topics:

  • MPG Poll: Pashinyan’s Rating Tanks
  • Russia Azerbaijan Relations Deteriorating
  • Armenia’s Strategic Geopolitical Balancing
  • Azerbaijan and the “Zangezur Corridor”

Episode 410 | Recorded: February 3, 2025