Armenian Diaspora

Aram Hamparian - Don't Get an F in Armenian Affairs! ANCA's 2026 Report Cards | Ep 598, Oct 28, 2026 [EP598]

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 28, 2026 | Category: Armenia, United States, Diaspora, Elections | Series: cog, video

Groong Links:

Guest(s):

Aram Suren Hamparian

Topics:

ANCA’s 2026 Congressional Report Cards
The 12 Congressional F Grades
Abe Hamadeh, TRIPP, and Armenian Interests
Azerbaijani Influence on Capitol Hill
Armenian-American Allies in Congress
Key Races in the 2026 Midterms

Episode 598 | Recorded: October 27, 2026

#ANCA #ArmenianAmerican #USMidterms2026 #Congress #ArmenianAffairs #ArmenianAdvocacy #AzerbaijanLobby

Aram Hamparian - Don't Get an F in Armenian Affairs! ANCA's 2026 Report Cards | Ep 598, Oct 28, 2026 [EP598]

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 28, 2026 | Category: Armenia, United States, Diaspora, Elections

Groong Links:

Guest(s):

Aram Suren Hamparian

Topics:

ANCA’s 2026 Congressional Report Cards
The 12 Congressional F Grades
Abe Hamadeh, TRIPP, and Armenian Interests
Azerbaijani Influence on Capitol Hill
Armenian-American Allies in Congress
Key Races in the 2026 Midterms

Episode 598 | Recorded: October 27, 2026

#ANCA #ArmenianAmerican #USMidterms2026 #Congress #ArmenianAffairs #ArmenianAdvocacy #AzerbaijanLobby

Graded F: Florida Rep. Randy Fine (R-06) [EP598]

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 28, 2026 | Category: USA, Politics, Human Rights

Hamparian lays out Randy Fine’s F: co-sponsoring repeal of Section 907 and saying Armenians should not run for Congress.

Graded F: John Sununu, Republican Senator from New Hampshire [EP598]

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 28, 2026 | Category: USA, Artsakh, Human Rights

Hamparian explains why ANCA gave John Sununu an F: investments in Anglo Asian Mining with rights in ethnically cleansed Artsakh.

Graded F: Tennessee Democrat Stephen Cohen (D-09) [EP598]

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 28, 2026 | Category: USA, Politics

Hamparian on Steve Cohen’s F and his coming exit: once threw an Armenian American reporter out of his house, now retiring amid redistricting.

Judge Tano Tijerina vs. Henry Cuellar in South Texas [EP598]

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 28, 2026 | Category: USA, Politics

Hamparian introduces Judge Tano Tijerina, the challenger to indicted and pardoned congressman Henry Cuellar in South Texas.

Transcript: Aram Hamparian - Don't Get an F in Armenian Affairs! ANCA's 2026 Report Cards | Ep 598, Oct 28, 2026 [EP598]

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 28, 2026 | Category: Armenia, United States, Diaspora, Elections, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA, about the 2026 US midterm elections and Armenian-American advocacy on Capitol Hill. We discuss the Armenian National Committee’s congressional report cards, the twelve lawmakers receiving F grades for their positions on Armenian interests, and how Azerbaijani influence shapes votes in Congress. Hamparian breaks down key races and the stakes for Armenian diaspora engagement in American politics.

Armenia Votes, Opposition Jailed: Pashinyan's Democracy | Ep 597, Oct 25, 2026 [EP597]

Posted on Monday, Oct 26, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics | Series: wir, video

Groong Links:

Topics:

Municipal elections and one-party dominance
Opposition arrests ahead of Stepanavan elections
Pashinyan’s threats of snap elections
Constitutional changes and Azerbaijani demands
Can elections bring political change?
Government bonuses, cronyism, and accountability
Remembering Rita Vorperian and Osheen Keshishian

Episode 597 | Recorded: October 25, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #NikolPashinyan #ArmenianElections #OppositionCrackdown #SnapElections #ConstitutionalReform #DemocracyUnderThreat

Armenia Votes, Opposition Jailed: Pashinyan's Democracy | Ep 597, Oct 25, 2026 [EP597]

Posted on Monday, Oct 26, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics

Groong Links:

Topics:

Municipal elections and one-party dominance
Opposition arrests ahead of Stepanavan elections
Pashinyan’s threats of snap elections
Constitutional changes and Azerbaijani demands
Can elections bring political change?
Government bonuses, cronyism, and accountability
Remembering Rita Vorperian and Osheen Keshishian

Episode 597 | Recorded: October 25, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #NikolPashinyan #ArmenianElections #OppositionCrackdown #SnapElections #ConstitutionalReform #DemocracyUnderThreat

Transcript: Armenia Votes, Opposition Jailed: Pashinyan's Democracy | Ep 597, Oct 25, 2026 [EP597]

Posted on Monday, Oct 26, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Transcript

In this Groong Week in Review episode, Hovik and Asbed break down Armenia’s October 25, 2026 municipal elections and the stark reality of one-party rule under Pashinyan. We discuss administrative pressure, opposition arrests in Stepanavan, jailed candidates, and coerced party defections—exposing how Civil Contract dominates through control of police and judiciary rather than genuine democratic competition. We also examine Pashinyan’s threats of snap elections, constitutional changes responsive to Azerbaijani demands, and whether electoral politics can still deliver political change in Armenia.

Why They Want to Erase Armenian Memory [EP594]

Posted on Saturday, Oct 17, 2026 | Category: Diaspora, Armenian Genocide, Culture

Martirosyan argues active memory keeps Armenians Armenian, and that erasing it serves Turkish and Azerbaijani demands.

Two Words for President LTP: Setting a Feud Aside for Armenia [EP592]

Posted on Friday, Oct 2, 2026 | Category: Diaspora, Politics

Sassounian recounts reconciling with Levon Ter-Petrosyan after years of tension, with a two-word answer, to work together for Armenia.

Groong Podcast Digest — Week of September 21–27, 2026

Posted on Sunday, Sep 27, 2026 | Category: Digest, Podcast Digest

Hovik and Asbed reflect on Armenia’s 35th independence anniversary amid the aftermath of Artsakh’s ethnic cleansing, Armenian prisoners of war held in Baku, rising citizenship costs, government opacity over war casualties, and deepening Turkey-Azerbaijan strategic coordination. Arthur Khachatryan, MP from Armenia Alliance, discusses opposition strategy after the June 2026 election, territorial concessions including Tigranashen, Azerbaijani attacks on Armenian heritage, TRIPP and Azerbaijan’s control over transit corridors, the future of Russia’s 102nd military base, and Read More

Arthur Khachatryan - Opposition Strategy, TRIPP, and the Russian Base | Ep 589, Sep 23, 2026 [EP589]

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026 | Series: cog, video

Groong Links:

Guest(s):

Arthur Khachatryan

Topics:

Reflections on Independence Day
Post-election opposition strategy
Tigranashen and other territorial concessions
Azerbaijani attacks on Armenian heritage
Azerbaijani control over TRIPP access
Future of Russia’s 102nd base
Asset confiscation and Russia tensions
Attacks and threats against the ARF

Episode 589 | Recorded: September 22, 2026

#Armenia #ArthurKhachatryan #ArmeniaAlliance #TRIPP #Tigranashen #Artsakh #SouthCaucasus #ArmenianPolitics

Arthur Khachatryan - Opposition Strategy, TRIPP, and the Russian Base | Ep 589, Sep 23, 2026 [EP589]

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026

Groong Links:

Guest(s):

Arthur Khachatryan

Topics:

Reflections on Independence Day
Post-election opposition strategy
Tigranashen and other territorial concessions
Azerbaijani attacks on Armenian heritage
Azerbaijani control over TRIPP access
Future of Russia’s 102nd base
Asset confiscation and Russia tensions
Attacks and threats against the ARF

Episode 589 | Recorded: September 22, 2026

#Armenia #ArthurKhachatryan #ArmeniaAlliance #TRIPP #Tigranashen #Artsakh #SouthCaucasus #ArmenianPolitics

Only One Armenian Kept in the Museum [EP589]

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026 | Category: Politics, Armenia, History

Khachatryan compares Civil Contract’s rhetoric about eradicating the ARF to a 1915 Turkish line about keeping one Armenian in a museum.

Five Times More Expensive for Diasporans to Gain Armenian Citizenship [EP588]

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026 | Category: Diaspora, Politics, Armenia

Hovik breaks down a fivefold hike in Armenian citizenship fees and a tenfold increase to renounce, and argues it is deliberate diaspora policy.

Transcript: Arthur Khachatryan - Opposition Strategy, TRIPP, and the Russian Base | Ep 589, Sep 23, 2026 [EP589]

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026 | Category: Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Arthur Khachatryan, MP from Armenia Alliance, about opposition strategy following the June 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election. We discuss the Established Opposition’s plans to counter Pashinyan’s agenda, territorial concessions including Tigranashen, Azerbaijani attacks on Armenian heritage, the role of TRIPP and Azerbaijan’s control over transit corridors, the future of Russia’s 102nd military base, and escalating threats against opposition parties.

Groong Podcast Digest — Week of September 7–13, 2026

Posted on Sunday, Sep 13, 2026 | Category: Digest, Podcast Digest

Hovik and Asbed examine September 2026 developments across Armenia and the South Caucasus, reviewing Artsakh’s remembered independence declaration, Putin’s military base signaling, Armenian Church prosecutions, EU trade negotiations, non-combat military deaths, and political pressures ahead of local elections.

Arthur Martirosyan - The Fourth Republic and the Politics of Erasure | Ep 581, Aug 29, 2026 [EP581]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 29, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: cog, video

Groong Links:

Guest(s):

Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

Pashinyan’s Revenge Against Opposition
Kocharyan Arrested, Family Under State Pressure
Opposition Strategy Under Repression
Pashinyan’s Five-Year Transformation Agenda
Government Assault on Armenian Church
Tigranashen and Border Concessions
TRIPP, Turan, and Central Asia

Episode 581 | Recorded: August 28, 2026

#ArmenianElections #Armenia #NikolPashinyan #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #ArmenianOpposition

Arthur Martirosyan - The Fourth Republic and the Politics of Erasure | Ep 581, Aug 29, 2026 [EP581]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 29, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Groong Links:

Guest(s):

Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

Pashinyan’s Revenge Against Opposition
Kocharyan Arrested, Family Under State Pressure
Opposition Strategy Under Repression
Pashinyan’s Five-Year Transformation Agenda
Government Assault on Armenian Church
Tigranashen and Border Concessions
TRIPP, Turan, and Central Asia

Episode 581 | Recorded: August 28, 2026

#ArmenianElections #Armenia #NikolPashinyan #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #ArmenianOpposition

The Fourth Republic: Pashinyan's Plan to Kill Armenian Identity [EP581]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 29, 2026 | Category: Politics, Armenia

Pashinyan frames the Third Republic as failed and proposes a Fourth Republic based on rejecting Artsakh claims and Armenian diaspora ties. Expert analysis reveals this mirrors Atatürk’s identity transformation strategy.

Transcript: Arthur Martirosyan - The Fourth Republic and the Politics of Erasure | Ep 581, Aug 29, 2026 [EP581]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 29, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Arthur G. Martirosyan about Armenia’s post-election political crisis and Pashinyan’s governance agenda. We discuss the arrest of opposition leaders including Robert Kocharyan, attacks on the Armenian Church, border concessions including Tigranashen, the TRIPP corridor, and how the Established Opposition is strategizing under state repression in the Fourth Republic.

Pietro Shakarian - Memory Under Siege: From Stalin to Pashinyan | Ep 573, Aug 3, 2026 [EP573]

Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, History | Series: cog, video

Groong Links:

Guest(s):

Pietro Shakarian

Topics:

Erasing memory across Yerevan
Great Purge in Soviet Armenia
Khanjyan’s assassination and Beria
Repression of Armenia’s national institutions
Remembering Stalinist repression
Historical parallels with modern Armenia
Attacks on memory and Church
Opposition strategy after the election

Episode 573 | Recorded: July 31, 2026

#Armenia #GreatPurge #AghasiKhanjyan #PietroShakarian #Artsakh #ArmenianChurch #PoliticalRepression #MemoryUnderSiege #Authoritarianism #SovietArmenia

Pietro Shakarian - Memory Under Siege: From Stalin to Pashinyan | Ep 573, Aug 3, 2026 [EP573]

Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, History

Groong Links:

Guest(s):

Pietro Shakarian

Topics:

Erasing memory across Yerevan
Great Purge in Soviet Armenia
Khanjyan’s assassination and Beria
Repression of Armenia’s national institutions
Remembering Stalinist repression
Historical parallels with modern Armenia
Attacks on memory and Church
Opposition strategy after the election

Episode 573 | Recorded: July 31, 2026

#Armenia #GreatPurge #AghasiKhanjyan #PietroShakarian #Artsakh #ArmenianChurch #PoliticalRepression #MemoryUnderSiege #Authoritarianism #SovietArmenia

Transcript: Pietro Shakarian - Memory Under Siege: From Stalin to Pashinyan | Ep 573, Aug 3, 2026 [EP573]

Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, History, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Dr. Pietro Shakarian about memory, repression, and state power in Armenia across Soviet and contemporary periods. We discuss the Great Purge in Soviet Armenia, the assassination of Aghasi Khanjyan, the suppression of Armenian national institutions under Stalin and Beria, and the parallels between Stalinist erasure and current efforts to control public memory, symbols, and mourning in post-Artsakh Armenia under the Civil Contract regime.

Christine Arakelian - Forever Wars, NATO 3.0, Armenia's High-Stakes Western Pivot | Ep 572, Jul 31, 2026 [EP572]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 1, 2026 | Category: Armenia, USA, European Union, Politics, Geopolitics, Diaspora | Series: cog, video

Groong Links:

Guest(s):

Christine A. Arakelian

Topics:

US Foreign Policy & the Fracture of MAGA
Iran and the Risk of Forever Wars
NATO 3.0 and Europe’s Militarization
Post-2026 Election Armenia
TRIPP and Pashinyan’s Pivot to the West

Episode 572 | Recorded: July 29, 2026

#ForeverWars #NATO #IranWar #Armenia #TRIPP #MAGA #USForeignPolicy #SouthCaucasus

Christine Arakelian - Forever Wars, NATO 3.0, Armenia's High-Stakes Western Pivot | Ep 572, Jul 31, 2026 [EP572]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 1, 2026 | Category: Armenia, USA, European Union, Politics, Geopolitics, Diaspora

Groong Links:

Guest(s):

Christine A. Arakelian

Topics:

US Foreign Policy & the Fracture of MAGA
Iran and the Risk of Forever Wars
NATO 3.0 and Europe’s Militarization
Post-2026 Election Armenia
TRIPP and Pashinyan’s Pivot to the West

Episode 572 | Recorded: July 29, 2026

#ForeverWars #NATO #IranWar #Armenia #TRIPP #MAGA #USForeignPolicy #SouthCaucasus

Pashinyan's Western Pivot Is All Optics, No Congressional Buy-In [EP572]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 1, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, Politics, Armenia, USA

Arakelian argues that Pashinyan’s Western pivot lacks congressional support because it ignores the Armenian-American diaspora, capping Armenia’s influence in Washington and making the strategy vulnerable to changes in administration.

Transcript: Christine Arakelian - Forever Wars, NATO 3.0, Armenia's High-Stakes Western Pivot | Ep 572, Jul 31, 2026 [EP572]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 1, 2026 | Category: Armenia, USA, European Union, Politics, Geopolitics, Diaspora, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Christine Arakelian about American foreign policy fractures, Iran war risks, and Armenia’s pivot to the West. We discuss whether the United States has coherent foreign policy, the collapse of the MAGA coalition over Forever Wars, NATO 3.0 and Europe’s militarization, and how Pashinyan’s post-2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election government is navigating TRIPP amid global instability.

Anthony Barsamian - Armenia-Diaspora checkpoint | Ep 569, Jul 25, 2026 [EP569]

Posted on Saturday, Jul 25, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Diaspora, Politics | Series: cog, video

Groong Links:

Guest(s):

Anthony J. Barsamian

Topics:

Armenian-American advocacy and its next phase
Genocide recognition, justice, and reparations
Church-state conflict and national unity

Episode 569 | Recorded: July 21, 2026

#ArmenianDiaspora #AnthonyBarsamian #ArmenianGenocide #ArmenianChurch #ArmeniaDiaspora #SouthCaucasus

Anthony Barsamian - Armenia-Diaspora checkpoint | Ep 569, Jul 25, 2026 [EP569]

Posted on Saturday, Jul 25, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Diaspora, Politics

Groong Links:

Guest(s):

Anthony J. Barsamian

Topics:

Armenian-American advocacy and its next phase
Genocide recognition, justice, and reparations
Church-state conflict and national unity

Episode 569 | Recorded: July 21, 2026

#ArmenianDiaspora #AnthonyBarsamian #ArmenianGenocide #ArmenianChurch #ArmeniaDiaspora #SouthCaucasus

Transcript: Anthony Barsamian - Armenia-Diaspora checkpoint | Ep 569, Jul 25, 2026 [EP569]

Posted on Saturday, Jul 25, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Diaspora, Politics, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Anthony Barsamian about Armenian Diaspora advocacy, Armenia-Diaspora relations, and the next phase of Armenian-American activism. We discuss decades of work securing U.S.-Armenia relations and aid packages, the achievement of U.S. Armenian Genocide recognition and what comes next, and the role of the Armenian Republic in promoting international genocide recognition—including recent developments with Israeli recognition efforts.

Groong Podcast Digest — Week of June 22–28, 2026

Posted on Sunday, Jun 28, 2026 | Category: Digest, Podcast Digest

Arman Grigoryan discusses US-Iran negotiations and their implications for TRIPP, regional power dynamics, and Armenia’s contested 2026 parliamentary election aftermath. We examine the fallout from Armenia’s 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Elections, including six opposition parties challenging results at the Constitutional Court, escalating political persecutions targeting opposition figures, Russia’s continued economic pressure on Pashinyan’s government, US-Iran ceasefire negotiations and their regional implications, and a new Armenia-Azerbaijan telecommunications agreement that raises cybersecurity and strategic dependency concerns.

Groong Podcast App, Now in Beta

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 9, 2026 | Category: Announcement | Series: Blog

The Groong Podcast App is now in beta: a dedicated, installable home for Groong listeners that keeps the full catalog in one place, lets you watch or listen, and notifies you directly when a new episode drops. No algorithm deciding what you see.

Mikael Darbinian - Armenia’s Borders, TRIPP, and the Price of Weakness | Ep 540, May 6, 2026 [EP540]

Posted on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Armenian News, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, NATO, Iran, Georgia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union | Series: cog

Groong Links:

Guest:

Mikael Darbinian

Topics:

Strong Armenia security doctrine
Azerbaijani occupation of Armenian territory
TRIPP and Zangezur Corridor risks
Diplomacy from a position of strength
EPC optics and national insecurity

Episode 540 | Recorded: May 5, 2026

#Armenia #Artsakh #StrongArmenia #MikaelDarbinian #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #ArmenianSecurity #SouthCaucasus

Mikael Darbinian - Armenia’s Borders, TRIPP, and the Price of Weakness | Ep 540, May 6, 2026 [EP540]

Posted on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Armenian News, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, NATO, Iran, Georgia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union

Groong Links:

Guest:

Mikael Darbinian

Topics:

Strong Armenia security doctrine
Azerbaijani occupation of Armenian territory
TRIPP and Zangezur Corridor risks
Diplomacy from a position of strength
EPC optics and national insecurity

Episode 540 | Recorded: May 5, 2026

#Armenia #Artsakh #StrongArmenia #MikaelDarbinian #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #ArmenianSecurity #SouthCaucasus

Transcript: Mikael Darbinian - Armenia’s Borders, TRIPP, and the Price of Weakness | Ep 540, May 6, 2026 [EP540]

Posted on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Armenian News, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, NATO, Iran, Georgia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union, Transcript

This Conversations on Groong episode with Mikael Darbinian examines Armenia’s security crisis through the lens of the Strong Armenia doctrine. The discussion focuses on deterrence, diplomacy from a position of strength, Azerbaijani positions inside Armenia’s sovereign territory, the risks around TRIPP and the Zangezur Corridor, the rights of Artsakh Armenians, regional war scenarios involving Iran, and the gap between international political theater and Armenia’s unresolved national security threats.

Hrair Balian - From Karabakh to TRIPP: Armenia’s Security Dilemma | Ep 538, May 3, 2026 [EP538]

Posted on Sunday, May 3, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Lebanon, Armenian News, Artsakh Blockade, Russia, Georgia, NATO, Human Rights | Series: cog, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Hrair Balian

Mr. Balian’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Peacemaking-Nagorno-Karabakh-Opportunities-Rethinking/dp/3032124891

Topics:

US-Iran war and failed diplomacy
TRIPP and Armenia’s security risks
Karabakh negotiations and missed chances
Pashinyan’s Artsakh policy reversal
Armenia’s June elections and monitoring

Episode 538 | Recorded: April 30, 2026

#HrairBalian #Groong #Armenia #Artsakh #NagornoKarabakh #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #ArmenianElections

Hrair Balian - From Karabakh to TRIPP: Armenia’s Security Dilemma | Ep 538, May 3, 2026 [EP538]

Posted on Sunday, May 3, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Lebanon, Armenian News, Artsakh Blockade, Russia, Georgia, NATO, Human Rights

Groong Links:

Guest:

Hrair Balian

Mr. Balian’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Peacemaking-Nagorno-Karabakh-Opportunities-Rethinking/dp/3032124891

Topics:

US-Iran war and failed diplomacy
TRIPP and Armenia’s security risks
Karabakh negotiations and missed chances
Pashinyan’s Artsakh policy reversal
Armenia’s June elections and monitoring

Episode 538 | Recorded: April 30, 2026

#HrairBalian #Groong #Armenia #Artsakh #NagornoKarabakh #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #ArmenianElections

Transcript: Hrair Balian - From Karabakh to TRIPP: Armenia’s Security Dilemma | Ep 538, May 3, 2026 [EP538]

Hrair Balian joins us to discuss his book Anatomy of Peacemaking: Nagorno Karabakh Conflict & Missed Opportunities, the failure of diplomacy around Artsakh, and what Armenia should learn from the long collapse of the peace process. The conversation also looks at the Iran war, US and Israeli goals in the region, the TRIPP/Zangezur Corridor and its security impact on Armenia, and the role of outside powers in shaping outcomes in the South Caucasus. The episode closes with a discussion of Armenia’s June parliamentary elections, opposition repression, election monitoring, and whether international observers will judge the vote by facts on the ground or political convenience.

Philippe Raffi Kalfayan - Monitoring the June 2026 Parliamentary Elections in Armenia | Ep 535, Apr 27, 2026 [EP535]

Posted on Monday, Apr 27, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Election, Armenian News, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Genocide, Human Rights, Russia | Series: cog, video

Groong Links:

Guest:

Dr. Philippe Raffi Kalfayan

Topics:

IODA’s mission and election observation work
Armenia’s June 2026 parliamentary election risks
Questions around international observer impartiality
Suspect voter lists, fraud, and transparency concerns
Pressure on opposition figures and parties

Episode 535 | Recorded: April 24, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #Election2026 #IODA #OSCE #ODIHR #Geopolitics #Democracy

Philippe Raffi Kalfayan - Monitoring the June 2026 Parliamentary Elections in Armenia | Ep 535, Apr 27, 2026 [EP535]

Posted on Monday, Apr 27, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Election, Armenian News, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Genocide, Human Rights, Russia

Groong Links:

Guest:

Dr. Philippe Raffi Kalfayan

Topics:

IODA’s mission and election observation work
Armenia’s June 2026 parliamentary election risks
Questions around international observer impartiality
Suspect voter lists, fraud, and transparency concerns
Pressure on opposition figures and parties

Episode 535 | Recorded: April 24, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #Election2026 #IODA #OSCE #ODIHR #Geopolitics #Democracy

Transcript: Philippe Raffi Kalfayan - Monitoring the June 2026 Parliamentary Elections in Armenia | Ep 535, Apr 27, 2026 [EP535]

Posted on Monday, Apr 27, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Election, Armenian News, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Genocide, Human Rights, Russia, Transcript

Dr. Philippe Raffi Kalfayan joined Groong to discuss the International Observatory for Democracy in Armenia (IODA), its work ahead of Armenia’s June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections, and the risks it sees in the pre-election environment. The conversation covered IODA’s mission, its first fact-finding trip to Armenia, concerns about judicial control and administrative resources, questions about OSCE/ODIHR and EU impartiality, and the pressure facing opposition figures and parties before election day.