Armenian Sovereignty on Groong Podcast

Arthur Martirosyan - Constitution, Western Controlled Syunik, Church Crackdown | Ep 452, Jul 6, 2025

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 02:00:00 +0400

Main Topics Addressed

Constitution Day: Pashinyan’s rejection of Armenia’s founding document and what it signals
Foreign-Controlled Corridor through Syunik: From rejecting a Russian corridor to considering a U.S.-managed one
Kaja Kallas in Yerevan: What message did the Estonian PM and EU envoy bring to Armenia?
Russia-Azerbaijan Breakdown: Arrests, beatings, media retaliation, and geopolitical friction
Church Crackdown: Samvel Karapetyan’s arrest and surveillance of clergy raise alarm
Stripping of Parliamentary Immunity: Ohanyan and Minasyan face charges over years-old land case
Turkey’s Latest Insult: Talaat Pasha’s name proposed for border crossing amid “normalization”
SCO Application Confusion: Armenia seeks membership in a bloc that includes many CSTO allies, and is incompatible with EU aspirations

Key Questions Discussed

Has Armenia surrendered the principle of sovereignty by inviting U.S. oversight in Syunik?
Why is Erdogan praising Armenia’s “constructive” stance on the Zangezur corridor?
What’s behind Russia’s sudden crackdown on Azerbaijani-linked criminal figures—and Baku’s aggressive response?
Are the criminal charges against Ohanyan and Minasyan politically timed and selectively applied?
What does Turkey’s proposal to name a border crossing after Talaat Pasha say about Armenian-Turkish normalization?
Is Armenia’s application to the SCO a realistic foreign policy shift or just more confusion?

Thoughts from the Participants

Arthur: Reflected on the nationalization of Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) and the strategic significance of Armenia’s electrical infrastructure, including the potential for AI data centers and cross-border power export.
Hovik: Criticized AUA’s handling of student activism, raising concerns about the university’s values and its role in suppressing free speech during recent protests.

The Kitchen Sink

Opposition Immunity Stripped: Ohanyan and Minasyan were charged over a land deal from years ago, even though the same property was previously attributed to Ohanyan’s wife. Meanwhile, Khachatur Sukiasyan, a regime-aligned oligarch with a long record of suspicious deals, remains untouched.
Talaat Pasha Crossing: Turkey’s proposal to rename a border crossing after the chief architect of the Armenian Genocide is a humiliating blow amid Pashinyan’s push for normalization.
Artsakh Parliament in Exile: With Davit Ishkhanyan detained in Baku, Ashot Danielyan was named Speaker and acting president by the Artsakh National Assembly in exile.
SCO Membership Bid: Armenia’s announcement that it is applying to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, despite having burned bridges with CSTO members, adds another layer of strategic confusion.

Referenced Articles & Sources

Wrap-up

Links and Resources

That’s our Week in Review, we hope you found it helpful. We invite your feedback and your suggestions, you can find us on most social media and podcast platforms.

Arthur Martirosyan - Constitution, Western Controlled Syunik, Church Crackdown | Ep 452, Jul 6, 2025

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 02:00:00 +0400

Episode Summary

Constitution Day. Western Controlled Syunik? What was Kallas Doing in Yerevan? Russian-Azerbaijani Relations. Coup d’Etat? Or Coup d’Église? The Kitchen Sink.

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Dziunik Aghajanian - Armenia Azerbaijan Talks, Syria, Defense Politics, Civil Contract Strife | Ep 401 - Dec 22, 2024

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0400

In this episode of the Armenian News Network - Groong Week in Review, we speak with Ambassador Dziunik Aghajanian, a seasoned diplomat and former Armenian ambassador to the Netherlands, Malaysia, and Indonesia. This discussion delves into the most pressing geopolitical and domestic issues currently shaping Armenia’s future. Topics include poignant revelations about US plans to encircle Iran, Azerbaijan’s pivotal role in this strategy, and the broader implications for the South Caucasus.

Dziunik Aghajanian - Armenia Azerbaijan Talks, Syria, Defense Politics, Civil Contract Strife | Ep 401 - Dec 22, 2024

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0400

Episode Summary

Anna Karapetyan - Azerbaijan Preparing for War, Pashinyan's Deceptive Discourse on Negotiations, Armenians Uninformed, Swiss Parliamentary Motion on Artsakh Armenians Right of Return | Ep 398 - Dec 15, 2024

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 06:10:36 -0700

In this Week in Review episode, we discuss with Dr. Anna Karapetyan Azerbaijan’s increasing military activity and its implications for Armenia’s security, including arms shipments and UAV operations. We also explore Switzerland’s motion advocating for a peace forum to ensure the safe return of displaced Artsakh Armenians and its significance in addressing ethnic cleansing on an international stage.

Topics Covered:

Azerbaijan’s War Preparations
- Evidence of increased military activity, including arms shipments and Turkish UAV operations near Armenia.
- Pashinyan’s rhetoric regarding “Western Azerbaijan” and its implications.
Swiss Motion on Artsakh Armenians’ Right of Return
- Details of Switzerland’s call for an international peace forum to address the safe return of displaced Artsakh Armenians.
- The significance of the motion in addressing ethnic cleansing and its alignment with international decisions.

Key Questions Discussed:

What is the current level of danger Armenia faces given Azerbaijan’s military actions?
Is the Armenian public desensitized to these threats?
What are the chances of Azerbaijan’s engagement in Switzerland’s proposed peace initiative?
How significant is this motion internationally?

Wrap-up

Links and Resources

That’s our show! We hope you found it useful. Please find us on Social Media and follow us everywhere you get your Armenian news.

Anna Karapetyan - Azerbaijan Preparing for War, Pashinyan's Deceptive Discourse on Negotiations, Armenians Uninformed, Swiss Parliamentary Motion on Artsakh Armenians Right of Return | Ep 398 - Dec 15, 2024

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 06:10:36 -0700

Episode Summary

In this Week in Review episode, we discuss with Dr. Anna Karapetyan Azerbaijan’s increasing military activity and its implications for Armenia’s security, including arms shipments and UAV operations. We also explore Switzerland’s motion advocating for a peace forum to ensure the safe return of displaced Artsakh Armenians and its significance in addressing ethnic cleansing on an international stage.

Go to Episode Notes

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.

Anna Karapetyan - BRICS, Armenia-Azerbaijan Talks, COP29, EU Res | Ep 379 - Oct 27, 2024

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 06:10:36 -0700

Topics This Week

BRICS Summit

During the BRICS summit held last week in Kazan, Russia, Armenia participated as an observer. While Pashinyan acknowledged the group’s agenda positively, the Armenian Foreign Ministry emphasized that Armenia has no plans to become a BRICS member.

A notable outcome of Armenia’s participation was Pashinyan’s meeting with Ilham Aliyev. In a short statement released afterwards, they instructed their foreign ministers to continue peace deal discussions “in order to finalize and sign it as soon as possible.” Pashinyan at the summit repeated that at least 80-90% of the content of the so-called peace deal is finalized and expressed his readiness to sign an interim document with only the content that is so far agreed upon, but in the past Azerbaijan has repeatedly stood its ground, demanding that complete agreement is reached on all points.

Anna Karapetyan - BRICS, Armenia-Azerbaijan Talks, COP29, EU Res | Ep 379 - Oct 27, 2024

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 06:10:36 -0700

Episode Summary

Armenia at the BRICS Summit. Armenia Azerbaijan Talks. Armenia at COP29. European Parliament Resolution.

Go to Episode Notes