Category: Russia

Guest:

Topics:

  • September 13, 2022 War anniversary
  • Serdar Kiliç in Armenia for Normalization
  • U.S. State Dept. $145M for TRIPP

Episode 472 | Recorded: September 15, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • September 13, 2022 War anniversary
  • Serdar Kiliç in Armenia for Normalization
  • U.S. State Dept. $145M for TRIPP

Episode 472 | Recorded: September 15, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • War in Iran, Chapter 2?
  • Russia’s Stance on TRIPP
  • New MPG Poll in Armenia
  • Armenian Economy in H1/2025

Episode 471 | Recorded: September 8, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • War in Iran, Chapter 2?
  • Russia’s Stance on TRIPP
  • New MPG Poll in Armenia
  • Armenian Economy in H1/2025

Episode 471 | Recorded: September 8, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • SCO Summit in Tianjin, China
  • China-India Thaw
  • Power of Siberia Gas Pipeline
  • What’s in it for Armenia?

Episode 469 | Recorded: September 4, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • SCO Summit in Tianjin, China
  • China-India Thaw
  • Power of Siberia Gas Pipeline
  • What’s in it for Armenia?

Episode 469 | Recorded: September 4, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Arrest of Samvel Karapetyan
  • Pre-trial detention practices
  • Lawfare and double standards
  • Armenia’s global consequences

Episode 468 | Recorded: September 4, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Arrest of Samvel Karapetyan
  • Pre-trial detention practices
  • Lawfare and double standards
  • Armenia’s global consequences

Episode 468 | Recorded: September 4, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • SCO Summit in China
  • The UK in Armenia
  • TRIPP / Zangezur Corridor
  • Russian Azerbaijani Relations

Episode 467 | Recorded: September 1, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • SCO Summit in China
  • The UK in Armenia
  • TRIPP / Zangezur Corridor
  • Russian Azerbaijani Relations

Episode 467 | Recorded: September 1, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Pashinyan, Aliyev, in the White House
  • What “Peace”?
  • Armenian Economy

Episode 466 | Recorded: August 28, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Pashinyan, Aliyev, in the White House
  • What “Peace”?
  • Armenian Economy

Episode 466 | Recorded: August 28, 2025

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs joins to discuss the U.S.-brokered “TRIPP” (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity), also known as the Zangezur Corridor. The discussion covers the risks of foreign powers imposing corridors through Armenia, the muted response from Moscow, Tehran’s strong opposition, and what this means for regional security. Sachs stresses that Armenia should not look to distant powers like the United States for security or stability, but instead pursue prudent arrangements and economic cooperation with its immediate  Read More

Guest:

Topics:

  • Imprisonment and Political Persecution
  • International and Diaspora Response
  • Pashinyan Regime Attack on the Church
  • The Managed Capitulation Process

Episode 465 | Recorded on August 27, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Imprisonment and Political Persecution
  • International and Diaspora Response
  • Pashinyan Regime Attack on the Church
  • The Managed Capitulation Process

Episode 465 | Recorded on August 27, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • August 23: Armenia’s declaration of State Sovereignty
  • The TRIPP Trap
  • Iran - Pezeshkian’s Visit
  • Russia - Overchuk’s visit
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 464 | Recorded: August 25, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • August 23: Armenia’s declaration of State Sovereignty
  • The TRIPP Trap
  • Iran - Pezeshkian’s Visit
  • Russia - Overchuk’s visit
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 464 | Recorded: August 25, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump-Putin Alaska Summit
  • Trump Corridor Politics
  • Russian-Azerbaijani Relations
  • Russian-Iranian Recalibration
  • New Opposition Emerging - Our Way

Episode 463 | Recorded: August 18, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump-Putin Alaska Summit
  • Trump Corridor Politics
  • Russian-Azerbaijani Relations
  • Russian-Iranian Recalibration
  • New Opposition Emerging - Our Way

Episode 463 | Recorded: August 18, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Pashinyan vs. The Armenian Church
  • Indian-Armenian Relations
  • NGOs and Foreign Influence
  • U.S. Geopolitics and the Trump Corridor

Episode 462 | Recorded: August 15, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Pashinyan vs. The Armenian Church
  • Indian-Armenian Relations
  • NGOs and Foreign Influence
  • U.S. Geopolitics and the Trump Corridor

Episode 462 | Recorded: August 15, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • TRIPP Corridor & US Involvement
  • US-Israel Strategy & War Risks
  • Iran’s Missed Opportunities & Shifts
  • Future of Iran–Armenia Relations

Episode 461 | Recorded: August 13, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • TRIPP Corridor & US Involvement
  • US-Israel Strategy & War Risks
  • Iran’s Missed Opportunities & Shifts
  • Future of Iran–Armenia Relations

Episode 461 | Recorded: August 13, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US Geopolitics
  • #Gaza, #Iran, #Russia, #Ukraine
  • #DonaldTrump, #Pashinyan, #Aliyev meet in the #WhiteHouse

Episode 460 | Recorded: August 11, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US Geopolitics
  • #Gaza, #Iran, #Russia, #Ukraine
  • #DonaldTrump, #Pashinyan, #Aliyev meet in the #WhiteHouse

Episode 460 | Recorded: August 11, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump, Aliyev, Pashinyan Meeting
  • Iranian Reaction
  • Russian Reaction

Episode 459 | Recorded: August 11, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump, Aliyev, Pashinyan Meeting
  • Iranian Reaction
  • Russian Reaction

Episode 459 | Recorded: August 11, 2025

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

Guest:

Topics:

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

Episode 458 | Recorded: August 9, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

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

Episode 458 | Recorded: August 9, 2025

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

Guest:

Topics:

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

Episode 457 | Recorded: August 3, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

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

Episode 457 | Recorded: August 3, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Corridor Logic
  • Crackdown Logic
  • IRI Poll
  • Russian-Azerbaijani Relations

Episode 456 | Recorded: July 28, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Corridor Logic
  • Crackdown Logic
  • IRI Poll
  • Russian-Azerbaijani Relations

Episode 456 | Recorded: July 28, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Artsakh Negotiations
  • Armenian Domestic Politics

Episode 455 | Recorded: July 25, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Artsakh Negotiations
  • Armenian Domestic Politics

Episode 455 | Recorded: July 25, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

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

Episode 454 | Recorded: July 22, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

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

Episode 454 | Recorded: July 22, 2025

Topics:

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

Episode 453 | Recorded: July 13, 2025

Topics:

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

Episode 453 | Recorded: July 13, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Constitution Day
  • Western Controlled Syunik?
  • What was Kallas Doing in Yerevan?
  • Russian-Azerbaijani Relations
  • Coup d’Etat? Or Coup d’Église?
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 452 | Recorded: July 7, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Constitution Day
  • Western Controlled Syunik?
  • What was Kallas Doing in Yerevan?
  • Russian-Azerbaijani Relations
  • Coup d’Etat? Or Coup d’Église?
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 452 | Recorded: July 7, 2025

Guest:

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

Guest:

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

Guest:

Topics:

  • The 12-Day War
  • Where did Trump’s American 1st Go?

Episode 450 | Recorded: June 26, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • The 12-Day War
  • Where did Trump’s American 1st Go?

Episode 450 | Recorded: June 26, 2025

The 12-Day War. Where did Trump’s American 1st Go?

Guest:

Topics:

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

Episode 449 | Recorded: June 25, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

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

Episode 449 | Recorded: June 25, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Israel’s war on Iran and U.S. involvement
  • Risks of Iranian regime change or partition
  • Strategic dangers to Armenia

Episode 448 | Recorded: June 21, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Israel’s war on Iran and U.S. involvement
  • Risks of Iranian regime change or partition
  • Strategic dangers to Armenia

Episode 448 | Recorded: June 21, 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

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:

Topics:

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

Episode 444 | Recorded: June 9, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

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

Episode 444 | Recorded: June 9, 2025