Alen Simonyan

Last updated: May 29, 2026

Alen Simonyan has served as President of the National Assembly of Armenia since 2021, making him the Speaker of parliament and one of the most senior figures in the Civil Contract government. A close political ally of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Simonyan has been a prominent voice in Armenian politics on issues ranging from the peace process with Azerbaijan to the country’s relationship with Russia and Western institutions.

Known for outspoken public statements, Simonyan has frequently made headlines for his comments on foreign policy, on Armenia’s departure from Russian-led security structures, and on domestic political opponents. His statements on relations with Russia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan have at times drawn both praise and controversy.

Groong episodes covering Alen Simonyan address his role in parliamentary proceedings, his public commentary on foreign policy and domestic political affairs, and his position within the Civil Contract leadership structure as Armenia heads toward the 2026 parliamentary elections.

Hovik & Asbed - Iran War, April 2016 War, Armenia & Russia, Politics & Election | Ep 530, Apr 5, 2026 [EP530]

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 8, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Politics, Election, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, European Union, Russia, Georgia, Turkey | Series: cog, video

Topics:

  • Iran War Update
  • 2016 April War
  • Aftermath of Pashinyan in Moscow
  • Domestic Politics & Election

Episode 530 | Recorded: April 7, 2026

#Groong #Armenia

Hrant Mikaelian - Iran War, Effect on Armenia, Sumgait Pogroms | Ep 520, Mar 1, 2026 [EP520]

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 4, 2026 | Category: iran, armenia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Iran, USA, Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, China, BRICS, Ukraine, Middle East, Geopolitics, NATO, Syria | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • US and Israel launch war against Iran
  • Decapitation strikes, mass civilian casualties
  • Iran retaliates region-wide, war expands
  • Armenia leadership silent
  • Sumgait remembered

Episode 520 | Recorded: March 3, 2026

#IranWar #EpicFury #MiddleEastWar #ArmeniaForeignPolicy #Sumgait1988 #IranIsraelConflict

Asbed & Hovik - Iran, Varchaband, War on Church, Mehmet Oz, Strong Armenia, Noragyugh | Ep 512, Feb 1, 2026 [EP512]

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, BRICS, Russia, Turkey, China, India, Ukraine | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • Iran Conflict
  • Varchaband
  • War on Armenian Church
  • Mehmet Oz vs Armenian Americans
  • Narek Karapetyan and Strong Armenia
  • A Big Beautiful Noragyugh

Episode 512 | Recorded: February 2, 2026

#IranIsraelWar #TrumpArmada #ArmenianChurch #Pashinyan #ArmenianDiaspora

Hayk Mamijanyan - Freedom of Expression at Risk in Armenia, Vagharshapat, RPA Strategy | Ep 487, Nov 19, 2025 [EP487]

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 19, 2025 | Category: Armenia, artsakh, political prisoners, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Church, Geopolitics, European Union, Iran | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • Freedom of Expression at Risk in Armenia
  • Vagharshapat Municipal Outcomes
  • Republican Party Election Strategy
  • Stand in Support of Independent Media and Journalism in Armenia

Episode 487 | Recorded: November 18, 2025

Arthur Khachikyan - Imnemnimi Podcasters Arrested, Freedom of Expression at Risk in Armenia | Ep 485, Nov 14, 2025 [EP485]

Posted on Friday, Nov 14, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Human Rights, Russia, Georgia, Syria, Ukraine, China, Israel, Turkey, India | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • Arrest of Imnemnimi Podcasters
  • What are the Government’s Real Intentions?
  • Silence of the West
  • Call to All Media: Cover Aggressions Against Freedom of Expression in Armenia!

Episode 485 | Recorded: November 14, 2025

Benyamin  Poghosyan - Ukraine War update, Pashinyan’s Persecution of Church and Opposition intensifies | Ep 483, Nov 2, 2025 [EP483]

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 4, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, USA, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, China, Economy, Genocide, India, Iran, Middle East, NATO | Series: video, wir

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine war status and U.S.–Russia dynamics
  • Church–state tensions and religious prosecutions
  • Opposition arrests, trials, and civil liberties
  • Border demarcation, enclaves

Episode 483 | Recorded: November 3, 2025

Arthur Khachatryan – Republic Day, EU Drama, and Constitutional Chaos | Ep 441, May 25, 2025 [EP441]

Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh Blockade, Armenian Genocide, Genocide, Iran, Human Rights, Economy | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • May 28, Republic Day
  • Armenia’s EU-Russia policy confusion
  • Constitutional changes for “peace”
  • Impeachment vs. election dilemma
  • Azeri invasion threat and silence

Episode 441 | Recorded: May 28, 2025

Էդգար Ղազարյան – Խոսքի ազատության գործը և մամուլի վիճակը Հայաստանում | Ep 440, May 28, 2025 [EP440]

Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, In Armenian, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Human Rights, India, European Union | Series: cog, video

INTERVIEW IN ARMENIAN / ՀԱՐՑԱԶՐՈՒՅՑ ՀԱՅԵՐԵՆ

Guest:

Topics:

  • Criminal charges used to silence Edgar Ghazaryan / Քրեական մեղադրանքներ՝ Էդգար Ղազարյանին լռեցնելու համար
  • Media freedom in Armenia under Pashinyan’s rule / Մամուլի ազատությունը Հայաստանում Փաշինյանի կառավարման օրոք
  • Public broadcasting under political control / Հանրային հեռարձակումը քաղաքական վերահսկողության տակ
  • State-aligned actors spreading misinformation / Ապատեղեկատվություն տարածող պետական կողմի դերակատարները

Episode 440 | Recorded: March 9, 2025

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Ethnic Cleansing of Artsakh: Gev Iskajyan Reflects on Survival and Tragedy | Ep 397 - Dec 18, 2024 [EP397]

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 18, 2024 | Category: Artsakh, Armenia, Artsakh Blockade, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Turkey, Genocide, Georgia, Human Rights, Syria | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Memories of the Artsakh Blockade
  • Ethnic Cleansing
  • Trump Returns to the White House

Episode 397 | Recorded: December 18, 2024