Category: Politics

Guest:

Topic:

  • Hovik’s Reflections from the Artsakh Blockade Interviews
  • Is Russia Pressuring Armenia to join a “Union State”?
  • Government Bill to Control the Internet During Martial Law
  • Highlights and Lowlights from Armenian News in 2022
  • Predictions for 2023

Episode 197 | Recorded: January 3, 2023

Guest:

Topic:

  • Hovik’s Reflections from the Artsakh Blockade Interviews
  • Is Russia Pressuring Armenia to join a “Union State”?
  • Government Bill to Control the Internet During Martial Law
  • Highlights and Lowlights from Armenian News in 2022
  • Predictions for 2023

Episode 197 | Recorded: January 3, 2023

Guest:

  • Karen Vrtanesyan , expert on military and warfare strategies with a focus on Armenia and its neighboring region. Co-founder of the website razm.info.

“This is not a humanitarian crisis. This is a political crisis, a crisis of statehood. -Karen Vrtanesyan

Topic:

This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this very serious humanitarian crisis in progress.

Links:

Episode 196 | Recorded: December 30, 2022

Guest:

  • Karen Vrtanesyan , expert on military and warfare strategies with a focus on Armenia and its neighboring region. Co-founder of the website razm.info.

“This is not a humanitarian crisis. This is a political crisis, a crisis of statehood. -Karen Vrtanesyan

Topic:

This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this very serious humanitarian crisis in progress.

Links:

Episode 196 | Recorded: December 30, 2022

Guest:

  • Benyamin Poghosyan , Chairman of the Yerevan based think tank Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies.

“Aliyev’s strategy is ’no Armenians, no problems’. What is our strategy?” -Benyamin Poghosyan

Topic:

More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh) due to Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin corridor, as this crisis enters its 16th day.

This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this

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Guest:

  • Benyamin Poghosyan , Chairman of the Yerevan based think tank Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies.

“Aliyev’s strategy is ’no Armenians, no problems’. What is our strategy?” -Benyamin Poghosyan

Topic:

More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh) due to Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin corridor, as this crisis enters its 16th day.

This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this

 Read More

Guest:

Topic:

  • The Artsakh Blockade
    • The Role of the Armenian Government
    • Relations with Russia
    • Latest Draft of “Peace” Proposal
    • Weekend Protests in Artsakh

Episode 194 | Recorded: December 26, 2022

Guest:

Topic:

  • The Artsakh Blockade
    • The Role of the Armenian Government
    • Relations with Russia
    • Latest Draft of “Peace” Proposal
    • Weekend Protests in Artsakh

Episode 194 | Recorded: December 26, 2022

Guest:

  • Arthur Khachatryan , an MP from the Hayastan (Armenia) alliance and member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF Dashnaktsutyun). In the past, he held government posts such as Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Development, Governor of Shirak, and Minister of Agriculture.

“The Armenian authorities are trying to bury the issue of status of Artsakh” -Arthur Khachatryan

Topic:

More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh) due to Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin corridor, as this crisis enters its 15th day.

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Guest:

  • Arthur Khachatryan , an MP from the Hayastan (Armenia) alliance and member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF Dashnaktsutyun). In the past, he held government posts such as Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Development, Governor of Shirak, and Minister of Agriculture.

“The Armenian authorities are trying to bury the issue of status of Artsakh” -Arthur Khachatryan

Topic:

More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh) due to Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin corridor, as this crisis enters its 15th day.

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Guest:

  • Edgar Elbakyan , a political scientist and social thinker based in Yerevan, Armenia. He is a co-founder of the Armenian Project non-profit organization, which contributes to enhancing Armenian national civil society.

“The problem is not resources or power, the problem is how you put forward your goals”

Topic:

The blockade of Artsakh is now 13 days old. More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh). Supermarket shelves are empty. Essential medicine is running out.

On Friday, December 23, that’s yesterday, a meeting between

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Guest:

  • Edgar Elbakyan , a political scientist and social thinker based in Yerevan, Armenia. He is a co-founder of the Armenian Project non-profit organization, which contributes to enhancing Armenian national civil society.

“The problem is not resources or power, the problem is how you put forward your goals”

Topic:

The blockade of Artsakh is now 13 days old. More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh). Supermarket shelves are empty. Essential medicine is running out.

On Friday, December 23, that’s yesterday, a meeting between

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“Turkish threats are going to disappear only when there is no Armenia” - Varuzhan Geghamyan

Guest:

Topic:

  • We continue our coverage of the crisis in Artsakh by developments in the UN Security Council as well as Turkish and Iranian concerns in the region.
  • More than 120 thousand people, including 30 thousand children, are under siege. Today is the 11th day of the crisis.
  • This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between ANN/Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this very serious humanitarian
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“Turkish threats are going to disappear only when there is no Armenia” - Varuzhan Geghamyan

Guest:

Topic:

  • We continue our coverage of the crisis in Artsakh by developments in the UN Security Council as well as Turkish and Iranian concerns in the region.
  • More than 120 thousand people, including 30 thousand children, are under siege. Today is the 11th day of the crisis.
  • This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between ANN/Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this very serious humanitarian
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“Current Armenian government blames everyone, but themselves, Azerbaijan and Turkey.” -Aram Orbelyan

Guest:

  • Aram Orbelyan , an international law specialist, who is an attorney and managing partner at Concern Dialog law firm, and PhD in Public international law. Mr. Orbelyan lectures at the Academy of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia, and lectured public international law at French University of Armenia. Mr. Orbelyan was Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia between 2011 and 2014.

Topic:

This is Day 11 of the complete blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan. More than 120 thousand

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“Current Armenian government blames everyone, but themselves, Azerbaijan and Turkey.” -Aram Orbelyan

Guest:

  • Aram Orbelyan , an international law specialist, who is an attorney and managing partner at Concern Dialog law firm, and PhD in Public international law. Mr. Orbelyan lectures at the Academy of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia, and lectured public international law at French University of Armenia. Mr. Orbelyan was Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia between 2011 and 2014.

Topic:

This is Day 11 of the complete blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan. More than 120 thousand

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“Armenia has to draw a red line - Artsakh can never be part of Azerbaijan” -Hayk Mamijanyan

Guest:

  • Hayk Mamijanyan is the leader of the oppositional Pativ Unem (With Honor) alliance in the Armenian National Assembly, and a member of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).

Topic:

This is Day 9 of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan.

This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this very serious humanitarian crisis in progress.

Links:

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“Armenia has to draw a red line - Artsakh can never be part of Azerbaijan” -Hayk Mamijanyan

Guest:

  • Hayk Mamijanyan is the leader of the oppositional Pativ Unem (With Honor) alliance in the Armenian National Assembly, and a member of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).

Topic:

This is Day 9 of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan.

This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this very serious humanitarian crisis in progress.

Links:

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“Pashinyan, why don’t you go and shake Artak Beglaryan’s hand, like you did in Shushi in 2019” - Tevan Poghosyan

Guest:

  • Tevan Poghosyan , is president of the International Center for Human Development in Yerevan. Mr. Poghosyan was an MP in the National Assembly between 2012 and 2017 from the Heritage party. From 1997 to 1999 he served as the Nagorno-Karabakh Public Affairs Office Director in Washington, D.C.

Topic:

This is Day 9 of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan. This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more

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“Pashinyan, why don’t you go and shake Artak Beglaryan’s hand, like you did in Shushi in 2019” - Tevan Poghosyan

Guest:

  • Tevan Poghosyan , is president of the International Center for Human Development in Yerevan. Mr. Poghosyan was an MP in the National Assembly between 2012 and 2017 from the Heritage party. From 1997 to 1999 he served as the Nagorno-Karabakh Public Affairs Office Director in Washington, D.C.

Topic:

This is Day 9 of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan. This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more

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“This is the policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide against the people of Artsakh” -Arman Tatoyan

Guest:

  • Arman Tatoyan , is the former ombudsman of the Republic of Armenia. Currently actively pursues human rights for Armenians in the republics of Armenia and Artsakh, especially through his foundation, the “Tatoyan” Center for Law and Justice.

Topic:

This is Day 9 of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan.

As we are recording this discussion, more than 120 thousand people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh). For 9 days, Azerbaijan has brazenly blocked

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“This is the policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide against the people of Artsakh” -Arman Tatoyan

Guest:

  • Arman Tatoyan , is the former ombudsman of the Republic of Armenia. Currently actively pursues human rights for Armenians in the republics of Armenia and Artsakh, especially through his foundation, the “Tatoyan” Center for Law and Justice.

Topic:

This is Day 9 of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan.

As we are recording this discussion, more than 120 thousand people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh). For 9 days, Azerbaijan has brazenly blocked

 Read More

Guest:

  • Hrant Mikaelian , a political scientist and multidisciplinary researcher in social sciences based in Yerevan. He is also a senior researcher at the Caucasus Institute.

“The full state-led attack against Artsakh and Armenia, which no-one in Europe condemned, was a case where the military solution worked. From 2020 onwards, many actors in the world see that you can attack and get away with it.”

Topic:

This is Day 8 of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan. 120 thousand people are effectively being held hostage by the regime in Baku.

Groong and 168 Hours are continuing our

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Guest:

  • Hrant Mikaelian , a political scientist and multidisciplinary researcher in social sciences based in Yerevan. He is also a senior researcher at the Caucasus Institute.

“The full state-led attack against Artsakh and Armenia, which no-one in Europe condemned, was a case where the military solution worked. From 2020 onwards, many actors in the world see that you can attack and get away with it.”

Topic:

This is Day 8 of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan. 120 thousand people are effectively being held hostage by the regime in Baku.

Groong and 168 Hours are continuing our

 Read More

Guest:

  • Arthur Khachikyan , PhD is an International Relations expert from Stanford University, specializing in Intervention. He currently teaches at the Russian Armenian University in Yerevan.

Topic:

We’re going on to Day 6 of the Artsakh Blockade by Azerbaijan, and Groong and 168 Hours are teaming up to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this very serious issue, a major humanitarian crisis in Artsakh in progress.

“We somehow have this complex. We think we’re the sleeping beauty and the west is going to come and save us. And every time that it

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Guest:

  • Arthur Khachikyan , PhD is an International Relations expert from Stanford University, specializing in Intervention. He currently teaches at the Russian Armenian University in Yerevan.

Topic:

We’re going on to Day 6 of the Artsakh Blockade by Azerbaijan, and Groong and 168 Hours are teaming up to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this very serious issue, a major humanitarian crisis in Artsakh in progress.

“We somehow have this complex. We think we’re the sleeping beauty and the west is going to come and save us. And every time that it

 Read More

Guest:

«Սա պետք է ոգևորի և ոգեշնչի յուրաքանչյուր հայի և պետք է նոր թափ հաղորդի մեր այն 30 տարիների պայքարին, որը դեռևս չենք ավարտել:»

Episode 184 | Recorded: December 15, 2022

Guest:

«Սա պետք է ոգևորի և ոգեշնչի յուրաքանչյուր հայի և պետք է նոր թափ հաղորդի մեր այն 30 տարիների պայքարին, որը դեռևս չենք ավարտել:»

Episode 184 | Recorded: December 15, 2022

Guest:

For three days now the campaign instigated by the government of Azerbaijan has prevented the freedom of movement of Armenians of Artsakh. Gas supplies have also been cut off.

“Artsakh is still Armenian land. Artsakh is still an independent republic. Artsakh is not gone. … We have to hold on to what remains of this land here.” - Gev Iskajyan

Episode 183 | Recorded: December 14, 2022

Guest:

For three days now the campaign instigated by the government of Azerbaijan has prevented the freedom of movement of Armenians of Artsakh. Gas supplies have also been cut off.

“Artsakh is still Armenian land. Artsakh is still an independent republic. Artsakh is not gone. … We have to hold on to what remains of this land here.” - Gev Iskajyan

Episode 183 | Recorded: December 14, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • Lachin Corridor Blockade
  • Continuing Armenian-Azerbaijani Negotiations
  • Turkish-Azerbaijani Military Exercises
  • Travel Impressions from the region

Episode 182 | Recorded: December 13, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • Lachin Corridor Blockade
  • Continuing Armenian-Azerbaijani Negotiations
  • Turkish-Azerbaijani Military Exercises
  • Travel Impressions from the region

Episode 182 | Recorded: December 13, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue
    • CSTO Debacle
    • Lavrov Bombshell
    • Lachin Corridor Blockaded
    • Brussels Summit Canceled
  • Artsakh President Lays off Government
  • Parliamentary Opposition Fragmenting

Episode 181 | Recorded: December 6, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue
    • CSTO Debacle
    • Lavrov Bombshell
    • Lachin Corridor Blockaded
    • Brussels Summit Canceled
  • Artsakh President Lays off Government
  • Parliamentary Opposition Fragmenting

Episode 181 | Recorded: December 6, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • What’s Armenia’s Goal in pushing the CSTO in a direction that it won’t go?
  • What Came Out of the CSTO Summit in Yerevan?
  • What is the Level of Trust between the CSTO and Armenia?
  • How should Armenian proceed in Relations with the CSTO?
  • Does Armenia have Alternatives?

Episode 180 | Recorded: December 5, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • What’s Armenia’s Goal in pushing the CSTO in a direction that it won’t go?
  • What Came Out of the CSTO Summit in Yerevan?
  • What is the Level of Trust between the CSTO and Armenia?
  • How should Armenian proceed in Relations with the CSTO?
  • Does Armenia have Alternatives?

Episode 180 | Recorded: December 5, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • How is Armenia’s Economy Doing?
  • Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations
  • French Senate Slams Azerbaijani Occupation of Armenia
  • The Opposition Returns to Parliament

Episode 179 | Recorded: November 21, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • How is Armenia’s Economy Doing?
  • Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations
  • French Senate Slams Azerbaijani Occupation of Armenia
  • The Opposition Returns to Parliament

Episode 179 | Recorded: November 21, 2022

Guests:

Topics:

  • November 10 “Ceasefire”
    • We’ll talk with our guests in Yerevan and Stepanakert about their perceptions of where we are in terms of ceasing fire, two years later.
  • The Peace is Dead, Long Live the Peace
    • We’ll talk about increased war rhetoric from Azerbaijan, threatening Armenia, Russia, Iran, and anyone else who comes to Armenia’s aid. With the pressure increasing and Aliyev’s two-month deadline approaching, we’ll investigate the possibility of renewed war.

Episode 177 | Recorded: November 14, 2022

Guests:

Topics:

  • November 10 “Ceasefire”
    • We’ll talk with our guests in Yerevan and Stepanakert about their perceptions of where we are in terms of ceasing fire, two years later.
  • The Peace is Dead, Long Live the Peace
    • We’ll talk about increased war rhetoric from Azerbaijan, threatening Armenia, Russia, Iran, and anyone else who comes to Armenia’s aid. With the pressure increasing and Aliyev’s two-month deadline approaching, we’ll investigate the possibility of renewed war.

Episode 177 | Recorded: November 14, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • What is HyeID , what problems is it trying to address?
  • Organizations and models for Diaspora representation
  • Funding and operations
  • Outreach to the Diaspora and the Armenian government
  • Current State of the project

Episode 176 | Recorded: November 12, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • What is HyeID , what problems is it trying to address?
  • Organizations and models for Diaspora representation
  • Funding and operations
  • Outreach to the Diaspora and the Armenian government
  • Current State of the project

Episode 176 | Recorded: November 12, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • Latest “Peace” Developments
    • Border Delimitation Discussions in Brussels
    • Meeting of the Foreign Ministers in DC
  • Bellicose Statements Between Azerbaijan and Iran
  • Ruben Vardanyan Takes Over as State Minister of Artsakh

Episode 175 | Recorded: November 8, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • Latest “Peace” Developments
    • Border Delimitation Discussions in Brussels
    • Meeting of the Foreign Ministers in DC
  • Bellicose Statements Between Azerbaijan and Iran
  • Ruben Vardanyan Takes Over as State Minister of Artsakh

Episode 175 | Recorded: November 8, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • Massive Stepanakert Rally
  • Sullivan Plan vs. Russian Plan
  • Upcoming Protest on November 5

Episode 174 | Recorded: November 3, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • Massive Stepanakert Rally
  • Sullivan Plan vs. Russian Plan
  • Upcoming Protest on November 5

Episode 174 | Recorded: November 3, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • Massive Stepanakert Rally
  • The Sullivan Plan
  • CSTO Security Council Convened
  • Trilateral Summit in Sochi
  • From Sochi to Tehran

Episode 173 | Recorded: November 1, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • Massive Stepanakert Rally
  • The Sullivan Plan
  • CSTO Security Council Convened
  • Trilateral Summit in Sochi
  • From Sochi to Tehran

Episode 173 | Recorded: November 1, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • What is the background of Armenia-Diaspora relations against which this conference is taking place?
  • Why did the government need this event right now, and is this the right time?
  • Who was invited, who was not? Why?

Episode 172 | Recorded: October 29, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • What is the background of Armenia-Diaspora relations against which this conference is taking place?
  • Why did the government need this event right now, and is this the right time?
  • Who was invited, who was not? Why?

Episode 172 | Recorded: October 29, 2022

Guests:

Topics:

  • Monitors in Armenia
  • Russia-West Rivalry in the South Caucasus
  • Armenian-Iranian Relations
  • Maritime Agreement between Israel and Lebanon
  • State of Lebanon’s Presidential Election

Guests:

Topics:

  • Monitors in Armenia
  • Russia-West Rivalry in the South Caucasus
  • Armenian-Iranian Relations
  • Maritime Agreement between Israel and Lebanon
  • State of Lebanon’s Presidential Election

Guest:

Topics:

  • Goals and Tactics of Azerbaijan’s Negotiations
  • How did “Corridors” Become a Thing?
  • Russia’s Contributions to the process
  • Options and Scenarios Going Forwards

Episode 168 | Recorded: Friday, October 14, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • Goals and Tactics of Azerbaijan’s Negotiations
  • How did “Corridors” Become a Thing?
  • Russia’s Contributions to the process
  • Options and Scenarios Going Forwards

Episode 168 | Recorded: Friday, October 14, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • US-Armenia Relations
  • Azerbaijan’s Maps and Claims
  • Azerbaijan Continues to Occupy Armenia
  • Internal Politics in Armenia

Episode 166 | Recorded: October 1 & 3, 2022

Guest:

Topics:

  • US-Armenia Relations
  • Azerbaijan’s Maps and Claims
  • Azerbaijan Continues to Occupy Armenia
  • Internal Politics in Armenia

Episode 166 | Recorded: October 1 & 3, 2022

From ‘revolution’ to war: deciphering Armenia’s populist foreign policy-making process Conversation with Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan

Armenian News Network/Groong - September 12, 2022

Recently two AUA professors (Prof. Hovhannes Nikoghosyan and Prof. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan) published a paper in Taylor and Francis Online (TANDF) that analyzes the foreign policy decision making (FPDM) process of the Nikol Pashinyan administration, titled: “From ‘revolution’ to war: deciphering Armenia’s populist foreign policy-making process”. In this episode, we talk to one of the authors

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From ‘revolution’ to war: deciphering Armenia’s populist foreign policy-making process Conversation with Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan

Armenian News Network/Groong - September 12, 2022

Recently two AUA professors (Prof. Hovhannes Nikoghosyan and Prof. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan) published a paper in Taylor and Francis Online (TANDF) that analyzes the foreign policy decision making (FPDM) process of the Nikol Pashinyan administration, titled: “From ‘revolution’ to war: deciphering Armenia’s populist foreign policy-making process”. In this episode, we talk to one of the authors

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Armenian News Network - Groong Week in Review - Sep 11, 2022

Topics:

  • Latest MPG and IRI Poll Results
  • What’s Up with the Armenian Economy?
  • US Armenia Relations
  • Geopolitical Developments

Index: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:52 Guests 00:01:18 Topics 00:02:20 Greetings 00:02:24 MPG and IRI Poll Results 00:21:54 Armenian Economy Dynamics 00:37:13 US-Armenia Relations 00:48:06 Geopolitics, the War in Ukraine 00:55:14 Rants, Personal Statements 00:56:17 Good byes 00:56:27 Closing comments

Guest:

  • Hrant Mikaelian - TW/@hrant_m
  • Suren Sargsyan - TW/@S_A_Sargsyan

Guest(s):

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Armenian News Network - Groong Week in Review - Sep 11, 2022

Topics:

  • Latest MPG and IRI Poll Results
  • What’s Up with the Armenian Economy?
  • US Armenia Relations
  • Geopolitical Developments

Index: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:52 Guests 00:01:18 Topics 00:02:20 Greetings 00:02:24 MPG and IRI Poll Results 00:21:54 Armenian Economy Dynamics 00:37:13 US-Armenia Relations 00:48:06 Geopolitics, the War in Ukraine 00:55:14 Rants, Personal Statements 00:56:17 Good byes 00:56:27 Closing comments

Guest:

  • Hrant Mikaelian - TW/@hrant_m
  • Suren Sargsyan - TW/@S_A_Sargsyan

Guest(s):

 Read More