https://podcasts.groong.org/tags/benyamin-poghosyan/Recent content in Benyamin Poghosyan on Groong PodcastHugoen-usTue, 12 May 2026 02:33:02 +0000https://podcasts.groong.org/500-benyamin-poghosyan-ukraine-iran-armenia-azerbaijan-russia-tripp-review-and-outlook/Wed, 31 Dec 2025 02:20:32 -0800https://podcasts.groong.org/500-benyamin-poghosyan-ukraine-iran-armenia-azerbaijan-russia-tripp-review-and-outlook/<h1 id="summary">Summary</h1> <p>In this milestone 500th episode of <em>Groong Week in Review</em>, we assess how major external crises are shaping Armenia’s strategic environment in 2025, examine the stalled Armenia–Azerbaijan process, analyze Russia’s posture around TRIPP, and discuss the implications of a change in the U.S. ambassador. The episode concludes with an extended year-end review, where each participant evaluates their 2025 predictions from a year ago (in <a href="https://podcasts.groong.org/403">Episode 403</a>), and presents high-, medium-, and low-probability forecasts for 2026.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/500-benyamin-poghosyan-ukraine-iran-armenia-azerbaijan-russia-tripp-review-and-outlook/Wed, 31 Dec 2025 02:20:32 -0800https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/500-benyamin-poghosyan-ukraine-iran-armenia-azerbaijan-russia-tripp-review-and-outlook/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>In this milestone 500th episode of Groong Week in Review, we assess how major external crises are shaping Armenia’s strategic environment in 2025, examine the stalled Armenia–Azerbaijan process, analyze Russia’s posture around TRIPP, and discuss the implications of a change in the U.S. ambassador. The episode concludes with an extended year-end review, where each participant evaluates their 2025 predictions from a year ago (in Episode 403), and presents high-, medium-, and low-probability forecasts for 2026.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/494-benyamin-poghosyan-pashinyan-war-on-armenian-church-eu-armenia-nagorno-karabakh-negotiation-documents-arar-poll/Tue, 09 Dec 2025 02:20:32 -0800https://podcasts.groong.org/494-benyamin-poghosyan-pashinyan-war-on-armenian-church-eu-armenia-nagorno-karabakh-negotiation-documents-arar-poll/<h1 id="summary">Summary</h1> <p>This Week in Review with Benyamin Poghosyan looks at Pashinyan’s escalating confrontation with the Armenian Apostolic Church, including the arrest of Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan on a narcotics “distribution” charge rooted in a 2018 incident, and the security services’ seizure of Gyumri’s Seven Wounds Church to stage a December 7 Divine Liturgy without mentioning the Catholicos. We discuss what these moves reveal about the regime’s goals toward Etchmiadzin, while polls show strong public support for both the Church and the Armed Forces. We also examine the new Armenia-EU “Strategic Agenda,” calls for Yerevan to join anti-Russia sanctions, EU funding against “Russian hybrid war,” Pashinyan’s selective publication of OSCE Minsk Group documents, and fresh polling on where Armenians see their main strategic partners and the Russian base in Gyumri.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/494-benyamin-poghosyan-pashinyan-war-on-armenian-church-eu-armenia-nagorno-karabakh-negotiation-documents-arar-poll/Tue, 09 Dec 2025 02:20:32 -0800https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/494-benyamin-poghosyan-pashinyan-war-on-armenian-church-eu-armenia-nagorno-karabakh-negotiation-documents-arar-poll/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>This Week in Review with Benyamin Poghosyan looks at Pashinyan’s escalating confrontation with the Armenian Apostolic Church, including the arrest of Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan on a narcotics “distribution” charge rooted in a 2018 incident, and the security services’ seizure of Gyumri’s Seven Wounds Church to stage a December 7 Divine Liturgy without mentioning the Catholicos. We discuss what these moves reveal about the regime’s goals toward Etchmiadzin, while polls show strong public support for both the Church and the Armed Forces. We also examine the new Armenia-EU “Strategic Agenda,” calls for Yerevan to join anti-Russia sanctions, EU funding against “Russian hybrid war,” Pashinyan’s selective publication of OSCE Minsk Group documents, and fresh polling on where Armenians see their main strategic partners and the Russian base in Gyumri.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/483-benyamin-poghosyan-ukraine-war-pashinyan-persecution-of-armenian-apostolic-church-and-opposition-intensifies/Tue, 04 Nov 2025 02:20:32 -0800https://podcasts.groong.org/483-benyamin-poghosyan-ukraine-war-pashinyan-persecution-of-armenian-apostolic-church-and-opposition-intensifies/<h1 id="groong-week-in-review-ep-483--show-notes">Groong Week in Review, Ep 483 — Show Notes</h1> <h1 id="summary">Summary</h1> <p>Dr. Benyamin Poghosyan joins us and We cover the Ukraine war’s trajectory and why a simple “freeze” only defers conflict, review US–Russia dynamics under Trump, and consider how a China focus and possible Venezuela moves could affect Armenia. We examine Pashinyan’s confrontation with the Armenian Church and the wave of opposition detentions, then dig into border demarcation, possible enclave trades, and Baku’s “Western Azerbaijan” rhetoric. We also discuss a second-track meeting in Yerevan that included Artsakh-blockade figures, and Pashinyan&rsquo;s new “Police Guard” plan.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/483-benyamin-poghosyan-ukraine-war-pashinyan-persecution-of-armenian-apostolic-church-and-opposition-intensifies/Tue, 04 Nov 2025 02:20:32 -0800https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/483-benyamin-poghosyan-ukraine-war-pashinyan-persecution-of-armenian-apostolic-church-and-opposition-intensifies/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Ukraine war status and U.S.–Russia dynamics. Church–state tensions and religious prosecutions. Opposition arrests, trials, and civil liberties. Border demarcation, enclaves.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/483/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/477-benyamin-poghosyan-ajapahyan-sentencing-moldova-elections-armenia-epc-summit-peace-act-military-personnel-shortages-defense-budget-cuts/Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:20:32 -0700https://podcasts.groong.org/477-benyamin-poghosyan-ajapahyan-sentencing-moldova-elections-armenia-epc-summit-peace-act-military-personnel-shortages-defense-budget-cuts/<h1 id="summary">Summary</h1> <p>With <strong>Dr. Benyamin Poghosyan</strong> We cover Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan’s two-year sentence and what it signals in an lethargic Armenia, Moldova’s election and diaspora voting, the EU’s patterns of force ahead of Armenia’s 2026 vote, takeaways from the European Political Community (EPC) in Copenhagen and the Warsaw Security Forum (WSF), the politics of the U.S. PEACE Act, defense shifts including a shortened 18-month military service plan contrasted with acknowledged military serviceman shortage, and the internal fight over the stalled 44-day war report.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/477-benyamin-poghosyan-ajapahyan-sentencing-moldova-elections-armenia-epc-summit-peace-act-military-personnel-shortages-defense-budget-cuts/Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:20:32 -0700https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/477-benyamin-poghosyan-ajapahyan-sentencing-moldova-elections-armenia-epc-summit-peace-act-military-personnel-shortages-defense-budget-cuts/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>With Dr. Benyamin Poghosyan We cover Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan’s two-year sentence and what it signals in an lethargic Armenia, Moldova’s election and diaspora voting, the EU’s patterns of force ahead of Armenia’s 2026 vote, takeaways from the European Political Community (EPC) in Copenhagen and the Warsaw Security Forum (WSF), the politics of the U.S. PEACE Act, defense shifts including a shortened 18-month military service plan contrasted with acknowledged military serviceman shortage, and the internal fight over the stalled 44-day war report.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/467-benyamin-poghosyan-sco-summit-china-armenia-tripp-zangezur-corridor-russia-azerbaijan-uk-relations/Tue, 02 Sep 2025 15:20:32 -0700https://podcasts.groong.org/467-benyamin-poghosyan-sco-summit-china-armenia-tripp-zangezur-corridor-russia-azerbaijan-uk-relations/<p>In this Week in Review, we look at Armenia’s role at the SCO summit, where Pashinyan struck a new “strategic partnership” with China while also meeting Putin, raising questions about Yerevan’s shifting alignments. We examine the August 8 Washington documents on TRIPP, where words like “corridor” and “99-year lease” swirl despite Armenia’s denials, and ask what Azerbaijan’s demand for constitutional change really means. We cover rising tensions between Moscow and Baku after Aliyev called Russia an occupier and Zatulin warned against seeing Azerbaijan as a partner. And we discuss the UK’s push to raise relations with Armenia to a strategic level, even as London courts Baku and maintains loopholes in its arms embargo.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/467-benyamin-poghosyan-sco-summit-china-armenia-tripp-zangezur-corridor-russia-azerbaijan-uk-relations/Tue, 02 Sep 2025 15:20:32 -0700https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/467-benyamin-poghosyan-sco-summit-china-armenia-tripp-zangezur-corridor-russia-azerbaijan-uk-relations/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>In this Week in Review, we look at Armenia’s role at the SCO summit, where Pashinyan struck a new “strategic partnership” with China while also meeting Putin, raising questions about Yerevan’s shifting alignments. We examine the August 8 Washington documents on TRIPP, where words like “corridor” and “99-year lease” swirl despite Armenia’s denials, and ask what Azerbaijan’s demand for constitutional change really means. We cover rising tensions between Moscow and Baku after Aliyev called Russia an occupier and Zatulin warned against seeing Azerbaijan as a partner. And we discuss the UK’s push to raise relations with Armenia to a strategic level, even as London courts Baku and maintains loopholes in its arms embargo.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/457-benyamin-poghosyan-trump-ultimatum-on-ukraine-sanctions-russia-zangezur-corridor-armenia-azerbaijan-kitchen-sink/Tue, 05 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0400https://podcasts.groong.org/457-benyamin-poghosyan-trump-ultimatum-on-ukraine-sanctions-russia-zangezur-corridor-armenia-azerbaijan-kitchen-sink/<h2 id="summary">Summary</h2> <p>In this Week in Review episode, we unpack the latest geopolitical maneuvers affecting Armenia—from the proposed Zangezur Corridor lease floated by the U.S., to the Trump ultimatum for a Ukraine ceasefire. We also examine the fallout from Azerbaijan’s decision to revoke ICRC access to Armenian POWs, and discuss the rising number of political prisoners inside Armenia itself. With regional tensions rising and domestic pressure mounting, is Armenia being squeezed from all sides?</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/457-benyamin-poghosyan-trump-ultimatum-on-ukraine-sanctions-russia-zangezur-corridor-armenia-azerbaijan-kitchen-sink/Tue, 05 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/457-benyamin-poghosyan-trump-ultimatum-on-ukraine-sanctions-russia-zangezur-corridor-armenia-azerbaijan-kitchen-sink/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>In this Week in Review episode, we unpack the latest geopolitical maneuvers affecting Armenia—from the proposed Zangezur Corridor lease floated by the U.S., to the Trump ultimatum for a Ukraine ceasefire. We also examine the fallout from Azerbaijan’s decision to revoke ICRC access to Armenian POWs, and discuss the rising number of political prisoners inside Armenia itself. With regional tensions rising and domestic pressure mounting, is Armenia being squeezed from all sides?</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/442-benyamin-poghosyan-ukraine-us-iran-crises-hakan-fidan-in-moscow-aliyev-erdogan-sharif-in-lachin-azerbaijan-pashinyan-attack-armenian-church-impeachment-vs-election/Tue, 03 Jun 2025 00:18:00 +0400https://podcasts.groong.org/442-benyamin-poghosyan-ukraine-us-iran-crises-hakan-fidan-in-moscow-aliyev-erdogan-sharif-in-lachin-azerbaijan-pashinyan-attack-armenian-church-impeachment-vs-election/<p>In this episode of Groong’s Week in Review, recorded on June 2, 2025, guest Benyamin Poghosyan joins hosts Hovik Manucharyan and Asbed Bedrossian to unpack a tense and volatile week in both regional and domestic politics. The conversation opens with rising tensions in the Ukraine war, as drone strikes reach deep into Russia, Germany lifts missile restrictions, and Trump labels Putin “crazy,” all while Iran nuclear talks remain frozen under hardline U.S. demands. The focus then shifts to the South Caucasus, where Turkish FM Hakan Fidan met Lavrov in Moscow to push the “3+3” platform and floated Istanbul as a summit venue for global powers. Meanwhile, Erdogan, Aliyev, and Pakistan’s PM Sharif staged a PR spectacle in Lachin to inaugurate a third airport in occupied Artsakh, signaling strategic realignments. Back in Armenia, the Pashinyans launched harsh verbal attacks on the Armenian Church just as Baku’s Grand Mufti claimed Etchmiadzin as Azerbaijani land, prompting questions of tacit coordination. The episode also revisits the impeachment debate versus opposition planning for the 2026 elections, probing whether security and corruption can drive real political traction. Finally, the hosts spotlight the rise of regime-aligned oligarch Narek Nalbandyan, whose sweetheart deals, state-enabled asset grabs, and government-backed expansion raise serious concerns about the erosion of anti-corruption values in Armenia today.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/442-benyamin-poghosyan-ukraine-us-iran-crises-hakan-fidan-in-moscow-aliyev-erdogan-sharif-in-lachin-azerbaijan-pashinyan-attack-armenian-church-impeachment-vs-election/Tue, 03 Jun 2025 00:18:00 +0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/442-benyamin-poghosyan-ukraine-us-iran-crises-hakan-fidan-in-moscow-aliyev-erdogan-sharif-in-lachin-azerbaijan-pashinyan-attack-armenian-church-impeachment-vs-election/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>In this episode of Groong’s Week in Review, recorded on June 2, 2025, guest Benyamin Poghosyan joins hosts Hovik Manucharyan and Asbed Bedrossian to unpack a tense and volatile week in both regional and domestic politics. The conversation opens with rising tensions in the Ukraine war, as drone strikes reach deep into Russia, Germany lifts missile restrictions, and Trump labels Putin “crazy,” all while Iran nuclear talks remain frozen under hardline U.S. demands. The focus then shifts to the South Caucasus, where Turkish FM Hakan Fidan met Lavrov in Moscow to push the “3+3” platform and floated Istanbul as a summit venue for global powers. Meanwhile, Erdogan, Aliyev, and Pakistan’s PM Sharif staged a PR spectacle in Lachin to inaugurate a third airport in occupied Artsakh, signaling strategic realignments. Back in Armenia, the Pashinyans launched harsh verbal attacks on the Armenian Church just as Baku’s Grand Mufti claimed Etchmiadzin as Azerbaijani land, prompting questions of tacit coordination. The episode also revisits the impeachment debate versus opposition planning for the 2026 elections, probing whether security and corruption can drive real political traction. Finally, the hosts spotlight the rise of regime-aligned oligarch Narek Nalbandyan, whose sweetheart deals, state-enabled asset grabs, and government-backed expansion raise serious concerns about the erosion of anti-corruption values in Armenia today.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/434-benyamin-poghosyan-us-iran-tensions-armenia-azerbaijan-talks-victory-day-journalist-assault-yerevan/Wed, 07 May 2025 00:04:00 +0400https://podcasts.groong.org/434-benyamin-poghosyan-us-iran-tensions-armenia-azerbaijan-talks-victory-day-journalist-assault-yerevan/<h2 id="summary">Summary</h2> <p>In this Week in Review episode recorded on May 6, 2025, we discuss the latest developments in Armenia, the South Caucasus, and beyond with Dr. Benyamin Poghosyan, a senior fellow at APRI Armenia and Chairman of the Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies.</p> <h2 id="topics-covered">Topics Covered</h2> <ul> <li>US-Iran Tensions and Escalating Sanctions</li> <li>Assault on Journalist in Yerevan Government Office</li> <li>Moscow Victory Day Parade and Armenia’s Geopolitical Crossroads</li> <li>Armenia-Azerbaijan Talks – Stalemate and Implications for 2026 Elections</li> <li>Azerbaijan’s Growing Influence and Iran’s Diplomatic Countermoves</li> </ul> <h2 id="key-questions-discussed">Key Questions Discussed</h2> <ul> <li>What is the trajectory of US-Iran negotiations given the new sanctions and postponement of talks?</li> <li>How might the secondary oil sanctions on Iran affect its economy and Armenia’s energy imports?</li> <li>What is the political fallout from the assault on journalist Arthur Chakhoyan, and how has the Republic Party responded?</li> <li>How significant is Armenia’s attendance at Moscow’s Victory Day Parade amidst pressure from the EU?</li> <li>Could Azerbaijan’s demands for an extraterritorial corridor through Armenia escalate into renewed conflict?</li> <li>What is the status of Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiations, and how might upcoming elections impact diplomatic efforts?</li> </ul> <h2 id="links-referenced-during-the-show">Links Referenced During The Show</h2> <h3 id="iran-sanctions--us-iran-negotiations">Iran Sanctions &amp; US-Iran Negotiations</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/04/trump-iran-nuclear-program-dismantled">Axios: Trump Calls for Dismantling Iran’s Nuclear Program</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.mehrnews.com/news/231430/Iran-US-delegations-to-resume-talks-this-weekend">Mehr News: Iran-US Talks Postponed</a></li> <li><a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114433959082847679">Truth Social: Trump’s Secondary Sanctions Announcement</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/trump-says-buying-iranian-oil-must-stop-threatens-secondary-sanctions-purchasers-2025-05-01/">Reuters: New Sanctions on Iranian Oil</a></li> </ul> <h3 id="moscow-victory-day-parade">Moscow Victory Day Parade</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://eadaily.com/en/news/2025/05/03/is-may-9-canceled-in-moscow-serbian-president-vucic-urgently-hospitalized">EADaily: Speculation Around May 9 Parade</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/eu-ban-serbia-president-joins-124629634.html">Yahoo News: EU Leaders Warn of Repercussions for Attending Moscow Parade</a></li> </ul> <h3 id="yerevan-beating--journalist-assaulted-inside-government-office">Yerevan Beating – Journalist Assaulted Inside Government Office</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33403251.html">Azatutyun: Republic Party Defends Violence</a></li> <li><a href="https://oc-media.org/russia-protests-armenian-bucha-visit/">OC Media: Reactions to Armenia’s Bucha Visit</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0yB5QftJX4UwGLGEKGgVWDFoQTqs8aeitGcJDzwBt1t3yqNGCvqkpFHY5semZFxGzl&amp;id=100016322520223&amp;__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVEs95AK8CmpTrg3uIirvYdk6BnGhiDQ-a6utqlyLmeSHir7FEq_pb_vCpusqBn-oQg-5nQW5uZsMzqM82gnHp7G2FNd8FF7jZVBjaDplYLeh341uUdYA05zgpXtsc7FPZIZzG-MdZY1vTbwtQ0Q0O8lm6_a83SqMc_r1AwPfrEXdTpwbhiMqGGznEVy4Uf8mJa5W-tWBN5UPIHOBEud68yI_7D2EYRwgxpdex0ptDnpg&amp;__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R">Aram Sargsyan and Republic Party Blaming Putin</a></li> <li><a href="https://youtu.be/YQCLUhxyC8c?si=MjSlBRSykdblbrEo">Video of incident</a></li> </ul> <h3 id="arthur-chakhoyan">Arthur Chakhoyan</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Art.Chakhoyan/videos/617221971360128">Failed kindergarten renovation by company associated with Civil Contract</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Art.Chakhoyan/videos/1085262919377598/?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZU6qSVx2D_GGqXp7Fq3ljFEy6lMbbYVttTLD5KoT3nMEX_qJzBpq8YaKKKDWSDr1xQWBkLqBnIbW_eoM_0zzzuK6SSsXnVjtcno2l19natCiMartwTZHN4FIL9vYBjk1NUyYPH4qlPXyCdrbRz572xOjpBr7JYut4nHQBnXNwN4_MLfSQd_DUefvgp3QPPhx6PAhKwuRMOiP14ob1qn_yv7&amp;__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R">Channel 5 coverage of corruption exposure</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Art.Chakhoyan/posts/pfbid0ikdsmenegFeEX2VsvHLKSRcokJ2cqTmhBsLCpEVArSQDz1vFtqD7urdepgF41WMQl">Chakhoyan FB Post #1</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=577103002061726">Chakhoyan FB Post #2</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Art.Chakhoyan/videos/577103002061726">Chakhoyan FB Post #3</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Art.Chakhoyan/videos/236007926259377">Chakhoyan FB Post #4</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Art.Chakhoyan/videos/1596286871183106">Chakhoyan FB Post #5</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cEjwvom43Wo">Youtube video of Chakhoyan&rsquo;s work</a></li> </ul> <h1 id="wrap-up">Wrap-up</h1> <h3 id="links-and-resources"><strong>Links and Resources</strong></h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.patreon.com/groong">Patreon - Support Groong</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/groong">Buy Me a Coffee - Support Groong</a></li> </ul> <p>That&rsquo;s our <a href="https://podcasts.groong.org/">Week in Review</a>, we hope you found it helpful. We invite your feedback and your suggestions, you can <a href="https://linktr.ee/groong">find us</a> on most social media and podcast platforms.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/434-benyamin-poghosyan-us-iran-tensions-armenia-azerbaijan-talks-victory-day-journalist-assault-yerevan/Wed, 07 May 2025 00:04:00 +0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/434-benyamin-poghosyan-us-iran-tensions-armenia-azerbaijan-talks-victory-day-journalist-assault-yerevan/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>In this Week in Review episode recorded on May 6, 2025, we discuss the latest developments in Armenia, the South Caucasus, and beyond with Dr. Benyamin Poghosyan, a senior fellow at APRI Armenia and Chairman of the Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/434/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/426-benyamin-poghosyan-usa-iran-escalation-aftermath-of-gyumri-and-parakar-elections-armenia-mfa-blames-artsakh-leadership-negotiations-with-azerbaijan/Wed, 09 Apr 2025 00:04:00 +0400https://podcasts.groong.org/426-benyamin-poghosyan-usa-iran-escalation-aftermath-of-gyumri-and-parakar-elections-armenia-mfa-blames-artsakh-leadership-negotiations-with-azerbaijan/<h2 id="main-topics-addressed"><strong>Main Topics Addressed</strong></h2> <ul> <li>The rapidly escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran: military deployments, Trump’s ultimatums, and potential outcomes</li> <li>Analysis of Civil Contract&rsquo;s municipal election losses in Gyumri and Parakar</li> <li>Armenia&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry statements blaming the former Artsakh leadership for regional isolation</li> <li>The state of Armenia-Azerbaijan &ldquo;peace&rdquo; negotiations and constitutional changes under duress</li> <li>Border attacks and Pashinyan&rsquo;s balancing act between international PR and local security failures</li> <li>Social instability surrounding Artsakh refugees and slashing of housing aid</li> </ul> <hr> <h2 id="key-questions-discussed"><strong>Key Questions Discussed</strong></h2> <ul> <li>Are the Trump administration’s demands to Iran designed to provoke conflict or extract genuine concessions?</li> <li>What strategic calculations underlie Trump&rsquo;s nuclear ultimatum and military maneuvers in the region?</li> <li>How likely are Russia or China to intervene or influence the U.S.-Iran standoff?</li> <li>What are the implications of Civil Contract’s municipal setbacks for 2026 parliamentary elections?</li> <li>Was the MFA’s statement about Artsakh a factual correction or an attempt to rewrite history?</li> <li>What does Aliyev’s continued aggression signal, despite Armenia’s acceptance of a “peace” document?</li> <li>Is Armenia rushing to rewrite its constitution to appease Aliyev or to secure reelection for Pashinyan?</li> <li>How does the targeting of Artsakh refugees and diminishing aid tie into domestic political strategies?</li> </ul> <hr> <h2 id="referenced-articles--sources"><strong>Referenced Articles &amp; Sources</strong></h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://eadaily.com/en/news/2025/04/02/iran-closes-airspace-and-brings-the-army-to-full-combat-readiness-mehr">Iran closes airspace, raises combat readiness</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1331388.shtml">China backs diplomacy, Global Times coverage</a></li> <li><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/07/politics/trump-us-iran-talks/index.html">Trump: US and Iran in direct talks</a></li> <li><a href="https://x.com/araghchi/status/1909381747709546786">Araghchi tweet confirming Iran&rsquo;s stance</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/02/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-restores-maximum-pressure-on-iran/">Trump administration fact sheet on Iran</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/russian-chinese-foreign-ministers-discuss-irans-nuclear-program-korea-russia-2025-04-01/">Russia-China foreign ministers on Iran &amp; Korea</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20x7z36d56o">Gyumri-Parakar election results</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Areas/Armenia/Pashinyan-faces-Gyumri-setback-as-opposition-eyes-2026-election-237167">Opposition eyes 2026 elections post-Gyumri</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33376198.html">RFE/RL on Artsakh blame controversy</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33376316.html">Constitutional changes &amp; shooting incidents</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33376399.html">Pashinyan on fast-tracking constitutional reform</a></li> <li><a href="https://podcasts.groong.org/423">Previous conversation with Benyamin Poghosyan – Ep 423</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.commonspace.eu/news/statement-armenia-azerbaijan-political-dialogue-platform">Political Dialogue Statement: Armenia-Azerbaijan</a></li> </ul> <h1 id="wrap-up">Wrap-up</h1> <h3 id="links-and-resources"><strong>Links and Resources</strong></h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.patreon.com/groong">Patreon - Support Groong</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/groong">Buy Me a Coffee - Support Groong</a></li> </ul> <p>That&rsquo;s our <a href="https://podcasts.groong.org/">Week in Review</a>, we hope you found it helpful. We invite your feedback and your suggestions, you can <a href="https://linktr.ee/groong">find us</a> on most social media and podcast platforms.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/426-benyamin-poghosyan-usa-iran-escalation-aftermath-of-gyumri-and-parakar-elections-armenia-mfa-blames-artsakh-leadership-negotiations-with-azerbaijan/Wed, 09 Apr 2025 00:04:00 +0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/426-benyamin-poghosyan-usa-iran-escalation-aftermath-of-gyumri-and-parakar-elections-armenia-mfa-blames-artsakh-leadership-negotiations-with-azerbaijan/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>US Iran Escalation. Aftermath of Gyumri and Parakar. MFA blames Artsakh for Regional Isolation. Bullets and Peace.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/426/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/423-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-peace-treaty-capitulation-ukraine-war-trump-putin-talks-witkoff-baku-israel-iran-geopolitics/Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:04:00 +0400https://podcasts.groong.org/423-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-peace-treaty-capitulation-ukraine-war-trump-putin-talks-witkoff-baku-israel-iran-geopolitics/<h2 id="topics-covered"><strong>Topics Covered</strong></h2> <h3 id="1-armenia-azerbaijan-peace-agreement-concessions-or-capitulation"><strong>1. Armenia-Azerbaijan “Peace” Agreement: Concessions or Capitulation?</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong>Background</strong>: Since the November 9-10, 2020 ceasefire statement, Azerbaijan has dictated terms to Armenia, often using military force or threats. The latest development is the March 13 announcement of a finalized <strong>peace agreement</strong>, though many in Armenia see it as a <strong>capitulation</strong>.</li> <li><strong>The Announcement</strong>: Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov announced on March 13 that the <strong>text of the agreement</strong> was finalized. Armenia confirmed it later, claiming the announcement was supposed to be joint.</li> <li><strong>Lack of Transparency</strong>: The treaty text remains undisclosed to the public, prompting Armenian opposition groups to label it a <strong>surrender document</strong>.</li> </ul> <h3 id="2-azerbaijans-preconditions-and-threats-of-military-force"><strong>2. Azerbaijan’s Preconditions and Threats of Military Force</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong>Unilateral Demands</strong>: Azerbaijan has attached preconditions before signing the treaty, including: <ul> <li><strong>Dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group</strong>, effectively erasing Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) from international negotiations.</li> <li><strong>Constitutional changes in Armenia</strong>, removing references to the Armenian Genocide and Artsakh.</li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>Ramping Up Ceasefire Accusations</strong>: Following the treaty announcement, Azerbaijan has escalated claims of <strong>Armenian ceasefire violations</strong>, issuing <strong>three accusations on March 16 and three more on March 17</strong>.</li> <li><strong>What This Means</strong>: These demands and escalations indicate that <strong>Azerbaijan may not intend to sign the agreement soon</strong>, instead using delays as leverage for further concessions.</li> </ul> <h3 id="3-the-ukraine-war-and-trump-putin-negotiations"><strong>3. The Ukraine War and Trump-Putin Negotiations</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong>Jeddah Ceasefire Talks</strong>: Ukraine and Russia held peace negotiations in Jeddah last week.</li> <li><strong>Largest Ever UAV Attack</strong>: The talks were overshadowed by <strong>Ukraine’s biggest drone attack on Russian cities</strong>, increasing tensions.</li> <li><strong>Steve Witkoff’s Moscow Visit</strong>: U.S. Special Envoy <strong>Steve Witkoff</strong> met <strong>Putin</strong> following the Jeddah talks.</li> <li><strong>Ceasefire Proposal</strong>: Putin did not immediately accept a ceasefire but left room for further <strong>negotiations</strong>.</li> <li><strong>Trump-Putin Call Scheduled for March 18</strong>: A pivotal phone call is set between <strong>Trump and Putin</strong>, reportedly to discuss land divisions and control over key <strong>power plants</strong>.</li> </ul> <h3 id="4-europes-escalation-and-militarization"><strong>4. Europe’s Escalation and Militarization</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong>France &amp; UK’s Position</strong>: European rhetoric against Russia is hardening, with talk of rearmament.</li> <li><strong>Military Build-up</strong>: Germany is considering converting <strong>Volkswagen factories into tank production facilities</strong>.</li> <li><strong>UK’s Ground Troops Proposal</strong>: The UK has hinted at sending <strong>ground troops to Ukraine</strong>, further raising tensions.</li> </ul> <h3 id="5-the-curious-witkoff-stopover-in-baku"><strong>5. The Curious Witkoff Stopover in Baku</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong>Unusual Visit</strong>: On his way back from Moscow, Witkoff made an <strong>unpublicized stop in Baku</strong>.</li> <li><strong>Speculation on Israel &amp; Iran</strong>: <ul> <li><strong>Azerbaijan-Israel ties</strong> are deepening, with reports that <strong>Azerbaijan’s state oil company, SOCAR, has entered a deal for Israeli gas fields</strong>.</li> <li>Discussions may have included <strong>potential Azerbaijani involvement in a future conflict with Iran</strong>.</li> <li>Some sources speculate that <strong>Azerbaijan might be pushed to join the Abraham Accords</strong>, normalizing ties with Israel and Saudi Arabia.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h2 id="key-questions-discussed"><strong>Key Questions Discussed</strong></h2> <h3 id="armenia-azerbaijan-peace-agreement--concessions"><strong>Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Agreement &amp; Concessions</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong>Is this a genuine step toward peace, or a forced capitulation?</strong></li> <li><strong>Why is the agreement text hidden from the Armenian public?</strong></li> <li><strong>What are the risks of signing an agreement with undisclosed terms?</strong></li> <li><strong>Has Pashinyan agreed to deliverables that aren’t in the document?</strong></li> <li><strong>Are Azerbaijan’s preconditions a stalling tactic to delay signing while extracting more concessions?</strong></li> </ul> <h3 id="ukraine-war--global-geopolitics"><strong>Ukraine War &amp; Global Geopolitics</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong>What was the outcome of the Jeddah negotiations?</strong></li> <li><strong>How does the Ukraine war impact the South Caucasus?</strong></li> <li><strong>Will Trump’s direct negotiations with Putin lead to a breakthrough?</strong></li> <li><strong>What does European militarization mean for the future of the conflict?</strong></li> </ul> <h3 id="witkoffs-visit--bakus-role-in-global-affairs"><strong>Witkoff’s Visit &amp; Baku’s Role in Global Affairs</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong>Why would Steve Witkoff visit Baku after Moscow?</strong></li> <li><strong>Could this be related to Azerbaijan-Israel cooperation?</strong></li> <li><strong>Is Azerbaijan preparing for involvement in a broader Middle East conflict?</strong></li> <li><strong>How does Baku’s strategic position influence global diplomacy?</strong></li> </ul> <h2 id="links-referenced-during-the-show"><strong>Links Referenced During The Show</strong></h2> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://armenianweekly.com/2025/03/14/opposition-warns-against-capitulation-as-armenia-and-azerbaijan-finalize-text-of-treaty/">Armenian Weekly - Treaty Announcement</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://oc-media.org/what-happened-between-armenia-and-azerbaijan-last-week/">OC Media - Ceasefire Accusations</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/azerbaijan-accused-armenia-of-shelling-yerevan-1742132212.html">RBC Ukraine - Azerbaijan Accuses Armenia of Ceasefire Violations</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/trump-says-he-will-talk-with-putin-tuesday-on-ending-ukraine-war-2f4ed5e4/">Wall Street Journal - Trump-Putin Call Announcement</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-765432">Jerusalem Post - Azerbaijan &amp; Israel’s Gas Deal</a></strong></li> </ul> <h1 id="wrap-up">Wrap-up</h1> <p>That’s our <a href="https://podcasts.groong.org/">show</a>! We hope you found it useful. Please find us on <a href="https://linktr.ee/groong">Social Media</a> and follow us everywhere you get your Armenian news.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/423-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-peace-treaty-capitulation-ukraine-war-trump-putin-talks-witkoff-baku-israel-iran-geopolitics/Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:04:00 +0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/423-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-peace-treaty-capitulation-ukraine-war-trump-putin-talks-witkoff-baku-israel-iran-geopolitics/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Armenia-Azerbaijan &ldquo;Treaty&rdquo;: Concessions, secrecy, opposition backlash. Preconditions for Peace: OSCE Minsk dissolution, constitutional changes. Ukraine War Talks: Jeddah negotiations, UAV attacks, Trump-Putin call. Witkoff’s Baku Stop: Mysterious visit raising geopolitical questions.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/423/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/410-benyamin-poghosyan-mpg-poll-russia-azerbaijan-relations-deteriorating-armenia-strategic-geopolitical-balancing-zangezur-corridor/Tue, 04 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/410-benyamin-poghosyan-mpg-poll-russia-azerbaijan-relations-deteriorating-armenia-strategic-geopolitical-balancing-zangezur-corridor/<p>In this episode of <strong>Groong Week in Review</strong>, we speak with <strong>Benyamin Poghosyan</strong> about the latest <strong>MPG poll</strong>, which shows a significant drop in <strong>Pashinyan’s approval ratings</strong> and highlights key concerns among Armenians, such as <strong>security, border issues, and economic instability</strong>. We also examine the <strong>growing tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan</strong>, Aliyev’s increasingly <strong>anti-Russian rhetoric</strong>, and the possible <strong>geopolitical consequences</strong>. The discussion extends to <strong>Armenia’s strategic geopolitical balancing</strong>, Russia’s warnings regarding Armenia’s <strong>EU aspirations</strong>, and whether Armenia can <strong>leverage its position in the North-South trade corridor</strong>. Finally, we assess <strong>Azerbaijan’s push for a &lsquo;Zangezur Corridor&rsquo;</strong>, Armenia’s <strong>counterproposals</strong>, and the potential for <strong>military escalation</strong> in the region.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/410-benyamin-poghosyan-mpg-poll-russia-azerbaijan-relations-deteriorating-armenia-strategic-geopolitical-balancing-zangezur-corridor/Tue, 04 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/410-benyamin-poghosyan-mpg-poll-russia-azerbaijan-relations-deteriorating-armenia-strategic-geopolitical-balancing-zangezur-corridor/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>In this episode of Groong Week in Review, we speak with Benyamin Poghosyan about the latest MPG poll, which shows a significant drop in Pashinyan’s approval ratings and highlights key concerns among Armenians, such as security, border issues, and economic instability. We also examine the growing tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan, Aliyev’s increasingly anti-Russian rhetoric, and the possible geopolitical consequences. The discussion extends to Armenia’s strategic geopolitical balancing, Russia’s warnings regarding Armenia’s EU aspirations, and whether Armenia can leverage its position in the North-South trade corridor. Finally, we assess Azerbaijan’s push for a &lsquo;Zangezur Corridor&rsquo;, Armenia’s counterproposals, and the potential for military escalation in the region.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/403-benyamin-poghosyan-pashinyan-lies-on-negotiations-17-points-to-an-agreement-2024-review-2025-outlook/Wed, 01 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/403-benyamin-poghosyan-pashinyan-lies-on-negotiations-17-points-to-an-agreement-2024-review-2025-outlook/<p>This is the final episode of 2024 for the Armenian News Network, Groong, featuring Dr. Benyamin Poghosyan, Chairman of the Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies. In this Week in Review episode, we delve into a comprehensive discussion of pivotal topics that have defined the past year. These include Nikol Pashinyan&rsquo;s controversial claims about past negotiations on Artsakh, the evolving dynamics of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, and the broader implications of these developments for the region and beyond.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/403-benyamin-poghosyan-pashinyan-lies-on-negotiations-17-points-to-an-agreement-2024-review-2025-outlook/Wed, 01 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/403-benyamin-poghosyan-pashinyan-lies-on-negotiations-17-points-to-an-agreement-2024-review-2025-outlook/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>This is the final episode of 2024 for the Armenian News Network, Groong, featuring Dr. Benyamin Poghosyan, Chairman of the Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies. In this Week in Review episode, we delve into a comprehensive discussion of pivotal topics that have defined the past year. These include Nikol Pashinyan&rsquo;s controversial claims about past negotiations on Artsakh, the evolving dynamics of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, and the broader implications of these developments for the region and beyond.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/390-benyamin-poghosyan-cop29-azerbaijan-slams-andrzej-duda-in-armenia-syria-lebanon-georgia-after-elections-russia-and-armenia/Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/390-benyamin-poghosyan-cop29-azerbaijan-slams-andrzej-duda-in-armenia-syria-lebanon-georgia-after-elections-russia-and-armenia/<h2 id="cop29-post-mortem">COP29 Post-Mortem</h2> <p>The long-ballyhood PR-stunt that was COP29 in Baku came and went with November.</p> <p>Last year, following COP28 in Dubai, Armenia chose not to veto Azerbaijan&rsquo;s bid to host COP29, allowing its proposal to be accepted.</p> <p>Despite some nations not attending the conference, others sending only low-level representatives, and even despite Greta Thunberg <a href="https://www.rferl.org/a/greta-thunberg-azerbaijan-cop-climate/33196896.html">contributing</a> to the awareness raising campaign, Azerbaijan claimed that the event was a success.</p> <p><strong>Questions:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Did Aliyev achieve what he was hoping to get out of COP29?</li> <li>What did Armenia get for agreeing to let COP29 take place in Baku?</li> </ul> <h2 id="azerbaijan-slams-polish-president">Azerbaijan Slams Polish President</h2> <p>Two weeks ago outgoing Polish president Andrzej Duda was in Baku at COP29, and this past week he <a href="https://tvpworld.com/83686082/poland-ready-to-help-stabilize-armenia-azerbaijan-relations">visited</a> Yerevan, <a href="https://oc-media.org/polish-president-affirms-plans-to-deepen-ties-with-armenia/">affirmed</a> strong relations between Poland and Armenia, and so on. More importantly, he visited the EU Mission in Armenia on the borders with Yerevan, and Baku took deep offense and <a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33219344.html">slammed</a> him for provocative, anti-Azerbaijani activities from the leader of a country that has a strategic partnership with them.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/390-benyamin-poghosyan-cop29-azerbaijan-slams-andrzej-duda-in-armenia-syria-lebanon-georgia-after-elections-russia-and-armenia/Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/390-benyamin-poghosyan-cop29-azerbaijan-slams-andrzej-duda-in-armenia-syria-lebanon-georgia-after-elections-russia-and-armenia/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>COP29 Post-Mortem. Azerbaijan Slams Polish President in Armenia. Developments in the Middle East. Post-election Developments in Georgia. Russian Intel Warnings to Armenia.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/390/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/382-benyamin-poghosyan-china-brics-new-world-order-armenia-at-kazan-summit-georgian-elections-2024/Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/382-benyamin-poghosyan-china-brics-new-world-order-armenia-at-kazan-summit-georgian-elections-2024/<h1 id="china-brics-new-world-order-2024-georgian-elections">China, BRICS, New World Order, 2024 Georgian elections</h1> <p>In recent years there have been a lot of discussions at academic and expert level, and also in political circles, about the transformation of the current world order from the unipolar system, which emerged after the end of the Cold War in 1991, into a more complex multipolar security architecture. China, as well as BRICS, are viewed as driving forces of this transformation.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/382-benyamin-poghosyan-china-brics-new-world-order-armenia-at-kazan-summit-georgian-elections-2024/Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/382-benyamin-poghosyan-china-brics-new-world-order-armenia-at-kazan-summit-georgian-elections-2024/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>China, and the New World Order. BRICS Summit and Multipolarity. Armenia at BRICS. Georgian Elections in 2024.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/382/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/373-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-escalation-in-middle-east-armenian-constitutional-court-punts-brics-summit/Tue, 08 Oct 2024 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/373-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-escalation-in-middle-east-armenian-constitutional-court-punts-brics-summit/<h2 id="armenian-azerbaijani-talks">Armenian Azerbaijani Talks</h2> <p>Every week there are <a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33145289.html">new demands from Aliyev</a> in the process of talks between the countries, and this week was no different. Now additionally he wants apologies for Armenian “war crimes”, and maps of mass graves of Azeris killed during the wars between the countries.</p> <p>At the EAEU meeting in Yerevan this past week, Pashinyan <a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33142259.html">told</a> the participants, including Russian deputy PM Mikhail Mishustin, that Armenia never agreed to curb its sovereignty. Meanwhile, FSB chief Aleksandr Bortnikov <a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33146457.html">said</a> in Moscow that the West is pushing Armenia to leave the CSTO in order to install NATO in that military vacuum, and that they are “persuading Armenia to drag on the negotiations with Azerbaijan.”</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/373-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-escalation-in-middle-east-armenian-constitutional-court-punts-brics-summit/Tue, 08 Oct 2024 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/373-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-escalation-in-middle-east-armenian-constitutional-court-punts-brics-summit/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Armenian Azerbaijani Talks. Escalation in the Middle East. Constitutional Court Punts. Upcoming BRICS Summit.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/373/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/358-benyamin-poghosyan-declarations-of-armenian-and-nagorno-karabakh-independence-putin-in-baku-azerbaijan-applies-to-brics/Tue, 03 Sep 2024 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/358-benyamin-poghosyan-declarations-of-armenian-and-nagorno-karabakh-independence-putin-in-baku-azerbaijan-applies-to-brics/<h2 id="declarations-of-independence">Declarations of Independence</h2> <p>The past 10 days were memorable with 2 notable anniversaries:</p> <ul> <li>On August 23, 1990 the declaration of state sovereignty was adopted in the Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR.</li> <li>On September 2, 1991 the Republic of Artsakh declared its independence from the Soviet Union.</li> </ul> <p>It is interesting to note that the August 23 declaration in Armenia referred to the desire to unify the Armenian SSR, Nagorno Karabakh (NKAO), and the region of Shahumyan. Meanwhile, a year later, the authorities of Artsakh at the time decided to go for full independence, with their declaration.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/358-benyamin-poghosyan-declarations-of-armenian-and-nagorno-karabakh-independence-putin-in-baku-azerbaijan-applies-to-brics/Tue, 03 Sep 2024 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/358-benyamin-poghosyan-declarations-of-armenian-and-nagorno-karabakh-independence-putin-in-baku-azerbaijan-applies-to-brics/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Armenia Azerbaijan Talks. Declarations of Independence. Declaration of State Sovereignty of Armenia (1990). Artsakh Independence Day - September 2 (1991). Pashinyan Press Conference. Negotiations Formats. Artsakh Rights &amp; Security as Pashinyan’s “National Security” Problem. Armenian and Azerbaijani Constitutions. Liberating Occupied Armenian Territories. Putin in Baku. Azerbaijan’s Application to BRICS.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/358/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/347-elections-in-many-countries-armenia-azerbaijani-negotiations-permanent-us-defense-attache-to-armenia-midyear-review-of-2024-predictions/Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/347-elections-in-many-countries-armenia-azerbaijani-negotiations-permanent-us-defense-attache-to-armenia-midyear-review-of-2024-predictions/<h2 id="elections-in-the-us-and-georgia">Elections in the US and Georgia</h2> <p>2024 is a pivotal year of elections worldwide and in our region that might have a drastic effect on the future of Armenia. So we’d like to spend some time discussing these developments.</p> <h3 id="united-states">United States</h3> <p>One of the most globally important political races this year is the presidential race in the US. The prospect of a Trump presidency has always been a real possibility, and after the assassination attempt on him on July 13, his ratings appear to be on the rise. Also, last week he became the official Republican nominee during the Republican National Convention (RNC), and Joe Biden ended his campaign to seek re-election and passed the torch to his VP Kamala Harris.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/347-elections-in-many-countries-armenia-azerbaijani-negotiations-permanent-us-defense-attache-to-armenia-midyear-review-of-2024-predictions/Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/347-elections-in-many-countries-armenia-azerbaijani-negotiations-permanent-us-defense-attache-to-armenia-midyear-review-of-2024-predictions/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>New Leadership Coming to Many Countries. Aliyev Continues to Thumb the Nose of The West. Permanent US Defense Attaché to Armenia. Mid-year Review of our 2024 Predictions.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/347/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/337-benyamin-poghosyan-pashinyan-repressions-armenia-azerbaijan-talks-armenia-russia-relations/Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/337-benyamin-poghosyan-pashinyan-repressions-armenia-azerbaijan-talks-armenia-russia-relations/<h2 id="police-violence-and-repressions">Police Violence and Repressions</h2> <p>June 12 came and went. It was billed as a sort of culminating point and the date when Bagrat Srbazan’s assurances, that he needed 96 hours to remove Pashinyan, expired.</p> <p>It proved to be a bloody day. On that day, the Pashinyan regime proved that they’re willing to use unprecedented force to suppress the protesters. Up to a hundred people sought medical attention after the police lobbed dozens of stun grenades at the protesters, many of them protesters.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/337-benyamin-poghosyan-pashinyan-repressions-armenia-azerbaijan-talks-armenia-russia-relations/Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/337-benyamin-poghosyan-pashinyan-repressions-armenia-azerbaijan-talks-armenia-russia-relations/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Police Brutality, Violence &amp; Repressions. Armenia Azerbaijan Talks. Armenia Russia Relations.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/337/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/327-benyamin-poghosyan-rananjay-anand-indian-armenian-relations-2024/Fri, 03 May 2024 09:02:17 +0400https://podcasts.groong.org/327-benyamin-poghosyan-rananjay-anand-indian-armenian-relations-2024/<h1 id="indian-armenian-relations-in-2024">Indian Armenian Relations in 2024</h1> <p>Over the past few years, the ties between India and Armenia have been steadily gaining momentum. In a significant move underscoring the importance of their bilateral relationship, India has signaled its plan to assign a defense attaché to its embassy in Armenia. This development highlights the deepening engagement between the two nations.</p> <p>Notably, both of you Benyamin and Rananjay, participated in the RAISINA 2024 conference held in New Delhi two months ago, seemingly commemorating the strides made in their relations.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/327-benyamin-poghosyan-rananjay-anand-indian-armenian-relations-2024/Fri, 03 May 2024 09:02:17 +0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/327-benyamin-poghosyan-rananjay-anand-indian-armenian-relations-2024/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Impressions: Raisina 2024 Dialogue. Indian Community. Trade Opportunities. Defense &amp; Security.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/327/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/324-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-negotiations-iran-amidst-conflicts-political-prisoners/Wed, 17 Apr 2024 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/324-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-negotiations-iran-amidst-conflicts-political-prisoners/<h2 id="armenian-genocide-denial">Armenian Genocide Denial</h2> <p>Every week Pashinyan seems to push the envelope on the narratives that challenge historical realities and themes related to Armenian identity. This is done in a way that would put George Orwell to shame.</p> <h3 id="its-the-russians-fault">“It’s the Russians’ Fault”</h3> <p>First, he opened the week by giving a “lecture” to students, which he records and shares on Tiktok nowadays, where he essentially blames the Russians (or the Soviets) for repatriating to Armenia descendants of the Armenian Genocide. He further blames Russia for stoking the nascent movement to recognize the Armenian genocide in Soviet Armenia. Of course, during the entire time he does this, he doesn’t actually use the term “genocide” a single time.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/324-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-negotiations-iran-amidst-conflicts-political-prisoners/Wed, 17 Apr 2024 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/324-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-negotiations-iran-amidst-conflicts-political-prisoners/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Armenia Azerbaijan Talks. Iran Amidst Conflicts. Political Prisoners.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/324/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/310-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-security-in-danger-munich-security-conference-relations-with-regional-allies/Sun, 18 Feb 2024 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/310-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-security-in-danger-munich-security-conference-relations-with-regional-allies/<h2 id="armenias-security-in-danger">Armenia&rsquo;s Security in Danger</h2> <p>Earlier this week 4 of our soldiers were shot dead on the border near Nerkin Hand, when Azerbaijan opened fire alleging that they were retaliating against Armenians firing at them the previous day. When Azerbaijan made the allegation, Pashinyan and Suren Papikyan responded that they would investigate the possible violation of their rules that Armenian soldiers will not fire on Azerbaijan, and if true, they would prosecute the soldiers. Later they claimed that <a href="https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1130462.html">Azerbaijan made false claims</a>, but serious damage was already done to Armenia’s credibility. Even EU foreign policy head Borrell gave Azerbaijan a huge boost by <a href="https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/armenia-press-remarks-high-representative-josep-borrell-after-eu-armenia-partnership-council_en">accepting</a> the unproven allegation that Armenians had shot at Azerbaijanis the day before and labeling the incident as “deplorable”, before saying that he thinks Azerbaijan’s bloody murder of 4 Armenians seems to be a “disproportionate response”.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/310-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-security-in-danger-munich-security-conference-relations-with-regional-allies/Sun, 18 Feb 2024 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/310-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-security-in-danger-munich-security-conference-relations-with-regional-allies/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Armenia’s Security in Danger. Munich Security Conference. Relations with Regional Allies.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/310/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/300-benyamin-poghosyan-shahramanyan-annuls-artsakh-dissolution-armenia-azerbaijan-negotiations-pashinyan-saint-petersburgh/Sat, 30 Dec 2023 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/300-benyamin-poghosyan-shahramanyan-annuls-artsakh-dissolution-armenia-azerbaijan-negotiations-pashinyan-saint-petersburgh/<h2 id="artsakh-president-annuls-dissolution-of-republic">Artsakh President Annuls Dissolution of Republic</h2> <p>Three months after Azerbaijan’s invasion of Artsakh Republic and eviction of its remaining 100,000 population, president-in-exile Samvel Shahramanyan has allegedly <a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32743402.html">annulled his declaration</a> of dissolving the republic on January 1, 2024, which he had made under duress, to save more civilians from brutal torture and murder.</p> <p>There are a number of serious caveats to this story:</p> <ul> <li>First, the original document claiming to be that of dissolution of Artsakh has never been officially published, Shahramanyan made the declaration in the middle of a brutal invasion and with hundreds of Armenians being killed.</li> <li>Even if this document was indeed what it is purported to be, legal analysts claim that it is invalid, since besides being made under duress, the executive branch cannot legally make a decision to dissolve all other branches of government and terminate a country like it’s a defunct business.</li> <li>The news about the annulment comes from his adviser, Vladimir Grigoryan and not Shahramanyan himself. The following day, Grigoryan issued a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vladimirgrigoryan/posts/pfbid0eMngTDwm8DbnnsosAYTecNkpy7EhsEQudY8fm7mKaPurocshPrPG1SbES3Bts3Aql">statement</a> indicating that what he said previously was his own personal opinion, and by the way, he is no longer Shahramanyan’s adviser. Many speculate that this was a result of the strong backlash from Civil Contract reps, which we’ll talk about below.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Questions:</strong></p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/300-benyamin-poghosyan-shahramanyan-annuls-artsakh-dissolution-armenia-azerbaijan-negotiations-pashinyan-saint-petersburgh/Sat, 30 Dec 2023 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/300-benyamin-poghosyan-shahramanyan-annuls-artsakh-dissolution-armenia-azerbaijan-negotiations-pashinyan-saint-petersburgh/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Artsakh President Annuls Dissolution of Republic. Insecurity without Borders. Pashinyan in St. Petersburg. Year-end 2023 Predictions Review. Predictions for 2024.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/300/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/296-benyamin-poghosyan-armenian-azerbaijani-negotiations-diplomacy-with-the-west-relations-with-russia/Mon, 04 Dec 2023 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/296-benyamin-poghosyan-armenian-azerbaijani-negotiations-diplomacy-with-the-west-relations-with-russia/<h2 id="armenian-azerbaijani-negotiations">Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations</h2> <p>In the past two weeks since our last Week-in-Review show, the state of Armenian Azerbaijani negotiations appears to shift on a daily basis.</p> <p>At this point it’s clear that Aliyev thinks he’s gotten the maximum out of western mediation so he’s now trying to shift the negotiations either to a <a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32694023.html">direct format</a> with Armenia, or one mediated through some regional player.</p> <p>This past week Armenia forwarded its latest draft proposal in the talks, and indicated it is <a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32695001.html">willing</a> to continue negotiating with Azerbaijan, and deputy Prime Ministers Mher Grigoryan and Shahin Mustafaev <a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32708691.html">met</a> “on the border” (Kazakh and Ijevan districts) for discussions on border delimitation.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/296-benyamin-poghosyan-armenian-azerbaijani-negotiations-diplomacy-with-the-west-relations-with-russia/Mon, 04 Dec 2023 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/296-benyamin-poghosyan-armenian-azerbaijani-negotiations-diplomacy-with-the-west-relations-with-russia/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Armenian-Azerbaijani Negotiations. Armenian Diplomacy in the West. Relations with Russia.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/296/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/286-benyamin-poghosyan-new-war-relations-with-russia-artsakh-conflict-negotiation-platforms/Tue, 17 Oct 2023 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/286-benyamin-poghosyan-new-war-relations-with-russia-artsakh-conflict-negotiation-platforms/<h2 id="at-the-brink-of-new-war">At The Brink of New War?</h2> <p>There is a variety of troubling news, mostly in western sources, of an impending new war being planned by Azerbaijan. A risk that we cannot exclude and must consider.</p> <p>The major news pieces confirming this are:</p> <ul> <li>On Monday, October 9, Armenia’s ambassador to the EU, Tigran Balayan, <a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32629979.html">warned</a> of an “imminent” attack by Azerbaijan unless the collective west takes action</li> <li>The on Friday (October 13), Politico.eu, citing two people familiar with the matter, informed that Blinken had <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/13/blinken-warned-lawmakers-azerbaijan-may-invade-armenia-in-coming-weeks-00121500">warned</a> a group of lawmakers that Azerbaijan may attack Armenia in the coming weeks in order to physically take the so-called “Zangezur corridor” <ul> <li><a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32639245.html">Azatutyun</a>, <a href="https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1121999.html">Armenpress</a> and <a href="https://168.am/2023/10/15/1944676.html">168.am</a> carried the State Department’s denial of this news. Initially the State Department gave a very <a href="https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1121967/">political response</a> to the query, but Politico stood by its reporting.</li> <li>When the Iranian Foreign Ministry was asked about the Politico report, they <a href="https://alphanews.am/en/azerbaijan-must-answer-this-question-irans-foreign-ministry-on-azerbaijans-possible-attack-on-armenia/">responded</a>: “‘Azerbaijan must answer this question”</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p>Just today, Oct 17, in a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugkGn_5P_mU&amp;t=951s">speech</a> in the European Parliament, Pashinyan made references to undisclosed “experts” that Azerbaijan does not recognize the territorial integrity of Armenia, which according to him consists of 29.8K sq. km., in order to prepare the grounds for military aggression.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/286-benyamin-poghosyan-new-war-relations-with-russia-artsakh-conflict-negotiation-platforms/Tue, 17 Oct 2023 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/286-benyamin-poghosyan-new-war-relations-with-russia-artsakh-conflict-negotiation-platforms/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>At the Brink of a New War? Relations with Russia. Platform Shuffle: Brussels vs. Moscow. Update on Yerevan Mayor.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/286/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/283-benyamin-poghosyan-is-the-armenian-azerbaijani-conflict-over-granada-geopolitics-war-unfolding/Thu, 05 Oct 2023 22:00:00 +0400https://podcasts.groong.org/283-benyamin-poghosyan-is-the-armenian-azerbaijani-conflict-over-granada-geopolitics-war-unfolding/<h2 id="outstanding-causes-of-the-armenian-azerbaijani-conflict">Outstanding Causes of the Armenian Azerbaijani Conflict</h2> <p>The 2020 defeat in the second war in Artsakh culminated last week in the complete surrendering of Artsakh to Azerbaijan, by Pashinyan’s government. But is the conflict over? In this <strong>Conversations on Groong</strong> episode, we’ll take a look at the aftermath of the <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/International/nagorno-karabakh-enclave-emptied-entire-armenian-population-flees/story?id=103655356">great exodus of Armenians from their indigenous lands in Artsakh</a>, and what Armenia is facing geopolitically at this juncture.</p> <p>Even though we’ve been seeing the demise of the Artsakh Republic coming, ever since the defeat in the 44-day war in 2020, I guess most Armenians both in the republic, as well as the diaspora, had held out hope that it would not come to pass. You and many experts we talk to weekly on our show have been warning of this disastrous outcome for three years now.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/283-benyamin-poghosyan-is-the-armenian-azerbaijani-conflict-over-granada-geopolitics-war-unfolding/Thu, 05 Oct 2023 22:00:00 +0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/283-benyamin-poghosyan-is-the-armenian-azerbaijani-conflict-over-granada-geopolitics-war-unfolding/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Outstanding Causes of the Conflict. Why did Aliyev Bail out of Granada? Could Azerbaijan Attack Armenia? How Might Events Unfold?</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/283/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/278-benyamin-poghosyan-developments-in-artsakh-geopolitics-in-south-caucasus/Sun, 10 Sep 2023 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/278-benyamin-poghosyan-developments-in-artsakh-geopolitics-in-south-caucasus/<h2 id="developments-in-artsakh">Developments in Artsakh</h2> <h3 id="election-of-new-president">Election of New President</h3> <p>Over the weekend the parliament in Artsakh <a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32585399.html">elected</a> a new president to replace Arayik Harutyunyan, who resigned a week earlier. Samvel Shahramanyan is an ally of former president Bako Sahakyan and has led the Artsakh Security Council during Harutyunyan’s presidency.</p> <p>Shahramanyan stated that Artsakh must get status, and be connected via the Berdzor/Lachin corridor to Armenia.</p> <p><strong>Question:</strong></p> <ul> <li>What is to be expected from Shahramanyan’s presidency?</li> </ul> <h3 id="shahramanyans-potential">Shahramanyan’s Potential</h3> <p>Overall, the <a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32574666.html">EU</a>, the <a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32584208.html">US</a>, and the <a href="https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1119143.html">Russians</a>, have essentially endorsed Azerbaijan’s proposal, that aid begin to flow through the Aghdam/Akna road, and then a day later the Lachin Corridor be opened.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/278-benyamin-poghosyan-developments-in-artsakh-geopolitics-in-south-caucasus/Sun, 10 Sep 2023 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/278-benyamin-poghosyan-developments-in-artsakh-geopolitics-in-south-caucasus/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Developments in Artsakh. Geopolitics in the South Caucasus.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/278/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/268-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-negotiations-us-armenian-nsc-advisors-meet-mpg-poll-results/Mon, 10 Jul 2023 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/268-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-negotiations-us-armenian-nsc-advisors-meet-mpg-poll-results/<h2 id="armenia-azerbaijan-negotiations">Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations</h2> <p>There was hardly any progress reported by any of the sides two weeks ago in DC. Since then we’ve learned that a month ago in June, Artsakh authorities <a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32492198.html">rejected</a> a US invitation to hold Baku-Stepanakert dialog in Washington.</p> <p>The US agenda for this so-called dialog was evident in ambassador Kristina Kvien’s comments on Armenian Public TV, that Artsakhtsis could live under Azeri rule. Stepanakert <a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32492079.html">criticized</a> her for “appeasing the oppressor” and “predetermining the outcome” of the talks. Kvien tried to explain her words, but a lot of damage has been done to her political capital.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/268-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-negotiations-us-armenian-nsc-advisors-meet-mpg-poll-results/Mon, 10 Jul 2023 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/268-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-negotiations-us-armenian-nsc-advisors-meet-mpg-poll-results/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations. US, Armenian NSC Advisors Meet. New MPG Poll. Haya-Qve [.am].</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/268/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/255-benyamin-poghosyan-pashinyan-aliyev-michel-meet-in-brussels-courts-vs-armenian-media-168-davit-sargsyan/Mon, 15 May 2023 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/255-benyamin-poghosyan-pashinyan-aliyev-michel-meet-in-brussels-courts-vs-armenian-media-168-davit-sargsyan/<h2 id="in-brussels-pashinyan-recognizes-artsakh-as-azerbaijan">In Brussels Pashinyan Recognizes Artsakh as Azerbaijan?</h2> <p>This week we saw more fighting in Armenia resulting in six wounded and a death, shortly before an unfazed Pashinyan attended the summit in Brussels with Aliyev and Charles Michel and apparently declared recognition of an Azerbaijan with 86,600 sq kms, which many analysts say includes Artsakh.</p> <p>Former foreign minister Vardan Oskanian reacted by <a href="https://www.civilnet.am/news/700066/%D6%83%D5%A1%D5%B7%D5%AB%D5%B6%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%AB-%D5%B1%D5%A5%D5%BC%D6%84%D5%A8-%D5%BA%D5%A5%D5%BF%D6%84-%D5%A7-%D5%A2%D5%BC%D5%B6%D5%A5%D5%AC-%D5%B0%D5%A5%D5%B6%D6%81-%D5%B0%D5%AB%D5%B4%D5%A1-%D5%B0%D5%A5%D5%BF%D5%B8-%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B7-%D5%AF%D5%AC%D5%AB%D5%B6%D5%AB%E2%80%A4-%D5%BE%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A4%D5%A1%D5%B6-%D6%85%D5%BD%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%B6/">saying</a> that Pashinyan&rsquo;s &ldquo;hand must be restrained now, it will be too late tomorrow&rdquo;. Meanwhile, former foreign minister of Artsakh David Babayan <a href="https://www.aysor.am/am/news/2023/05/15/%D5%A2%D5%A1%D5%A2%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%B6/2094215">called</a> the announcement out of Brussels as disgusting, putrid, and criminal.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/255-benyamin-poghosyan-pashinyan-aliyev-michel-meet-in-brussels-courts-vs-armenian-media-168-davit-sargsyan/Mon, 15 May 2023 00:15:00 -0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/255-benyamin-poghosyan-pashinyan-aliyev-michel-meet-in-brussels-courts-vs-armenian-media-168-davit-sargsyan/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Pashinyan, Aliyev, Michel Meet in Brussels. Azerbaijan Attacks Sotk. Turkish Presidential Elections.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/255/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/244-benyamin-poghosyan-china-rising--new-world-order-geopolitics/Wed, 05 Apr 2023 00:15:00 -0700https://podcasts.groong.org/244-benyamin-poghosyan-china-rising--new-world-order-geopolitics/<h2 id="discussion">Discussion</h2> <h3 id="china-emerging-on-the-global-stage">China Emerging on the Global Stage</h3> <p>More and more in the US it has become evident that China is emerging on the world stage as a power that is shifting the balance of geopolitical multipolarity. From the recent concerns about Tiktok and the US congressional hearings that may lead to its banning from the US, to the economic sanctions on large numbers of products and industries in trade between the US and China, it’s obvious that the larger global struggle is no longer between The West and Russia, but rather between The West and China.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/244-benyamin-poghosyan-china-rising--new-world-order-geopolitics/Wed, 05 Apr 2023 00:15:00 -0700https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/244-benyamin-poghosyan-china-rising--new-world-order-geopolitics/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>What agreements were reached between China and Russia? What is the role of India in the new world order? Consequence of moving away from a dollar-denominated global economic order? China as peacemaker in Ukraine. China as peacemaker in the Middle East. China&rsquo;s role in Iran and South Caucasus. How should Armenia navigate world order changes?</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/244/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/241-benyamin-poghosyan-azerbaijan-attacks-east-west-negotiation-platforms-icc-rome-statute/Sun, 26 Mar 2023 23:15:00 -0700https://podcasts.groong.org/241-benyamin-poghosyan-azerbaijan-attacks-east-west-negotiation-platforms-icc-rome-statute/<h2 id="azerbaijani-attacks">Azerbaijani Attacks</h2> <p>Over the weekend, Azerbaijan blatantly <a href="https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1107223.html">violated</a> the Nov. 9, 2020 agreement, which it co-signed with Armenia and Russia, by unilaterally advancing its armed forces into the territory of Artsakh.</p> <p><p class="md__image"> <img src="https://podcasts.groong.org/img/episode/241/nkobserver_map.webp" alt="Source: @NKObserver" title="Approximate Map of Azerbaijani Incursion into Artsakh" class="img-fluid" /> </p> </p> <p>Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/nkobserver">@NKObserver</a></p> <p>The Russians <a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32334147.html">blamed</a> Azerbaijan for this violation. The aim of this incursion was a dirt road which was allegedly used to bypass the Azeri blockade of Artsakh since Dec.12, 2022.</p> <p>Additionally, Artsakh has reported that its civilians have been targeted in the regions of Martuni, Taghavard, and Shosh.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/241-benyamin-poghosyan-azerbaijan-attacks-east-west-negotiation-platforms-icc-rome-statute/Sun, 26 Mar 2023 23:15:00 -0700https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/241-benyamin-poghosyan-azerbaijan-attacks-east-west-negotiation-platforms-icc-rome-statute/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Azerbaijani Attacks over the Weekend. East and West. Armenia and the Rome Statute.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/241/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/224-benyamin-poghosyan-turkey-syria-earthquake-armenia-azerbaijan-lavrov-interview-eu-mission-csto-public-perceptions-yerevan-politics/Sun, 12 Feb 2023 23:15:00 -0700https://podcasts.groong.org/224-benyamin-poghosyan-turkey-syria-earthquake-armenia-azerbaijan-lavrov-interview-eu-mission-csto-public-perceptions-yerevan-politics/<h2 id="earthquake-in-turkey-and-syria">Earthquake in Turkey and Syria</h2> <p>On Monday, a magnitude 7.8 <a href="https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/turkey-syria-earthquake-updates-2-8-23-intl/index.html">earthquake</a> hit the Marash region of Turkey. This is the northeast of historic Armenian Cilicia. The quake also shot straight down to Syria where it was felt as a 7.5, in the regions of Idlib and Aleppo, and was also felt very powerfully all the way down in Beirut, Lebanon. The deaths now exceed 29,000, over 6,000 buildings are estimated to have collapsed, and the western sanctions on Syria were a major obstacle to sending immediate aid to help those in need in that country, although on Thursday the US signed a special blanket clearance for all earthquake-related humanitarian aid to Syria for the next 6 months. Turkish early response was slow, although international response was swift, and a reported over 160,000 rescue workers were in the affected regions of Turkey, helping the hundreds of thousands in need.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/224-benyamin-poghosyan-turkey-syria-earthquake-armenia-azerbaijan-lavrov-interview-eu-mission-csto-public-perceptions-yerevan-politics/Sun, 12 Feb 2023 23:15:00 -0700https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/224-benyamin-poghosyan-turkey-syria-earthquake-armenia-azerbaijan-lavrov-interview-eu-mission-csto-public-perceptions-yerevan-politics/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict. FM Lavrov&rsquo;s Interview to Russian Media. EU vs CSTO Missions. Shifting Public Perceptions.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/224/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/197-artsakh-blockade-union-state-internet-control-highlights-lowlights-2023-predictions/Tue, 03 Jan 2023 23:15:00 -0700https://podcasts.groong.org/197-artsakh-blockade-union-state-internet-control-highlights-lowlights-2023-predictions/<h2 id="artsakh-blockade">Artsakh Blockade</h2> <p>Hovik, since you’ve been interviewing analysts and politicians for the past 2 weeks, on the topic of the Artsakh Blockade, can you share your impressions from these conversations?</p> <h2 id="fsu-is-now-the-future-soviet-union">FSU is now the Future Soviet Union</h2> <p>Once again this week rumors flared up that Putin is pressuring Armenia to join the so-called “Union State” that currently consists of Russia and Belarus. This <a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32195524.html">round was set off</a> by the secretary of the Armenian national security council, Armen Grigoryan. For a day or so the entire ruling party was buzzing with this news, but Russia vehemently <a href="https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32197595.html">denied</a> the report and slammed the provocative remarks.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/197-artsakh-blockade-union-state-internet-control-highlights-lowlights-2023-predictions/Tue, 03 Jan 2023 23:15:00 -0700https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/197-artsakh-blockade-union-state-internet-control-highlights-lowlights-2023-predictions/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Hovik&rsquo;s Reflections from the Artsakh Blockade Interviews. Is Russia Pressuring Armenia to join a &ldquo;Union State&rdquo;? Government Bill to Control the Internet During Martial Law. Highlights and Lowlights from Armenian News in 2022. Predictions for 2023.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/197/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/195-benyamin-poghosyan-artsakh-under-blockade-day-16/Tue, 27 Dec 2022 23:00:00 +0400https://podcasts.groong.org/195-benyamin-poghosyan-artsakh-under-blockade-day-16/<h2 id="discussion">Discussion</h2> <h3 id="azerbaijans-strategy">Azerbaijan’s Strategy</h3> <p>Benyamin, you’re probably one of the most frequent guests of our podcast and I remember having many conversations with you regarding the geopolitical developments between Azerbaijan and Armenia since the end of the 44 day war.</p> <p>When <a href="https://podcasts.groong.org/106-zoom-for-democracy-domestic-regional-politics-artsakh-independence-at-30-ep-106-dec-12-2021/">a year ago</a> you were telling us that the government in Armenia believes “that Artsakh is lost and the maximum that these people can hope for is to live in de-jure Azerbaijan but de-facto Russian controlled protectorate”, part of me didn’t want to believe that despite the writing on the wall.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/195-benyamin-poghosyan-artsakh-under-blockade-day-16/Tue, 27 Dec 2022 23:00:00 +0400https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/195-benyamin-poghosyan-artsakh-under-blockade-day-16/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>168 Hours: <a href="https://168.am">https://168.am</a>. Groong: <a href="https://podcasts.groong.org">https://podcasts.groong.org</a>.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/195/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/182-lachin-blockade-armenia-azerbaijan-negotiations-military-exercises-syunik/Sun, 11 Dec 2022 23:00:00 -0700https://podcasts.groong.org/182-lachin-blockade-armenia-azerbaijan-negotiations-military-exercises-syunik/<h2 id="show-notes">Show notes</h2> <h2 id="lachin-blockade---humanitarian-crisis-looming">Lachin Blockade - Humanitarian crisis looming</h2> <p>As we already covered last week, the Lachin corridor was effectively blocked for 3 hours. This week the staged environmentalist operation resumed and at the time of this recording the corridor has been blockaded for more than 30 hours. And earlier today Azerbaijan cut gas supplies. Now there is a transportation and energy blockade, no medicine or medical aid can get in, and there are reports that medical patients are not able to urgently go to Yerevan to seek medical care.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/182-lachin-blockade-armenia-azerbaijan-negotiations-military-exercises-syunik/Sun, 11 Dec 2022 23:00:00 -0700https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/182-lachin-blockade-armenia-azerbaijan-negotiations-military-exercises-syunik/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Lachin Corridor Blockade. Continuing Armenian-Azerbaijani Negotiations. Turkish-Azerbaijani Military Exercises. Travel Impressions from the region.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/182/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/173-benyamin-poghosyan-stepanakert-rally-sullivan-plan-csto-sochi-tehran/Wed, 02 Nov 2022 03:00:00 -0700https://podcasts.groong.org/173-benyamin-poghosyan-stepanakert-rally-sullivan-plan-csto-sochi-tehran/<h2 id="stepanakert-rally">Stepanakert Rally</h2> <p>On Sunday, in the lead-up to the October 31 meeting in Sochi, and while Artsakh president Arayik Harutyunyan was also in Moscow, there was probably the largest demonstration <a href="https://asbarez.com/artsakh-rises-up-tens-of-thousands-take-to-streets-to-reject-attempts-to-undermine-artsakhs-sovereignty/">rally in Stepanakert</a> since the independence movement began in 1988, an estimated 40,000 Artsakh citizens flooded the main city square to demand that Artsakh’s independence and sovereignty not be compromised through any deals that the government of Armenia signs with Azerbaijan.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/173-benyamin-poghosyan-stepanakert-rally-sullivan-plan-csto-sochi-tehran/Wed, 02 Nov 2022 03:00:00 -0700https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/173-benyamin-poghosyan-stepanakert-rally-sullivan-plan-csto-sochi-tehran/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Massive Stepanakert Rally. The Sullivan Plan. CSTO Security Council Convened. Trilateral Summit in Sochi. From Sochi to Tehran.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/173/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>https://podcasts.groong.org/168-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-peace-negotiations-tactics-and-goals/Fri, 14 Oct 2022 18:28:51 +0000https://podcasts.groong.org/168-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-peace-negotiations-tactics-and-goals/<h1 id="armenia-azerbaijan-peace-negotiations-tactics-and-goals">Armenia-Azerbaijan “Peace Negotiations” Tactics and Goals</h1> <h2 id="overview">Overview</h2> <p>Since the end of the 44-day war Benyamin has advised caution to Armenia’s leadership in negotiating for a so-called “peace” with Azerbaijan, and that any final agreement that leaves out Nagorno Karabakh means that ultimately it will be depopulated of Armenians.</p> <h2 id="discussion">Discussion</h2> <p>Benyamin, on Monday we discussed last week&rsquo;s geopolitical issues and something stuck in my mind, so that is why we’re back to discuss this one topic today.</p>https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/168-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-peace-negotiations-tactics-and-goals/Fri, 14 Oct 2022 18:28:51 +0000https://podcasts.groong.org/watch/168-benyamin-poghosyan-armenia-azerbaijan-peace-negotiations-tactics-and-goals/<h2 id="episode-summary">Episode Summary</h2> <p>Goals and Tactics of Azerbaijan&rsquo;s Negotiations. How did &ldquo;Corridors&rdquo; Become a Thing? Russia&rsquo;s Contributions to the process. Options and Scenarios Going Forwards.</p> <div class="watch-notes"> <a class="watch-notes-button" href="https://podcasts.groong.org/168/"> Go to Episode Notes </a> </div>