44-Day War

ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 26, 2021

Topics:

• Nikol Pashinyan holds a press conference
• Robert Kocharyan holds a press conference
• The Yerevan Mayor Saga

Guests:

• Tevan Poghosyan TW/@ TevanPoghosyan

Guest(s):

• Tevan Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 110 | Recorded: Sunday, December 27, 2021

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211226.html

Anar Valiyev and Benyamin Poghosyan discuss stumbling blocks in post-war negotiations

Guests:

• Dr. Anar Valiyev, Associate Professor at Azerbaijani Diplomatic Academy (ADA) University in Baku.
• Dr. Benyamin Poghosyan, Chairman of Yerevan-based think tank Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies.

Topics:

• Artsakh Status (@4:54)
• Is the conflict really “solved” (@11:04)
• Opening of Communications (@38:52)
• Corridor for Corridor (@46:32)
• “Unimpeded” Access (@50:15)
• Russia’s regional role (@53:16)
• Turkey’s regional role (@58:48)
• 3+3 or 3+2 Format

Anar Valiyev and Benyamin Poghosyan discuss stumbling blocks in post-war negotiations

Guests:

• Dr. Anar Valiyev, Associate Professor at Azerbaijani Diplomatic Academy (ADA) University in Baku.
• Dr. Benyamin Poghosyan, Chairman of Yerevan-based think tank Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies.

Topics:

• Artsakh Status (@4:54)
• Is the conflict really “solved” (@11:04)
• Opening of Communications (@38:52)
• Corridor for Corridor (@46:32)
• “Unimpeded” Access (@50:15)
• Russia’s regional role (@53:16)
• Turkey’s regional role (@58:48)
• 3+3 or 3+2 Format

ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 12, 2021

Topics:

• Zoom for Democracy
• Domestic Politics
• Regional Politics
• Artsakh Independence at 30
• Analyst Rants

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@benyamin_poghos
• Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian
• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 106 | Recorded: Sunday, December 12, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 12, 2021

Topics:

• Zoom for Democracy
• Domestic Politics
• Regional Politics
• Artsakh Independence at 30
• Analyst Rants

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@benyamin_poghos
• Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian
• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 106 | Recorded: Sunday, December 12, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 5, 2021

Topics:

• Regional Geopolitics @1:07
• Turkmenistan / Iran Gas Swap Deal @46:58
• Opposition Fizzles Out. Again @58:18

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@benyamin_poghos

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 105 | Recorded: Sunday, December 5, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211205.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 5, 2021

Topics:

• Regional Geopolitics @1:07
• Turkmenistan / Iran Gas Swap Deal @46:58
• Opposition Fizzles Out. Again @58:18

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@benyamin_poghos

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 105 | Recorded: Sunday, December 5, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211205.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - November 28, 2021

Topics:

• Pashinyan Live on Facebook
• Trilateral in Sochi, Bilateral in Brussels
• Turkish-Armenian “Normalization”
• Russian-Turkish “Co-opetition” in Eurasia

Guests:

• Hrant Mikaelian TW/@hrant_m
• Yeghia Tashjian TW/@yeghig

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Yeghia Tashjian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 104 | Recorded: Sunday, November 28, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211128.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - November 28, 2021

Topics:

• Pashinyan Live on Facebook
• Trilateral in Sochi, Bilateral in Brussels
• Turkish-Armenian “Normalization”
• Russian-Turkish “Co-opetition” in Eurasia

Guests:

• Hrant Mikaelian TW/@hrant_m
• Yeghia Tashjian TW/@yeghig

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Yeghia Tashjian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 104 | Recorded: Sunday, November 28, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211128.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - November 21, 2021

Topics:

• Russia-NATO escalation
• Border escalation
• Goodbye Moscow, Hello Brussels!
• Protests in Yerevan

Guest: Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 103 | Recorded: Monday, November 22, 2021 Show notes: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211121.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - November 21, 2021

Topics:

• Russia-NATO escalation
• Border escalation
• Goodbye Moscow, Hello Brussels!
• Protests in Yerevan

Guest: Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 103 | Recorded: Monday, November 22, 2021 Show notes: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211121.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - November 7, 2021

Topics:

• Armenia under wide scale attacks by Azerbaijan @0:55
• Border Politics @7:20
• Azerbaijan Returns to the OSCE MG @29:49
• Municipal elections Over the Past Weekend @44:38

Guests:

• Arthur Martirosyan TW/@ArtMart96

Guest(s):

• Arthur G. Martirosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 101 | Recorded: Monday, November 16, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211114.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - November 7, 2021

Topics:

• Armenia under wide scale attacks by Azerbaijan @0:55
• Border Politics @7:20
• Azerbaijan Returns to the OSCE MG @29:49
• Municipal elections Over the Past Weekend @44:38

Guests:

• Arthur Martirosyan TW/@ArtMart96

Guest(s):

• Arthur G. Martirosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 101 | Recorded: Monday, November 16, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211114.html

The State of Affairs in Lebanon A Conversation with Dr. Ohannes Geukjian and Vera Yacoubian

Topics:

• A year after the Beirut Explosion, what’s the state of investigations?
• Has Anyone been held Accountable?
• Who are the Internal and External Players in Lebanon?
• What’s the State and Future of the Armenian Community in Lebanon?

Guests:

• Dr. Ohannes Geukjian
• Vera Yacoubian

Guest(s):

• Ohannes Geukjian
• Vera Yacoubian

Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
• Katia Peltekian TW/@KatiaPeltekian

Episode 98: Recorded on Saturday, November 6, 2021 Show notes: https://groong.org/podcasts/CoG-20211108.html

The State of Affairs in Lebanon A Conversation with Dr. Ohannes Geukjian and Vera Yacoubian

Topics:

• A year after the Beirut Explosion, what’s the state of investigations?
• Has Anyone been held Accountable?
• Who are the Internal and External Players in Lebanon?
• What’s the State and Future of the Armenian Community in Lebanon?

Guests:

• Dr. Ohannes Geukjian
• Vera Yacoubian

Guest(s):

• Ohannes Geukjian
• Vera Yacoubian

Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
• Katia Peltekian TW/@KatiaPeltekian

Episode 98: Recorded on Saturday, November 6, 2021 Show notes: https://groong.org/podcasts/CoG-20211108.html

Armenia’s Borders in Maps - A Conversation with Rouben Galichian | Ep 95 - Oct 29, 2021

Guest:

• Rouben Galichian

Topics:

• Following the 44-day War in Artsakh, Azerbaijan’s president demands Armenia sign a “Peace Treaty” involving full border recognition.
• Historical and contemporary mapping of Armenian borders
• Early cartography and 20th-century developments
• Enclaves, the Goris-Kapan Highway, and Sev Lake
• Armenia-Iran border considerations

Episode 95 | Recorded: October 29, 2021

Armenia’s Borders in Maps - A Conversation with Rouben Galichian | Ep 95 - Oct 29, 2021

Guest:

• Rouben Galichian

Topics:

• Following the 44-day War in Artsakh, Azerbaijan’s president demands Armenia sign a “Peace Treaty” involving full border recognition.
• Historical and contemporary mapping of Armenian borders
• Early cartography and 20th-century developments
• Enclaves, the Goris-Kapan Highway, and Sev Lake
• Armenia-Iran border considerations

Episode 95 | Recorded: October 29, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 24, 2021

Topics:

• Yerevan’s “Positive Messages”
• Opposition Going Back to Street Rallies?
• Ruling Party Setbacks in Local Elections
• Vano Siradeghyan Dies

Guests:

• Tevan Poghosyan TW/@TevanPoghosyan

Guest(s):

• Tevan Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 94 | Recorded: October 25, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211024.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 24, 2021

Topics:

• Yerevan’s “Positive Messages”
• Opposition Going Back to Street Rallies?
• Ruling Party Setbacks in Local Elections
• Vano Siradeghyan Dies

Guests:

• Tevan Poghosyan TW/@TevanPoghosyan

Guest(s):

• Tevan Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 94 | Recorded: October 25, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211024.html

Armenia’s Diplomacy and Corridor Politics

Topics:

• In the past month a flurry of diplomatic activity has risen around Armenia. The top diplomats from neighboring countries, regional and global powers have met with Armenia’s top leadership to discuss the shifting geopolitics reshaping the South Caucasus politically and economically for the coming decades. How is Armenia’s diplomacy navigating the “Corridor Politics” and what are the prospects for a peaceful neighborhood?

Guest:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan

Episode 93 | Recorded: October 18, 2021

Armenia’s Diplomacy and Corridor Politics

Topics:

• In the past month a flurry of diplomatic activity has risen around Armenia. The top diplomats from neighboring countries, regional and global powers have met with Armenia’s top leadership to discuss the shifting geopolitics reshaping the South Caucasus politically and economically for the coming decades. How is Armenia’s diplomacy navigating the “Corridor Politics” and what are the prospects for a peaceful neighborhood?

Guest:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan

Episode 93 | Recorded: October 18, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - August 29, 2021

Topics:

• Road to Syunik Blocked and Unblocked
• 5-Year Plan Approved
• Parliamentary Dynamics

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan / TW @Benyamin_Poghos

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian / TW @qubriq

Episode 87 | Recorded: August 29, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210829.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - August 29, 2021

Topics:

• Road to Syunik Blocked and Unblocked
• 5-Year Plan Approved
• Parliamentary Dynamics

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan / TW @Benyamin_Poghos

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian / TW @qubriq

Episode 87 | Recorded: August 29, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210829.html

Calls for a Commission to Analyze the Defeat in the 2020 Artsakh War

A Conversation with Dr. Simon Saradzhyan, Arthur G. Martirosyan, and Tevan Poghosyan

The disastrous outcome of the 2020 War in Artsakh has left Armenians in Armenia and around the world with many unanswered questions. Many long-time held beliefs about the capability of Armenia to defend Artsakh, and Armenia itself, were shattered on November 9, with the signing of the trilateral ceasefire statement.

A group of more than 10 academics and researchers recently published a lengthy set of questions that are proposed as a basis for

Calls for a Commission to Analyze the Defeat in the 2020 Artsakh War

A Conversation with Dr. Simon Saradzhyan, Arthur G. Martirosyan, and Tevan Poghosyan

The disastrous outcome of the 2020 War in Artsakh has left Armenians in Armenia and around the world with many unanswered questions. Many long-time held beliefs about the capability of Armenia to defend Artsakh, and Armenia itself, were shattered on November 9, with the signing of the trilateral ceasefire statement.

A group of more than 10 academics and researchers recently published a lengthy set of questions that are proposed as a basis for

ANN/Groong Week in Review - July 25, 2021

Topics:

• Escalation in Yeraskh
• “Peace Treaty” at Gunpoint
• Emigration out of Armenia
• Trip Report from Our Guests

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Hrant Mikaelian

Episode 81 | Recorded: July 26, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - July 25, 2021

Topics:

• Escalation in Yeraskh
• “Peace Treaty” at Gunpoint
• Emigration out of Armenia
• Trip Report from Our Guests

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Hrant Mikaelian

Episode 81 | Recorded: July 26, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - July 18, 2021

Topics:

• Constitutional Court Decisions on Election Results
• New Pashinyan Appointments
• More Threats from Azerbaijan
• Russian Generals in Yerevan Again

Guests:

• Suren Sargsyan

Guest(s):

• Suren Sargsyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 79 | Recorded: July 19, 2021 https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210718.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - July 18, 2021

Topics:

• Constitutional Court Decisions on Election Results
• New Pashinyan Appointments
• More Threats from Azerbaijan
• Russian Generals in Yerevan Again

Guests:

• Suren Sargsyan

Guest(s):

• Suren Sargsyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 79 | Recorded: July 19, 2021 https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210718.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - June 27, 2021 Topics:

• Armenian Elections Recap
• Protests in Artsakh

Guests:

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 76 | Recorded: June 27, 2021 https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210627.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - June 27, 2021 Topics:

• Armenian Elections Recap
• Protests in Artsakh

Guests:

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 76 | Recorded: June 27, 2021 https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210627.html

Hayastan Dashinq (Armenia Alliance), Elections and Postwar Outlook

Guest

Aspram Krpeyan, is a member of the Hayastan Dashinq led by former president Robert Kocharyan in the upcoming elections in Armenia, and a member of its list of parliamentary party representatives. She holds an MSt in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Oxford and an LLM from the Geneva Academy of the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. Her research interests lie in international law with a focus on the interplay between international humanitarian law and human rights, use of force, including the conduct

Hayastan Dashinq (Armenia Alliance), Elections and Postwar Outlook

Guest

Aspram Krpeyan, is a member of the Hayastan Dashinq led by former president Robert Kocharyan in the upcoming elections in Armenia, and a member of its list of parliamentary party representatives. She holds an MSt in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Oxford and an LLM from the Geneva Academy of the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. Her research interests lie in international law with a focus on the interplay between international humanitarian law and human rights, use of force, including the conduct

ARF-Dashnaktsutyun: Roadmap and Challenges

Guest

• Giro Manoyan has been a member of the ARF-D Bureau since 2015. Originally from Beirut, Lebanon, he moved to Montreal, Canada in 1976. He has served as the Executive Secretary of the Armenian National Committee of Canada, as well as the Editor in Chief of the Horizon Armenian Weekly. In 1999 he moved to Yerevan and has served as the Executive Director of the Bureau of the ARF-D, in charge of the Armenian Cause, Hai Tahd Central Committee.

Topics

• The ARF in the Politics of Armenia
• On the War in 2020
• On the Upcoming Elections in 2021
• On the

ARF-Dashnaktsutyun: Roadmap and Challenges

Guest

• Giro Manoyan has been a member of the ARF-D Bureau since 2015. Originally from Beirut, Lebanon, he moved to Montreal, Canada in 1976. He has served as the Executive Secretary of the Armenian National Committee of Canada, as well as the Editor in Chief of the Horizon Armenian Weekly. In 1999 he moved to Yerevan and has served as the Executive Director of the Bureau of the ARF-D, in charge of the Armenian Cause, Hai Tahd Central Committee.

Topics

• The ARF in the Politics of Armenia
• On the War in 2020
• On the Upcoming Elections in 2021
• On the

Guest(s):

• Robert Markarian

Iran: Foreign Relations and Upcoming Elections A Conversation with Robert Markarian

The South Caucasus comprises Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The three regional powers surrounding them are Russia to the north, Turkey to the west, and Iran in the south.

Iran has been largely quiet about events on its northern border with Armenia and Azerbaijan, due largely to its marginalization on the world stage because of the Western economic sanctions but also because Iran is home to millions of ethnic Azeris and any perceived support for Armenia could result in additional

Guest(s):

• Robert Markarian

Iran: Foreign Relations and Upcoming Elections A Conversation with Robert Markarian

The South Caucasus comprises Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The three regional powers surrounding them are Russia to the north, Turkey to the west, and Iran in the south.

Iran has been largely quiet about events on its northern border with Armenia and Azerbaijan, due largely to its marginalization on the world stage because of the Western economic sanctions but also because Iran is home to millions of ethnic Azeris and any perceived support for Armenia could result in additional

Guest(s):

• Aram Suren Hamparian
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 24, 2021

Topics Covered:

• Supreme Judicial Council Appointments
• Turkish-Azerbaijan Military Exercises in Kars Region
• Incoming US Secretary of State Tony Blinken on Armenia

Guests

• Aram Hamparian
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210124.html Episode 45 | Recorded on January 24, 2021

Guest(s):

• Aram Suren Hamparian
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 24, 2021

Topics Covered:

• Supreme Judicial Council Appointments
• Turkish-Azerbaijan Military Exercises in Kars Region
• Incoming US Secretary of State Tony Blinken on Armenia

Guests

• Aram Hamparian
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210124.html Episode 45 | Recorded on January 24, 2021

Groong Links:

• GIVE to GROONG
• linktr.ee/Groong

Guest:

• Armen Ashotyan , MP, VP Republican Party of Armenia (HHK)

Topics:

• What took place in 2018?
• Why did RPA support Vazgen Manukyan as PM candidate?
• Nov. 9/10 ceasefire agreement & Jan 11 statement
• Is the RPA truly serious about removing Pashinyan? Why hasn’t the opposition mobilized more people onto the streets?
• Lessons learned from Dec. 2018 elections.

Episode 44 | Recorded on January 17, 2021

Groong Links:

• GIVE to GROONG
• linktr.ee/Groong

Guest:

• Armen Ashotyan , MP, VP Republican Party of Armenia (HHK)

Topics:

• What took place in 2018?
• Why did RPA support Vazgen Manukyan as PM candidate?
• Nov. 9/10 ceasefire agreement & Jan 11 statement
• Is the RPA truly serious about removing Pashinyan? Why hasn’t the opposition mobilized more people onto the streets?
• Lessons learned from Dec. 2018 elections.

Episode 44 | Recorded on January 17, 2021

Guest(s):

• Ruben Melikyan

Former Artsakh Ombudsman Ruben Melikyan - 01/18/2021

We’ll be discussing various legal and human-rights topics within the context of recent developments in Armenia.

Guest:

• Ruben Melikyan was formerly Artsakh’s Human Rights Ombudsman and prior to that rector of the Justice Academy of Armenia. In 2019, Melikyan co-founded and currently leads the “Path of Law” NGO.

Topics:

• Why are there Armenian POWs still in Azerbaijan so long after the Nov. 9 ceasefire agreement?
• On Constitutional Court judges being forced to resign
• On Parliament’s endorsement of Gagik

Guest(s):

• Ruben Melikyan

Former Artsakh Ombudsman Ruben Melikyan - 01/18/2021

We’ll be discussing various legal and human-rights topics within the context of recent developments in Armenia.

Guest:

• Ruben Melikyan was formerly Artsakh’s Human Rights Ombudsman and prior to that rector of the Justice Academy of Armenia. In 2019, Melikyan co-founded and currently leads the “Path of Law” NGO.

Topics:

• Why are there Armenian POWs still in Azerbaijan so long after the Nov. 9 ceasefire agreement?
• On Constitutional Court judges being forced to resign
• On Parliament’s endorsement of Gagik