Armenian News

Guest(s):

• Katia Peltekian
• Vera Yacoubian

Conversations on Groong: Artsakh in the Arab Media - Oct 28, 2020

Since September 27, Azerbaijan has been waging an all out war on Artsakh, cluster-bombing towns and villages and killing civilians and destroying churches and cultural centers, with the aim to destroy and depopulate the region. The worldwide Armenian Diaspora has come together to fight this existential threat.

We’ve read much about the Diaspora’s activities around most of the world, but what about the Arab world? This episode explores some of the challenges and opportunities that

Guest(s):

• Katia Peltekian
• Vera Yacoubian

Conversations on Groong: Artsakh in the Arab Media - Oct 28, 2020

Since September 27, Azerbaijan has been waging an all out war on Artsakh, cluster-bombing towns and villages and killing civilians and destroying churches and cultural centers, with the aim to destroy and depopulate the region. The worldwide Armenian Diaspora has come together to fight this existential threat.

We’ve read much about the Diaspora’s activities around most of the world, but what about the Arab world? This episode explores some of the challenges and opportunities that

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 10/25/2020

Topics Covered:

• International diplomacy on the move?
• What is Turkey’s endgame?
• War and post-war economy
• Update on COVID

Guests:

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20201025.html Episode 23 | Recorded on October 25, 2020

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 10/25/2020

Topics Covered:

• International diplomacy on the move?
• What is Turkey’s endgame?
• War and post-war economy
• Update on COVID

Guests:

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20201025.html Episode 23 | Recorded on October 25, 2020

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 18, 2020

Topics Covered:

• In retrospect: Tracing our steps back to Sep. 27
• Call from extra-parliamentary opposition for a War Council
• Mobilization of the Armenian diaspora

Your Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Resident Panelists:

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

Episode 22. Recorded: October18, 2020 Playlist: WiR (Week in Review)

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 18, 2020

Topics Covered:

• In retrospect: Tracing our steps back to Sep. 27
• Call from extra-parliamentary opposition for a War Council
• Mobilization of the Armenian diaspora

Your Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Resident Panelists:

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan

Episode 22. Recorded: October18, 2020 Playlist: WiR (Week in Review)

Guest(s):

• Lara Aharonian
• Robert Avetisyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 12, 2020

Topics Covered:

• Security situation on the ground;
• Diplomatic activity, short & long term goals;
• Humanitarian impact in Artsakh & Armenia;
• Effect of social media on the war.

Your Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Asbed Kotchikian

Resident Panelists:

• Lara Aharonian: Co-founder & co-director of the Women’s Resource Center NGO in Yerevan
• Robert Avetisyan: Representative of Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the US

Episode 21 Recorded: Oct 12, 2020 Full details: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20201012.html Playlist: WiR (Week in Review)

Guest(s):

• Lara Aharonian
• Robert Avetisyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 12, 2020

Topics Covered:

• Security situation on the ground;
• Diplomatic activity, short & long term goals;
• Humanitarian impact in Artsakh & Armenia;
• Effect of social media on the war.

Your Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Asbed Kotchikian

Resident Panelists:

• Lara Aharonian: Co-founder & co-director of the Women’s Resource Center NGO in Yerevan
• Robert Avetisyan: Representative of Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the US

Episode 21 Recorded: Oct 12, 2020 Full details: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20201012.html Playlist: WiR (Week in Review)

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 4, 2020

Topics:

• Stepanakert under persistent bombardment using banned cluster bombs.
• Turkey’s role in the war.
• Why is Russia quiet?
• What can we expect next?

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Marine Manucharyan
• Emil Sanamyan

Episode 20 | Recorded: Oct 3, 2020

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 4, 2020

Topics:

• Stepanakert under persistent bombardment using banned cluster bombs.
• Turkey’s role in the war.
• Why is Russia quiet?
• What can we expect next?

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Marine Manucharyan
• Emil Sanamyan

Episode 20 | Recorded: Oct 3, 2020

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Marine Manucharyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #18) - 09/27/2020

Topics:

• The 29th Anniversary of Armenian Independence;
• Armenia’s foreign policy;
• Azerbaijan war of disinformation; and lastly
• Opposition trio rally and Tsarukyan’s arrest

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Marine Manucharyan
• Emil Sanamyan

Hosts

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200927.html Episode 18 | Recorded on September 26, 2020

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Marine Manucharyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #18) - 09/27/2020

Topics:

• The 29th Anniversary of Armenian Independence;
• Armenia’s foreign policy;
• Azerbaijan war of disinformation; and lastly
• Opposition trio rally and Tsarukyan’s arrest

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Marine Manucharyan
• Emil Sanamyan

Hosts

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200927.html Episode 18 | Recorded on September 26, 2020

CoG: “Velvet Revolution” Two Years On - Part 1 | Ep 17 - Sep 25, 2020

It’s been two and a half years since the dramatic popular protests of 2018 that resulted in the resignation of Serge Sargsyan and the subsequent election of Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister in Armenia. The change in power, which is commonly referred to as “The Velvet Revolution”, gave many the hope of a more democratic Armenia. Many promises were made in 2018, and mid-way through this administration many of us want to know how the Armenian government is delivering on those promises.

In this

CoG: “Velvet Revolution” Two Years On - Part 1 | Ep 17 - Sep 25, 2020

It’s been two and a half years since the dramatic popular protests of 2018 that resulted in the resignation of Serge Sargsyan and the subsequent election of Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister in Armenia. The change in power, which is commonly referred to as “The Velvet Revolution”, gave many the hope of a more democratic Armenia. Many promises were made in 2018, and mid-way through this administration many of us want to know how the Armenian government is delivering on those promises.

In this

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/20/2020

Topics:

• Constitutional Court Appointment
• Armenia’s Growing National Debt
• Calls for the Resignation of the Minister of Education
• Escalated Tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border
  • Armenian Soldier dies amidst escalation
  • Azerbaijan again slams negotiations, turns away Russian AWACS
• Khodorkovsky Publishes New Dossier on Armenian & Azerbaijan
• Bob Dole hired by Embassy of Armenia as a Lobbyist

Guests

• Hrant Mikaelyan
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/20/2020

Topics:

• Constitutional Court Appointment
• Armenia’s Growing National Debt
• Calls for the Resignation of the Minister of Education
• Escalated Tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border
  • Armenian Soldier dies amidst escalation
  • Azerbaijan again slams negotiations, turns away Russian AWACS
• Khodorkovsky Publishes New Dossier on Armenian & Azerbaijan
• Bob Dole hired by Embassy of Armenia as a Lobbyist

Guests

• Hrant Mikaelyan
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Armenian News Network/Groong: Telecommunications Security in Armenia - Sep 15, 2020)

Conversations on Groong

Background and formulation of the telecoms market in Armenia

Telecommunications market in Armenia started with the monopoly of the incumbent operator ArmenTel owned jointly by Greek state owned company OTE (90%) and Armenian government (10%). The sale-purchase agreement granted ArmenTel (recently rebranded to VEON) exclusive rights to provide basic telecommunications services including international Internet connectivity, mobile and fixed telephony. ArmenTel’s monopoly remained till

Armenian News Network/Groong: Telecommunications Security in Armenia - Sep 15, 2020)

Conversations on Groong

Background and formulation of the telecoms market in Armenia

Telecommunications market in Armenia started with the monopoly of the incumbent operator ArmenTel owned jointly by Greek state owned company OTE (90%) and Armenian government (10%). The sale-purchase agreement granted ArmenTel (recently rebranded to VEON) exclusive rights to provide basic telecommunications services including international Internet connectivity, mobile and fixed telephony. ArmenTel’s monopoly remained till

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/13/2020

Topics:

• Electoral Reforms in Armenia
• Journalist Dana Mazalov passes away
• ANSEF Reorganization
• My Step MP Arsen Julfalakyan Resigns from Parliament
• Russian Opposition Leader Navalny’s Poisoning and Recovery
• What is going on in Baku?
  • Azeri pressure on Arms Providers to Armenia
  • Aliyev vs. Aliyeva?
  • Caucasus 2020 Joint Military Exercises and those MIA

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website:

Guest(s):

• Hrant Mikaelian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/13/2020

Topics:

• Electoral Reforms in Armenia
• Journalist Dana Mazalov passes away
• ANSEF Reorganization
• My Step MP Arsen Julfalakyan Resigns from Parliament
• Russian Opposition Leader Navalny’s Poisoning and Recovery
• What is going on in Baku?
  • Azeri pressure on Arms Providers to Armenia
  • Aliyev vs. Aliyeva?
  • Caucasus 2020 Joint Military Exercises and those MIA

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website:

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• David Sandukhchyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/06/2020

Topics:

• Adios Madrid?
• A New Repatriation Package & iGorts
• Adios Torosyan?
• Update on Covid in Armenia / State of Emergency
• Panelist Soapboxes

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• David Sandukhchyan
• Emil Sanamyan

Hosts

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200906.html Episode 13 | Recorded on September 6, 2020

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• David Sandukhchyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/06/2020

Topics:

• Adios Madrid?
• A New Repatriation Package & iGorts
• Adios Torosyan?
• Update on Covid in Armenia / State of Emergency
• Panelist Soapboxes

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• David Sandukhchyan
• Emil Sanamyan

Hosts

• Asbed Bedrossian
• Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200906.html Episode 13 | Recorded on September 6, 2020

Judicial Reforms, Data Protection and Privacy - 09/05/2020

Conversations on Groong

Armenia has European grade laws in the areas of finance, business, data protection and privacy. What is preventing Armenia from achieving its full potential in foreign direct investment (FDI)? Why do many Armenian startups incorporate in foreign countries, and use Armenia as their offshore labor resource?

Our Guest is David Sandukhchyan is a lawyer with 20 years of experience in telecommunications, cyber law, media and personal data protection. He started his legal career as an Internet freedom advocate and

Judicial Reforms, Data Protection and Privacy - 09/05/2020

Conversations on Groong

Armenia has European grade laws in the areas of finance, business, data protection and privacy. What is preventing Armenia from achieving its full potential in foreign direct investment (FDI)? Why do many Armenian startups incorporate in foreign countries, and use Armenia as their offshore labor resource?

Our Guest is David Sandukhchyan is a lawyer with 20 years of experience in telecommunications, cyber law, media and personal data protection. He started his legal career as an Internet freedom advocate and

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/30/2020

Topics:

• Armenian POW Gurgen Alaverdyan
• Armenia’s Humanitarian Aid to Aleppo
• Serge Sargsyan’s Interview and the Four-Day War Deliberations
• National Awards
• Vagharshak Harutyunyan’s Appointment as Chief Advisor to Pashinyan

Guests:

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200830.html Episode 11 | Recorded on August 30 2020

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/30/2020

Topics:

• Armenian POW Gurgen Alaverdyan
• Armenia’s Humanitarian Aid to Aleppo
• Serge Sargsyan’s Interview and the Four-Day War Deliberations
• National Awards
• Vagharshak Harutyunyan’s Appointment as Chief Advisor to Pashinyan

Guests:

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200830.html Episode 11 | Recorded on August 30 2020

Guest(s):

• Ara Sanjian
• Siranush Dvoyan

Education Reform in Armenia - 08/10/2020 Conversations on Groong Asbed Kotchikian talks with Ara Sanjian & Siranush Dvoyan

Topics:

Background of education reform(s) in Armenia In depth analysis of the content, standards & measurable outcomes of the proposed curriculum’s history & literature segments. Challenges of implementing the proposed curriculum

In recent months, Armenia’s government has published its proposal for K-12 curriculum reform in Armenian schools. The new curriculum, which includes education standards and learning

Guest(s):

• Ara Sanjian
• Siranush Dvoyan

Education Reform in Armenia - 08/10/2020 Conversations on Groong Asbed Kotchikian talks with Ara Sanjian & Siranush Dvoyan

Topics:

Background of education reform(s) in Armenia In depth analysis of the content, standards & measurable outcomes of the proposed curriculum’s history & literature segments. Challenges of implementing the proposed curriculum

In recent months, Armenia’s government has published its proposal for K-12 curriculum reform in Armenian schools. The new curriculum, which includes education standards and learning

Topics:

• Turkey: Zero Problems?
• Azerbaijan: The Myth of Brotherly Relations?
• Armenia: From Diplomatic Overtures to a Mini Cold War

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Ara Sanjian
• Vahram Ter-Matevosyan
• Diana Yayloyan

Host:

• Asbed Kotchikian

Episode 10 | Recorded: August 2020

Topics:

• Turkey: Zero Problems?
• Azerbaijan: The Myth of Brotherly Relations?
• Armenia: From Diplomatic Overtures to a Mini Cold War

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Ara Sanjian
• Vahram Ter-Matevosyan
• Diana Yayloyan

Host:

• Asbed Kotchikian

Episode 10 | Recorded: August 2020

Topics:

• Turkey’s Transformation in Historical Perspective
• Change and Continuity of Turkish Political Culture
• Turkey’s Foreign Policy

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Ara Sanjian
• Vahram Ter-Matevosyan
• Diana Yayloyan

Host:

• Asbed Kotchikian

Episode 9 | Recorded: August 2020

Topics:

• Turkey’s Transformation in Historical Perspective
• Change and Continuity of Turkish Political Culture
• Turkey’s Foreign Policy

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Ara Sanjian
• Vahram Ter-Matevosyan
• Diana Yayloyan

Host:

• Asbed Kotchikian

Episode 9 | Recorded: August 2020

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Hrant Mikaelian
• Artyom Tonoyan
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/16/2020

This Week in Review we talk with Hrant Mikaelian to discuss important issues and developments around Armenia, such as the Coronavirus Pandemic, and its economic effect; Armenia’s membership in EurAsian Economic Union and the economic effect of that organization on Armenia; and some of the trends affecting Russia and its economy.

Hrant will then join us in our weekly lightning round of questions from the past week’s headlines, to analyze Prime Minister Pashinyan’s

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Hrant Mikaelian
• Artyom Tonoyan
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/16/2020

This Week in Review we talk with Hrant Mikaelian to discuss important issues and developments around Armenia, such as the Coronavirus Pandemic, and its economic effect; Armenia’s membership in EurAsian Economic Union and the economic effect of that organization on Armenia; and some of the trends affecting Russia and its economy.

Hrant will then join us in our weekly lightning round of questions from the past week’s headlines, to analyze Prime Minister Pashinyan’s

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Yeghia Tashjian
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/09/2020

Topics:

• The Massive Explosion in Beirut
• Lightning Round
  • Turkey-Azerbaijan Military Exercises
  • Mashtots Park
  • Cyber Security Intrusion
  • Law on Media Regulation
  • Beirut Explosion

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Yeghia Tashjian
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200809.html Episode 6 | Recorded on August 9, 2020

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Yeghia Tashjian
• Alen Zamanyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/09/2020

Topics:

• The Massive Explosion in Beirut
• Lightning Round
  • Turkey-Azerbaijan Military Exercises
  • Mashtots Park
  • Cyber Security Intrusion
  • Law on Media Regulation
  • Beirut Explosion

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Yeghia Tashjian
• Alen Zamanyan

Hosts

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200809.html Episode 6 | Recorded on August 9, 2020

ANN Groong Week in Review - 08/02/2020

Topics:

• Living With Conflict #WordsNotSwords
• Panel Discussion on Robert Kocharyan’s Interview
• Lightning Round
  • The SIS Charges Arthur Danielyan
  • Nominees for the Constitutional Court
  • The PM’s Outlook on the State of the Pandemic
  • Staff Changes in the Diaspora High Commissioner’s Office

Guests

• Arzu Geybulla
• Ulvi Ismayil
• Artyom Tonoyan
• Diana Yayloyan

Resident panelists:

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Episode 5 | Recorded ob August 2, 2020

ANN Groong Week in Review - 08/02/2020

Topics:

• Living With Conflict #WordsNotSwords
• Panel Discussion on Robert Kocharyan’s Interview
• Lightning Round
  • The SIS Charges Arthur Danielyan
  • Nominees for the Constitutional Court
  • The PM’s Outlook on the State of the Pandemic
  • Staff Changes in the Diaspora High Commissioner’s Office

Guests

• Arzu Geybulla
• Ulvi Ismayil
• Artyom Tonoyan
• Diana Yayloyan

Resident panelists:

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Episode 5 | Recorded ob August 2, 2020

ANN Groong Week in Review - 07/26/2020

Topics:

• Panel: War roundup / Artsakh
• Conversation: National Security Doctrine
• Panel: National Security Doctrine

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Karen Vrtanesyan
• Alen Zamanyan

A Conversation with

• Karena Avedissian (special guest)

Episode 4 | Recorded on July 26, 2020

ANN Groong Week in Review - 07/26/2020

Topics:

• Panel: War roundup / Artsakh
• Conversation: National Security Doctrine
• Panel: National Security Doctrine

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Karen Vrtanesyan
• Alen Zamanyan

A Conversation with

• Karena Avedissian (special guest)

Episode 4 | Recorded on July 26, 2020

ANN Groong Week in Review - 07/19/2020

Topics:

• Clashes on the Tavush Border
• Azerbaijani Propaganda around Armenian Threats to the Mingechaur Reservoid
• Azerbaijan’s threat to strike Armenia’s Nuclear Power Plant with missiles

Guests:

• Areg Danagoulian (Special Guest)
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Episode 2 | Recorded on July 19 2020

ANN Groong Week in Review - 07/19/2020

Topics:

• Clashes on the Tavush Border
• Azerbaijani Propaganda around Armenian Threats to the Mingechaur Reservoid
• Azerbaijan’s threat to strike Armenia’s Nuclear Power Plant with missiles

Guests:

• Areg Danagoulian (Special Guest)
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Episode 2 | Recorded on July 19 2020

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 07/12/2020

Topics:

• The Constitutional Court Standoff Continues in Limbo
• Polls, and what you should know about them
• The Armenian Government’s response to COVID-19
• The State of Armenian Media: Media Freedoms During Covid

Guests:

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Episode 1 | Recorded on July 12, 2020

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 07/12/2020

Topics:

• The Constitutional Court Standoff Continues in Limbo
• Polls, and what you should know about them
• The Armenian Government’s response to COVID-19
• The State of Armenian Media: Media Freedoms During Covid

Guests:

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Emil Sanamyan
• Alen Zamanyan

Episode 1 | Recorded on July 12, 2020