Tag: Ilham Aliyev
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Ilham Aliyev, who has led Azerbaijan since 2003, is one of the most frequently discussed figures in Groong’s coverage. His government’s decision to launch the 44-Day War in 2020 and the subsequent military operation in September 2023 that ended Armenian control of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) — and resulted in the ethnic cleansing of over 150,000 Armenians from the region — fundamentally reshaped the South Caucasus.
Groong episodes examine Aliyev’s relationship with Turkey, his use of energy leverage over Europe, Azerbaijan’s growing ties with Israel and other arms suppliers, his government’s human rights record, and Baku’s demands in ongoing negotiations with Armenia over a peace treaty. Coverage also addresses Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29 in 2024 and what that meant for international scrutiny of the country’s domestic policies.
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #18) - 09/27/2020
Topics:
- The 29th Anniversary of Armenian Independence;
- Armeniaâs foreign policy;
- Azerbaijan war of disinformation; and lastly
- Opposition trio rally and Tsarukyanâs arrest
Guests
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Marine Manucharyan
- Emil Sanamyan
Hosts
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200927.html Episode 18 | Recorded on September 26, 2020
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #16) - 09/20/2020 [EP16]
Posted on Monday, Sep 21, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Genocide, Human Rights, Israel | Series: WIR
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/20/2020
Topics:
- Constitutional Court Appointment
- Armeniaâs Growing National Debt
- Calls for the Resignation of the Minister of Education
- Escalated Tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border
- Armenian Soldier dies amidst escalation
- Azerbaijan again slams negotiations, turns away Russian AWACS
- Khodorkovsky Publishes New Dossier on Armenian & Azerbaijan
- Bob Dole hired by Embassy of Armenia as a Lobbyist
Guests
- Hrant Mikaelyan
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Hosts
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200920.html Episode 16 | Recorded on September 20, 2020
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #16) - 09/20/2020 [EP16]
Posted on Monday, Sep 21, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Genocide, Human Rights, IsraelANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/20/2020
Topics:
- Constitutional Court Appointment
- Armeniaâs Growing National Debt
- Calls for the Resignation of the Minister of Education
- Escalated Tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border
- Armenian Soldier dies amidst escalation
- Azerbaijan again slams negotiations, turns away Russian AWACS
- Khodorkovsky Publishes New Dossier on Armenian & Azerbaijan
- Bob Dole hired by Embassy of Armenia as a Lobbyist
Guests
- Hrant Mikaelyan
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Hosts
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200920.html Episode 16 | Recorded on September 20, 2020
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/13/2020
Topics:
- Electoral Reforms in Armenia
- Journalist Dana Mazalová passes away
- ANSEF Reorganization
- My Step MP Arsen Julfalakyan Resigns from Parliament
- Russian Opposition Leader Navalnyâs Poisoning and Recovery
- What is going on in Baku?
- Azeri pressure on Arms Providers to Armenia
- Aliyev vs. Aliyeva?
- Caucasus 2020 Joint Military Exercises and those MIA
Guests
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Hosts
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200913.html Episode 14 | Recorded on September 13, 2020
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/13/2020
Topics:
- Electoral Reforms in Armenia
- Journalist Dana Mazalová passes away
- ANSEF Reorganization
- My Step MP Arsen Julfalakyan Resigns from Parliament
- Russian Opposition Leader Navalnyâs Poisoning and Recovery
- What is going on in Baku?
- Azeri pressure on Arms Providers to Armenia
- Aliyev vs. Aliyeva?
- Caucasus 2020 Joint Military Exercises and those MIA
Guests
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Hosts
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200913.html Episode 14 | Recorded on September 13, 2020
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #11) - 08/30/2020 [EP11]
Posted on Sunday, Aug 30, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Azerbaijan, Russia, Syria, Artsakh, Lebanon, USA, Middle East, Turkey | Series: WIR
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/30/2020
Topics:
- Armenian POW Gurgen Alaverdyan
- Armeniaâs Humanitarian Aid to Aleppo
- Serge Sargsyanâs Interview and the Four-Day War Deliberations
- National Awards
- Vagharshak Harutyunyanâs Appointment as Chief Advisor to Pashinyan
Guests:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200830.html Episode 11 | Recorded on August 30 2020
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #11) - 08/30/2020 [EP11]
Posted on Sunday, Aug 30, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Azerbaijan, Russia, Syria, Artsakh, Lebanon, USA, Middle East, TurkeyANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/30/2020
Topics:
- Armenian POW Gurgen Alaverdyan
- Armeniaâs Humanitarian Aid to Aleppo
- Serge Sargsyanâs Interview and the Four-Day War Deliberations
- National Awards
- Vagharshak Harutyunyanâs Appointment as Chief Advisor to Pashinyan
Guests:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200830.html Episode 11 | Recorded on August 30 2020