Series: COG

Conversations on Groong - October 3, 2020

It has now been 7 days since Azerbaijan initiated a wide-scale attack against Armenia and Artsakh. The tragic news of deaths and destruction continue to stream in every hour.

In today’s conversation on Groong, we talk to Jirair Libaridian and Thomas DeWaal about the regional geopolitics that helped create a ripe environment for renewed fighting and various potential scenarios that may develop as a result of it.

Questions explored:

• What was the path leading to the latest escalation?
• Why has Turkey taken an active role in the conflict?
• Was Russia caught

Armenian News Network/Groong: 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐚 - 𝐒𝐞𝐩 𝟏𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎)

Conversations on Groong

Background and formulation of the telecoms market in Armenia

Telecommunications market in Armenia started with the monopoly of the incumbent operator ArmenTel owned jointly by Greek state owned company OTE (90%) and Armenian government (10%). The sale-purchase agreement granted ArmenTel (recently rebranded to VEON) exclusive rights to provide basic telecommunications services including international Internet connectivity, mobile and fixed telephony. ArmenTel’s monopoly remained till

𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬, 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐲 - 𝟎𝟗/𝟎𝟓/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎

Conversations on Groong

Armenia has European grade laws in the areas of finance, business, data protection and privacy. What is preventing Armenia from achieving its full potential in foreign direct investment (FDI)? Why do many Armenian startups incorporate in foreign countries, and use Armenia as their offshore labor resource?

Our Guest is David Sandukhchyan is a lawyer with 20 years of experience in telecommunications, cyber law, media and personal data protection. He started his legal career as an Internet freedom advocate and

𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐚 - 𝟎𝟖/𝟏𝟎/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎 Conversations on Groong 𝐀𝐬𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐊𝐨𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐚𝐧 talks with 𝐀𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐢𝐚𝐧 & 𝐒𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐃𝐯𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐧

Topics:

Background of education reform(s) in Armenia In depth analysis of the content, standards & measurable outcomes of the proposed curriculum’s history & literature segments. Challenges of implementing the proposed curriculum

In recent months, Armenia’s government has published its proposal for K-12 curriculum reform in Armenian schools. The new curriculum, which includes education standards and learning outcomes, proved to be quite controversial with many

Topics:

• Turkey: Zero Problems?
• Azerbaijan: The Myth of Brotherly Relations?
• Armenia: From Diplomatic Overtures to a Mini Cold War

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Ara Sanjian
• Vahram Ter-Matevosyan
• Diana Yayloyan

Host:

• Asbed Kotchikian

Episode 10 | Recorded: August 2020

Topics:

• Turkey’s Transformation in Historical Perspective
• Change and Continuity of Turkish Political Culture
• Turkey’s Foreign Policy

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Ara Sanjian
• Vahram Ter-Matevosyan
• Diana Yayloyan

Host:

• Asbed Kotchikian

Episode 9 | Recorded: August 2020

Conversations on Groong

Safety and Security of Metsamor

Topics:

• Azerbaijan’s threat to attack the NPP
• Overall safety and security of the plant
• Safe handling of nuclear fuel
• Renewable energy alternatives to nuclear
• Maintenance and upgrades to the NPP

Episode 3 | Recorded on July 17, 2020