Armenian Diaspora on Groong Podcast

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

Wed, 06 May 2026 12:00:00 -0700

Summary

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.

Main Topics Addressed

Strong Armenia’s national security doctrine
Diplomacy from a position of strength
Armenia’s current military and political vulnerabilities
Azerbaijani positions inside Armenia’s sovereign territory
Strategic and economic risks for border communities
Sotq gold mine and border-region insecurity
TRIPP and the Zangezur Corridor debate
Built-in security guarantees for regional connectivity
Rights of Artsakh Armenians
Threats to Armenian heritage in Artsakh
Stepanakert Cathedral and Azerbaijan’s cultural destruction
Armenia’s foreign policy fundamentals
Regional risks from a wider Iran war
EPC summit optics and national insecurity
Election integrity and opposition coalition politics

Key Questions Discussed

How does Mikael Darbinian’s background as a former U.S. diplomat shape his view of Armenia’s current vulnerabilities?
What would a Strong Armenia administration do to rebuild Armenia’s national security system, armed forces, and diplomatic leverage?
How can Armenia mobilize national potential in a divided political environment?
What role should the Armenian Diaspora play in rebuilding Armenia’s security capacity?
What are the strategic implications of Azerbaijani positions inside Armenia’s internationally recognized borders?
How does the occupation of Armenian territory affect border villages, roads, infrastructure, and local economies?
What are the risks to operations such as the Sotq gold mine and other border-region assets?
Is TRIPP a path toward useful regional connectivity, or does it function as the Zangezur Corridor under another name?
What would real security guarantees for TRIPP require while Azerbaijani forces remain close to the proposed infrastructure?
How does Strong Armenia’s view of TRIPP differ from Robert Kocharyan’s proposals?
What would “sober judgment” and “cold calculations” mean in Armenian foreign policy?
How should a Strong Armenia-led government handle the rights of Artsakh Armenians?
How should Armenia prepare for the risk of a wider Iran war, especially one involving Turkey or Azerbaijan?
How should Armenia respond to Azerbaijan’s destruction of Armenian heritage, including the Stepanakert Cathedral?
Do high-level summits such as the EPC meeting in Yerevan create real security gains for Armenia, or mostly serve as public relations?

Slides from Mikael Darbinian’s Strong Armenia presentation

Strong Armenia conference presentation video

Slide 1

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

Wed, 06 May 2026 12:00:00 -0700

Episode Summary

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

Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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

Sun, 03 May 2026 14:30:00 -0700

Summary

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.

Main Topics Addressed

US-Iran relations and failed diplomacy
Israeli and US interests in the Iran war
Prospects for a negotiated end to the current conflict
TRIPP, also known as the Zangezur Corridor
Armenia’s sovereignty and security risks
Iran’s red lines in the South Caucasus
Hrair Balian’s book on Karabakh negotiations
Missed opportunities in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process
Secret or unreleased negotiation documents
Russia, the West, and the South Caucasus after 2014
Pashinyan’s shift on Artsakh
The future of Artsakh and the right of return
Armenia’s June parliamentary elections
OSCE/ODIHR election monitoring and political bias concerns

Key Questions Discussed

Did modern US-Iran tensions begin in 1979, 1953, or earlier?
Was there ever a serious diplomatic effort between the US and Iran?
Do US and Israeli interests align in the war on Iran?
What is the end goal of the US-Israeli war on Iran?
Is a negotiated solution still possible?
Does TRIPP provide any security guarantee for Armenia?
Can a future Armenian government renegotiate TRIPP with stronger safeguards?
How does TRIPP relate to the November 2020 ceasefire statement and Russia’s assigned role?
What lessons should Armenia draw from regional war and failed diplomacy?
Why have parts of the Karabakh negotiation record remained secret?
What were the main reasons the Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks failed?
After 2014 or 2018, did the US prioritize conflict resolution or pressure on Russia?
Was Armenia’s post-2018 course toward the West a sound strategy or a dangerous misread?
Was the loss of Artsakh unavoidable?
What should be made of the 2019 proposal to Armenia?
Why did Pashinyan’s position on Artsakh shift so sharply after 2021?
Is the Artsakh chapter closed, and what would it mean if it is not?
Can Armenia’s June elections be judged free and fair under current conditions?
Will international monitors assess the election based on facts or politics?
How should Armenia’s opposition work with election monitoring organizations?

Referenced Articles & Sources

(Anatomy of Peacemaking: Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict & Missed Opportunities (Rethinking Peace and Conflict Studies)

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

Sun, 03 May 2026 14:30:00 -0700

Episode Summary

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

Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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Fr. Serop Azarian - Armenian Church Under Attack | Ep 503, Jan 11, 2026

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0800

Episode 503 Synopsis

Father Serop Azarian joins us to discuss Nikol Pashinyan’s escalating confrontation with the Armenian Apostolic Church, and what it may signal ahead of 2026. We examine the narratives used to justify state pressure on the Church, the role of “renegade” bishops and canon-law claims, and the practical stakes around Church property and independence. The episode closes with a short reflection on the Church calendar, from Theophany to Easter.

Fr. Serop Azarian - Armenian Church Under Attack | Ep 503, Jan 11, 2026

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0800

Episode Summary

Pashinyan Attacks: Geopolitics or Vendetta? Renegade Bishops: Demands and Narratives. Stolen Church Property. From Christmas to Easter.

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Dziunik Aghajanian - EU Ukraine Rift, Church Siege, and TRIPP Power Games | Ep 498, Dec 21, 2025

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 02:30:00 +0400

In this Groong Week in Review, Hovik Manucharyan and Asbed Bedrossian are joined by Dziunik Aghajanian to examine a volatile week marked by escalating confrontation between the Armenian state and the Armenian Apostolic Church, deepening fractures inside Europe over the Ukraine war, and controversial developments around Armenia–Azerbaijan trade and regional transport corridors. The discussion focuses on state power, legitimacy, and the geopolitical tradeoffs shaping Armenia’s present and future.

Topics Covered

Ukraine War Update

Ukraine’s battlefield situation continues to deteriorate, with reports of Ukrainian withdrawals from key positions amid shortages of weapons, manpower, and electricity. European leaders are increasingly divided on how to proceed, as French President Emmanuel Macron shifts toward dialogue with Moscow while blocking German efforts to seize Russian assets for Ukraine and lobbying to restore nuclear fuel cooperation with Russia.

Dziunik Aghajanian - EU Ukraine Rift, Church Siege, and TRIPP Power Games | Ep 498, Dec 21, 2025

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 02:30:00 +0400

Episode Summary

In this Groong Week in Review, Hovik Manucharyan and Asbed Bedrossian are joined by Dziunik Aghajanian to examine a volatile week marked by escalating confrontation between the Armenian state and the Armenian Apostolic Church, deepening fractures inside Europe over the Ukraine war, and controversial developments around Armenia–Azerbaijan trade and regional transport corridors. The discussion focuses on state power, legitimacy, and the geopolitical tradeoffs shaping Armenia’s present and future.

Douglas MacGregor & Christine Arakelian - Armenia in the Crosshairs of US Geopolitical Winds | Ep 460, Aug 12, 2025

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 01:00:00 -0800

Summary
In this episode, Christine Arakelian and Col. Douglas MacGregor join the hosts to analyze U.S. foreign policy moves from Gaza to the South Caucasus. They discuss Israel’s ongoing campaign in Gaza, the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, and the likely resumption of hostilities. The conversation examines the Trump–Pashinyan–Aliyev White House summit, the strategic “Trump Corridor” across Armenia, and its impact on Russia, Iran, and India. The guests explore India–Armenia relations, U.S. economic vulnerabilities, and the challenges of sustaining a long-term American role in the region. They also assess the risks and potential outcomes of the upcoming Trump–Putin summit in Alaska, and the Armenian government’s handling of sovereignty, diaspora relations, and political prisoners.

Douglas MacGregor & Christine Arakelian - Armenia in the Crosshairs of US Geopolitical Winds | Ep 460, Aug 12, 2025

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 01:00:00 -0800

Episode Summary

Summary In this episode, Christine Arakelian and Col. Douglas MacGregor join the hosts to analyze U.S. foreign policy moves from Gaza to the South Caucasus. They discuss Israel’s ongoing campaign in Gaza, the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, and the likely resumption of hostilities. The conversation examines the Trump–Pashinyan–Aliyev White House summit, the strategic “Trump Corridor” across Armenia, and its impact on Russia, Iran, and India. The guests explore India–Armenia relations, U.S. economic vulnerabilities, and the challenges of sustaining a long-term American role in the region. They also assess the risks and potential outcomes of the upcoming Trump–Putin summit in Alaska, and the Armenian government’s handling of sovereignty, diaspora relations, and political prisoners.

Transcript: Douglas MacGregor & Christine Arakelian - Armenia in the Crosshairs of US Geopolitical Winds | Ep 460, Aug 12, 2025

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dziunik Aghajanian - on Armenian Diplomacy, Foreign Policy, the Pashinyan Agenda, and Mother Armenia | Ep. 258 - June 1, 2023

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:16:54 -0700

Diplomatic Career

Can you tell us a little about how you entered the career of a diplomat and where your career has taken you?

Questions:

In over 30 years with the MFA, who were the most influential mentors and diplomats for you, and who impressed you the most?
Genocide Policy: Zareh Sinanian.
In July 2021, we heard that you were recalled from your ambassadorship to Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Why did you leave the MFA? Was it voluntary or were you relieved?

Velvet 2018

Let’s look back to May of 2018, when Nikol Pashinyan was sworn in as Prime Minister of Armenia.

Dziunik Aghajanian - on Armenian Diplomacy, Foreign Policy, the Pashinyan Agenda, and Mother Armenia | Ep. 258 - June 1, 2023

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:16:54 -0700

Episode Summary

Intro to Ms Aghajanian. Career path, Mentors, Influencers. Parting ways with the MFA. How did Armenia Resist Turkish Pressure prior to 2018. Impressions of 2018 events. On Pashinyan’s Policies to Surrender Artsakh. Letter Planning the Surrender. Messaging Aliyev to begin Instigations. Changing Security Doctrine. The Myth of Western Security Guarantees. Pashinyan’s Fiction re Alma Ata and Madrid Principles. On Armenia’s National Interests. On Armenian Foreign Policy Vectors. Can Armenia get Closer to Iran? Can “Normalization” with Turkey work? Mother Armenia / Մայր Հայաստան Movement Announced.

Harut Sassounian: The HyeID project, to initiate an elected Diaspora Armenian Parliament

Sun, 13 Nov 2022 03:00:00 -0700

Discussion

What is the purpose of issuing HyelD cards? What are they for?
Why did you initiate this project? What is the purpose?
How will community elections take place? Who can vote and who can be a candidate?
Does HyelD have a budget? How is it funded?
What steps have been taken to disseminate the idea of this project throughout the Diaspora? The Armenian government?
What is the current state of the project?

Website: HyeID.org

Harut Sassounian: The HyeID project, to initiate an elected Diaspora Armenian Parliament

Sun, 13 Nov 2022 03:00:00 -0700

Episode Summary

What is HyeID, what problems is it trying to address? Organizations and models for Diaspora representation. Funding and operations. Outreach to the Diaspora and the Armenian government. Current State of the project.

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Harut Sassounian: The Global Armenian Summit

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0700

Overview

Over the course of this weekend and until Monday, there’s this Global Armenian Summit conference in progress in Yerevan. The event is organized by the office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, and invitations went out a few months ago. Reportedly there are 600 attendees according to Armenpress, but probably taken from the conference website.

Discussion

Global Armenian Summit

What is the background of Armenia-Diaspora relations against which this conference is taking place?
Why did the government need this event right now?
Diaspora parties or organizations don’t seem to be present at the event.
Who’s attending, in order to bill the event a “Summit”?
Pashinyan’s address at the conference.
Arayik Harutyunyan’s address at the conference.

Wrap-up

We hope you found our [Conversations on Groong] (/series/cog/) helpful. We invite your feedback and your suggestions. You can find us on most social media and podcast platforms. Thanks to Laura Osborn for the music on our podcasts.

Harut Sassounian: The Global Armenian Summit

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0700

Episode Summary

What is the background of Armenia-Diaspora relations against which this conference is taking place? Why did the government need this event right now, and is this the right time? Who was invited, who was not? Why?

Go to Episode Notes