Last updated: June 10, 2026
Armenia is a landlocked nation in the South Caucasus region of Western Asia, bordered by Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkey. With a population of approximately 3 million, Armenia is one of the world’s oldest Christian civilizations, having adopted Christianity as its state religion in 301 CE—the first country to do so. The capital and largest city is Yerevan, located in the central part of the country. Armenia’s geography is characterized by the Armenian Highlands, a mountainous region with an average elevation exceeding 1,600 meters. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, including ancient churches, monasteries, and archaeological sites. Armenia is a member of numerous international organizations including the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and the Eurasian Economic Union.
In the context of Groong’s coverage, Armenia is a landlocked South Caucasus republic facing an acute strategic and political crisis. Since the 2020 44-Day War , the country has lost control of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) and hundreds of square kilometers of territory to Azerbaijan, undergone the complete ethnic cleansing of more than 150,000 Armenian inhabitants from Artsakh, and seen its borders redrawn under duress. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his Civil Contract party have governed through this catastrophe while pursuing what opponents describe as a capitulation strategy: signing ceasefire agreements, negotiating territorial concessions, and attempting to normalize relations with Turkey despite no reciprocal gesture. The government frames this course as realism and peace-building; critics argue it surrenders Armenian sovereignty without securing the rights or security of displaced Artsakhtsis. Armenia’s relationship with its traditional security guarantor Russia has deteriorated sharply, while its pivot toward the European Union and United States remains hesitant and incomplete, leaving the country in a precarious middle position between Moscow and the West.
Domestic politics in Armenia since 2021 have been dominated by the opposition’s demand for Pashinyan’s resignation and accountability for the war’s loss. The Established Opposition parties—Strong Armenia , Armenia Alliance (Hayastan Dashinq) , Prosperous Armenia , and the Republican Party of Armenia —have held street protests, mounted electoral challenges, and attempted to build coalitions for the June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections. Civil Contract’s supermajority in parliament has allowed it to pass constitutional amendments, strip opposition figures of immunity, and advance its agenda despite sustained criticism over corruption, misuse of administrative resources, and alleged election irregularities. The government has also escalated confrontation with the Armenian Church , arresting clergy, seizing church property, and pressuring the Catholicos , actions that have alarmed international observers and divided public opinion. Simultaneously, Pashinyan has consolidated control over state institutions, including the judiciary and security services, raising concerns about democratic backsliding and rule of law.
Armenia’s economy remains fragile. Growth statistics mask structural weaknesses: the country is heavily dependent on remittances and Russian trade, faces declining foreign investment, carries rising national debt, and has seen its ties to Iran—a key trade and energy partner—complicated by U.S. pressure over TRIPP, the so-called Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity . The project aims to open transport corridors through Armenian territory in Syunik province, a move that would connect Azerbaijan to Turkey via Armenian land and raise questions about Armenian sovereignty over the route and control of its security. Russia has shifted from enthusiastic support of the corridor to public ambivalence, while Iran has issued explicit warnings that it will not accept any arrangement that bypasses or threatens its interests. The competing pressures from Washington, Moscow, Tehran, and Baku leave Armenia’s leadership navigating impossible choices between security guarantees that do not yet exist and economic partnerships that require territorial and strategic concessions it is reluctant to make permanent. The 2026 election will determine whether Armenian voters remain committed to Pashinyan’s course or whether opposition forces can forge a unified alternative around themes of security, sovereignty, and the rights of displaced Artsakhtsis to return home.
Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Armenia.
ANN/Groong Week in Review - June 6, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210606.html
Episode 66 | Recorded: June 6, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - June 6, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210606.html
Episode 66 | Recorded: June 6, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 30, 2021 Topics:
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Episode 65 | Recorded: May 30, 2021 https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210530.html
ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 30, 2021 Topics:
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Episode 65 | Recorded: May 30, 2021 https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210530.html
Iran: Foreign Relations and Upcoming Elections (in Armenian) A Conversation with Robert Markarian
Իրան: Արտաքին Հարաբերուտյուններ, գալիք ընտրություններ Զրույց Ռոբերտ Մարգարյանի հետ
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Ռոբերտ Մարգարյանը ծնվել է Թեհրանում և ունի բարձրագույն կրթությունն ֆիզիկայի և իրավաբանության ոլորտներում: 25 տարի աշխատել է Իրանի պետական ռադիո-հեռուստատեսության հայերեն ռադիոժամում, որպես լուրերի հաղորդավար, խմբագիր և մեկնաբան: Հայաստանի և Արցախի թեմաներով հայերեն, պարսկերեն ու անգլերեն հոդվածներով համագործակցել է իրանական ու հայկական կայքերի և հետազոտական հաստատությունների հետ:
Iran: Foreign Relations and Upcoming Elections (in Armenian) A Conversation with Robert Markarian
Իրան: Արտաքին Հարաբերուտյուններ, գալիք ընտրություններ Զրույց Ռոբերտ Մարգարյանի հետ
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Ռոբերտ Մարգարյանը ծնվել է Թեհրանում և ունի բարձրագույն կրթությունն ֆիզիկայի և իրավաբանության ոլորտներում: 25 տարի աշխատել է Իրանի պետական ռադիո-հեռուստատեսության հայերեն ռադիոժամում, որպես լուրերի հաղորդավար, խմբագիր և մեկնաբան: Հայաստանի և Արցախի թեմաներով հայերեն, պարսկերեն ու անգլերեն հոդվածներով համագործակցել է իրանական ու հայկական կայքերի և հետազոտական հաստատությունների հետ:
A Conversation with Narek Margaryan - 05/25/2021
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Narek Margaryan is an Armenian comedian, screenwriter and TV host. Along with his co-host Sergey Sargsyan, Narek stars in ArmComedy, a satiric news show series broadcast on Armenian television and on Youtube.
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Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian
Episode 63 | Recorded: April 25, 2021
A Conversation with Narek Margaryan - 05/25/2021
Guest:
Narek Margaryan is an Armenian comedian, screenwriter and TV host. Along with his co-host Sergey Sargsyan, Narek stars in ArmComedy, a satiric news show series broadcast on Armenian television and on Youtube.
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Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian
Episode 63 | Recorded: April 25, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 23, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210523.html Recorded: May 24, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 23, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210523.html Recorded: May 24, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 16, 2021 Topics:
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Episode 60 | Recorded: May 2, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210516.html
ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 16, 2021 Topics:
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Episode 60 | Recorded: May 2, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210516.html
ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 2, 2021
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Episode 60 | Recorded: May 2, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 2, 2021
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Episode 60 | Recorded: May 2, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - April 25, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210425.html Episode 59 | Recorded: April 25, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - April 25, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210425.html Episode 59 | Recorded: April 25, 2021
Armenians at Crossroads - 04/17/2021
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Armenians at Crossroads - 04/17/2021
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ANN/Groong Week in Review - April 11, 2021
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Episode 57 | Recorded: April 12, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - April 11, 2021
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Episode 57 | Recorded: April 12, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - April 4, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210404.html Episode 56 | Recorded: April 4, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - April 4, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210404.html Episode 56 | Recorded: April 4, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 28, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210328.html Episode 55 | Recorded: March 28, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 28, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210328.html Episode 55 | Recorded: March 28, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 21, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210321.html Episode 54 | Recorded: March 21, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 21, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210321.html Episode 54 | Recorded: March 21, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 14, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210314.html Episode 53 | Recorded on March 14, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 14, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210314.html Episode 53 | Recorded on March 14, 2021
ANN Groong Week in Review - Episode 52 - Feb 28, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210228.html Episode 52 | Recorded: February 28, 2021
ANN Groong Week in Review - Episode 52 - Feb 28, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210228.html Episode 52 | Recorded: February 28, 2021
ANN Groong Week in Review Episode 51 - Feb 21, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210221.html Episode 51 | Recorded: February 21, 2021
ANN Groong Week in Review Episode 51 - Feb 21, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210221.html Episode 51 | Recorded: February 21, 2021
Armenia’s Earthquake Preparedness - 02/21/2021
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Read MoreArmenia’s Earthquake Preparedness - 02/21/2021
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Read MoreANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 49 - February 14, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210214.html Episode 49 | Recorded: February 14, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 49 - February 14, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210214.html Episode 49 | Recorded: February 14, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 48 - February 7, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210207.html Recorded: February 7, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 48 - February 7, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210207.html Recorded: February 7, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 31, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210131.html Episode 47 | Recorded on January 31, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 31, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210131.html Episode 47 | Recorded on January 31, 2021
Armenian IT Security and Readiness During Wartime - with Ruben Muradyan - Jan. 31, 2021
Experience being called up and participating in the war
Ethics of a security professional. What to do when a government member asks you to conduct greyhat (potentially unlawful or unethical) security?
On the 2nd day of the war Ruben was called up to the army as part of an infantry company.
Armenian IT Security and Readiness During Wartime - with Ruben Muradyan - Jan. 31, 2021
Experience being called up and participating in the war
Ethics of a security professional. What to do when a government member asks you to conduct greyhat (potentially unlawful or unethical) security?
On the 2nd day of the war Ruben was called up to the army as part of an infantry company.
ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 24, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210124.html Episode 45 | Recorded on January 24, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 24, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210124.html Episode 45 | Recorded on January 24, 2021
Episode 44 | Recorded on January 17, 2021
Episode 44 | Recorded on January 17, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 17, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210117.html Recorded: January 17, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 17, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210117.html Recorded: January 17, 2021
Former Artsakh Ombudsman Ruben Melikyan - 01/18/2021
Weâll be discussing various legal and human-rights topics within the context of recent developments in Armenia.
Former Artsakh Ombudsman Ruben Melikyan - 01/18/2021
Weâll be discussing various legal and human-rights topics within the context of recent developments in Armenia.
Conversation with Aram Vardevanyan - 01/13/2021
Since Nikol Pashinyan came to power in 2018, and prior to the Artsakh war of 2020, issues around the Armenian constitution and constitutional court have been in the center of public attention. These issues have been partly fueled by one of the most prominent legal cases in recent Armenian history, the March 1 trial against Armenian president Robert Kocharyan and military leadership at the time. We’ll explore issues surrounding the March 1 case, as well as legal and specifically constitutional questions related
Read MoreConversation with Aram Vardevanyan - 01/13/2021
Since Nikol Pashinyan came to power in 2018, and prior to the Artsakh war of 2020, issues around the Armenian constitution and constitutional court have been in the center of public attention. These issues have been partly fueled by one of the most prominent legal cases in recent Armenian history, the March 1 trial against Armenian president Robert Kocharyan and military leadership at the time. We’ll explore issues surrounding the March 1 case, as well as legal and specifically constitutional questions related
Read MoreANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 40 - Jan 10, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210110.html Recorded: January 10, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 40 - Jan 10, 2021
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Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210110.html Recorded: January 10, 2021
Conversation with My Step’s Maria Karapetyan - 01/08/2021
As protesters in the streets of Yerevan continue demanding the resignation of PM Nikol Pashinyan in the aftermath of the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, the ruling My Step faction seems to be firmly on the side of the prime minister.
In the last week or so here at Groong we hosted representatives of various opposition parties and today we will host a representative from the ruling My Step faction to talk about the ongoing political crisis in Armenia.
Today weâre joined by:
Maria Karapetyan, who is a member
Read MoreConversation with My Step’s Maria Karapetyan - 01/08/2021
As protesters in the streets of Yerevan continue demanding the resignation of PM Nikol Pashinyan in the aftermath of the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, the ruling My Step faction seems to be firmly on the side of the prime minister.
In the last week or so here at Groong we hosted representatives of various opposition parties and today we will host a representative from the ruling My Step faction to talk about the ongoing political crisis in Armenia.
Today weâre joined by:
Maria Karapetyan, who is a member
Read MoreResearch in Policy Making and Implementation (Ep #38) - 01/03/2021
Asbed Kotchikian is an associate professor of political science and international relations at the American University of Armenia, where he teaches courses on post-Soviet space and the Middle East.
Talks with
Arevik Anapiosyan is the Partnerships and Development Finance Advisor to the UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia, and has served as the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia. She co-founded and was the Executive Director of the Institute of Public
Read MoreResearch in Policy Making and Implementation (Ep #38) - 01/03/2021
Asbed Kotchikian is an associate professor of political science and international relations at the American University of Armenia, where he teaches courses on post-Soviet space and the Middle East.
Talks with
Arevik Anapiosyan is the Partnerships and Development Finance Advisor to the UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia, and has served as the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia. She co-founded and was the Executive Director of the Institute of Public
Read MoreSince the end of the first Nagorno-Karabakh war in 1994 and for over quarter of a century, Armenia has engaged in diplomatic activity with Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia and the West. The aim of those diplomatic initiatives was to find a solution to the conflict by engaging in direct diplomatic negotiations as well as track two diplomacy.
In September 2020, diplomatic initiatives gave way to a military one resulting in a war that reversed Armeniaâs military successes and led to the signing of a cease-fire agreement which completely undermined Armeniaâs position
Read MoreSince the end of the first Nagorno-Karabakh war in 1994 and for over quarter of a century, Armenia has engaged in diplomatic activity with Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia and the West. The aim of those diplomatic initiatives was to find a solution to the conflict by engaging in direct diplomatic negotiations as well as track two diplomacy.
In September 2020, diplomatic initiatives gave way to a military one resulting in a war that reversed Armeniaâs military successes and led to the signing of a cease-fire agreement which completely undermined Armeniaâs position
Read More