Geopolitics

Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - August 21, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:44 Surmalu Blast
  • 01:44 What happened in Surmalu market?
  • 07:41 Why did Pashinyan jump the gun to declare that it’s not terrorism?
  • 08:45 Russian note of protest on anti-Russian sentiments in information sphere
  • 12:55 A mayoral campaign in the midst of tragedy?
  • 19:01 Policy response: ban fireworks?
• 21:52 Foreign Relations
  • 21:52 Aliyev rejects Artsakh status
  • 28:26 Aghavno/Berdzor handed over
  • 41:50 Papikyan in Moscow
  • 43:28 Iranian red lines, again
  • 48:03 Checkpoints for Azerbaijan
• 53:48 Resistance

Guest(s):

• Sergei Melkonian

Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - May 29, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00 Introduction

• 02:27 Russia’s Geopolitics: We’ll get an update on the war as well as trying to understand what Russia’s endgame is in Ukraine and how it may affect our region.

• 23:10 Armenia-Russia Relations: Next, we try to understand the dynamics of Armenia-Russian relations as well as the outlook for the future.

• 42:38 Israeli Interests and Armenia: Lastly, taking advantage of our guest’s area of expertise, we look at Israeli-Armenian relations, the history of failures in this

Guest(s):

• Sergei Melkonian

Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - May 29, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00 Introduction

• 02:27 Russia’s Geopolitics: We’ll get an update on the war as well as trying to understand what Russia’s endgame is in Ukraine and how it may affect our region.

• 23:10 Armenia-Russia Relations: Next, we try to understand the dynamics of Armenia-Russian relations as well as the outlook for the future.

• 42:38 Israeli Interests and Armenia: Lastly, taking advantage of our guest’s area of expertise, we look at Israeli-Armenian relations, the history of failures in this

ANCA Advocacy Agenda 2022 - MaY 13, 2022 A Conversation with ARAM SUREN HAMPARIAN

Topics:

• The US/Turkey F-35/F-16 Fallout
• US Aid to Armenia and Artsakh
• The Armenian Genocide Education Bill
• Dr. Oz is Mehmet Oz
• The US Election Cycles of 2022 and 2024

Guest:

• Aram Suren Hamparian is the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America.

Guest(s):

• Aram Suren Hamparian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 136 | Recorded on Thursday, May 12, 2022 Show notes: https://groong.org/podcasts/CoG-20220513.html

ANCA Advocacy Agenda 2022 - MaY 13, 2022 A Conversation with ARAM SUREN HAMPARIAN

Topics:

• The US/Turkey F-35/F-16 Fallout
• US Aid to Armenia and Artsakh
• The Armenian Genocide Education Bill
• Dr. Oz is Mehmet Oz
• The US Election Cycles of 2022 and 2024

Guest:

• Aram Suren Hamparian is the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America.

Guest(s):

• Aram Suren Hamparian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 136 | Recorded on Thursday, May 12, 2022 Show notes: https://groong.org/podcasts/CoG-20220513.html

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - May 8, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:49 Mass Protests Growing in Yerevan
• 24:31 FM Mirzoyan in Washington DC
• 38:38 Normalization Round 3
• 52:25 Rants

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@Benyamin_Poghos

Host:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 135 | Recorded: Tuesday, May 10, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220508.html

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - May 8, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:49 Mass Protests Growing in Yerevan
• 24:31 FM Mirzoyan in Washington DC
• 38:38 Normalization Round 3
• 52:25 Rants

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@Benyamin_Poghos

Host:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 135 | Recorded: Tuesday, May 10, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220508.html

Guest(s):

• Alison Tahmizian Meuse
• Hrant Mikaelian

Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - April 10, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00:00 Introduction

• 00:02:25 Opposition Protests in Yerevan: Thousands showed up to the opposition protest on Tuesday, outlining the red lines for Pashinyan’s dealings with Aliyev, ahead of the meeting in Brussels. Opposition says this is only the beginning, but have yet to indicate what their next steps will be.

• 00:12:35 Buying Bread from a Man in Brussels: Pashinyan went to Brussels this week to meet with Charles Michel and Ilham Aliyev. Did the Armenian PM

Guest(s):

• Alison Tahmizian Meuse
• Hrant Mikaelian

Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - April 10, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00:00 Introduction

• 00:02:25 Opposition Protests in Yerevan: Thousands showed up to the opposition protest on Tuesday, outlining the red lines for Pashinyan’s dealings with Aliyev, ahead of the meeting in Brussels. Opposition says this is only the beginning, but have yet to indicate what their next steps will be.

• 00:12:35 Buying Bread from a Man in Brussels: Pashinyan went to Brussels this week to meet with Charles Michel and Ilham Aliyev. Did the Armenian PM

Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - March 27, 2022

Topics:

• Introduction
• Azerbaijan Incursions into Askeran Region
• Artsakh Still Without Natural Gas
• Pax Azeriana

Guest:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan

Episode 130 | Recorded: Monday, March 28, 2022

Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - March 27, 2022

Topics:

• Introduction
• Azerbaijan Incursions into Askeran Region
• Artsakh Still Without Natural Gas
• Pax Azeriana

Guest:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan

Episode 130 | Recorded: Monday, March 28, 2022

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 6, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:15 Ukraine War and Effects on Armenia
• 19:04 Armenia Shuffles Generals
• 25:15 Second Normalization Meeting
• 33:06 Armenian Parliament Elects New President

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@Benyamin_Poghos

Host:

• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 126 | Recorded: Sunday, March 6, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220306.html

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 6, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:15 Ukraine War and Effects on Armenia
• 19:04 Armenia Shuffles Generals
• 25:15 Second Normalization Meeting
• 33:06 Armenian Parliament Elects New President

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@Benyamin_Poghos

Host:

• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 126 | Recorded: Sunday, March 6, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220306.html

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian
• Yeghia Tashjian

ANN/Groong Week in Review - February 27, 2022

Topics:

• Developments in the Ukraine Crisis
• Donetsk, Luhansk. Artsakh?
• Aliyev in Moscow
• Euronest in Yerevan

Guest:

• Pietro Shakarian
• Yeghia Tashjian Host:
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan

Episode 125 | Recorded: Sunday, February 27, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220227.html

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian
• Yeghia Tashjian

ANN/Groong Week in Review - February 27, 2022

Topics:

• Developments in the Ukraine Crisis
• Donetsk, Luhansk. Artsakh?
• Aliyev in Moscow
• Euronest in Yerevan

Guest:

• Pietro Shakarian
• Yeghia Tashjian Host:
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan

Episode 125 | Recorded: Sunday, February 27, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220227.html

2021-ի «Շուշիի Հռչակագիրը» - The 2021 “Shushi Declaration” by Azerbaijan and Turkey

A Conversation in Armenian with Mihran Hakobyan (in Armenian)

Topics:

• 2րդ Արցախեան պատերազմի Õ°Õ«Õ´Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ պատճառները
• ՀՀ Ô´Õ«Õ¾Õ¡Õ¶Õ¡Õ£Õ«Õ¿Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶/Ռազմավարական ձախողումները
• Շուշիի համաձայնագրի Õ°Õ«Õ´Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ բաղադրիչները և սպառնալիքներ
• Ռուսաստանի և Իրանի երկարաժամկետ շրջանային եւ աշխարհաքաղաքական նպատակները
• The

2021-ի «Շուշիի Հռչակագիրը» - The 2021 “Shushi Declaration” by Azerbaijan and Turkey

A Conversation in Armenian with Mihran Hakobyan (in Armenian)

Topics:

• 2րդ Արցախեան պատերազմի Õ°Õ«Õ´Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ պատճառները
• ՀՀ Ô´Õ«Õ¾Õ¡Õ¶Õ¡Õ£Õ«Õ¿Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶/Ռազմավարական ձախողումները
• Շուշիի համաձայնագրի Õ°Õ«Õ´Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ բաղադրիչները և սպառնալիքներ
• Ռուսաստանի և Իրանի երկարաժամկետ շրջանային եւ աշխարհաքաղաքական նպատակները
• The

ANN/Groong Week in Review - February 13, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00:00 Introduction
• 00:02:43 8 More POWs Released, But What At What Cost?
• 00:20:40 Parliamentary Commission on the 44-Day War Established
• 00:33:42 The Degrading Norms of Democracy in Armenia
• 00:46:42 Who Needs Armenia?
• 01:06:32 Latest MPG Poll Results in Yerevan
• 01:18:51 Rants

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 119 | Recorded: Sunday, February 14, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220213.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - February 13, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00:00 Introduction
• 00:02:43 8 More POWs Released, But What At What Cost?
• 00:20:40 Parliamentary Commission on the 44-Day War Established
• 00:33:42 The Degrading Norms of Democracy in Armenia
• 00:46:42 Who Needs Armenia?
• 01:06:32 Latest MPG Poll Results in Yerevan
• 01:18:51 Rants

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 119 | Recorded: Sunday, February 14, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220213.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - January 9, 2022

Topics:

• Color Me Kazakhstan
• Turkish-Armenian Normalization Meeting on January 14

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@Benyamin_Poghos
• Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan

Episode 112 | Recorded: Sunday, January 9, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220109.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - January 9, 2022

Topics:

• Color Me Kazakhstan
• Turkish-Armenian Normalization Meeting on January 14

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@Benyamin_Poghos
• Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan

Episode 112 | Recorded: Sunday, January 9, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220109.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 5, 2021

Topics:

• Regional Geopolitics @1:07
• Turkmenistan / Iran Gas Swap Deal @46:58
• Opposition Fizzles Out. Again @58:18

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@benyamin_poghos

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 105 | Recorded: Sunday, December 5, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211205.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 5, 2021

Topics:

• Regional Geopolitics @1:07
• Turkmenistan / Iran Gas Swap Deal @46:58
• Opposition Fizzles Out. Again @58:18

Guests:

• Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@benyamin_poghos

Guest(s):

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 105 | Recorded: Sunday, December 5, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211205.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 31, 2021

Topics:

• Georgia’s Runoff Elections
• Turkish Drones in Donbas
• Iran-Turkey Tensions
• The G20 Palooza

Guests:

• Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 96 | Recorded: October 31, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211031.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 31, 2021

Topics:

• Georgia’s Runoff Elections
• Turkish Drones in Donbas
• Iran-Turkey Tensions
• The G20 Palooza

Guests:

• Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Pietro Shakarian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
• Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq

Episode 96 | Recorded: October 31, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211031.html

Calls for a Commission to Analyze the Defeat in the 2020 Artsakh War

A Conversation with Dr. Simon Saradzhyan, Arthur G. Martirosyan, and Tevan Poghosyan

The disastrous outcome of the 2020 War in Artsakh has left Armenians in Armenia and around the world with many unanswered questions. Many long-time held beliefs about the capability of Armenia to defend Artsakh, and Armenia itself, were shattered on November 9, with the signing of the trilateral ceasefire statement.

A group of more than 10 academics and researchers recently published a lengthy set of questions that are proposed as a basis for

Calls for a Commission to Analyze the Defeat in the 2020 Artsakh War

A Conversation with Dr. Simon Saradzhyan, Arthur G. Martirosyan, and Tevan Poghosyan

The disastrous outcome of the 2020 War in Artsakh has left Armenians in Armenia and around the world with many unanswered questions. Many long-time held beliefs about the capability of Armenia to defend Artsakh, and Armenia itself, were shattered on November 9, with the signing of the trilateral ceasefire statement.

A group of more than 10 academics and researchers recently published a lengthy set of questions that are proposed as a basis for

ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 2, 2021

Topics:

• Armenia-Russia Relations and the New Cold War
• Iran-Russia and Iran-Armenia Relations
• Election Politics and the Latest MPG Polls
• Serge Sargsyan’s Interview

Guests:

• Marine Manucharyan @armoland
• Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Marine Manucharyan
• Pietro Shakarian

Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian @qubriq
• Hovik Manucharyan @HovikYerevan

Episode 60 | Recorded: May 2, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 2, 2021

Topics:

• Armenia-Russia Relations and the New Cold War
• Iran-Russia and Iran-Armenia Relations
• Election Politics and the Latest MPG Polls
• Serge Sargsyan’s Interview

Guests:

• Marine Manucharyan @armoland
• Pietro Shakarian

Guest(s):

• Marine Manucharyan
• Pietro Shakarian

Hosts:

• Asbed Bedrossian @qubriq
• Hovik Manucharyan @HovikYerevan

Episode 60 | Recorded: May 2, 2021

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Hrant Mikaelian

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 31, 2021

Topics Covered:

• Another Constitutional Amendment?
• Opposition Rising: New Bottle, Old Wine?
• Iran’s FM Zarif on a Tour de Six
• State of the Virus in Armenia
• Armenia Fund Used to Shore up the Dram?

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Hrant Mikaelian

Your Hosts:

• Alen Zamanyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210131.html Episode 47 | Recorded on January 31, 2021

Guest(s):

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Hrant Mikaelian

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Jan 31, 2021

Topics Covered:

• Another Constitutional Amendment?
• Opposition Rising: New Bottle, Old Wine?
• Iran’s FM Zarif on a Tour de Six
• State of the Virus in Armenia
• Armenia Fund Used to Shore up the Dram?

Guests

• Asbed Kotchikian
• Hrant Mikaelian

Your Hosts:

• Alen Zamanyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210131.html Episode 47 | Recorded on January 31, 2021

Groong Links:

• GIVE to GROONG
• linktr.ee/Groong

Guest:

• Armen Ashotyan , MP, VP Republican Party of Armenia (HHK)

Topics:

• What took place in 2018?
• Why did RPA support Vazgen Manukyan as PM candidate?
• Nov. 9/10 ceasefire agreement & Jan 11 statement
• Is the RPA truly serious about removing Pashinyan? Why hasn’t the opposition mobilized more people onto the streets?
• Lessons learned from Dec. 2018 elections.

Episode 44 | Recorded on January 17, 2021

Groong Links:

• GIVE to GROONG
• linktr.ee/Groong

Guest:

• Armen Ashotyan , MP, VP Republican Party of Armenia (HHK)

Topics:

• What took place in 2018?
• Why did RPA support Vazgen Manukyan as PM candidate?
• Nov. 9/10 ceasefire agreement & Jan 11 statement
• Is the RPA truly serious about removing Pashinyan? Why hasn’t the opposition mobilized more people onto the streets?
• Lessons learned from Dec. 2018 elections.

Episode 44 | Recorded on January 17, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Dec 6, 2020

Topics:

• Turkey and Azerbaijan Connecting
• Armenia’s Political Opposition Uniting
• Does Putin support Pashinyan?
• Robert Kocharyan Interview

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Asbed Kotchikian

Episode 30 | Recorded: Dec 6, 2020

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Dec 6, 2020

Topics:

• Turkey and Azerbaijan Connecting
• Armenia’s Political Opposition Uniting
• Does Putin support Pashinyan?
• Robert Kocharyan Interview

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Asbed Kotchikian

Episode 30 | Recorded: Dec 6, 2020

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 4, 2020

Topics:

• Stepanakert under persistent bombardment using banned cluster bombs.
• Turkey’s role in the war.
• Why is Russia quiet?
• What can we expect next?

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Marine Manucharyan
• Emil Sanamyan

Episode 20 | Recorded: Oct 3, 2020

ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 4, 2020

Topics:

• Stepanakert under persistent bombardment using banned cluster bombs.
• Turkey’s role in the war.
• Why is Russia quiet?
• What can we expect next?

Guests:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan
• Asbed Kotchikian
• Marine Manucharyan
• Emil Sanamyan

Episode 20 | Recorded: Oct 3, 2020

Guest(s):

• Tom de Waal
• Jerald Libaridian

Conversations on Groong - October 3, 2020

It has now been 7 days since Azerbaijan initiated a wide-scale attack against Armenia and Artsakh. The tragic news of deaths and destruction continue to stream in every hour.

In today’s conversation on Groong, we talk to Jirair Libaridian and Thomas DeWaal about the regional geopolitics that helped create a ripe environment for renewed fighting and various potential scenarios that may develop as a result of it.

Questions explored:

• What was the path leading to the latest escalation?
• Why has Turkey taken an

Guest(s):

• Tom de Waal
• Jerald Libaridian

Conversations on Groong - October 3, 2020

It has now been 7 days since Azerbaijan initiated a wide-scale attack against Armenia and Artsakh. The tragic news of deaths and destruction continue to stream in every hour.

In today’s conversation on Groong, we talk to Jirair Libaridian and Thomas DeWaal about the regional geopolitics that helped create a ripe environment for renewed fighting and various potential scenarios that may develop as a result of it.

Questions explored:

• What was the path leading to the latest escalation?
• Why has Turkey taken an