ANCA on Groong Podcast

Arthur Khachatryan - Army Day, JD Vance to Armenia, TRIPP, Church, Strong Armenia Political Party | Ep 510, Jan 27, 2026

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 02:30:00 +0400

Summary

At Davos, Mark Carney’s blunt comment that the “rules-based international order” is a myth set the tone for a wider discussion about how small states survive in a system where rules get enforced selectively. From there, our discussion with MP Arthur Khachatryan moved to Washington’s announced visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan by VP JD Vance and the TRIPP framing, including what it signals for Armenia’s strategic direction, and how Iran and Russia may react. In further topics, we focused on Armenia’s Church-state crisis (including the bishops’ assembly moving to Austria and the Talin liturgy incident), the last known Armenians leaving Artsakh, and the emergence of a new opposition force tied to the Mer Dzevov movement ahead of the June elections.

Arthur Khachatryan - Army Day, JD Vance to Armenia, TRIPP, Church, Strong Armenia Political Party | Ep 510, Jan 27, 2026

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 02:30:00 +0400

Episode Summary

Memorial Day vs. Army Day. JD Vance to Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenian Church Developments. Strong Armenia - New Political Party.

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Garen Jinbachian - OSCE Human Dimension Conf, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and The West | Ep 489, Nov 26, 2025

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 23:00:00 +0400

In this episode we examine the erosion of democratic norms across the South Caucasus. We discuss Azerbaijan’s ongoing war crimes, the sham trials of former Artsakh leaders, and the silence of Western institutions such as the OSCE. We also look at Armenia’s internal political crackdowns, the rise of pre-trial detentions, and the government’s widening campaign against the Armenian Church. Our guest, Garen Jinbachian of ANCA-WR, shares insights from the OSCE Human Dimension Conference and his broader human rights advocacy work.

Garen Jinbachian - OSCE Human Dimension Conf, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and The West | Ep 489, Nov 26, 2025

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 23:00:00 +0400

Episode Summary

In this episode we examine the erosion of democratic norms across the South Caucasus. We discuss Azerbaijan’s ongoing war crimes, the sham trials of former Artsakh leaders, and the silence of Western institutions such as the OSCE. We also look at Armenia’s internal political crackdowns, the rise of pre-trial detentions, and the government’s widening campaign against the Armenian Church. Our guest, Garen Jinbachian of ANCA-WR, shares insights from the OSCE Human Dimension Conference and his broader human rights advocacy work.

Lenna Hovanessian – White House Meeting Fallout, Artsakh Erasure, Genocide Dismissal, Azerbaijan Playbook in the US | Ep 470, Sep 7, 2025

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 18:30:00 -0700

In this Conversations on Groong episode, we speak with Lenna Hovanessian, board member of the ANC-Western Region, about the aftermath of the August 8 White House meeting between Pashinyan, Aliyev, and Trump. We discuss the omissions in the agreements, including the rights of Artsakh Armenians, the release of hostages, and protection of cultural heritage. The conversation also covers the Section 907 waiver, dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, strained diaspora–Armenia relations, Pashinyan’s stance on Genocide recognition, Azerbaijan’s lobbying efforts, and the Cuellar bribery case, where ANCA has asked that Armenian Americans be designated as victims.

Lenna Hovanessian – White House Meeting Fallout, Artsakh Erasure, Genocide Dismissal, Azerbaijan Playbook in the US | Ep 470, Sep 7, 2025

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 18:30:00 -0700

Episode Summary

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

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 17:05:04 -0800

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we welcome Gev Iskajyan, National Grassroots Director of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). Gev reflects on the devastating blockade of Artsakh, the ethnic cleansing of its Armenian population, and the lasting impact on Armenian sovereignty and identity. With vivid firsthand accounts, Gev recounts the progression of the crisis, the exodus of over 120,000 Armenians, and the broader geopolitical implications.

This episode highlights the resilience of the Armenian people, the humanitarian tragedy that unfolded, and the urgent need for justice and accountability on an international scale.

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

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 17:05:04 -0800

Episode Summary

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we welcome Gev Iskajyan, National Grassroots Director of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). Gev reflects on the devastating blockade of Artsakh, the ethnic cleansing of its Armenian population, and the lasting impact on Armenian sovereignty and identity. With vivid firsthand accounts, Gev recounts the progression of the crisis, the exodus of over 120,000 Armenians, and the broader geopolitical implications.

Harut Sassounian - Armenian American and the 2024 US Presidential Elections | Ep 380 - Nov 2, 2024

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 01:00:00 +0400

Armenian Americans and the 2024 US Presidential Elections

When it comes to the two major presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, their records are pretty dismal. In fact, some would say that their records have been inimical to Armenia.

During Trump’s term, the United States continued to provide military aid to Azerbaijan. Trump continued to waive Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act until the start of the 2020 war. Trump was unable or unwilling to deter Turkey, a NATO member, from directly participating in the 2020 war, which was a decisive factor in Azerbaijan’s criminal war.

Harut Sassounian - Armenian American and the 2024 US Presidential Elections | Ep 380 - Nov 2, 2024

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 01:00:00 +0400

Episode Summary

GIVE to GROONG. linktr.ee/Groong. Harut Sassounian.

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Aram Suren Hamparian - Armenian American and the 2024 US Presidential Elections | Ep 378 - Oct 27, 2024

Sun, 27 Oct 2024 01:00:00 +0400

The Hamparian Flag

Grading Methodology

Questions:

How does the ANCA assess, or grade, elected politicians on Armenian-American issues?
Are there any candidates who stand out and were essentially no-brainer recommendations for the ANCA?

Presidential Candidates

When it comes to the two major presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, their records are pretty dismal.

Questions:

What’s your assessment of Harris and Trump?
What’s the ANCA’s guidance on how to vote for president?

There are other candidates on the presidential ballot, like the Green Party’s Jill Stein, a perennial presence, sort of like a modern day Ralph Nader.

Aram Suren Hamparian - Armenian American and the 2024 US Presidential Elections | Ep 378 - Oct 27, 2024

Sun, 27 Oct 2024 01:00:00 +0400

Episode Summary

ANCA Endorsements Methodology. On the Major Presidential Candidates. Arab-Americans Still Uncommitted. Where is the Armenian Vote?

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Aram Suren Hamparian - Armenian American Priorities in the 2024 US Elections | Ep 360 - Sep 6, 2024

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 01:00:00 +0400

Armenian American Priorities in the 2024 US Elections

The Democratic and Republican national conventions have come and gone with great pomp and circumstance, and we now know the major candidates vying for the presidency of the United States: Donald Trump & JD Vance on the Republican side, vs Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on the Democrat side.

Aram, up until president Biden’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and then Congress’s near unanimous affirmation, the top Armenian-American priority in advocating for our causes was recognition of the Genocide.

Aram Suren Hamparian - Armenian American Priorities in the 2024 US Elections | Ep 360 - Sep 6, 2024

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 01:00:00 +0400

Episode Summary

Armenia, Artsakh and the 2024 US Elections. On the Major Presidential Candidates. On the Vice President Candidates. On the National Security Apparatus. Arab-American “Uncommitted” Movement. And the Armenian Vote goes to….

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Yeghia Tashjian - Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations | Azerbaijani Propaganda in Shushi | Situation In Artsakh | Ep 271 - July 30, 2023

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:15:00 +0400

Topics This Week

Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations

The major news on the negotiations front last week was the meeting between Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bairamov that took place under the auspices of mediation by the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Russian Priorities

Summarizing the developments, over the course of July the total blockade and isolation of Artsakh has continued, and there is now talk about famine and a pretty dire situation.

All the major (and also not so major) international players have called on Azerbaijan to open the Lachin/Berdzor corridor: the US, the EU, Russia, France, the UK, Austria and so on. To no avail, of course, because Azerbaijan doesn’t need to listen to these calls when, from the other side of their mouths, they tell Azerbaijan that there will be no consequences or repercussions to its actions.

Yeghia Tashjian - Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations | Azerbaijani Propaganda in Shushi | Situation In Artsakh | Ep 271 - July 30, 2023

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:15:00 +0400

Episode Summary

Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations. Azerbaijani Propaganda in Shushi. Situation in Artsakh.

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