Guests of Groong Podcast
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Joel Veldkamp
Joel Veldkamp is the director for public advocacy at Christian Solidarity International (CSI). He also serves as CSI’s representative to the United Nations in Geneva. Since 2020, he has been at the forefront of CSI’s advocacy efforts for the Armenians of Artsakh/Nagorno Karabakh. He holds a PhD in international history from the Geneva Graduate Institute, for his thesis on the Armenian and Arabic-speaking Christians of Aleppo during the French Mandate.
Johnny G. Melikian
Johnny G. Melikian is a senior research fellow at the Orbeli Center for analysis, and the head of the Center for Political and Legal Studies. He has worked as a consultant for the International Crisis Group, and was a visiting fellow at Georgia’s Ilia State University
Karen Vrtanesyan
Karen Vrtanesyan is an expert on military and warfare strategies with a focus on Armenia and its neighboring region. He is the former coordinator of the website razm.info.
Karena Avedissian
Dr. Karena Avedissian’s research focuses on social movements, new media/communications, civil society and governance in the former Soviet Union, with an area focus on Russia and the Caucasus.
Kegham Balian
Kegham Balian is a Jerusalemite Armenian writer. He is a columnist at The Armenian Weekly and also writes for This Week in Palestine.
Kevork Almassian
Kevork Almassian is the founder of Syriana Analysis, an independent news and analysis platform dedicated to covering current global affairs, with a particular focus on Syria and Armenia.
Kevork Hagopjian
__Dr. Kevork Hagopjian, is an attorney and human rights advocate with expertise in international law, minority rights, civil litigation, and community engagement. He holds a Ph.D. in Law from the University of Vienna, along with two LL.M. degrees in Public International Law from SOAS, University of London and U.S. Law from George Mason University as well as an LL.B. from University of Aleppo. His doctoral research led to the publication of a book on “The rights of Armenian minorities in Lebanon and Turkey under National and International law”. In addition to legal practice at Keosian Law LLP, he facilitates dialogue and peacebuilding efforts in divided or post-conflict communities. With experience spanning legal, intergovernmental, nonprofit and civil society sectors, Dr. Hagopjian remains actively engaged in global conversations on justice, accountability, and human dignity.
Kevork Hintlian
Prof. Kevork Hintlian is a historian and a former official at the Armenian Patriarchate of St James. He specializes in the history of the Holy Land with an emphasis on Armenians and their role in Jerusalem. He was raised and lives in Jerusalem. His heavily researched book “History of the Armenians in the Holy Land” (1989, 2nd ed., Armenian Patriarchate Printing Press, Jerusalem) is a must read.
Larry C Johnson
Larry C Johnson is a former intelligence officer and expert on issues related to terrorism, national security, and foreign policy. As a CIA analyst in the 1980s Johnson was engaged in issues related to terrorism and security. He then worked at the US State Department’s Counterterrorism Office. Johnson has since worked as a political consultant and commentator on issues related to terrorism and security. He’s known for his critical attitude towards US foreign policy and intelligence practices.