Politics

Summary In this episode, Christine Arakelian and Col. Douglas MacGregor join the hosts to analyze U.S. foreign policy moves from Gaza to the South Caucasus. They discuss Israel’s ongoing campaign in Gaza, the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, and the likely resumption of hostilities. The conversation examines the Trump–Pashinyan–Aliyev White House summit, the strategic “Trump Corridor” across Armenia, and its impact on Russia, Iran, and India. The guests explore India–Armenia relations, U.S. economic vulnerabilities, and the challenges of sustaining a long-term American role in the Read More

Stanislav Krapivnik - The Evolving World Order, Russia, and the South Caucasus | Ep 458, Aug 9, 2025 [EP458]

Posted on Sunday, Aug 10, 2025 | Category: Georgia, Politics, Ukraine, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Russia, Iran, NATO, Turkey, Economy, Israel | Series: cog, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Stanislav Krapivnik

Topics:

Trump, Pashinyan, Aliyev DC Summit
Ukraine War and the Shifting World Order
Russia and the South Caucasus

Episode 458 | Recorded: August 9, 2025

Stanislav Krapivnik - The Evolving World Order, Russia, and the South Caucasus | Ep 458, Aug 9, 2025 [EP458]

Posted on Sunday, Aug 10, 2025 | Category: Georgia, Politics, Ukraine, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Russia, Iran, NATO, Turkey, Economy, Israel

Groong Links:

Guest:

Stanislav Krapivnik

Topics:

Trump, Pashinyan, Aliyev DC Summit
Ukraine War and the Shifting World Order
Russia and the South Caucasus

Episode 458 | Recorded: August 9, 2025

Transcript: Stanislav Krapivnik - The Evolving World Order, Russia, and the South Caucasus | Ep 458, Aug 9, 2025 [EP458]

Posted on Sunday, Aug 10, 2025 | Category: Georgia, Politics, Ukraine, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Russia, Iran, NATO, Turkey, Economy, Israel, Transcript

In this episode, former U.S. Army officer and military-political analyst Stanislav Krapivnik discusses the geopolitical fallout from the Trump-Pashinyan-Aliyev summit in Washington, which saw the announcement of a “peace” framework, the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, U.S. plans for a 99-year “Trump Corridor” across Armenia, and the dropping of Section 907 to allow arms sales to Azerbaijan. He examines Russia’s heavy focus on the Ukraine war at the expense of the South Caucasus, the loss of Russian leverage over Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the growing role of Turkey. Krapivnik warns of Read More

Benyamin Poghosyan - Trump Ultimatum to Putin, Corridor Pressures, DC Summit, Kitchen Sink | Ep 457, Aug 3, 2025 [EP457]

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 5, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Iran, Ukraine, Russia, India, China, Armenian Genocide, NATO | Series: wir, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Benyamin Poghosyan

Topics:

Trump Ultimatum to Putin
US Sanctions effect on Armenia
Turkey, US, and Armeniaâs Territory
The Kitchen Sink

Episode 457 | Recorded: August 3, 2025

Benyamin Poghosyan - Trump Ultimatum to Putin, Corridor Pressures, DC Summit, Kitchen Sink | Ep 457, Aug 3, 2025 [EP457]

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 5, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Iran, Ukraine, Russia, India, China, Armenian Genocide, NATO

Groong Links:

Guest:

Benyamin Poghosyan

Topics:

Trump Ultimatum to Putin
US Sanctions effect on Armenia
Turkey, US, and Armeniaâs Territory
The Kitchen Sink

Episode 457 | Recorded: August 3, 2025

Benyamin Poghosyan - Public Trust in Freefall, Church on the Rise, and Corridor Pressures Mount | Ep 456, Jul 27, 2025 [EP456]

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 29, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Russia, Iran, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Ukraine, Middle East, Israel, China, India, Geopolitics, Artsakh, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union, Economy, Syria | Series: wir, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Benyamin Poghosyan

Topics:

Corridor Logic
Crackdown Logic
IRI Poll
Russian-Azerbaijani Relations

Episode 456 | Recorded: July 28, 2025

Benyamin Poghosyan - Public Trust in Freefall, Church on the Rise, and Corridor Pressures Mount | Ep 456, Jul 27, 2025 [EP456]

Groong Links:

Guest:

Benyamin Poghosyan

Topics:

Corridor Logic
Crackdown Logic
IRI Poll
Russian-Azerbaijani Relations

Episode 456 | Recorded: July 28, 2025

Arthur Khachatryan - Artsakh Negotiations, Armenian Domestic Politics | Ep 455, Jul 27, 2025 [EP455]

Posted on Sunday, Jul 27, 2025 | Category: Georgia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Armenia, Russia, Turkey, Human Rights, Ukraine, Genocide | Series: cog

Groong Links:

Guest:

Arthur Khachatryan , MP

Topics:

Artsakh Negotiations
Armenian Domestic Politics

Episode 455 | Recorded: July 25, 2025

Arthur Khachatryan - Artsakh Negotiations, Armenian Domestic Politics | Ep 455, Jul 27, 2025 [EP455]

Posted on Sunday, Jul 27, 2025 | Category: Georgia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Armenia, Russia, Turkey, Human Rights, Ukraine, Genocide

Groong Links:

Guest:

Arthur Khachatryan , MP

Topics:

Artsakh Negotiations
Armenian Domestic Politics

Episode 455 | Recorded: July 25, 2025

Archil Sikharulidze - Why does Georgia matter for the EU | Ep 454, Jul 24, 2025 [EP454]

Posted on Thursday, Jul 24, 2025 | Category: Georgia, Politics, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, USA, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union, Iran, China, Turkey, Ukraine, NATO, Economy, Human Rights, India, Israel | Series: cog

Groong Links:

Guest:

Dr. Archil Sikharulidze

Topics:

EU Strategy in the South Caucasus
Attacks on the National Church
2025 Local Election Politics

Episode 454 | Recorded: July 22, 2025

Archil Sikharulidze - Why does Georgia matter for the EU | Ep 454, Jul 24, 2025 [EP454]

Groong Links:

Guest:

Dr. Archil Sikharulidze

Topics:

EU Strategy in the South Caucasus
Attacks on the National Church
2025 Local Election Politics

Episode 454 | Recorded: July 22, 2025

Pashinyan Meets Aliyev as Armenia Cracks Down on Opposition and Church | Ep 453, Jul 13, 2025 [EP453]

Posted on Sunday, Jul 13, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Armenian Church, Iran, Economy, Israel, NATO, Middle East, Ukraine | Series: wir, video

Groong Links:

Topics:

Pashinyan meets Aliyev in Abu Dhabi
Continued Persecution of Church and Opposition

Episode 453 | Recorded: July 13, 2025

Pashinyan Meets Aliyev as Armenia Cracks Down on Opposition and Church | Ep 453, Jul 13, 2025 [EP453]

Posted on Sunday, Jul 13, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Armenian Church, Iran, Economy, Israel, NATO, Middle East, Ukraine

Groong Links:

Topics:

Pashinyan meets Aliyev in Abu Dhabi
Continued Persecution of Church and Opposition

Episode 453 | Recorded: July 13, 2025

Arthur Martirosyan - Constitution, Western Controlled Syunik, Church Crackdown | Ep 452, Jul 6, 2025 [EP452]

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 8, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Armenian Church, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Ukraine, NATO, China, Economy, Genocide | Series: wir, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

Constitution Day
Western Controlled Syunik?
What was Kallas Doing in Yerevan?
Russian-Azerbaijani Relations
Coup dâEtat? Or Coup dâÃglise?
The Kitchen Sink

Episode 452 | Recorded: July 7, 2025

Arthur Martirosyan - Constitution, Western Controlled Syunik, Church Crackdown | Ep 452, Jul 6, 2025 [EP452]

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 8, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Armenian Church, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Ukraine, NATO, China, Economy, Genocide

Groong Links:

Guest:

Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

Constitution Day
Western Controlled Syunik?
What was Kallas Doing in Yerevan?
Russian-Azerbaijani Relations
Coup dâEtat? Or Coup dâÃglise?
The Kitchen Sink

Episode 452 | Recorded: July 7, 2025

Dziunik Aghajanian – Fallout from Israel’s War on Iran, Azerbaijan’s Confrontation with Russia, Pashinyan’s Persecution of the Armenian Church, while he courts the EU | Ep 451 [EP451]

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 1, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Iran, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, USA, Israel, Armenian Church, Artsakh, Georgia, Russia, Economy | Series: wir, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Dziunik Aghajanian

Topics:

Iran War
Iran-Azerbaijan Relations
Russian-Azerbaijani Tensions
Russian-Armenian Relations
Persecution of The Church Continues
Kaja Kallas in Armenia
OIC Declaration

Episode 451 | Recorded: June 30, 2025

Dziunik Aghajanian – Fallout from Israel’s War on Iran, Azerbaijan’s Confrontation with Russia, Pashinyan’s Persecution of the Armenian Church, while he courts the EU | Ep 451 [EP451]

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 1, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Iran, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, USA, Israel, Armenian Church, Artsakh, Georgia, Russia, Economy

Groong Links:

Guest:

Dziunik Aghajanian

Topics:

Iran War
Iran-Azerbaijan Relations
Russian-Azerbaijani Tensions
Russian-Armenian Relations
Persecution of The Church Continues
Kaja Kallas in Armenia
OIC Declaration

Episode 451 | Recorded: June 30, 2025

Sergei Melkonian - Israel & Iran, Opposition Crackdown, Pashinyan in Istanbul | Ep 449, Jun 22, 2025 [EP449]

Posted on Thursday, Jun 26, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Church, Economy, China, Middle East | Series: wir, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Dr. Sergei Melkonian

Topics:

Israel and Iran
Crackdown on the Opposition
Pashinyan in Istanbul
The Kitchen Sink

Episode 449 | Recorded: June 25, 2025

Sergei Melkonian - Israel & Iran, Opposition Crackdown, Pashinyan in Istanbul | Ep 449, Jun 22, 2025 [EP449]

Posted on Thursday, Jun 26, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Church, Economy, China, Middle East

Groong Links:

Guest:

Dr. Sergei Melkonian

Topics:

Israel and Iran
Crackdown on the Opposition
Pashinyan in Istanbul
The Kitchen Sink

Episode 449 | Recorded: June 25, 2025

Arman Grigoryan - Iran and US vs Iran, Strategic Dangers to Armenia | Ep 448, Jun 23, 2025 [EP448]

Posted on Monday, Jun 23, 2025 | Category: Iran, Russia, Armenia, Israel, Politics, Syria, China, USA, Azerbaijan, European Union, Turkey, Ukraine, Middle East, Georgia | Series: cog, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Dr. Arman Grigoryan

Topics:

Israelâs war on Iran and U.S. involvement
Risks of Iranian regime change or partition
Strategic dangers to Armenia

Episode 448 | Recorded: June 21, 2025

Arman Grigoryan - Iran and US vs Iran, Strategic Dangers to Armenia | Ep 448, Jun 23, 2025 [EP448]

Posted on Monday, Jun 23, 2025 | Category: Iran, Russia, Armenia, Israel, Politics, Syria, China, USA, Azerbaijan, European Union, Turkey, Ukraine, Middle East, Georgia

Groong Links:

Guest:

Dr. Arman Grigoryan

Topics:

Israelâs war on Iran and U.S. involvement
Risks of Iranian regime change or partition
Strategic dangers to Armenia

Episode 448 | Recorded: June 21, 2025

Fyodor Lukyanov - Israel Attacks Iran: Perspectives From Russia | Ep 447, Jun 16, 2025 [EP447]

Posted on Monday, Jun 16, 2025 | Category: Iran, Russia, Armenia, Israel, Politics, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Geopolitics, Turkey, Ukraine, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, NATO, China, Syria, Middle East, Economy | Series: cog, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Fyodor Lukyanov

Topics:

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

Episode 447 | Recorded: June 15, 2025

Fyodor Lukyanov - Israel Attacks Iran: Perspectives From Russia | Ep 447, Jun 16, 2025 [EP447]

Groong Links:

Guest:

Fyodor Lukyanov

Topics:

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

Episode 447 | Recorded: June 15, 2025

Transcript: Fyodor Lukyanov - Israel Attacks Iran: Perspectives From Russia | Ep 447, Jun 16, 2025 [EP447]

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

Hrant Mikaelian - Poland’s Shift, RPA’s Nominee, Economy, Demographics | Ep 444, June 8, 2025 [EP444]

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Russia, Geopolitics, India, Armenian Church, Georgia, Economy, Turkey, NATO, Iran | Series: wir, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Hrant Mikaelian

Topics:

Ukraine’s War, Polandâs Pivot?
Status Check on the Economy
RPA Names PM Candidate
Armeniaâs Demographic Threats
The Kitchen Sink

Episode 444 | Recorded: June 9, 2025

Hrant Mikaelian - Poland’s Shift, RPA’s Nominee, Economy, Demographics | Ep 444, June 8, 2025 [EP444]

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Russia, Geopolitics, India, Armenian Church, Georgia, Economy, Turkey, NATO, Iran

Groong Links:

Guest:

Hrant Mikaelian

Topics:

Ukraine’s War, Polandâs Pivot?
Status Check on the Economy
RPA Names PM Candidate
Armeniaâs Demographic Threats
The Kitchen Sink

Episode 444 | Recorded: June 9, 2025

Benyamin Poghosyan - Ukraine and US-Iran, Fidan in Moscow, Lachin, Azerbaijan and Pashinyan attack Armenian Church, Impeachment vs. Elections | Ep 442, June 1, 2025 [EP442]

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 3, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Iran, Geopolitics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Russia, Armenian Church, Ukraine, India, Israel, China, Syria, Economy, European Union | Series: wir

Groong Links:

Guest:

Benyamin Poghosyan

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

Benyamin Poghosyan - Ukraine and US-Iran, Fidan in Moscow, Lachin, Azerbaijan and Pashinyan attack Armenian Church, Impeachment vs. Elections | Ep 442, June 1, 2025 [EP442]

Groong Links:

Guest:

Benyamin Poghosyan

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

Arthur Khachatryan – Republic Day, EU Drama, and Constitutional Chaos | Ep 441, May 25, 2025 [EP441]

Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh Blockade, Armenian Genocide, Genocide, Iran, Human Rights, Economy | Series: wir, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Arthur Khachatryan

Topics:

May 28, Republic Day
Armeniaâs EU-Russia policy confusion
Constitutional changes for âpeaceâ
Impeachment vs. election dilemma
Azeri invasion threat and silence

Episode 441 | Recorded: May 28, 2025

Arthur Khachatryan – Republic Day, EU Drama, and Constitutional Chaos | Ep 441, May 25, 2025 [EP441]

Groong Links:

Guest:

Arthur Khachatryan

Topics:

May 28, Republic Day
Armeniaâs EU-Russia policy confusion
Constitutional changes for âpeaceâ
Impeachment vs. election dilemma
Azeri invasion threat and silence

Episode 441 | Recorded: May 28, 2025

Էդգար Ղազարյան – Խոսքի ազատության գործը և մամուլի վիճակը Հայաստանում | Ep 440, May 28, 2025 [EP440]

Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, In Armenian, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Human Rights, India, European Union | Series: cog, video

INTERVIEW IN ARMENIAN / ՀԱՐՑԱԶՐՈՒՅՑ ՀԱՅԵՐԵՆ

Groong Links:

Guest:

Edgar Ghazaryan

Topics:

Criminal charges used to silence Edgar Ghazaryan / Քրեական մեղադրանքներ՝ Էդգար Ղազարյանին լռեցնելու համար
Media freedom in Armenia under Pashinyan’s rule / Մամուլի ազատությունը Հայաստանում Փաշինյանի կառավարման օրոք
Public broadcasting under political control / Հանրային հեռարձակումը քաղաքական վերահսկողության տակ
State-aligned actors spreading misinformation / Ապատեղեկատվություն տարածող պետական կողմի դերակատարները

Episode 440 | Recorded: March 9, 2025

Էդգար Ղազարյան – Խոսքի ազատության գործը և մամուլի վիճակը Հայաստանում | Ep 440, May 28, 2025 [EP440]

Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, In Armenian, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Human Rights, India, European Union

INTERVIEW IN ARMENIAN / ՀԱՐՑԱԶՐՈՒՅՑ ՀԱՅԵՐԵՆ

Groong Links:

Guest:

Edgar Ghazaryan

Topics:

Criminal charges used to silence Edgar Ghazaryan / Քրեական մեղադրանքներ՝ Էդգար Ղազարյանին լռեցնելու համար
Media freedom in Armenia under Pashinyan’s rule / Մամուլի ազատությունը Հայաստանում Փաշինյանի կառավարման օրոք
Public broadcasting under political control / Հանրային հեռարձակումը քաղաքական վերահսկողության տակ
State-aligned actors spreading misinformation / Ապատեղեկատվություն տարածող պետական կողմի դերակատարները

Episode 440 | Recorded: March 9, 2025