Civil Contract

Last updated: May 29, 2026

Civil Contract is the ruling political party of Armenia, founded and led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan . It rose to power following the 2018 so-called “Velvet Revolution” (which critics term a “regime change”) and obtained parliamentary majority in the 2021 snap elections, giving it the supermajority that has defined Armenia’s legislative landscape for the past several years. The opposition challenged the results of the election as unfair.

With more than 80 episodes referencing the party, Groong’s coverage of Civil Contract is extensive. Topics include the government’s handling of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh war and its aftermath, the peace negotiation process with Azerbaijan, Armenia’s pivot away from Russia and toward the European Union and the United States, the crackdown on opposition and civic institutions, the 2025 confrontation with the Armenian Apostolic Church , and the party’s campaign positioning ahead of the June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections.

Critics of Civil Contract covered in Groong episodes argue that the party has used its supermajority to consolidate power, weaken state institutions, suppress political opposition, and pursue a foreign policy that has left Armenia isolated and vulnerable. Supporters counter that it represents a genuine break from the corruption and military adventurism of previous governments.

Groong episodes that include this tag

Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Civil Contract.

Aliyev’s TRIPP, Russia’s Deadline, Iran’s Warning | Ep 578, Aug 16, 2026 [EP578]

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 19, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • US-Iran War Risks Return
  • Armenia Faces Regional Spillover Risks
  • Russia Pressures Armenia Over Western Pivot
  • TRIPP Deepens Security and Energy Risks
  • Domestic Politics Grow More Confrontational
  • Arrests and Prosecutions Fuel Repression Claims

Episode 578 | Recorded: August 17, 2026

#Armenia #IranWar #TRIPP #Syunik #SouthCaucasus #RussiaArmenia #Nakhichevan #ArmenianPolitics

Aliyev’s TRIPP, Russia’s Deadline, Iran’s Warning | Ep 578, Aug 16, 2026 [EP578]

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 19, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Topics:

  • US-Iran War Risks Return
  • Armenia Faces Regional Spillover Risks
  • Russia Pressures Armenia Over Western Pivot
  • TRIPP Deepens Security and Energy Risks
  • Domestic Politics Grow More Confrontational
  • Arrests and Prosecutions Fuel Repression Claims

Episode 578 | Recorded: August 17, 2026

#Armenia #IranWar #TRIPP #Syunik #SouthCaucasus #RussiaArmenia #Nakhichevan #ArmenianPolitics

Transcript: Aliyev’s TRIPP, Russia’s Deadline, Iran’s Warning | Ep 578, Aug 16, 2026 [EP578]

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 19, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this episode of Groong Week in Review, Hovik and Asbed discuss Armenia’s precarious position amid escalating Iran War risks, Russia’s December ultimatum on the Eurasian Economic Union, and deepening security threats from TRIPP. We examine how a broader US-Iran conflict could devastate Armenia through refugee flows and logistics collapse, why Pashinyan’s EAEU defiance has triggered Russian pressure, and what frozen CSTO membership actually means for Armenian security.

Pashinyan’s Church War, the Russia-EU Choice, and TRIPP | Ep 576, Aug 9, 2026 [EP576]

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 12, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Alliance
  • Iran War Update
  • Catholicos on Trial
  • EAEU Meeting in Cholpon-Ata
  • Corruption & Persecutions

Episode 576 | Recorded: August 10, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #ArmenianChurch #GareginII #TRIPP #ArmeniaRussia #SouthCaucasus #Groong

Pashinyan’s Church War, the Russia-EU Choice, and TRIPP | Ep 576, Aug 9, 2026 [EP576]

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 12, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Topics:

  • Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Alliance
  • Iran War Update
  • Catholicos on Trial
  • EAEU Meeting in Cholpon-Ata
  • Corruption & Persecutions

Episode 576 | Recorded: August 10, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #ArmenianChurch #GareginII #TRIPP #ArmeniaRussia #SouthCaucasus #Groong

Transcript: Pashinyan’s Church War, the Russia-EU Choice, and TRIPP | Ep 576, Aug 9, 2026 [EP576]

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 12, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this week’s Groong episode, the hosts examine Pashinyan’s confrontation with the Armenian Church, Armenia’s strategic positioning between Russia and the EU, and the geopolitical implications of TRIPP. We discuss the trial of Catholicos Garegin II, Iran’s military leadership realignment, the Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defense pact, and how these shifts reshape Armenia’s role in the South Caucasus.

Hrant Mikaelian - Armenia’s Western Pivot: Strategy or Wishful Thinking? | Ep 575, Aug 8, 2026 [EP575]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 8, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • New Armenian Parliament
  • Armenia-Russia-EAEU Relations
  • EUropean Aid for Armenia
  • Church & National Identity
  • Armenian Economy

Episode 575 | Recorded: August 4, 2026

#Armenia #Russia #EuropeanUnion #ArmenianPolitics #ArmeniaRussia #ArmenianChurch #SouthCaucasus #Geopolitics

Hrant Mikaelian - Armenia’s Western Pivot: Strategy or Wishful Thinking? | Ep 575, Aug 8, 2026 [EP575]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 8, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • New Armenian Parliament
  • Armenia-Russia-EAEU Relations
  • EUropean Aid for Armenia
  • Church & National Identity
  • Armenian Economy

Episode 575 | Recorded: August 4, 2026

#Armenia #Russia #EuropeanUnion #ArmenianPolitics #ArmeniaRussia #ArmenianChurch #SouthCaucasus #Geopolitics

Transcript: Hrant Mikaelian - Armenia’s Western Pivot: Strategy or Wishful Thinking? | Ep 575, Aug 8, 2026 [EP575]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 8, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Hrant Mikaelian about Armenia’s Western pivot and the opening of the new parliament. We discuss Ruben Rubinyan’s appointment as speaker, Armenia-Russia-EAEU relations, lessons from the 44-Day War, European aid for Armenia, the role of the Armenian Church in national identity, and Armenia’s economic direction amid geopolitical pressure.

Tigranashen Unanswered, Russia’s Railways Challenged | Ep 574, Aug 2, 2026 [EP574]

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • New parliament is sworn in
  • Tigranashen and Armenia’s territorial red lines
  • Civil Contract’s evasive enclave answers
  • Armenia challenges Russia’s railway concession
  • TRIPP reshapes regional power and transit

Episode 574 | Recorded: August 3, 2026

#ArmenianNews #Tigranashen #ArmenianRailways #TRIPP #SouthCaucasus #ArmeniaRussia #ZangezurCorridor #Geopolitics

Tigranashen Unanswered, Russia’s Railways Challenged | Ep 574, Aug 2, 2026 [EP574]

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics

Topics:

  • New parliament is sworn in
  • Tigranashen and Armenia’s territorial red lines
  • Civil Contract’s evasive enclave answers
  • Armenia challenges Russia’s railway concession
  • TRIPP reshapes regional power and transit

Episode 574 | Recorded: August 3, 2026

#ArmenianNews #Tigranashen #ArmenianRailways #TRIPP #SouthCaucasus #ArmeniaRussia #ZangezurCorridor #Geopolitics

Transcript: Tigranashen Unanswered, Russia’s Railways Challenged | Ep 574, Aug 2, 2026 [EP574]

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Transcript

In this week’s Groong Week in Review, Hovik and Asbed discuss Armenia’s new parliament sworn in on August 2, 2026, and the Armenia Alliance’s direct challenge to Civil Contract over Tigranashen. We examine the government’s evasive responses on territorial red lines, Armenia’s challenge to Russia’s railway concession, and how TRIPP reshapes regional power dynamics in the South Caucasus.

Pietro Shakarian - Memory Under Siege: From Stalin to Pashinyan | Ep 573, Aug 3, 2026 [EP573]

Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, History | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Erasing memory across Yerevan
  • Great Purge in Soviet Armenia
  • Khanjyan’s assassination and Beria
  • Repression of Armenia’s national institutions
  • Remembering Stalinist repression
  • Historical parallels with modern Armenia
  • Attacks on memory and Church
  • Opposition strategy after the election

Episode 573 | Recorded: July 31, 2026

#Armenia #GreatPurge #AghasiKhanjyan #PietroShakarian #Artsakh #ArmenianChurch #PoliticalRepression #MemoryUnderSiege #Authoritarianism #SovietArmenia

 Read More

Pietro Shakarian - Memory Under Siege: From Stalin to Pashinyan | Ep 573, Aug 3, 2026 [EP573]

Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, History

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Erasing memory across Yerevan
  • Great Purge in Soviet Armenia
  • Khanjyan’s assassination and Beria
  • Repression of Armenia’s national institutions
  • Remembering Stalinist repression
  • Historical parallels with modern Armenia
  • Attacks on memory and Church
  • Opposition strategy after the election

Episode 573 | Recorded: July 31, 2026

#Armenia #GreatPurge #AghasiKhanjyan #PietroShakarian #Artsakh #ArmenianChurch #PoliticalRepression #MemoryUnderSiege #Authoritarianism #SovietArmenia

 Read More

The Artsakh Movement is the Foundation of Armenia's Independence [EP573]

Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2026 | Category: History, Politics, Artsakh

Historian Pietro Shakarian explains why Pashinyan’s rejection of the Artsakh Movement is an attack on the very foundations of Armenia’s independence and statehood.

The Church Under Siege: Then and Now [EP573]

Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2026 | Category: Armenian Church, Politics, Human Rights

Pietro Shakarian compares the Soviet assassination of Catholicos Khoren I in 1938 to Pashinyan’s criminal prosecution of Catholicos Garegin II, revealing continuities in how authoritarian regimes attack independent institutions.

Transcript: Pietro Shakarian - Memory Under Siege: From Stalin to Pashinyan | Ep 573, Aug 3, 2026 [EP573]

Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, History, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Dr. Pietro Shakarian about memory, repression, and state power in Armenia across Soviet and contemporary periods. We discuss the Great Purge in Soviet Armenia, the assassination of Aghasi Khanjyan, the suppression of Armenian national institutions under Stalin and Beria, and the parallels between Stalinist erasure and current efforts to control public memory, symbols, and mourning in post-Artsakh Armenia under the Civil Contract regime.

Christine Arakelian - Forever Wars, NATO 3.0, Armenia's High-Stakes Western Pivot | Ep 572, Jul 31, 2026 [EP572]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 1, 2026 | Category: Armenia, USA, European Union, Politics, Geopolitics, Diaspora | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • US Foreign Policy & the Fracture of MAGA
  • Iran and the Risk of Forever Wars
  • NATO 3.0 and Europe’s Militarization
  • Post-2026 Election Armenia
  • TRIPP and Pashinyan’s Pivot to the West

Episode 572 | Recorded: July 29, 2026

#ForeverWars #NATO #IranWar #Armenia #TRIPP #MAGA #USForeignPolicy #SouthCaucasus

Christine Arakelian - Forever Wars, NATO 3.0, Armenia's High-Stakes Western Pivot | Ep 572, Jul 31, 2026 [EP572]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 1, 2026 | Category: Armenia, USA, European Union, Politics, Geopolitics, Diaspora

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • US Foreign Policy & the Fracture of MAGA
  • Iran and the Risk of Forever Wars
  • NATO 3.0 and Europe’s Militarization
  • Post-2026 Election Armenia
  • TRIPP and Pashinyan’s Pivot to the West

Episode 572 | Recorded: July 29, 2026

#ForeverWars #NATO #IranWar #Armenia #TRIPP #MAGA #USForeignPolicy #SouthCaucasus

Transcript: Christine Arakelian - Forever Wars, NATO 3.0, Armenia's High-Stakes Western Pivot | Ep 572, Jul 31, 2026 [EP572]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 1, 2026 | Category: Armenia, USA, European Union, Politics, Geopolitics, Diaspora, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Christine Arakelian about American foreign policy fractures, Iran war risks, and Armenia’s pivot to the West. We discuss whether the United States has coherent foreign policy, the collapse of the MAGA coalition over Forever Wars, NATO 3.0 and Europe’s militarization, and how Pashinyan’s post-2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election government is navigating TRIPP amid global instability.

Archil Sikharulidze - Armenia and Georgia Between Russia and Europe | Ep 570, Jul 26, 2026 [EP570]

Posted on Monday, Jul 27, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Georgia, Geopolitics, Politics | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Russia’s changing South Caucasus strategy
  • Georgia’s widening dispute with Europe
  • Armenia’s shift away from Russia
  • Georgia’s role in regional transit
  • Armenia-Georgia ties under pressure

Episode 570 | Recorded: July 24, 2026

#Armenia #Georgia #Russia #EuropeanUnion #SouthCaucasus #GeorgianDream #NikolPashinyan #MiddleCorridor

Archil Sikharulidze - Armenia and Georgia Between Russia and Europe | Ep 570, Jul 26, 2026 [EP570]

Posted on Monday, Jul 27, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Georgia, Geopolitics, Politics

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Russia’s changing South Caucasus strategy
  • Georgia’s widening dispute with Europe
  • Armenia’s shift away from Russia
  • Georgia’s role in regional transit
  • Armenia-Georgia ties under pressure

Episode 570 | Recorded: July 24, 2026

#Armenia #Georgia #Russia #EuropeanUnion #SouthCaucasus #GeorgianDream #NikolPashinyan #MiddleCorridor

Transcript: Archil Sikharulidze - Armenia and Georgia Between Russia and Europe | Ep 570, Jul 26, 2026 [EP570]

Posted on Monday, Jul 27, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Georgia, Geopolitics, Politics, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Dr. Archil Sikharulidze about Russia’s shifting strategy in the South Caucasus and Armenia and Georgia’s diverging paths. We discuss Moscow’s assessment of Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Process developments, Georgia’s widening dispute with Europe, Armenia’s shift away from Russia, and how regional transit corridors reshape geopolitical competition between Moscow, Brussels, and Washington.

Armenia's Political Summer: Why the Opposition Is Waiting [EP568]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 22, 2026 | Category: Politics, Armenia, Human Rights

Hovik and Asbed debate the Armenian opposition’s summer inaction strategy, asking whether waiting for a political trigger is wise or whether missed labor protest momentum squanders real opportunities.

Iran War, TRIPP Money, and Armenia’s Political Purgatory | Ep 561, Jul 19, 2026 [EP568]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 22, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • US-Iran War Continues
  • Summer Lull in Yerevan Politics
  • Konstantin Sokolov: Master of TRIPP & Teghut
  • UN: Abp. Galstanyan Charges Unjustified
  • Armenian POW Slams Pashinyan from Baku

Episode 568 | Recorded: July 20, 2026

#IranWar #TRIPP #Teghut #Armenia #PoliticalPrisoners #ArmenianPOWs #KonstantinSokolov

Iran War, TRIPP Money, and Armenia’s Political Purgatory | Ep 561, Jul 19, 2026 [EP568]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 22, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Topics:

  • US-Iran War Continues
  • Summer Lull in Yerevan Politics
  • Konstantin Sokolov: Master of TRIPP & Teghut
  • UN: Abp. Galstanyan Charges Unjustified
  • Armenian POW Slams Pashinyan from Baku

Episode 568 | Recorded: July 20, 2026

#IranWar #TRIPP #Teghut #Armenia #PoliticalPrisoners #ArmenianPOWs #KonstantinSokolov

Pashinyan Doesn't Want the POWs Back: The Political Threat of Artsakh Leaders [EP568]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 22, 2026 | Category: Human Rights, Politics, Artsakh, Armenia

Asbed argues Pashinyan has no interest in securing the release of Armenian POWs and political prisoners from Baku because these leaders are too popular domestically and pose a threat to Civil Contract’s political dominance.

Transcript: Iran War, TRIPP Money, and Armenia’s Political Purgatory | Ep 561, Jul 19, 2026 [EP568]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 22, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this week’s Groong Week in Review, Hovik and Asbed break down escalating tensions across the Middle East as the US-Iran war intensifies following the collapse of the June ceasefire. We examine the strategic implications for Armenia and the South Caucasus, the role of TRIPP advocates like Konstantin Sokolov, and how regional instability intersects with Pashinyan’s political vulnerabilities at home, including charges against Archbishop Galstanyan and ongoing Armenian POW cases.

NATO in Ankara, War in Iran, and the Scissors Over Armenia | Ep 567, Jul 12, 2026 [EP567]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 15, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • NATO summit in Ankara
  • Iran War Update
  • Taking Scissors to Armenia
  • Shaping the Parliament
  • OSCE vs. Garegin II

Episode 567 | Recorded: July 13, 2026

#ArmenianNews #NATOSummit #IranWar #TRIPP #ArmeniaAzerbaijan #ArmenianParliament #GareginII #OSCE

NATO in Ankara, War in Iran, and the Scissors Over Armenia | Ep 567, Jul 12, 2026 [EP567]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 15, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Topics:

  • NATO summit in Ankara
  • Iran War Update
  • Taking Scissors to Armenia
  • Shaping the Parliament
  • OSCE vs. Garegin II

Episode 567 | Recorded: July 13, 2026

#ArmenianNews #NATOSummit #IranWar #TRIPP #ArmeniaAzerbaijan #ArmenianParliament #GareginII #OSCE

Transcript: NATO in Ankara, War in Iran, and the Scissors Over Armenia | Ep 567, Jul 12, 2026 [EP567]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 15, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this Groong Week in Review episode, Hovik and Asbed cover the 36th NATO summit in Ankara, escalating Iran war developments, and Armenia’s removal of murals honoring fallen soldiers. We discuss NATO’s defense spending surge, Trump’s shift on Turkey and F-35 access, Ukraine aid commitments, and what these geopolitical shifts mean for Armenia and the South Caucasus amid ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan peace negotiations.

Dmitry Suslov - Ukraine’s Endgame, Armenia’s Crossroads | Ep 566, Jul 11, 2026 [EP566]

Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, Politics | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Ukraine’s long war and endgame
  • Novorossiya and a landlocked Ukraine?
  • Europe rearms against Russia
  • NATO 3.0 and containment
  • Armenia’s post-election Western pivot
  • EU promises versus EAEU dependence
  • TRIPP, Syunik, and Russian red lines

Episode 566 | Recorded: July 9, 2026

#Russia #UkraineWar #NATO #Europe #Armenia #SouthCaucasus #TRIPP #Syunik #EAEU

Dmitry Suslov - Ukraine’s Endgame, Armenia’s Crossroads | Ep 566, Jul 11, 2026 [EP566]

Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, Politics

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Ukraine’s long war and endgame
  • Novorossiya and a landlocked Ukraine?
  • Europe rearms against Russia
  • NATO 3.0 and containment
  • Armenia’s post-election Western pivot
  • EU promises versus EAEU dependence
  • TRIPP, Syunik, and Russian red lines

Episode 566 | Recorded: July 9, 2026

#Russia #UkraineWar #NATO #Europe #Armenia #SouthCaucasus #TRIPP #Syunik #EAEU

Pashinyan's Western Pivot: Maidanization of Armenia or Armenian Choice? [EP566]

Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Russia

Suslov compares Pashinyan’s regime to Georgia’s Saakashvili, arguing Armenia is being systematically repurposed as a Western pawn against Russia.

Russia's Ultimatum to Armenia: Referendum or Pivot Away [EP566]

Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, Politics, Armenia

Suslov explains Russia’s demand that Armenia hold a referendum to legitimize its choice between Eurasian integration and Western alignment, rejecting Pashinyan’s pivot as undemocratic.

Transcript: Dmitry Suslov - Ukraine’s Endgame, Armenia’s Crossroads | Ep 566, Jul 11, 2026 [EP566]

Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, Politics, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Dr. Dmitry Suslov about Russia’s strategic position across multiple fronts: the Ukraine War, Armenia’s post-election Western pivot, TRIPP and Syunik, and Europe’s rearmament against Russia. We discuss the long-term confrontation between Russia and NATO, Pashinyan’s Western alignment after the June 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election, and how transport corridors in the South Caucasus may reshape regional containment lines.

Sergey Markedonov - Ukraine, TRIPP, and Armenia’s Western Pivot | Ep 565, Jul 10, 2026 [EP565]

Posted on Friday, Jul 10, 2026 | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Ukraine’s war of attrition
  • Russia’s strategic bandwidth problem
  • TRIPP and Iran’s red lines
  • Israel’s Armenian Genocide move
  • Armenia’s Western pivot after elections

Episode 565 | Recorded: July 8, 2026

#ArmenianNews #SouthCaucasus #UkraineWar #Russia #Armenia #EAEU #TRIPP #Geopolitics

Sergey Markedonov - Ukraine, TRIPP, and Armenia’s Western Pivot | Ep 565, Jul 10, 2026 [EP565]

Posted on Friday, Jul 10, 2026

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Ukraine’s war of attrition
  • Russia’s strategic bandwidth problem
  • TRIPP and Iran’s red lines
  • Israel’s Armenian Genocide move
  • Armenia’s Western pivot after elections

Episode 565 | Recorded: July 8, 2026

#ArmenianNews #SouthCaucasus #UkraineWar #Russia #Armenia #EAEU #TRIPP #Geopolitics

Transcript: Sergey Markedonov - Ukraine, TRIPP, and Armenia’s Western Pivot | Ep 565, Jul 10, 2026 [EP565]

Posted on Friday, Jul 10, 2026 | Category: Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Dr. Sergey Markedonov about Russia’s strategic position amid the Ukraine War and its implications for Armenia. We discuss why Moscow remains bogged down in Ukraine despite its military superiority, how the war of attrition shapes Russian bandwidth for the South Caucasus, the geopolitical role of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, and Pashinyan’s Western pivot following the June 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election.

2,000 Agents Raid Gagik Tsarukyan's Homes and Businesses in Show Trial Theater [EP564]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2026 | Category: Human Rights, Politics, Armenia

Within hours of the Constitutional Court ruling, 2,000 NSS agents raided over 70 sites linked to opposition figure Gagik Tsarukyan, using military-grade weaponry in what hosts describe as political theater targeting alleged white-collar crimes.

Constitutional Court Strips Prosperous Armenia of Seats by 200 Votes [EP564]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2026 | Category: Politics, Armenia

Armenia’s Constitutional Court invalidated votes from three precincts to exclude Prosperous Armenia from parliament, falling just 200 votes short of the 4% threshold despite over 1.5 million total votes cast.

The Constitutional Court has ruled, now what? | Ep 564, Jul 5, 2026 [EP564]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • Court rubber stamps stolen elections
  • Von der Leyen in the South Caucasus
  • EU connectivity push in Caucasus
  • Rubinyan vs. Simonyan
  • Post-election opposition raids begin
  • IMEI or IMEI not

Episode 564 | Recorded: July 6, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianNews #Pashinyan #ArmenianPolitics #SouthCaucasus #ConstitutionalCourt #SurveillanceState

The Constitutional Court has ruled, now what? | Ep 564, Jul 5, 2026 [EP564]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Topics:

  • Court rubber stamps stolen elections
  • Von der Leyen in the South Caucasus
  • EU connectivity push in Caucasus
  • Rubinyan vs. Simonyan
  • Post-election opposition raids begin
  • IMEI or IMEI not

Episode 564 | Recorded: July 6, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianNews #Pashinyan #ArmenianPolitics #SouthCaucasus #ConstitutionalCourt #SurveillanceState

Transcript: The Constitutional Court has ruled, now what? | Ep 564, Jul 5, 2026 [EP564]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this episode of Groong Week in Review for July 5, 2026, Hovik and Asbed analyze Armenia’s Constitutional Court ruling upholding the disputed 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election results. We examine the disqualification of Prosperous Armenia votes, Civil Contract’s three-fifths majority, the opposition’s parliamentary leverage, and what these outcomes mean for Armenian sovereignty amid ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Process negotiations and regional pressures.

Dziunik Aghajanian - Iran War, Election Aftermath, Russian Warnings, Israeli Recognition | Ep 563, Jul 2, 2026 [EP563]

Posted on Friday, Jul 3, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • US-Iran MoU
  • Election Aftermath
  • Russian Warnings to Armenia
  • Israeli Recognizes the Armenian Genocide

Episode 563 | Recorded: July 1, 2026

#ArmenianNews #IranWar #DziunikAghajanian #ArmenianElections #RussiaArmenia #SouthCaucasus #ArmenianGenocide

Dziunik Aghajanian - Iran War, Election Aftermath, Russian Warnings, Israeli Recognition | Ep 563, Jul 2, 2026 [EP563]

Posted on Friday, Jul 3, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • US-Iran MoU
  • Election Aftermath
  • Russian Warnings to Armenia
  • Israeli Recognizes the Armenian Genocide

Episode 563 | Recorded: July 1, 2026

#ArmenianNews #IranWar #DziunikAghajanian #ArmenianElections #RussiaArmenia #SouthCaucasus #ArmenianGenocide

Transcript: Dziunik Aghajanian - Iran War, Election Aftermath, Russian Warnings, Israeli Recognition | Ep 563, Jul 2, 2026 [EP563]

Posted on Friday, Jul 3, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Amb. Dziunik Aghajanian about the Iran-Israel conflict, Armenia’s 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election aftermath, and Israeli recognition of the Armenian Genocide. We discuss whether the US-Iran MOU represents genuine de-escalation or a tactical pause before renewed confrontation, the Constitutional Court’s review of election fraud allegations against the Civil Contract regime, and Russia’s warnings to Armenia amid regional instability.

Constitutional Court Will Likely Rule for Pashinyan: 60% Chance Nothing Changes, 20% for New Elections [EP562]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2026 | Category: Politics, Armenia

Hovik assesses the Constitutional Court’s July 4 ruling on election appeals, predicting a 60% chance of no meaningful change and warning that new elections could serve as cover for opposition bans.

Post-Election Crackdown: Stalinist Purge Disabling Opposition Today, Not Tomorrow [EP562]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2026 | Category: Politics, Human Rights, Armenia

Asbed explains the logic behind Armenia’s post-election arrests: disabling opposition in the present, not building lasting cases for future prosecution.

When Israel Recognizes and Yerevan Dodges | Ep 562, Apr 25, 2026 [EP562]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • Israel Recognizes the Armenian Genocide
  • Russian Warnings Continue
  • Post Election Limbo

Episode 562 | Recorded: June 29, 2026

#ArmenianGenocide #Armenia #Israel #Pashinyan #RussiaArmenia #SouthCaucasus

When Israel Recognizes and Yerevan Dodges | Ep 562, Apr 25, 2026 [EP562]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Topics:

  • Israel Recognizes the Armenian Genocide
  • Russian Warnings Continue
  • Post Election Limbo

Episode 562 | Recorded: June 29, 2026

#ArmenianGenocide #Armenia #Israel #Pashinyan #RussiaArmenia #SouthCaucasus

Transcript: When Israel Recognizes and Yerevan Dodges | Ep 562, Apr 25, 2026 [EP562]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this week’s Groong Week in Review, Hovik and Asbed discuss Israel’s historic recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Russia’s ongoing warnings toward Armenia, and the political uncertainty following the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election. We examine the geopolitical context behind Israel’s decision, Pashinyan’s measured response, and what these developments signal about Armenia’s regional position amid shifting US-Turkey relations and broader Middle East tensions.

Constitutional Court Stacked Entirely With Pashinyan Appointees [EP561]

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 24, 2026 | Category: Politics, Armenia, Human Rights

The Constitutional Court hearing the election challenge is composed entirely of Pashinyan appointees, a historic precedent that fundamentally undermines claims of judicial independence.

Iran Talks, Election Challenges, and Political Retaliation | Ep 561, Jun 21, 2026 [EP561]

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 24, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • US-Iran Negotiations
  • Russian Embargo
  • Election Aftermath
  • Persecutions Continue
  • Armenia-Azerbaijan Telco Agreement

Episode 561 | Recorded: June 22, 2026

#ArmenianNews #Armenia #Iran #USIranTalks #ArmenianElections #SouthCaucasus #NikolPashinyan #TRIPP

Iran Talks, Election Challenges, and Political Retaliation | Ep 561, Jun 21, 2026 [EP561]

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 24, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Topics:

  • US-Iran Negotiations
  • Russian Embargo
  • Election Aftermath
  • Persecutions Continue
  • Armenia-Azerbaijan Telco Agreement

Episode 561 | Recorded: June 22, 2026

#ArmenianNews #Armenia #Iran #USIranTalks #ArmenianElections #SouthCaucasus #NikolPashinyan #TRIPP

Transcript: Iran Talks, Election Challenges, and Political Retaliation | Ep 561, Jun 21, 2026 [EP561]

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 24, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this Groong Week in Review episode, Hovik and Asbed examine the fallout from Armenia’s 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Elections, the ongoing US-Iran War ceasefire negotiations and their regional implications, and escalating political persecutions following the vote. We discuss how six opposition parties—including Strong Armenia, Armenia Alliance, Prosperous Armenia, and others—have challenged the election results at the Constitutional Court, Russia’s continued criticism of Pashinyan’s government amid an economic embargo, and Armenia-Azerbaijan telecommunications developments amid broader geopolitical uncertainty in the South Caucasus.

Arman Grigoryan - US-Iran Negotiations, Post-Election Armenian Politics | Ep 560, Jun 23, 2026 [EP560]

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 23, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Iran | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • US-Iran negotiations and regional risks
  • TRIPP and shifting regional power
  • Armenia’s contested post-election landscape
  • Opposition failures and future strategy
  • Risks of another parliamentary election

Episode 560 | Recorded: June 22, 2026

#ArmeniaElections #USIranNegotiations #SouthCaucasus #TRIPP #Iran #ArmanGrigoryan

Arman Grigoryan - US-Iran Negotiations, Post-Election Armenian Politics | Ep 560, Jun 23, 2026 [EP560]

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 23, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Iran

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • US-Iran negotiations and regional risks
  • TRIPP and shifting regional power
  • Armenia’s contested post-election landscape
  • Opposition failures and future strategy
  • Risks of another parliamentary election

Episode 560 | Recorded: June 22, 2026

#ArmeniaElections #USIranNegotiations #SouthCaucasus #TRIPP #Iran #ArmanGrigoryan

Pashinyan Is Preparing for New Elections and Constitutional Crisis [EP560]

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 23, 2026 | Category: Politics, Armenia

Grigoryan argues Pashinyan is strategically preparing for inevitable constitutional crises by disqualifying opposition parties and restricting diasporic-citizen voting rights.

Pashinyan's 'Clear Choice' Was Anything But Clear [EP560]

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 23, 2026 | Category: Politics, Armenia, Media

Dr. Grigoryan deconstructs the Western narrative that Armenian voters made a ‘clear choice’ for Europe, arguing the election was driven by negative voting and distorted media narratives.