Tag: 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.

A Conversation with Narek Margaryan (Ep 63) - 05/25/2021 [EP63]

Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Turkey, Genocide, Russia, China, Iran

A Conversation with Narek Margaryan - 05/25/2021

Guest:

Narek Margaryan is an Armenian comedian, screenwriter and TV host. Along with his co-host Sergey Sargsyan, Narek stars in ArmComedy, a satiric news show series broadcast on Armenian television and on Youtube.

Hosts

Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 63 | Recorded: April 25, 2021

Iskander & Relations with Russia | Attempted Coup? | Opposition | Boeing 737 Hijacked? (Ep #52) [EP52]

Posted on Sunday, Feb 28, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Israel, Economy, Syria, Ukraine | Series: WIR

ANN Groong Week in Review - Episode 52 - Feb 28, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • Wait, Did Armenia Use the Iskander to Blow Up its Relations With Russia?
  • Wait, Was There a Coup?
  • The Opposition Picks up Steam
  • Wait, was The 737 Hijacked?

Guests:

  • David Davidian
  • George Tabakian

Your Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210228.html Episode 52 | Recorded: February 28, 2021

Iskander & Relations with Russia | Attempted Coup? | Opposition | Boeing 737 Hijacked? (Ep #52) [EP52]

Posted on Sunday, Feb 28, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Israel, Economy, Syria, Ukraine

ANN Groong Week in Review - Episode 52 - Feb 28, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • Wait, Did Armenia Use the Iskander to Blow Up its Relations With Russia?
  • Wait, Was There a Coup?
  • The Opposition Picks up Steam
  • Wait, was The 737 Hijacked?

Guests:

  • David Davidian
  • George Tabakian

Your Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210228.html Episode 52 | Recorded: February 28, 2021

Sargsyan Interview | Criminalizing Defamation | Martial Law? | Protests 2/20/21 | Govsagan (Ep #51) [EP51]

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 24, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Armenian Church, Human Rights, Iran | Series: WIR

ANN Groong Week in Review Episode 51 - Feb 21, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • President Sargsyan’s Interview
  • Legislation to Criminalize Defamation of Government Officials
  • Appointment of Acting Governors and Mayors during Martial Law
  • Opposition Protests on Feb 20
  • Govsagan, in the end

Guests

  • Asbed Kotchikian @asbedk
  • Marine Manucharyan @armoland
  • @Emil_Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

  • Alen Zamanyan @alenzam99
  • Asbed Bedrossian @Qubriq

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210221.html Episode 51 | Recorded: February 21, 2021

Sargsyan Interview | Criminalizing Defamation | Martial Law? | Protests 2/20/21 | Govsagan (Ep #51) [EP51]

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 24, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Armenian Church, Human Rights, Iran

ANN Groong Week in Review Episode 51 - Feb 21, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • President Sargsyan’s Interview
  • Legislation to Criminalize Defamation of Government Officials
  • Appointment of Acting Governors and Mayors during Martial Law
  • Opposition Protests on Feb 20
  • Govsagan, in the end

Guests

  • Asbed Kotchikian @asbedk
  • Marine Manucharyan @armoland
  • @Emil_Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

  • Alen Zamanyan @alenzam99
  • Asbed Bedrossian @Qubriq

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210221.html Episode 51 | Recorded: February 21, 2021

Lost in Artsakh | Law on Mass Media | Political Scene in Yerevan | Economic Outlook (Ep #48) [EP48]

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Artsakh, Economy, Iran, China, Turkey | Series: WIR

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 48 - February 7, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • Lost in Artsakh, Thirsty in Syunik
  • Amending the Law on Mass Media
  • Update on the Political Scene in Yerevan
  • Rising National Debt, Inflation and Interest Rates

Guests

  • Hrant Mikaelian
  • Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210207.html Recorded: February 7, 2021

Lost in Artsakh | Law on Mass Media | Political Scene in Yerevan | Economic Outlook (Ep #48) [EP48]

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Artsakh, Economy, Iran, China, Turkey

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 48 - February 7, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • Lost in Artsakh, Thirsty in Syunik
  • Amending the Law on Mass Media
  • Update on the Political Scene in Yerevan
  • Rising National Debt, Inflation and Interest Rates

Guests

  • Hrant Mikaelian
  • Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210207.html Recorded: February 7, 2021

Supreme Judicial Council | Turk-Azerbaijani Military Exercises in Kars | Blinken on Armenia (Ep #45) [EP45]

Posted on Monday, Jan 25, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Genocide, Syria, Artsakh, Armenian Genocide, Israel | Series: WIR

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 24, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • Supreme Judicial Council Appointments
  • Turkish-Azerbaijan Military Exercises in Kars Region
  • Incoming US Secretary of State Tony Blinken on Armenia

Guests

  • Aram Hamparian
  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210124.html Episode 45 | Recorded on January 24, 2021

Supreme Judicial Council | Turk-Azerbaijani Military Exercises in Kars | Blinken on Armenia (Ep #45) [EP45]

Posted on Monday, Jan 25, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Genocide, Syria, Artsakh, Armenian Genocide, Israel

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 24, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • Supreme Judicial Council Appointments
  • Turkish-Azerbaijan Military Exercises in Kars Region
  • Incoming US Secretary of State Tony Blinken on Armenia

Guests

  • Aram Hamparian
  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210124.html Episode 45 | Recorded on January 24, 2021