Donald Trump

Last updated: May 29, 2026

Donald Trump’s return to the presidency in January 2025 brought a distinct set of priorities to US engagement in the South Caucasus. The Trump administration’s signature regional initiative has been the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), a connectivity proposal centered on opening the Zangezur Corridor through Armenia to link Turkey and Azerbaijan — and potentially extending to regional economic integration. The proposal has been controversial in Armenia, where many view it as pressure to make territorial concessions to Azerbaijan under the banner of economic development.

More broadly, the Trump administration’s approach to the South Caucasus reflects its transactional foreign policy: prioritizing deal-making, reducing emphasis on democracy and human rights conditions, and recalibrating relationships with traditional allies and adversaries alike. For Armenia, this has meant navigating a US posture that is simultaneously a potential counterweight to Russia and a source of pressure on the peace process .

Groong has covered Trump’s impact on Armenian affairs extensively, from the TRIPP proposal and its reception in Yerevan to US-Armenia security cooperation, Congressional dynamics, and how Trump-era US foreign policy compares with the Biden approach to the South Caucasus.

Groong episodes that include this tag

Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Donald Trump.

Warwick Powell - ThermoEconomics, Iran, and the New Geopolitical Economy | Ep 533, Apr 23, 2026 [EP533]

Posted on Thursday, Apr 23, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, Iran, World, Economy, Armenia, USA, China, Russia, BRICS, Israel, Middle East, NATO | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • ThermoEconomics and global power
  • Iran war and energy
  • De-dollarization and sovereignty
  • Armenia: AI data centers, SMRs, and imperialism

Episode 533 | Recorded: April 21, 2026

Warwick Powell - ThermoEconomics, Iran, and the New Geopolitical Economy | Ep 533, Apr 23, 2026 [EP533]

Posted on Thursday, Apr 23, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, Iran, World, Economy, Armenia, USA, China, Russia, BRICS, Israel, Middle East, NATO

Guest:

Topics:

  • ThermoEconomics and global power
  • Iran war and energy
  • De-dollarization and sovereignty
  • Armenia: AI data centers, SMRs, and imperialism

Episode 533 | Recorded: April 21, 2026

Transcript: Warwick Powell - ThermoEconomics, Iran, and the New Geopolitical Economy | Ep 533, Apr 23, 2026 [EP533]

Posted on Thursday, Apr 23, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, Iran, World, Economy, Armenia, USA, China, Russia, BRICS, Israel, Middle East, NATO, Transcript

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

Dziunik Aghajanian - Iran War, Antalya Diplomatic Forum, Armenian Parliamentary Elections | Ep 532, Apr 19, 2026 [EP532]

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Politics, USA, Israel, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Georgia, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, China, NATO | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran War Fears
  • June Parliamentary Elections
  • Attacks on the Armenian Church

Episode 532 | Recorded: April 20, 2026

#Armenia #Iran #IranWar #Hormuz #ArmeniaElections #SouthCaucasus

Dziunik Aghajanian - Iran War, Antalya Diplomatic Forum, Armenian Parliamentary Elections | Ep 532, Apr 19, 2026 [EP532]

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Politics, USA, Israel, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Georgia, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, China, NATO

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran War Fears
  • June Parliamentary Elections
  • Attacks on the Armenian Church

Episode 532 | Recorded: April 20, 2026

#Armenia #Iran #IranWar #Hormuz #ArmeniaElections #SouthCaucasus

Transcript: Dziunik Aghajanian - Iran War, Antalya Diplomatic Forum, Armenian Parliamentary Elections | Ep 532, Apr 19, 2026 [EP532]

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Politics, USA, Israel, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Georgia, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, China, NATO, Transcript

In this Week in Review episode, Ambassador Dziunik Aghajanian discusses the stalled Iran negotiations after the Islamabad talks, the renewed pressure around Hormuz and the naval blockade, Turkey’s posture toward Israel and the region; Armenia’s lower-profile participation in the Antalya Diplomatic Forum; Russia’s shifting rhetoric on TRIPP and the South Caucasus; and the June 7 parliamentary election in Armenia, including constitutional changes, border concessions, the gas pipeline rerouting issue, and the use of surveillance and arrests against opposition figures.

Hrant Mikaelian - US-Iran Talks, Orban Loses, Armenian Parliamentary Elections, MPG Polls | Ep 531, Apr 12, 2026 [EP531]

Posted on Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Election, Poll, Iran, Armenia, USA, Israel, Georgia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • US-Iran Talks in Pakistan
  • Orban Loses Hungary Elections
  • Armenian Parliamentary Elections
  • Polls: MPG, IRI, ARAR, EVN

Episode 531 | Recorded: April 14, 2026

#Armenia #IranWar #ArmenianPolitics #HungaryElections #ArmeniaPolls

Hrant Mikaelian - US-Iran Talks, Orban Loses, Armenian Parliamentary Elections, MPG Polls | Ep 531, Apr 12, 2026 [EP531]

Posted on Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Election, Poll, Iran, Armenia, USA, Israel, Georgia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union

Guest:

Topics:

  • US-Iran Talks in Pakistan
  • Orban Loses Hungary Elections
  • Armenian Parliamentary Elections
  • Polls: MPG, IRI, ARAR, EVN

Episode 531 | Recorded: April 14, 2026

#Armenia #IranWar #ArmenianPolitics #HungaryElections #ArmeniaPolls

Transcript: Hrant Mikaelian - US-Iran Talks, Orban Loses, Armenian Parliamentary Elections, MPG Polls | Ep 531, Apr 12, 2026 [EP531]

Posted on Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Election, Poll, Iran, Armenia, USA, Israel, Georgia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union, Transcript

This Week in Review examines how foreign shocks and internal political pressures are converging for Armenia. We look at the breakdown of US-Iran talks and the threat of a new naval blockade, Viktor Orban’s defeat in Hungary and what it may mean for the region, and fresh polling in Armenia on security, war, free speech, voter participation, and party support ahead of the 2026 elections. The episode also explores whether the Abkhaz railway could offer Armenia a real alternative to routes that deepen dependence on Azerbaijan and Turkey, and what the latest polling says about the opposition’s position.

Hovik & Asbed - Iran War, April 2016 War, Armenia & Russia, Politics & Election | Ep 530, Apr 5, 2026 [EP530]

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 8, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Politics, Election, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, European Union, Russia, Georgia, Turkey | Series: cog, video

Topics:

  • Iran War Update
  • 2016 April War
  • Aftermath of Pashinyan in Moscow
  • Domestic Politics & Election

Episode 530 | Recorded: April 7, 2026

#Groong #Armenia

Hovik & Asbed - Iran War, April 2016 War, Armenia & Russia, Politics & Election | Ep 530, Apr 5, 2026 [EP530]

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 8, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Politics, Election, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, European Union, Russia, Georgia, Turkey

Topics:

  • Iran War Update
  • 2016 April War
  • Aftermath of Pashinyan in Moscow
  • Domestic Politics & Election

Episode 530 | Recorded: April 7, 2026

#Groong #Armenia

Transcript: Hovik & Asbed - Iran War, April 2016 War, Armenia & Russia, Politics & Election | Ep 530, Apr 5, 2026 [EP530]

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 8, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Politics, Election, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, European Union, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Transcript

In this Week in Review, Hovik and Asbed discussed the escalating US-Israeli war on Iran and the danger of a wider regional catastrophe; we reflected on the tenth anniversary of the April 2016 Four-Day War and what it revealed about Armenia’s military and diplomatic posture; we examined the fallout from Pashinyan’s Moscow visit and the increasingly blunt Russian response, and reviewed the fast-moving Armenian election campaign, including pressure on the opposition, EU involvement, and the emerging strategies of major the various alliances.

Pietro Shakarian - Iran War, Armenia and Russia, June Parliamentary Elections | Ep 529, Apr 4, 2026 [EP529]

Posted on Saturday, Apr 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Israel, Nagorno Karabakh, BRICS, European Union, Ukraine, NATO | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • The Iran War and Its Global Impacts
  • Armenia-Russia Relations
  • Parliamentary Elections in Armenia

Episode 529 | Recorded on April 3, 2026

#IranIsraelWar #IsraelIranConflict #IsraelConflict #Armenia #MiddleEastCrisis #ArmeniaElections #PietroShakarian #TRIPP

Pietro Shakarian - Iran War, Armenia and Russia, June Parliamentary Elections | Ep 529, Apr 4, 2026 [EP529]

Posted on Saturday, Apr 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Israel, Nagorno Karabakh, BRICS, European Union, Ukraine, NATO

Guest:

Topics:

  • The Iran War and Its Global Impacts
  • Armenia-Russia Relations
  • Parliamentary Elections in Armenia

Episode 529 | Recorded on April 3, 2026

#IranIsraelWar #IsraelIranConflict #IsraelConflict #Armenia #MiddleEastCrisis #ArmeniaElections #PietroShakarian #TRIPP

Transcript: Pietro Shakarian - Iran War, Armenia and Russia, June Parliamentary Elections | Ep 529, Apr 4, 2026 [EP529]

Posted on Saturday, Apr 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Israel, Nagorno Karabakh, BRICS, European Union, Ukraine, NATO, Transcript

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.

Anna Karapetyan - Iran War, Pashinyan Fake Narratives, Fear-mongering, Silencing Talk of Artsakh | Ep 528, Mar 29, 2026 [EP528]

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 31, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Artsakh, Election, Nagorno Karabakh, USA, Azerbaijan, Armenian Genocide | Series: wir, video

Guest:

  • Anna Karapetyan Director of the Insight Analytical Center for Applied Policy and Research.

Topics:

  • Iran war escalation and spillover
  • Pashinyan’s Fake “peace” narrative
  • Elections built on fear-mongering
  • Silencing talk of Artsakh

Episode 528 | Recorded: March 30, 2026

Anna Karapetyan - Iran War, Pashinyan Fake Narratives, Fear-mongering, Silencing Talk of Artsakh | Ep 528, Mar 29, 2026 [EP528]

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 31, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Artsakh, Election, Nagorno Karabakh, USA, Azerbaijan, Armenian Genocide

Guest:

  • Anna Karapetyan Director of the Insight Analytical Center for Applied Policy and Research.

Topics:

  • Iran war escalation and spillover
  • Pashinyan’s Fake “peace” narrative
  • Elections built on fear-mongering
  • Silencing talk of Artsakh

Episode 528 | Recorded: March 30, 2026

Hovik & Asbed - Karekin II & Ilia II Funeral, Iran War, Armenia Elections | Ep 527, Mar 22, 2026 [EP527]

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 24, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Politics, Israel, USA, Turkey, Russia, China, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Economy, Lebanon | Series: cog, video

Topics:

  • Georgian Patriarch Ilia II passes away
  • Karekin II travel banned from funeral
  • Iran war update
  • June election in Armenia

Episode 527 | Recorded: March 23, 2026

#Groong #Armenia

Hovik & Asbed - Karekin II & Ilia II Funeral, Iran War, Armenia Elections | Ep 527, Mar 22, 2026 [EP527]

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 24, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Politics, Israel, USA, Turkey, Russia, China, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Economy, Lebanon

Topics:

  • Georgian Patriarch Ilia II passes away
  • Karekin II travel banned from funeral
  • Iran war update
  • June election in Armenia

Episode 527 | Recorded: March 23, 2026

#Groong #Armenia

Eldar Mamedov - Iran War: The Northern Front | Ep 525, Mar 22, 2026 [EP525]

Posted on Sunday, Mar 22, 2026 | Category: Iran, Politics, Armenia, Israel, USA, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Syria, Economy, Genocide, NATO, Russia, Georgia, Middle East | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran at War
  • The Northern Front: Turkey & Azerbaijan
  • Changing Nakhijevan’s Constitution

Episode 525 | Recorded: March 20, 2026

#GroongPodcast #EldarMamedov #IranWar #Azerbaijan #SouthCaucasus

Eldar Mamedov - Iran War: The Northern Front | Ep 525, Mar 22, 2026 [EP525]

Posted on Sunday, Mar 22, 2026 | Category: Iran, Politics, Armenia, Israel, USA, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Syria, Economy, Genocide, NATO, Russia, Georgia, Middle East

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran at War
  • The Northern Front: Turkey & Azerbaijan
  • Changing Nakhijevan’s Constitution

Episode 525 | Recorded: March 20, 2026

#GroongPodcast #EldarMamedov #IranWar #Azerbaijan #SouthCaucasus

Varuzhan Geghamyan - Iran War, Zangezur Corridor, Nakhijevan Constitution | Ep 524, Mar 20, 2026 [EP524]

Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2026 | Category: Politics, Iran, Armenia, Israel, Azerbaijan, USA, Turkey, Artsakh, Geopolitics, Middle East, Nagorno Karabakh, Russia, Syria, China, Economy, Georgia, Ukraine | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran at War
  • The Northern Front: Turkey & Azerbaijan
  • Changing Nakhichevan’s Constitution

Episode 524 | Recorded: March 19, 2026

#IranWar #VaruzhanGeghamyan #ZangezurCorridor #Syunik #ArmeniaGeopolitics

Varuzhan Geghamyan - Iran War, Zangezur Corridor, Nakhijevan Constitution | Ep 524, Mar 20, 2026 [EP524]

Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2026 | Category: Politics, Iran, Armenia, Israel, Azerbaijan, USA, Turkey, Artsakh, Geopolitics, Middle East, Nagorno Karabakh, Russia, Syria, China, Economy, Georgia, Ukraine

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran at War
  • The Northern Front: Turkey & Azerbaijan
  • Changing Nakhichevan’s Constitution

Episode 524 | Recorded: March 19, 2026

#IranWar #VaruzhanGeghamyan #ZangezurCorridor #Syunik #ArmeniaGeopolitics

Scott Horton - Why Are We at War with Iran? | Ep 523, Mar 20, 2026 [EP523]

Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2026 | Category: Politics, US, Iran, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, China, NATO | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Why this war began
  • U.S. fallout and political costs
  • Paths to wider regional escalation

Episode 523 | Recorded: March 19, 2026

#IranWar #ScottHorton #USIsrael #MiddleEastWar #Geopolitics

Scott Horton - Why Are We at War with Iran? | Ep 523, Mar 20, 2026 [EP523]

Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2026 | Category: Politics, US, Iran, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, China, NATO

Guest:

Topics:

  • Why this war began
  • U.S. fallout and political costs
  • Paths to wider regional escalation

Episode 523 | Recorded: March 19, 2026

#IranWar #ScottHorton #USIsrael #MiddleEastWar #Geopolitics

Transcript: Scott Horton - Why Are We at War with Iran? | Ep 523, Mar 20, 2026 [EP523]

Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2026 | Category: Politics, US, Iran, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, China, NATO, Transcript

Scott Horton joins us to examine the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, asking how this war began, what strategic goals are driving it, and where it could lead next. We discuss the limits of air power, the risk of a wider or ground war, the longer arc of U.S. and Israeli policy toward Iran and Syria, Turkey’s role in the region, and the domestic political consequences inside the United States as Trump presses ahead without broad public or congressional support.

Arthur Martirosyan - Iran War, Effect on Armenia, June Parliamentary | Ep 522, Mar 15, 2026 [EP522]

Posted on Monday, Mar 16, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Ukraine, Iran, Azerbaijan, Israel, USA, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Genocide, Genocide, Georgia, Middle East | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran War
  • Effect on Armenia
  • June Parliamentary Elections

Episode 522 | Recorded: March 16, 2026

Arthur Martirosyan - Iran War, Effect on Armenia, June Parliamentary | Ep 522, Mar 15, 2026 [EP522]

Posted on Monday, Mar 16, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Ukraine, Iran, Azerbaijan, Israel, USA, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Genocide, Genocide, Georgia, Middle East

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran War
  • Effect on Armenia
  • June Parliamentary Elections

Episode 522 | Recorded: March 16, 2026

Hrant Mikaelian - Iran War, IRI Poll Review, Armenian Political Landscape for 2026 Election | Ep 521, Mar 8, 2026 [EP521]

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 11, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Election, Poll, Iran, USA, Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, China | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran War Update
  • IRI Poll Review
  • Political Landscape

Episode 521 | Recorded: March 10, 2026

#IranWar #EpicFury #MiddleEastWar #ArmeniaForeignPolicy #Sumgait1988 #IranIsraelConflict

Hrant Mikaelian - Iran War, IRI Poll Review, Armenian Political Landscape for 2026 Election | Ep 521, Mar 8, 2026 [EP521]

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 11, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Election, Poll, Iran, USA, Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, China

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran War Update
  • IRI Poll Review
  • Political Landscape

Episode 521 | Recorded: March 10, 2026

#IranWar #EpicFury #MiddleEastWar #ArmeniaForeignPolicy #Sumgait1988 #IranIsraelConflict

Hrant Mikaelian - Iran War, Effect on Armenia, Sumgait Pogroms | Ep 520, Mar 1, 2026 [EP520]

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 4, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Iran, USA, Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, China, BRICS, Ukraine, Middle East, Geopolitics, NATO, Syria | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • US and Israel launch war against Iran
  • Decapitation strikes, mass civilian casualties
  • Iran retaliates region-wide, war expands
  • Armenia leadership silent
  • Sumgait remembered

Episode 520 | Recorded: March 3, 2026

#IranWar #EpicFury #MiddleEastWar #ArmeniaForeignPolicy #Sumgait1988 #IranIsraelConflict

Hrant Mikaelian - Iran War, Effect on Armenia, Sumgait Pogroms | Ep 520, Mar 1, 2026 [EP520]

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 4, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Iran, USA, Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, China, BRICS, Ukraine, Middle East, Geopolitics, NATO, Syria

Guest:

Topics:

  • US and Israel launch war against Iran
  • Decapitation strikes, mass civilian casualties
  • Iran retaliates region-wide, war expands
  • Armenia leadership silent
  • Sumgait remembered

Episode 520 | Recorded: March 3, 2026

#IranWar #EpicFury #MiddleEastWar #ArmeniaForeignPolicy #Sumgait1988 #IranIsraelConflict

Dziunik Aghajanian - Iran War Fears, June Vote Rules, State-Church Clash | Ep 519, Feb 22, 2026 [EP519]

Posted on Thursday, Feb 26, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Israel, Genocide, Armenian Church, Iran, Middle East, NATO, Syria | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran War Fears
  • June Parliamentary Elections
  • Attacks on the Armenian Church

Episode 519 | Recorded: February 25, 2026

#Armenia #Iran #ArmeniaElections #ArmenianChurch #SouthCaucasus

Dziunik Aghajanian - Iran War Fears, June Vote Rules, State-Church Clash | Ep 519, Feb 22, 2026 [EP519]

Posted on Thursday, Feb 26, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Israel, Genocide, Armenian Church, Iran, Middle East, NATO, Syria

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran War Fears
  • June Parliamentary Elections
  • Attacks on the Armenian Church

Episode 519 | Recorded: February 25, 2026

#Armenia #Iran #ArmeniaElections #ArmenianChurch #SouthCaucasus

JD Vance in Armenia and Azerbaijan | Ep 517, Feb 15, 2026 [EP517]

Posted on Sunday, Feb 15, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Armenian Genocide, Iran, Russia, Genocide, Georgia, Israel, China, Ukraine | Series: cog, video

Topics:

  • Vance visit, protocol and optics
  • Tsitsernakaberd tweet, “autocorrect diplomacy”
  • TRIPP corridor stake and sovereignty risks
  • Nuclear SMR deal, costs and dependency
  • Firebird AI project, power and value
  • Drones, church silence, Baku charter and prisoners

Episode 517 | Recorded: February 13, 2026

#Groong #Armenia #JDVance #Tsitsernakaberd #TRIPP

JD Vance in Armenia and Azerbaijan | Ep 517, Feb 15, 2026 [EP517]

Posted on Sunday, Feb 15, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Armenian Genocide, Iran, Russia, Genocide, Georgia, Israel, China, Ukraine

Topics:

  • Vance visit, protocol and optics
  • Tsitsernakaberd tweet, “autocorrect diplomacy”
  • TRIPP corridor stake and sovereignty risks
  • Nuclear SMR deal, costs and dependency
  • Firebird AI project, power and value
  • Drones, church silence, Baku charter and prisoners

Episode 517 | Recorded: February 13, 2026

#Groong #Armenia #JDVance #Tsitsernakaberd #TRIPP

Philippe Raffi Kalfayan - Europe and America, JD Vance in Armenia, Pashinyan vs. Church | Ep 516, Feb 8, 2026 [EP516]

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, USA, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Syria, Armenian Church, European Union, Iran, China, Ukraine, Human Rights, Georgia, Israel, Genocide, Economy, Geopolitics, India, NATO | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • A European View of America
  • JD Vance in Armenia
  • Pashinyan vs. The Armenian Church
  • Europe and Armenia

Episode 516 | Recorded: February 9, 2026

Philippe Raffi Kalfayan - Europe and America, JD Vance in Armenia, Pashinyan vs. Church | Ep 516, Feb 8, 2026 [EP516]

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, USA, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Syria, Armenian Church, European Union, Iran, China, Ukraine, Human Rights, Georgia, Israel, Genocide, Economy, Geopolitics, India, NATO

Guest:

Topics:

  • A European View of America
  • JD Vance in Armenia
  • Pashinyan vs. The Armenian Church
  • Europe and Armenia

Episode 516 | Recorded: February 9, 2026

James Carden & Pietro Shakarian - Global Affairs in the Age of Trump 2.0 | Ep 515, Feb 7, 2026 [EP515]

Posted on Saturday, Feb 7, 2026 | Category: USA, TRIPP, Iran, Armenia, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, BRICS, Russia, China, Economy, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, Human Rights, India, Middle East, NATO | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump 2.0 and the “Donroe Doctrine”
  • Rules-Based Disorder?
  • Iran vs. the “Big, Beautiful Armada”
  • US Cohesion and Midterms
  • JD Vance in the South Caucasus

Episode 515 | Recorded: February 6, 2026

James Carden & Pietro Shakarian - Global Affairs in the Age of Trump 2.0 | Ep 515, Feb 7, 2026 [EP515]

Posted on Saturday, Feb 7, 2026 | Category: USA, TRIPP, Iran, Armenia, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, BRICS, Russia, China, Economy, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, Human Rights, India, Middle East, NATO

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump 2.0 and the “Donroe Doctrine”
  • Rules-Based Disorder?
  • Iran vs. the “Big, Beautiful Armada”
  • US Cohesion and Midterms
  • JD Vance in the South Caucasus

Episode 515 | Recorded: February 6, 2026

Andrei Tsygankov - Canceling Russia and The Towers of the Kremlin | Ep 514, Feb 5, 2026 [EP514]

Posted on Thursday, Feb 5, 2026 | Category: Russia, Politics, Geopolitics, BRICS, Ukraine, Economy, NATO, Armenia, Georgia, China, European Union, Iran, Israel | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Defining the “Canceling Russia” phenomenon
  • The “cancel Russia” lobby
  • Containment shifts to coercive transformation
  • Russian Orthodox Church as battleground
  • Kremlin “towers” and civilizational logic

Episode 514 | Recorded: February 4, 2026

#CancelingRussia #RussianForeignPolicy #UkraineWar #StateCivilization #TowersOfTheKremlin #RussianOrthodoxChurch

Andrei Tsygankov - Canceling Russia and The Towers of the Kremlin | Ep 514, Feb 5, 2026 [EP514]

Posted on Thursday, Feb 5, 2026 | Category: Russia, Politics, Geopolitics, BRICS, Ukraine, Economy, NATO, Armenia, Georgia, China, European Union, Iran, Israel

Guest:

Topics:

  • Defining the “Canceling Russia” phenomenon
  • The “cancel Russia” lobby
  • Containment shifts to coercive transformation
  • Russian Orthodox Church as battleground
  • Kremlin “towers” and civilizational logic

Episode 514 | Recorded: February 4, 2026

#CancelingRussia #RussianForeignPolicy #UkraineWar #StateCivilization #TowersOfTheKremlin #RussianOrthodoxChurch

Asbed & Hovik - Iran, Varchaband, War on Church, Mehmet Oz, Strong Armenia, Noragyugh | Ep 512, Feb 1, 2026 [EP512]

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, BRICS, Russia, Turkey, China, India, Ukraine | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • Iran Conflict
  • Varchaband
  • War on Armenian Church
  • Mehmet Oz vs Armenian Americans
  • Narek Karapetyan and Strong Armenia
  • A Big Beautiful Noragyugh

Episode 512 | Recorded: February 2, 2026

#IranIsraelWar #TrumpArmada #ArmenianChurch #Pashinyan #ArmenianDiaspora

Asbed & Hovik - Iran, Varchaband, War on Church, Mehmet Oz, Strong Armenia, Noragyugh | Ep 512, Feb 1, 2026 [EP512]

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, BRICS, Russia, Turkey, China, India, Ukraine

Topics:

  • Iran Conflict
  • Varchaband
  • War on Armenian Church
  • Mehmet Oz vs Armenian Americans
  • Narek Karapetyan and Strong Armenia
  • A Big Beautiful Noragyugh

Episode 512 | Recorded: February 2, 2026

#IranIsraelWar #TrumpArmada #ArmenianChurch #Pashinyan #ArmenianDiaspora

Arthur Khachatryan - Army Day, JD Vance to Armenia, TRIPP, Church, Strong Armenia Political Party | Ep 510, Jan 27, 2026 [EP510]

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, Iran, Economy, Georgia, Human Rights, Syria | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Memorial Day vs. Army Day
  • JD Vance to Armenia and Azerbaijan
  • Armenian Church Developments
  • Strong Armenia - New Political Party

Episode 510 | Recorded: Jnauary 27, 2026

Arthur Khachatryan - Army Day, JD Vance to Armenia, TRIPP, Church, Strong Armenia Political Party | Ep 510, Jan 27, 2026 [EP510]

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, Iran, Economy, Georgia, Human Rights, Syria

Guest:

Topics:

  • Memorial Day vs. Army Day
  • JD Vance to Armenia and Azerbaijan
  • Armenian Church Developments
  • Strong Armenia - New Political Party

Episode 510 | Recorded: Jnauary 27, 2026

Sergei Melkonian - Syria, Iran Unrest, TRIPP, Armenian Parliamentary Elections | Ep 508, Jan 18, 2026 [EP508]

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 20, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Syria, Iran, Israel, China, Geopolitics, Middle East, Georgia, Ukraine, Economy, India, European Union | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Syria, Kurds, Turkish advance
  • Iran Unrest, War Postponed
  • TRIPP and sovereignty dispute
  • 2026 Elections and Foreign Influence

Episode 508 | Recorded: January 19, 2026

#ArmenianNews #Syria #Iran #ZangezurCorridor #TRIPP #Geopolitics

Sergei Melkonian - Syria, Iran Unrest, TRIPP, Armenian Parliamentary Elections | Ep 508, Jan 18, 2026 [EP508]

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 20, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Syria, Iran, Israel, China, Geopolitics, Middle East, Georgia, Ukraine, Economy, India, European Union

Guest:

Topics:

  • Syria, Kurds, Turkish advance
  • Iran Unrest, War Postponed
  • TRIPP and sovereignty dispute
  • 2026 Elections and Foreign Influence

Episode 508 | Recorded: January 19, 2026

#ArmenianNews #Syria #Iran #ZangezurCorridor #TRIPP #Geopolitics

Anna Grigoryan - Armenia’s Political Crisis | Ep 507, Jan 17, 2026 [EP507]

Posted on Saturday, Jan 17, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Elections, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey, European Union, Economy, Syria, Human Rights, Georgia, Israel, Ukraine | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Return of Four Hostages
  • Pashinyan vs. Church
  • TRIPP
  • Armenia Parliamentary Election

Episode 507 | Recorded: January 16, 2026

#AnnaGrigoryan #Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #TRIPP #ArmenianChurch #POWs

Anna Grigoryan - Armenia’s Political Crisis | Ep 507, Jan 17, 2026 [EP507]

Posted on Saturday, Jan 17, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Elections, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey, European Union, Economy, Syria, Human Rights, Georgia, Israel, Ukraine

Guest:

Topics:

  • Return of Four Hostages
  • Pashinyan vs. Church
  • TRIPP
  • Armenia Parliamentary Election

Episode 507 | Recorded: January 16, 2026

#AnnaGrigoryan #Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #TRIPP #ArmenianChurch #POWs

Pietro Shakarian - Iran, Russia, and the Geopolitics of Post-Soviet Eurasia | Ep 506, Jan 16, 2026 [EP506]

Posted on Friday, Jan 16, 2026 | Category: Armenia, History, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Israel, Nagorno Karabakh, BRICS, European Union, Syria, China, Ukraine, Genocide, India, NATO, Georgia, Middle East, Human Rights | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • Unrest in Iran
  • Russia-Iran Partnership
  • Solovyov’s Statements
  • Trump’s “TRIPP Wire” in the Caucasus
  • Release of Armenian hostages

Episode 506 | Recorded on January 14, 2026

Pietro Shakarian - Iran, Russia, and the Geopolitics of Post-Soviet Eurasia | Ep 506, Jan 16, 2026 [EP506]

Posted on Friday, Jan 16, 2026 | Category: Armenia, History, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Israel, Nagorno Karabakh, BRICS, European Union, Syria, China, Ukraine, Genocide, India, NATO, Georgia, Middle East, Human Rights

Guest:

Topics:

  • Unrest in Iran
  • Russia-Iran Partnership
  • Solovyov’s Statements
  • Trump’s “TRIPP Wire” in the Caucasus
  • Release of Armenian hostages

Episode 506 | Recorded on January 14, 2026

Arthur Martirosyan - Ukraine, Iran, Baku Pogroms, Church Clash | Ep 505, Jan 11, 2026 [EP505]

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Ukraine, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, USA, Armenian Genocide, Artsakh Blockade, European Union, Iran, Israel, Economy, Georgia, Middle East, Syria, China, Genocide | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine war’s global cost to Russia
  • Iran unrest and war risk
  • Remembering the Baku pogroms
  • Russia-Armenia tensions and media threats
  • Pashinyan’s clash with Armenian Church

Episode 505 | Recorded: January 13, 2026

Arthur Martirosyan - Ukraine, Iran, Baku Pogroms, Church Clash | Ep 505, Jan 11, 2026 [EP505]

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Ukraine, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, USA, Armenian Genocide, Artsakh Blockade, European Union, Iran, Israel, Economy, Georgia, Middle East, Syria, China, Genocide

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine war’s global cost to Russia
  • Iran unrest and war risk
  • Remembering the Baku pogroms
  • Russia-Armenia tensions and media threats
  • Pashinyan’s clash with Armenian Church

Episode 505 | Recorded: January 13, 2026

Fr. Serop Azarian - Armenian Church Under Attack | Ep 503, Jan 11, 2026 [EP503]

Posted on Sunday, Jan 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Armenian Church, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Armenian Genocide, Georgia, Turkey, Genocide, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Syria, Ukraine, Israel, NATO, India | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Pashinyan Attacks: Geopolitics or Vendetta?
  • Renegade Bishops: Demands and Narratives
  • Stolen Church Property
  • From Christmas to Easter

Episode 503 | Recorded: January 9, 2026

#ArmenianApostolicChurch #ArmenianChurch #Garegin #Catholicos #NikolPashinyan #ArmenianDiaspora

Fr. Serop Azarian - Armenian Church Under Attack | Ep 503, Jan 11, 2026 [EP503]

Posted on Sunday, Jan 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Armenian Church, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Armenian Genocide, Georgia, Turkey, Genocide, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Syria, Ukraine, Israel, NATO, India

Guest:

Topics:

  • Pashinyan Attacks: Geopolitics or Vendetta?
  • Renegade Bishops: Demands and Narratives
  • Stolen Church Property
  • From Christmas to Easter

Episode 503 | Recorded: January 9, 2026

#ArmenianApostolicChurch #ArmenianChurch #Garegin #Catholicos #NikolPashinyan #ArmenianDiaspora

Fyodor Lukyanov - Russia in Evolving Global Geopolitics | Ep 502, Jan 9, 2026 [EP502]

Posted on Friday, Jan 9, 2026 | Category: Iran, Russia, Armenia, Israel, Politics, China, Ukraine, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, BRICS, European Union, NATO, Azerbaijan | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Venezuela
  • Ukraine War
  • Russia-Iran Relations
  • TRIPP and Russian-Armenian Relations

Episode 502 | Recorded: January 8, 2026

#FyodorLukyanov #RussiaGeopolitics #UkraineWar #IranIsrael #VenezuelaCrisis #TRIPP

Fyodor Lukyanov - Russia in Evolving Global Geopolitics | Ep 502, Jan 9, 2026 [EP502]

Posted on Friday, Jan 9, 2026 | Category: Iran, Russia, Armenia, Israel, Politics, China, Ukraine, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, BRICS, European Union, NATO, Azerbaijan

Guest:

Topics:

  • Venezuela
  • Ukraine War
  • Russia-Iran Relations
  • TRIPP and Russian-Armenian Relations

Episode 502 | Recorded: January 8, 2026

#FyodorLukyanov #RussiaGeopolitics #UkraineWar #IranIsrael #VenezuelaCrisis #TRIPP

Transcript: Fyodor Lukyanov - Russia in Evolving Global Geopolitics | Ep 502, Jan 9, 2026 [EP502]

Posted on Friday, Jan 9, 2026 | Category: Iran, Russia, Armenia, Israel, Politics, China, Ukraine, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, BRICS, European Union, NATO, Azerbaijan, Transcript

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.

Hrant Mikaelian - Venezuela, Attacks on the Armenian Church Continue, MPG Poll Results | Ep 501, Jan 4, 2026 [EP501]

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 7, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Armenian Church, Economy, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, BRICS, Russia, China, Geopolitics, Georgia, Human Rights, Iran, NATO, Syria | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Developments in Venezuela
  • Attacks on Armenian Church Continue
  • New MPG Poll Results

Episode 501 | Recorded: January 6, 2026

#VenezuelaCrisis #ArmenianChurch #MPGPoll #ArmeniaEconomy #Geopolitics