Last updated: May 29, 2026
BRICS is a bloc of major emerging economies — originally Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — that has expanded in recent years to include additional members and has increasingly positioned itself as an alternative to Western-dominated multilateral institutions. Its summits, trade frameworks, and proposals for a non-dollar settlement currency have made it a focal point of discussion among states seeking to hedge against Western economic and political pressure.
For Armenia, BRICS has emerged as a topic of debate in the context of the country’s foreign policy realignment. Some Armenian political forces argue that BRICS membership or association could provide economic alternatives to both Russian dependency and the conditions attached to Western integration. Others argue that associating with a Russia- and China-led bloc would undermine Armenia’s aspirations for EU alignment and deepen its entanglement with a sanctions-ridden Russian economy.
Groong covers BRICS in the context of Armenian foreign policy choices, the competing global connectivity frameworks being promoted in the South Caucasus , and the broader question of whether Armenia can pursue meaningful economic diversification outside the Western orbit.
Below are all Groong episodes tagged with BRICS.
Episode 548 | Recorded: May 22, 2026
#Armenia #ArmenianElections #ArmenianPolitics #Artsakh #SouthCaucasus #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #HayastanDashinq
Episode 548 | Recorded: May 22, 2026
#Armenia #ArmenianElections #ArmenianPolitics #Artsakh #SouthCaucasus #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #HayastanDashinq
This Conversations on Groong episode provides a primer on Armenia’s June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections, reviewing the 17 parties and 2 alliances registered to compete. The discussion explains the election rules, thresholds, coalition process, and the “stable majority” mechanism, while stressing the uneven political environment facing opposition forces. The episode then walks through each participant, including Civil Contract, Strong Armenia, Armenia Alliance, Prosperous Armenia, Wings of Unity, Bright Armenia, ANC, Bever, Republic, DOK, Democratic Consolidation, and smaller parties with Read More
Episode 534 | Recorded: April 21, 2026
Episode 534 | Recorded: April 21, 2026
In this episode of the Groong podcast, we speak with Dr. Dmitry Suslov about the shifting geopolitical landscape across the Iran war, the Ukraine conflict, and the South Caucasus. We examine the fragile state of the Iran war and its impact on global trade and regional escalation, Russia’s strategic positioning, and the potential for a broader conflict involving Azerbaijan and Turkey. The discussion then turns to the Ukraine war, focusing on attrition, Europe’s growing militarization, and the prospects for a long-term Russia–Europe confrontation. Finally, we explore Russia’s policy in the South Read More
Episode 533 | Recorded: April 21, 2026
Episode 533 | Recorded: April 21, 2026
Prof. Warwick Powell discusses his thermoeconomic view of world politics, where energy, money, and information form a single system. We connect the war on Iran to declining U.S. energy efficiency, the limits of airpower, de-dollarization, and the rise of alternative financial and information architectures. We also bring the conversation back to Armenia, asking what TRIPP, SMRs, and large AI data centers could mean for a small state trying to protect its energy and information sovereignty. We close by reflecting on considerations for Armenia in implementing centralized data infrastructure, more Read More
Episode 529 | Recorded on April 3, 2026
#IranIsraelWar #IsraelIranConflict #IsraelConflict #Armenia #MiddleEastCrisis #ArmeniaElections #PietroShakarian #TRIPP
Episode 529 | Recorded on April 3, 2026
#IranIsraelWar #IsraelIranConflict #IsraelConflict #Armenia #MiddleEastCrisis #ArmeniaElections #PietroShakarian #TRIPP
Dr. Pietro Shakarian joined us to discuss the state of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, the shrinking chances for a diplomatic off-ramp, and how the conflict is shifting wider Eurasian politics. The conversation then turned to Armenia, including the likely freezing of TRIPP amid the Iran war, Pashinyan’s contentious visit to Moscow, and the deeper low point in Armenia-Russia relations. The final section focused on Armenia’s June parliamentary elections, public sentiment toward Pashinyan, fears over election integrity, and the evolving opposition landscape.
Episode 520 | Recorded: March 3, 2026
#IranWar #EpicFury #MiddleEastWar #ArmeniaForeignPolicy #Sumgait1988 #IranIsraelConflict
Episode 520 | Recorded: March 3, 2026
#IranWar #EpicFury #MiddleEastWar #ArmeniaForeignPolicy #Sumgait1988 #IranIsraelConflict
Episode 515 | Recorded: February 6, 2026
Episode 515 | Recorded: February 6, 2026
Episode 514 | Recorded: February 4, 2026
#CancelingRussia #RussianForeignPolicy #UkraineWar #StateCivilization #TowersOfTheKremlin #RussianOrthodoxChurch
Episode 514 | Recorded: February 4, 2026
#CancelingRussia #RussianForeignPolicy #UkraineWar #StateCivilization #TowersOfTheKremlin #RussianOrthodoxChurch
Episode 512 | Recorded: February 2, 2026
#IranIsraelWar #TrumpArmada #ArmenianChurch #Pashinyan #ArmenianDiaspora
Episode 512 | Recorded: February 2, 2026
#IranIsraelWar #TrumpArmada #ArmenianChurch #Pashinyan #ArmenianDiaspora
Episode 506 | Recorded on January 14, 2026
Episode 506 | Recorded on January 14, 2026
Episode 502 | Recorded: January 8, 2026
#FyodorLukyanov #RussiaGeopolitics #UkraineWar #IranIsrael #VenezuelaCrisis #TRIPP
Episode 502 | Recorded: January 8, 2026
#FyodorLukyanov #RussiaGeopolitics #UkraineWar #IranIsrael #VenezuelaCrisis #TRIPP
Fyodor Lukyanov joins Groong to discuss how Moscow reads a fast-shifting global landscape, from the U.S. raid in Venezuela and maritime seizures at sea, to Trump’s Greenland rhetoric, the stalled endgame in Ukraine, the likelihood of a renewed Israel-Iran war, and how TRIPP and “unblocking” disputes in Armenia’s south fit into Russia’s regional priorities.
Episode 501 | Recorded: January 6, 2026
#VenezuelaCrisis #ArmenianChurch #MPGPoll #ArmeniaEconomy #Geopolitics
Episode 501 | Recorded: January 6, 2026
#VenezuelaCrisis #ArmenianChurch #MPGPoll #ArmeniaEconomy #Geopolitics
Episode 469 | Recorded: September 4, 2025
Episode 469 | Recorded: September 4, 2025
Episode 460 | Recorded: August 11, 2025
Episode 460 | Recorded: August 11, 2025
Episode 459 | Recorded: August 11, 2025
Episode 459 | Recorded: August 11, 2025
Summary In this episode, Christine Arakelian and Col. Douglas MacGregor join the hosts to analyze U.S. foreign policy moves from Gaza to the South Caucasus. They discuss Israel’s ongoing campaign in Gaza, the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, and the likely resumption of hostilities. The conversation examines the Trump–Pashinyan–Aliyev White House summit, the strategic “Trump Corridor” across Armenia, and its impact on Russia, Iran, and India. The guests explore India–Armenia relations, U.S. economic vulnerabilities, and the challenges of sustaining a long-term American role in the Read More
Episode 443 | Recorded: June 3, 2025
Episode 443 | Recorded: June 3, 2025
Episode 432 | Recorded: April 29, 2025
Episode 432 | Recorded: April 29, 2025
Episode 427 | Recorded: April 6, 2025
Episode 427 | Recorded: April 6, 2025
In this Conversations on Groong episode, we speak with Professor Warwick Powell about the tectonic shifts in global trade, economics, and geopolitics. From Washington’s renewed tariff wars to China’s expanding influence through BRICS and infrastructure initiatives like the BRI, Powell shares his insights on the emerging multipolar order and the declining dominance of the U.S.-centric financial system.
Episode 416 | Recorded: February 17, 2025
Episode 416 | Recorded: February 17, 2025
Episode 414 | Recorded: Valentineâs Day, February 14, 2025
Episode 414 | Recorded: Valentineâs Day, February 14, 2025
A New Détente? The Trump-Putin Call. Russia’s Strategic Choices. Russo-Armenian Relations. Russo-Azerbaijani Relations. Georgia’s Pragmatism.
Episode 411 | Recorded: February 6, 2025
Episode 411 | Recorded: February 6, 2025
The Ongoing conflicts: Gaza, Syria, Ukraine. Shifting Global Power and Alliances. Small Countries in a Multipolar World.
Episode 407 | Recorded: January 25, 2025
Episode 407 | Recorded: January 25, 2025
Episode 401 | Recorded: December 24, 2024
Episode 401 | Recorded: December 24, 2024
Episode 399 | Recorded: December 19, 2024
Episode 399 | Recorded: December 19, 2024
Episode 391 | Recorded: December 4, 2024
Episode 391 | Recorded: December 4, 2024
Escalation in Syria. COP29 Summit. Can NATO save Armenia?
Episode 382 | Recorded: October 29, 2024
Episode 382 | Recorded: October 29, 2024