Ukraine

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

Spotlight on Silence: Surveillance State: Armenia’s Biometric Crackdown | Ep 446, Jun 15, 2025 [EP446]

Posted on Sunday, Jun 15, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Privacy, Human Rights, Georgia, Russia, Economy, Ukraine, China | Series: sos, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Rafael Ishkhanyan

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

Spotlight on Silence: Surveillance State: Armenia’s Biometric Crackdown | Ep 446, Jun 15, 2025 [EP446]

Posted on Sunday, Jun 15, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Privacy, Human Rights, Georgia, Russia, Economy, Ukraine, China

Groong Links:

Guest:

Rafael Ishkhanyan

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

Transcript: Spotlight on Silence: Surveillance State: Armenia’s Biometric Crackdown | Ep 446, Jun 15, 2025 [EP446]

Posted on Sunday, Jun 15, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Privacy, Human Rights, Georgia, Russia, Economy, Ukraine, China, Transcript

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.

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

Levon Zourabian - US-Iran, Russia-Ukraine, Armenia-Azerbaijan, 2026 Campaigns | Ep 439, May 26, 2025 [EP439]

Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Geopolitics, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Azerbaijan, Economy, Turkey, Middle East, European Union, Genocide | Series: cog, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Levon Zourabian , Vice-President of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) party of Armenia.

Topics:

US-Iran Nuclear Talks
Russia and Ukraine
Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
Armenian Elections in 2026

Episode 439 | Recorded: May 23, 2025

Levon Zourabian - US-Iran, Russia-Ukraine, Armenia-Azerbaijan, 2026 Campaigns | Ep 439, May 26, 2025 [EP439]

Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Geopolitics, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Azerbaijan, Economy, Turkey, Middle East, European Union, Genocide

Groong Links:

Guest:

Levon Zourabian , Vice-President of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) party of Armenia.

Topics:

US-Iran Nuclear Talks
Russia and Ukraine
Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
Armenian Elections in 2026

Episode 439 | Recorded: May 23, 2025

Hrant Mikaelian - Tirana, Lavrov, Armenian Un-Democracy, Demilitarization, and More | Ep 438, May 18, 2025 [EP438]

Posted on Friday, May 23, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Vatican, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Ukraine, India, European Union, Israel, Genocide, Georgia | Series: wir

Groong Links:

Guest:

Hrant Mikaelian

Topics:

Pashinyan in Tirana
Russiaâs Lavrov in Yerevan
Democracy in Jeopardy
Armeniaâs Demilitarization by Any Other Name
The Kitchen Sink

Episode 438 | Recorded: May 21, 2025

Hrant Mikaelian - Tirana, Lavrov, Armenian Un-Democracy, Demilitarization, and More | Ep 438, May 18, 2025 [EP438]

Posted on Friday, May 23, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Vatican, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Ukraine, India, European Union, Israel, Genocide, Georgia

Groong Links:

Guest:

Hrant Mikaelian

Topics:

Pashinyan in Tirana
Russiaâs Lavrov in Yerevan
Democracy in Jeopardy
Armeniaâs Demilitarization by Any Other Name
The Kitchen Sink

Episode 438 | Recorded: May 21, 2025

Pietro Shakarian - May 9, Victory Day and Parade, Artsrun Hovhannisyan’s Historical Revision | Ep 436, May 15, 2025 [EP436]

Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2025 | Category: Russia, Armenia, Geopolitics, Nagorno Karabakh, China, Armenian Genocide, Turkey, Azerbaijan, NATO, Ukraine, Genocide, Soviet Armenia, Modern Armenia | Series: cog

Groong Links:

Guest:

Dr. Pietro Shakarian

Topics:

May 9, Victory Day and Parade
Pashinyan, Aliyev Posture at Victory Day
Artsrun Hovhannisyanâs Historical Revision
Armenia and Artsakh Contributions to WW2

Episode 436 | Recorded: May 15, 2025

Pietro Shakarian - May 9, Victory Day and Parade, Artsrun Hovhannisyan’s Historical Revision | Ep 436, May 15, 2025 [EP436]

Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2025 | Category: Russia, Armenia, Geopolitics, Nagorno Karabakh, China, Armenian Genocide, Turkey, Azerbaijan, NATO, Ukraine, Genocide, Soviet Armenia, Modern Armenia

Groong Links:

Guest:

Dr. Pietro Shakarian

Topics:

May 9, Victory Day and Parade
Pashinyan, Aliyev Posture at Victory Day
Artsrun Hovhannisyanâs Historical Revision
Armenia and Artsakh Contributions to WW2

Episode 436 | Recorded: May 15, 2025

Arthur G Martirosyan - Victory Day, India Pakistan, Armenia Azerbaijan, Pope Leo XIV | Ep 435, May 11, 2025 [EP435]

Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenian Genocide, Armenian Church, India, Turkey, China, Genocide, Ukraine, Israel, Iran, Economy, Georgia | Series: wir

Groong Links:

Guest:

Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

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

Episode 435 | Recorded: May 12, 2025

Arthur G Martirosyan - Victory Day, India Pakistan, Armenia Azerbaijan, Pope Leo XIV | Ep 435, May 11, 2025 [EP435]

Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenian Genocide, Armenian Church, India, Turkey, China, Genocide, Ukraine, Israel, Iran, Economy, Georgia

Groong Links:

Guest:

Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

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

Episode 435 | Recorded: May 12, 2025

Benyamin Poghosyan - US-Iran Tensions, Armenia-Azerbaijan, Victory Day, Journalist Assaulted | Ep 434, May 4, 2025 [EP434]

Posted on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Iran, Geopolitics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Russia, Israel, China, Ukraine, Syria | Series: wir

Groong Links:

Guest:

Benyamin Poghosyan

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

Benyamin Poghosyan - US-Iran Tensions, Armenia-Azerbaijan, Victory Day, Journalist Assaulted | Ep 434, May 4, 2025 [EP434]

Posted on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Iran, Geopolitics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Russia, Israel, China, Ukraine, Syria

Groong Links:

Guest:

Benyamin Poghosyan

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

Scott Horton - on his book Provoked, U.S. Foreign Policy, Color Revolutions, Ukraine War, Armenia, and more | Ep 433, May 4, 2025 [EP433]

Posted on Sunday, May 4, 2025 | Category: Ukraine, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh, NATO, Israel, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Economy, Genocide, European Union, Lebanon | Series: cog, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Scott Horton , Ed. Dir. The Libertarian Institute, AntiWar.com

Topics:

What happened to Antiwar Voices
Color Revolutions as US Strategy
Armenia and Pipeline Geopolitics
And more!

Episode 433 | Recorded: May 2, 2025

Scott Horton - on his book Provoked, U.S. Foreign Policy, Color Revolutions, Ukraine War, Armenia, and more | Ep 433, May 4, 2025 [EP433]

Posted on Sunday, May 4, 2025 | Category: Ukraine, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh, NATO, Israel, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Economy, Genocide, European Union, Lebanon

Groong Links:

Guest:

Scott Horton , Ed. Dir. The Libertarian Institute, AntiWar.com

Topics:

What happened to Antiwar Voices
Color Revolutions as US Strategy
Armenia and Pipeline Geopolitics
And more!

Episode 433 | Recorded: May 2, 2025

Transcript: Scott Horton - on his book Provoked, U.S. Foreign Policy, Color Revolutions, Ukraine War, Armenia, and more | Ep 433, May 4, 2025 [EP433]

What happened to Antiwar Voices. Color Revolutions as US Strategy. Armenia and Pipeline Geopolitics. And more!

Alberto M. Fernandez – Vatican-Baku Partnership & Erosion of Moral Authority | Ep 431, Apr 29, 2025 [EP431]

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 29, 2025 | Category: Armenia, World, Vatican, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Church, Iran, Armenian Genocide, Artsakh Blockade, Syria, Genocide, Turkey, Russia, Middle East, Lebanon, Human Rights, Georgia, Israel, China, India, NATO, Ukraine | Series: cog, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Alberto M. Fernandez

Topics:

Vaticanâs alliance with Azerbaijan
Whitewashing of Artsakhâs ethnic cleansing
Global silence on Armenian Genocide
U.S. policy under Trump and risks to Armenia

Episode 431 | Recorded: April 29, 2025

Alberto M. Fernandez – Vatican-Baku Partnership & Erosion of Moral Authority | Ep 431, Apr 29, 2025 [EP431]

Groong Links:

Guest:

Alberto M. Fernandez

Topics:

Vaticanâs alliance with Azerbaijan
Whitewashing of Artsakhâs ethnic cleansing
Global silence on Armenian Genocide
U.S. policy under Trump and risks to Armenia

Episode 431 | Recorded: April 29, 2025

Hrant Mikaelian - Iran, EXIM and Azerbaijan, Gyumri, Artsakh Refugees in Armenia | Ep 429, Apr 20, 2025 [EP429]

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 23, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Vatican, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Genocide, Armenian Church, Armenian Genocide, Iran, Russia, Israel, Turkey, Ukraine, Middle East, China, European Union, Economy, Georgia, NATO, Geopolitics, Human Rights | Series: wir

Groong Links:

Guest:

Hrant Mikaelian

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

Hrant Mikaelian - Iran, EXIM and Azerbaijan, Gyumri, Artsakh Refugees in Armenia | Ep 429, Apr 20, 2025 [EP429]

Groong Links:

Guest:

Hrant Mikaelian

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

Benyamin Poghosyan - US-Iran, Gyumri, Armenia MFA Blames Artsakh, Negotiations with Azerbaijan | Ep 426, Apr 6, 2025 [EP426]

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 9, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Iran, Geopolitics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, USA, Russia, China, Israel, Middle East, Ukraine, Artsakh Blockade, Armenian Genocide, Genocide, Turkey, NATO, Syria | Series: wir

Groong Links:

Guest:

Benyamin Poghosyan

Topics:

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

Episode 426 | Recorded: April 8, 2025

Benyamin Poghosyan - US-Iran, Gyumri, Armenia MFA Blames Artsakh, Negotiations with Azerbaijan | Ep 426, Apr 6, 2025 [EP426]

Groong Links:

Guest:

Benyamin Poghosyan

Topics:

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

Episode 426 | Recorded: April 8, 2025

Dziunik Aghajanian - Illusions of Peace and Geopolitical Games | Ep 424 - Mar 23, 2025 [EP424]

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 26, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Iran, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Middle East, Israel, Geopolitics, Russia, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Ukraine, China | Series: wir, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Dziunik Aghajanian

Topics:

Trumpâs Iran ultimatum explored
Turkeyâs protests seen as strategic
Azerbaijanâs peace deal as smokescreen
Armeniaâs Westward drift analyzed
Gyumri elections stir controversy

Episode 424 | Recorded: March 25, 2025

Dziunik Aghajanian - Illusions of Peace and Geopolitical Games | Ep 424 - Mar 23, 2025 [EP424]

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 26, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Iran, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Middle East, Israel, Geopolitics, Russia, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Ukraine, China

Groong Links:

Guest:

Dziunik Aghajanian

Topics:

Trumpâs Iran ultimatum explored
Turkeyâs protests seen as strategic
Azerbaijanâs peace deal as smokescreen
Armeniaâs Westward drift analyzed
Gyumri elections stir controversy

Episode 424 | Recorded: March 25, 2025

Benyamin Poghosyan - Peace or Capitulation? Armenia's Dilemma & Ukraine Shifts | Ep 423 - Mar 16, 2025 [EP423]

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 18, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Geopolitics, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO, European Union, Ukraine, Israel, China, Middle East, Genocide | Series: wir

Groong Links:

Guest:

Benyamin Poghosyan

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.
Witkoffâs Baku Stop: Mysterious visit raising geopolitical questions.

Episode 423 | Recorded: March 17, 2025

Benyamin Poghosyan - Peace or Capitulation? Armenia's Dilemma & Ukraine Shifts | Ep 423 - Mar 16, 2025 [EP423]

Groong Links:

Guest:

Benyamin Poghosyan

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.
Witkoffâs Baku Stop: Mysterious visit raising geopolitical questions.

Episode 423 | Recorded: March 17, 2025

Negotiations Expert: Ukraine-U.S. Ceasefire Agreement in Jeddah – Is Russia on Board? | Ep 422, Mar 12, 2025 [EP422]

Posted on Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 | Category: Ukraine, Russia, Politics, Geopolitics, Iran, NATO, Armenia, China, Middle East | Series: cog, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Arthur Martirosyan

Topics:

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

Episode 422 | Recorded: March 12, 2025

Negotiations Expert: Ukraine-U.S. Ceasefire Agreement in Jeddah – Is Russia on Board? | Ep 422, Mar 12, 2025 [EP422]

Posted on Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 | Category: Ukraine, Russia, Politics, Geopolitics, Iran, NATO, Armenia, China, Middle East

Groong Links:

Guest:

Arthur Martirosyan

Topics:

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

Episode 422 | Recorded: March 12, 2025

Hrant Mikaelian - Abkhazia Polls, Armenian Hostages in Baku, Yerevan Protests | Ep 421, Mar 2, 2025 [EP421]

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 5, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Geopolitics, Human Rights, Russia, Nagorno Karabakh, Georgia, Turkey, Ukraine, Iran, China, Israel, Middle East | Series: wir

Groong Links:

Guest:

Hrant Mikaelian

Topics:

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

Hrant Mikaelian - Abkhazia Polls, Armenian Hostages in Baku, Yerevan Protests | Ep 421, Mar 2, 2025 [EP421]

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 5, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Geopolitics, Human Rights, Russia, Nagorno Karabakh, Georgia, Turkey, Ukraine, Iran, China, Israel, Middle East

Groong Links:

Guest:

Hrant Mikaelian

Topics:

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