Category: Politics

Dziunik Aghajanian - on Armenian Diplomacy, Foreign Policy, the Pashinyan Agenda, and Mother Armenia

Guest:

• Amb. Dziunik Aghajanian

Topics:

• Intro to Ms Aghajanian
  • Career path, Mentors, Influencers
  • Parting ways with the MFA
• How did Armenia Resist Turkish Pressure prior to 2018
• Impressions of 2018 events
• On Pashinyan’s Policies to Surrender Artsakh
  • Letter Planning the Surrender
  • Messaging Aliyev to begin Instigations
  • Changing Security Doctrine
• The Myth of Western Security Guarantees
• Pashinyan’s Fiction re Alma Ata and Madrid Principles
• On Armenia’s National Interests
• On Armenian

Dziunik Aghajanian - on Armenian Diplomacy, Foreign Policy, the Pashinyan Agenda, and Mother Armenia

Guest:

• Amb. Dziunik Aghajanian

Topics:

• Intro to Ms Aghajanian
  • Career path, Mentors, Influencers
  • Parting ways with the MFA
• How did Armenia Resist Turkish Pressure prior to 2018
• Impressions of 2018 events
• On Pashinyan’s Policies to Surrender Artsakh
  • Letter Planning the Surrender
  • Messaging Aliyev to begin Instigations
  • Changing Security Doctrine
• The Myth of Western Security Guarantees
• Pashinyan’s Fiction re Alma Ata and Madrid Principles
• On Armenia’s National Interests
• On Armenian

Guest:

• Arthur Khachikyan

Topics:

• Armenia celebrates May 28
  • A new political movement, Mother Armenia, was announced.
• Aliyev Threatens, Pashinyan Concedes
• Erdogan Reelected President in Turkey
• Goodbye CSTO, Hello NATO?

Episode 257 | Recorded: May 30, 2023

Guest:

• Arthur Khachikyan

Topics:

• Armenia celebrates May 28
  • A new political movement, Mother Armenia, was announced.
• Aliyev Threatens, Pashinyan Concedes
• Erdogan Reelected President in Turkey
• Goodbye CSTO, Hello NATO?

Episode 257 | Recorded: May 30, 2023

Guest:

• Tevan Poghosyan

Topics:

• Accelerated Negotiations
  • Negotiations Carousel
  • Meghri Railway
  • Russia Finances Rasht-Astara
  • Rallies in Artsakh and Kornidzor
• Artsakh Domestic Politics

Episode 256 | Recorded: May 22, 2023

Guest:

• Tevan Poghosyan

Topics:

• Accelerated Negotiations
  • Negotiations Carousel
  • Meghri Railway
  • Russia Finances Rasht-Astara
  • Rallies in Artsakh and Kornidzor
• Artsakh Domestic Politics

Episode 256 | Recorded: May 22, 2023

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Topic:

• Pashinyan, Aliyev, Michel Meet in Brussels
  • Azerbaijan Attacks Sotk
• Turkish Presidential Elections

Episode 255 | Recorded: May 15, 2023

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Topic:

• Pashinyan, Aliyev, Michel Meet in Brussels
  • Azerbaijan Attacks Sotk
• Turkish Presidential Elections

Episode 255 | Recorded: May 15, 2023

Yerevan Court Freezes Assets of 168.am and Journalist Davit Sargsyan on Tigran Avinyan’s Demand A Conversation with Ruben Melikyan

Guest:

• Ruben Melikyan

Topics:

Episode 254 | Recorded on Thursday, May 13 2023

Yerevan Court Freezes Assets of 168.am and Journalist Davit Sargsyan on Tigran Avinyan’s Demand A Conversation with Ruben Melikyan

Guest:

• Ruben Melikyan

Topics:

Episode 254 | Recorded on Thursday, May 13 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 253, May 11, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - Mayil 11, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• May 11 Azeri attacks on Sotk, Armenia
• Azerbaijan blocking ICRC convoys
• Sarsang reservoir depleting
• Rumors of a second pseudo-eco activist effort
• Lentsov in Baku - what results?
• Artsakh Ombuds & FM activities
• Matthew Bryza bemoans Armenian Opp & diaspora
  • US Senate FR committee calls for sanctions
• May 9 in Artsakh
  • Armenians, Artsakh and the victory in WW2

Episode 253 | Recorded: May 11, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 253, May 11, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - Mayil 11, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• May 11 Azeri attacks on Sotk, Armenia
• Azerbaijan blocking ICRC convoys
• Sarsang reservoir depleting
• Rumors of a second pseudo-eco activist effort
• Lentsov in Baku - what results?
• Artsakh Ombuds & FM activities
• Matthew Bryza bemoans Armenian Opp & diaspora
  • US Senate FR committee calls for sanctions
• May 9 in Artsakh
  • Armenians, Artsakh and the victory in WW2

Episode 253 | Recorded: May 11, 2023

Guest:

• Hrant Mikaelian

Topics:

• Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue
• Latest IRI Armenia Poll Results
• Armenian Census 2022 - Preliminary Results

Episode 252 | Recorded: May 9, 2023

Guest:

• Hrant Mikaelian

Topics:

• Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue
• Latest IRI Armenia Poll Results
• Armenian Census 2022 - Preliminary Results

Episode 252 | Recorded: May 9, 2023

Guest:

• Arthur Khachikyan

Topics:

• Azerbaijan Officially Blocks Berdzor/Lachin Corridor
• Update on Armenian-Azeri Negotiations
• Drug Use Epidemic in Armenia

Episode 251 | Recorded: May 1, 2023

Guest:

• Arthur Khachikyan

Topics:

• Azerbaijan Officially Blocks Berdzor/Lachin Corridor
• Update on Armenian-Azeri Negotiations
• Drug Use Epidemic in Armenia

Episode 251 | Recorded: May 1, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 250, Apr 28, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - April 28, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• Lachin/Berdzor Corridor Blocked on April 23
  • So-called “Eco-activists” Have Left.
  • Armenian Rejects Discussions on Corridor Conditions
• Does the Government have a plan?
• Lentsov Replaces Volkov
• Artsakh Farmers Fired Upon - Again
• Would Artsakhtsis accept Azerbaijani Citizenship?

Episode 250 | Recorded: April 28, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 250, Apr 28, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - April 28, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• Lachin/Berdzor Corridor Blocked on April 23
  • So-called “Eco-activists” Have Left.
  • Armenian Rejects Discussions on Corridor Conditions
• Does the Government have a plan?
• Lentsov Replaces Volkov
• Artsakh Farmers Fired Upon - Again
• Would Artsakhtsis accept Azerbaijani Citizenship?

Episode 250 | Recorded: April 28, 2023

Guest:

• Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

• Armenian Genocide: 108 Anniversary
• Azerbaijan Strangles Artsakh
  • Artsakh Strangled
  • International Community
  • Pashinyan’s Parliament Speech
  • Madrid Principles
  • Aliyev Continues Threats, Ultimatum to Artsakh Armenians
  • What Can Diaspora Do?
• Israel - Azerbaijan cooperation against Iran?
• Rants

Episode 249 | Recorded: April 25, 2023

Guest:

• Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

• Armenian Genocide: 108 Anniversary
• Azerbaijan Strangles Artsakh
  • Artsakh Strangled
  • International Community
  • Pashinyan’s Parliament Speech
  • Madrid Principles
  • Aliyev Continues Threats, Ultimatum to Artsakh Armenians
  • What Can Diaspora Do?
• Israel - Azerbaijan cooperation against Iran?
• Rants

Episode 249 | Recorded: April 25, 2023

Guest:

• Anna Kostanyan

Topics:

• Intro to Anna Kostanyan and Hamakhmbum (Consolidation) Movement
• New HR Ombudswoman Anahit Manasyan
• Azeri Attacks and Infiltrations into Armenia
• Yerevan Mayor-less Until End of 2023 Elections

Episode 248 | Recorded: April 16, 2023

Guest:

• Anna Kostanyan

Topics:

• Intro to Anna Kostanyan and Hamakhmbum (Consolidation) Movement
• New HR Ombudswoman Anahit Manasyan
• Azeri Attacks and Infiltrations into Armenia
• Yerevan Mayor-less Until End of 2023 Elections

Episode 248 | Recorded: April 16, 2023

Guest:

• Alison Tahmizian Meuse

Topics:

• Aghavno / Berdzor
• April 11 Azeri Aggression Near Tegh
• Raising Flags
• Azeri Infiltrations into Armenia

Episode 247 | Recorded: April 14, 2023

Guest:

• Alison Tahmizian Meuse

Topics:

• Aghavno / Berdzor
• April 11 Azeri Aggression Near Tegh
• Raising Flags
• Azeri Infiltrations into Armenia

Episode 247 | Recorded: April 14, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 246, Apr 12, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - April 12, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• April 11 Azeri Aggression near Tegh
  • What Agency does Artsakh have in keeping links open?
• Bothsidism of EU and Russia in the face of Azeri Aggression
• Who is to Blame for the Continuing Losses in Armenian Life?
• Reaction of the Armenian Government
• About the EU Mission and its Role and Effectiveness
• Stepanakert invites Baku to talks
• Artsakh Farmers Urged to work in Russian Presence

Episode 246 | Recorded: April 12, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 246, Apr 12, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - April 12, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• April 11 Azeri Aggression near Tegh
  • What Agency does Artsakh have in keeping links open?
• Bothsidism of EU and Russia in the face of Azeri Aggression
• Who is to Blame for the Continuing Losses in Armenian Life?
• Reaction of the Armenian Government
• About the EU Mission and its Role and Effectiveness
• Stepanakert invites Baku to talks
• Artsakh Farmers Urged to work in Russian Presence

Episode 246 | Recorded: April 12, 2023

Guest:

• Naira Melikyan

In this Conversations on Groong episode, we’ll be talking Naira Melikyan who shares troubling information from her attempt to travel to Artsakh via the newly built road passing by the village of Kornidzor. Armenian border guards turned away the Miasin group citing security concerns.

Episode 245 | Recorded: April 7, 2023

Guest:

• Naira Melikyan

In this Conversations on Groong episode, we’ll be talking Naira Melikyan who shares troubling information from her attempt to travel to Artsakh via the newly built road passing by the village of Kornidzor. Armenian border guards turned away the Miasin group citing security concerns.

Episode 245 | Recorded: April 7, 2023

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Topics:

• What agreements were reached between China and Russia?
• What is the role of India in the new world order?
• Consequence of moving away from a dollar-denominated global economic order?
• China as peacemaker in Ukraine
• China as peacemaker in the Middle East
• China’s role in Iran and South Caucasus
• How should Armenia navigate world order changes?

Episode 244 | Recorded: April 5, 2023

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Topics:

• What agreements were reached between China and Russia?
• What is the role of India in the new world order?
• Consequence of moving away from a dollar-denominated global economic order?
• China as peacemaker in Ukraine
• China as peacemaker in the Middle East
• China’s role in Iran and South Caucasus
• How should Armenia navigate world order changes?

Episode 244 | Recorded: April 5, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 243, Apr 4, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - April 4, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• The Current Living Conditions
  • Complete gas cutoff for 2 weeks
  • Weather clearing, rolling blackouts alleviate
• Young farmer hits landmine
• Azeris Tighten Blockade on March 25
• Situation with the Sarsang Reservoir
• Artsakh FM meets French Delegation in Yerevan
  • What do Western Statements mean to us?
  • What do they signal to Azerbaijan?

Episode 243 | Recorded: April 4, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 243, Apr 4, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - April 4, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• The Current Living Conditions
  • Complete gas cutoff for 2 weeks
  • Weather clearing, rolling blackouts alleviate
• Young farmer hits landmine
• Azeris Tighten Blockade on March 25
• Situation with the Sarsang Reservoir
• Artsakh FM meets French Delegation in Yerevan
  • What do Western Statements mean to us?
  • What do they signal to Azerbaijan?

Episode 243 | Recorded: April 4, 2023

Guest:

• Suren Sargsyan

Topic:

• Azerbaijan Invades, Pashinyan “Explains”
• Armenia at the Democracy Summit
• Armenia and the Rome Statute
• Iran FM in Moscow, Azeri FM in Israel

Episode 242 | Recorded: April 3, 2023

Guest:

• Suren Sargsyan

Topic:

• Azerbaijan Invades, Pashinyan “Explains”
• Armenia at the Democracy Summit
• Armenia and the Rome Statute
• Iran FM in Moscow, Azeri FM in Israel

Episode 242 | Recorded: April 3, 2023

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Topic:

• Azerbaijani Attacks over the Weekend
• East and West
• Armenia and the Rome Statute

Episode 241 | Recorded: March 26, 2023

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Topic:

• Azerbaijani Attacks over the Weekend
• East and West
• Armenia and the Rome Statute

Episode 241 | Recorded: March 26, 2023

Guest:

• Tevan Poghosyan

Topics:

• Pashinyan’s Press Conference
• Negotiating with Belligerent Azerbaijan
• Mirzoyan in Moscow
• Mayoral Politics in Yerevan

Episode 240 | Recorded: March 20, 2023

Guest:

• Tevan Poghosyan

Topics:

• Pashinyan’s Press Conference
• Negotiating with Belligerent Azerbaijan
• Mirzoyan in Moscow
• Mayoral Politics in Yerevan

Episode 240 | Recorded: March 20, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 239, Mar 19, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - March 19, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• The Current Living Conditions
  • Gas, Power, Food, Weather
• Daily Ceasefire Violations
  • Shooting at Civilians
  • Heightened Threat of War
• Process of Constitutional Amendment
  • Is Arayik Harutyunyan Planning to Resign?
  • Will the Amendment Go Through?
• Negotiations with Azerbaijan
  • Invitation to Negtiate “Integration” in Baku
  • Artsakh Demands that Armenia Respect its own Laws
  • Artsakh Demands an International Platform for Negotiations

Episode 239 | Recorded: March 19, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 239, Mar 19, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - March 19, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• The Current Living Conditions
  • Gas, Power, Food, Weather
• Daily Ceasefire Violations
  • Shooting at Civilians
  • Heightened Threat of War
• Process of Constitutional Amendment
  • Is Arayik Harutyunyan Planning to Resign?
  • Will the Amendment Go Through?
• Negotiations with Azerbaijan
  • Invitation to Negtiate “Integration” in Baku
  • Artsakh Demands that Armenia Respect its own Laws
  • Artsakh Demands an International Platform for Negotiations

Episode 239 | Recorded: March 19, 2023

Guest:

• Johnny G. Melikian

Topics:

• On March 7, the Georgian parliament voted into law a bill that would require political actors to clarify their foreign funding sources and their activities to lobby lawmakers with such funding. This ignited large protests in Tbilisi, and on March 9 the parliament agreed to rescind the law and to release arrested opposition members. We analyze the events and the outcome.

Episode 238 | Recorded: March 15, 2023

Guest:

• Johnny G. Melikian

Topics:

• On March 7, the Georgian parliament voted into law a bill that would require political actors to clarify their foreign funding sources and their activities to lobby lawmakers with such funding. This ignited large protests in Tbilisi, and on March 9 the parliament agreed to rescind the law and to release arrested opposition members. We analyze the events and the outcome.

Episode 238 | Recorded: March 15, 2023

Guest:

• Hrant Mikaelian

Topics:

• Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue
  • Developments in Artsakh
  • No “Peace” without “Rights and Security”?
  • Armenia Downgrades CSTO Relations
• Georgian Law on Foreign Agents
• Reflections on MPG Poll “AmotiSar” Results

Episode 237 | Recorded: March 12, 2023

Guest:

• Hrant Mikaelian

Topics:

• Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue
  • Developments in Artsakh
  • No “Peace” without “Rights and Security”?
  • Armenia Downgrades CSTO Relations
• Georgian Law on Foreign Agents
• Reflections on MPG Poll “AmotiSar” Results

Episode 237 | Recorded: March 12, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 236, Mar 12, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - March 12, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• Gas cutoff again.
• Aftermath of Azerbaijan Killing 3 Artsakh Policemen
• Potential for New Aggression
• No “Peace” without “Rights and Security for Artsakh”?

Episode 236 | Recorded: March 12, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 236, Mar 12, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - March 12, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• Gas cutoff again.
• Aftermath of Azerbaijan Killing 3 Artsakh Policemen
• Potential for New Aggression
• No “Peace” without “Rights and Security for Artsakh”?

Episode 236 | Recorded: March 12, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 235, Mar 6, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - March 6, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• Azerbaijan Attack Kills 3 Artsakh Citizens
• Arayik Harutyunyan rejects Azeri ultimatum, Warns of Further Aggression
• How are people responding?
• About the international response
• Russian peacekeeper report and response
• On the trilateral agreement of Nov. 2020

Episode 235 | Recorded: March 6, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 235, Mar 6, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - March 6, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• Azerbaijan Attack Kills 3 Artsakh Citizens
• Arayik Harutyunyan rejects Azeri ultimatum, Warns of Further Aggression
• How are people responding?
• About the international response
• Russian peacekeeper report and response
• On the trilateral agreement of Nov. 2020

Episode 235 | Recorded: March 6, 2023

Guest:

• Yeghia Tashjian

Topics:

• Turkish Politics after the Earthquake
• Artsakh Blockade and Developments
• Armenian Diplomatic Developments
• Egyptian President’s Visit to Armenia

Episode 234 | Recorded: March 5, 2023

Guest:

• Yeghia Tashjian

Topics:

• Turkish Politics after the Earthquake
• Artsakh Blockade and Developments
• Armenian Diplomatic Developments
• Egyptian President’s Visit to Armenia

Episode 234 | Recorded: March 5, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 233, Mar 2, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - Mar 2, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• Day to day Conditions
• Meeting of Artsakh and Azerbaijani Reps
• What is Artsakh Discussing at the Meeting
• What Concessions are being Discussed?
• New State Minister Gurgen Nersesyan
• More Azeri Shootings in Martakert and Askeran

Episode 233 | Recorded: March 2, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 233, Mar 2, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - Mar 2, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• Day to day Conditions
• Meeting of Artsakh and Azerbaijani Reps
• What is Artsakh Discussing at the Meeting
• What Concessions are being Discussed?
• New State Minister Gurgen Nersesyan
• More Azeri Shootings in Martakert and Askeran

Episode 233 | Recorded: March 2, 2023

Guest:

• Arthur Khachikyan

Topics:

• 35th Anniversary of the Sumgait Pogroms
• Turkey after the Earthquake
• One Year Anniversary of the War in Ukraine
• Azerbaijan-Armenian Negotiations Continue
• Personal topics

Episode 232 | Recorded: February 28, 2023

Guest:

• Arthur Khachikyan

Topics:

• 35th Anniversary of the Sumgait Pogroms
• Turkey after the Earthquake
• One Year Anniversary of the War in Ukraine
• Azerbaijan-Armenian Negotiations Continue
• Personal topics

Episode 232 | Recorded: February 28, 2023

Today we’re going to talk with Anna Abrahamian about two or three topics.

• The Munich Security Conference 2023.
• We’ll touch on Russian president Putin’s state of the federation address.
• The latest political developments in Artsakh.

Guest:

• Anna Abrahamian , a geopolitical analyst who splits her time between Moscow and Athens. Having obtained training in international law, Anna has worked in such noteworthy institutions as the Defense Analyses Institute in Athens as well as the Crisis Group in Brussels. Today, Anna provides her analysis on geopolitics and Armenian politics to her

Today we’re going to talk with Anna Abrahamian about two or three topics.

• The Munich Security Conference 2023.
• We’ll touch on Russian president Putin’s state of the federation address.
• The latest political developments in Artsakh.

Guest:

• Anna Abrahamian , a geopolitical analyst who splits her time between Moscow and Athens. Having obtained training in international law, Anna has worked in such noteworthy institutions as the Defense Analyses Institute in Athens as well as the Crisis Group in Brussels. Today, Anna provides her analysis on geopolitics and Armenian politics to her

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 231, Feb 24, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - Feb 24, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• Rouben Vardanyan sacked in Stepanakert
• Samuel Babayan in Artsakh
• Azeri and Artsakh reps meet to resume Gas & Electricity
  • Further Azeri demands, Artsakh red lines
• Medical topics

Episode 231 | Recorded: February 24, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 231, Feb 24, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - Feb 24, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• Rouben Vardanyan sacked in Stepanakert
• Samuel Babayan in Artsakh
• Azeri and Artsakh reps meet to resume Gas & Electricity
  • Further Azeri demands, Artsakh red lines
• Medical topics

Episode 231 | Recorded: February 24, 2023

Guests:

• Suren Sargsyan , founder and a President at the Armenian Center for American Studies, a research center based in Yerevan.

“Pashinyan’s participation in Munich Security Conference didn’t give anything to Armenia” - Suren Sargsyan

Topic:

Today is day 72 of the total blockade of Artsakh. For 72 days, the 120K citizens of Artsakh have not had the ability to enter or exit their country. They are deprived of the ability to visit Armenia or to receive guests from Armenia. With very limited supplies, they are forced to ration food with the help of food stamps in order to

Guests:

• Suren Sargsyan , founder and a President at the Armenian Center for American Studies, a research center based in Yerevan.

“Pashinyan’s participation in Munich Security Conference didn’t give anything to Armenia” - Suren Sargsyan

Topic:

Today is day 72 of the total blockade of Artsakh. For 72 days, the 120K citizens of Artsakh have not had the ability to enter or exit their country. They are deprived of the ability to visit Armenia or to receive guests from Armenia. With very limited supplies, they are forced to ration food with the help of food stamps in order to