Middle East

Guest:

• Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

• Artsakh Surrenders, Armenia Watches
• What “Peace Treaty” in Granada?
• Arrested Artsakh Leaders Held Hostage

Episode 281 | Recorded: October 1, 2023

Guest:

• Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

• Artsakh Surrenders, Armenia Watches
• What “Peace Treaty” in Granada?
• Arrested Artsakh Leaders Held Hostage

Episode 281 | Recorded: October 1, 2023

Guest:

• Sergei Melkonian

Topics:

• War of Words with Russia
• Iran’s Diplomatic Perspective
• Armenian-Azerbaijani Negotiations
• Artsakh: New Parliament Speaker

Episode 272 | Recorded: August 7, 2023

Guest:

• Sergei Melkonian

Topics:

• War of Words with Russia
• Iran’s Diplomatic Perspective
• Armenian-Azerbaijani Negotiations
• Artsakh: New Parliament Speaker

Episode 272 | Recorded: August 7, 2023

Guest:

• Yeghia Tashjian

Topics:

• Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations
• Azerbaijani Propaganda in Shushi
• Situation in Artsakh

Episode 271 | Recorded: July 31, 2023

Guest:

• Yeghia Tashjian

Topics:

• Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations
• Azerbaijani Propaganda in Shushi
• Situation in Artsakh

Episode 271 | Recorded: July 31, 2023

Guest:

• Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

• Armenian Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue
  • Negotiations in DC: chances of progress
  • Vartan Oskanian on negotiations
  • Rights and Security
  • Self-Determination for Artsakh
  • Border Demarcation
  • No Unblocking or Guarantees
• Hayaqve.am
• Rants

Episode 266 | Recorded: July 4, 2023

Guest:

• Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

• Armenian Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue
  • Negotiations in DC: chances of progress
  • Vartan Oskanian on negotiations
  • Rights and Security
  • Self-Determination for Artsakh
  • Border Demarcation
  • No Unblocking or Guarantees
• Hayaqve.am
• Rants

Episode 266 | Recorded: July 4, 2023

Guest:

• Anna Abrahamian

Topics:

• The Wagner Group
• Special Ops in Russia
• Over at The Ministry of Defense
• A White Russian
• On The Western Front
• Are We Done Yet?
• Parallels with 2016 in Armenia?
• PMCs in Armenia?

Episode 265 | Recorded: June 30, 2023

Guest:

• Anna Abrahamian

Topics:

• The Wagner Group
• Special Ops in Russia
• Over at The Ministry of Defense
• A White Russian
• On The Western Front
• Are We Done Yet?
• Parallels with 2016 in Armenia?
• PMCs in Armenia?

Episode 265 | Recorded: June 30, 2023

Guest:

• Hrant Mikaelian

Topics:

• Erdogan Reshuffles Cabinet, First Visit to Baku
• Latest Developments in Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations, Baku Postpones
• Economic Developments, More Subsidies to IT Sector
• MPG Poll: Pashinyan’s Rating is Falling

Episode 252 | Recorded: June 12, 2023

Guest:

• Hrant Mikaelian

Topics:

• Erdogan Reshuffles Cabinet, First Visit to Baku
• Latest Developments in Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations, Baku Postpones
• Economic Developments, More Subsidies to IT Sector
• MPG Poll: Pashinyan’s Rating is Falling

Episode 252 | Recorded: June 12, 2023

Hagop Djernazian - Jerusalem Armenian Patriarchate Land Lease Angers Worldwide Community

Guest:

• Hagop Djernazian

Topics:

• Intro to Armenians in Jerusalem
• Escalating violence on Armenians
• Intro to the Armenian Patriarchate
• On the contract of the 99-year lease and its consequences
• About the community protest movement
• What if the contract goes forward?

Episode 261 | Recorded on Wednesday, June 11 2023

Hagop Djernazian - Jerusalem Armenian Patriarchate Land Lease Angers Worldwide Community

Guest:

• Hagop Djernazian

Topics:

• Intro to Armenians in Jerusalem
• Escalating violence on Armenians
• Intro to the Armenian Patriarchate
• On the contract of the 99-year lease and its consequences
• About the community protest movement
• What if the contract goes forward?

Episode 261 | Recorded on Wednesday, June 11 2023

Guest:

• Sergei Melkonian

Topics:

• Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations Continue
  • You say Chisinau, I say Kishinev
  • Deputy PMs Meet in Moscow
• Israeli President Visits Azerbaijan
• Pashinyan Attends Erdogan’s Inauguration
• Armenia-Russia Relations

Episode 260 | Recorded: June 5, 2023

Guest:

• Sergei Melkonian

Topics:

• Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations Continue
  • You say Chisinau, I say Kishinev
  • Deputy PMs Meet in Moscow
• Israeli President Visits Azerbaijan
• Pashinyan Attends Erdogan’s Inauguration
• Armenia-Russia Relations

Episode 260 | Recorded: June 5, 2023

Dziunik Aghajanian - on Armenian Diplomacy, Foreign Policy, the Pashinyan Agenda, and Mother Armenia

Guest:

• Amb. Dziunik Aghajanian

Topics:

• Intro to Ms Aghajanian
  • Career path, Mentors, Influencers
  • Parting ways with the MFA
• How did Armenia Resist Turkish Pressure prior to 2018
• Impressions of 2018 events
• On Pashinyan’s Policies to Surrender Artsakh
  • Letter Planning the Surrender
  • Messaging Aliyev to begin Instigations
  • Changing Security Doctrine
• The Myth of Western Security Guarantees
• Pashinyan’s Fiction re Alma Ata and Madrid Principles
• On Armenia’s National Interests
• On Armenian

Dziunik Aghajanian - on Armenian Diplomacy, Foreign Policy, the Pashinyan Agenda, and Mother Armenia

Guest:

• Amb. Dziunik Aghajanian

Topics:

• Intro to Ms Aghajanian
  • Career path, Mentors, Influencers
  • Parting ways with the MFA
• How did Armenia Resist Turkish Pressure prior to 2018
• Impressions of 2018 events
• On Pashinyan’s Policies to Surrender Artsakh
  • Letter Planning the Surrender
  • Messaging Aliyev to begin Instigations
  • Changing Security Doctrine
• The Myth of Western Security Guarantees
• Pashinyan’s Fiction re Alma Ata and Madrid Principles
• On Armenia’s National Interests
• On Armenian

Guest:

• Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

• Armenian Genocide: 108 Anniversary
• Azerbaijan Strangles Artsakh
  • Artsakh Strangled
  • International Community
  • Pashinyan’s Parliament Speech
  • Madrid Principles
  • Aliyev Continues Threats, Ultimatum to Artsakh Armenians
  • What Can Diaspora Do?
• Israel - Azerbaijan cooperation against Iran?
• Rants

Episode 249 | Recorded: April 25, 2023

Guest:

• Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

• Armenian Genocide: 108 Anniversary
• Azerbaijan Strangles Artsakh
  • Artsakh Strangled
  • International Community
  • Pashinyan’s Parliament Speech
  • Madrid Principles
  • Aliyev Continues Threats, Ultimatum to Artsakh Armenians
  • What Can Diaspora Do?
• Israel - Azerbaijan cooperation against Iran?
• Rants

Episode 249 | Recorded: April 25, 2023

Guest:

• Alison Tahmizian Meuse

Topics:

• Aghavno / Berdzor
• April 11 Azeri Aggression Near Tegh
• Raising Flags
• Azeri Infiltrations into Armenia

Episode 247 | Recorded: April 14, 2023

Guest:

• Alison Tahmizian Meuse

Topics:

• Aghavno / Berdzor
• April 11 Azeri Aggression Near Tegh
• Raising Flags
• Azeri Infiltrations into Armenia

Episode 247 | Recorded: April 14, 2023

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Topics:

• What agreements were reached between China and Russia?
• What is the role of India in the new world order?
• Consequence of moving away from a dollar-denominated global economic order?
• China as peacemaker in Ukraine
• China as peacemaker in the Middle East
• China’s role in Iran and South Caucasus
• How should Armenia navigate world order changes?

Episode 244 | Recorded: April 5, 2023

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Topics:

• What agreements were reached between China and Russia?
• What is the role of India in the new world order?
• Consequence of moving away from a dollar-denominated global economic order?
• China as peacemaker in Ukraine
• China as peacemaker in the Middle East
• China’s role in Iran and South Caucasus
• How should Armenia navigate world order changes?

Episode 244 | Recorded: April 5, 2023

Guest:

• Yeghia Tashjian

Topics:

• Turkish Politics after the Earthquake
• Artsakh Blockade and Developments
• Armenian Diplomatic Developments
• Egyptian President’s Visit to Armenia

Episode 234 | Recorded: March 5, 2023

Guest:

• Yeghia Tashjian

Topics:

• Turkish Politics after the Earthquake
• Artsakh Blockade and Developments
• Armenian Diplomatic Developments
• Egyptian President’s Visit to Armenia

Episode 234 | Recorded: March 5, 2023

Today we’re going to talk with Anna Abrahamian about two or three topics.

• The Munich Security Conference 2023.
• We’ll touch on Russian president Putin’s state of the federation address.
• The latest political developments in Artsakh.

Guest:

• Anna Abrahamian , a geopolitical analyst who splits her time between Moscow and Athens. Having obtained training in international law, Anna has worked in such noteworthy institutions as the Defense Analyses Institute in Athens as well as the Crisis Group in Brussels. Today, Anna provides her analysis on geopolitics and Armenian politics to her

Today we’re going to talk with Anna Abrahamian about two or three topics.

• The Munich Security Conference 2023.
• We’ll touch on Russian president Putin’s state of the federation address.
• The latest political developments in Artsakh.

Guest:

• Anna Abrahamian , a geopolitical analyst who splits her time between Moscow and Athens. Having obtained training in international law, Anna has worked in such noteworthy institutions as the Defense Analyses Institute in Athens as well as the Crisis Group in Brussels. Today, Anna provides her analysis on geopolitics and Armenian politics to her

Guests:

• Suren Sargsyan , founder and a President at the Armenian Center for American Studies, a research center based in Yerevan.

“Pashinyan’s participation in Munich Security Conference didn’t give anything to Armenia” - Suren Sargsyan

Topic:

Today is day 72 of the total blockade of Artsakh. For 72 days, the 120K citizens of Artsakh have not had the ability to enter or exit their country. They are deprived of the ability to visit Armenia or to receive guests from Armenia. With very limited supplies, they are forced to ration food with the help of food stamps in order to

Guests:

• Suren Sargsyan , founder and a President at the Armenian Center for American Studies, a research center based in Yerevan.

“Pashinyan’s participation in Munich Security Conference didn’t give anything to Armenia” - Suren Sargsyan

Topic:

Today is day 72 of the total blockade of Artsakh. For 72 days, the 120K citizens of Artsakh have not had the ability to enter or exit their country. They are deprived of the ability to visit Armenia or to receive guests from Armenia. With very limited supplies, they are forced to ration food with the help of food stamps in order to

Guest:

• Arthur G Martirosyan

Topics:

• Army Day - January 28
  • Events at Yerablur
• New EU Monitoring Mission
  • Armenia’s Diplomacy
  • Russia’s Increasing Displeasure
  • Iran’s Tempered Displeasure
• Artsakh Blockade

Episode 219 | Recorded: January 29, 2023

Guest:

• Arthur G Martirosyan

Topics:

• Army Day - January 28
  • Events at Yerablur
• New EU Monitoring Mission
  • Armenia’s Diplomacy
  • Russia’s Increasing Displeasure
  • Iran’s Tempered Displeasure
• Artsakh Blockade

Episode 219 | Recorded: January 29, 2023

Guests:

• William Bairamian , founder and editor of The Armenite. He has written extensively on Armenian politics, culture, and society. He received degrees in international affairs from Columbia University and UCLA.
• Arthur Khachikyan , International Relations expert from Stanford University, specializing in Intervention. He currently teaches at the Russian Armenian University in Yerevan.

“This is a repeat of Srebrenica. To gradually strangle and force the people to leave.” -Arthur Khachikyan

Topic:

More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh)

Guests:

• William Bairamian , founder and editor of The Armenite. He has written extensively on Armenian politics, culture, and society. He received degrees in international affairs from Columbia University and UCLA.
• Arthur Khachikyan , International Relations expert from Stanford University, specializing in Intervention. He currently teaches at the Russian Armenian University in Yerevan.

“This is a repeat of Srebrenica. To gradually strangle and force the people to leave.” -Arthur Khachikyan

Topic:

More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh)

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan , Chairman of the Yerevan based think tank Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies.

“Aliyev’s strategy is ’no Armenians, no problems’. What is our strategy?” -Benyamin Poghosyan

Topic:

More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh) due to Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin corridor, as this crisis enters its 16th day.

This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan , Chairman of the Yerevan based think tank Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies.

“Aliyev’s strategy is ’no Armenians, no problems’. What is our strategy?” -Benyamin Poghosyan

Topic:

More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh) due to Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin corridor, as this crisis enters its 16th day.

This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this

Guest:

• Yeghia Tashjian

Topic:

• The Artsakh Blockade
  • The Role of the Armenian Government
  • Relations with Russia
  • Latest Draft of “Peace” Proposal
  • Weekend Protests in Artsakh

Episode 194 | Recorded: December 26, 2022

Guest:

• Yeghia Tashjian

Topic:

• The Artsakh Blockade
  • The Role of the Armenian Government
  • Relations with Russia
  • Latest Draft of “Peace” Proposal
  • Weekend Protests in Artsakh

Episode 194 | Recorded: December 26, 2022

“Turkish threats are going to disappear only when there is no Armenia” - Varuzhan Geghamyan

Guest:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan

Topic:

• We continue our coverage of the crisis in Artsakh by developments in the UN Security Council as well as Turkish and Iranian concerns in the region.
• More than 120 thousand people, including 30 thousand children, are under siege. Today is the 11th day of the crisis.
• This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between ANN/Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this very serious humanitarian

“Turkish threats are going to disappear only when there is no Armenia” - Varuzhan Geghamyan

Guest:

• Varuzhan Geghamyan

Topic:

• We continue our coverage of the crisis in Artsakh by developments in the UN Security Council as well as Turkish and Iranian concerns in the region.
• More than 120 thousand people, including 30 thousand children, are under siege. Today is the 11th day of the crisis.
• This interview is a continuation of the collaboration between ANN/Groong and 168 Hours aiming to bring you more English-language coverage on the developments of this very serious humanitarian

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Topics:

• Lachin Corridor Blockade
• Continuing Armenian-Azerbaijani Negotiations
• Turkish-Azerbaijani Military Exercises
• Travel Impressions from the region

Episode 182 | Recorded: December 13, 2022

Guest:

• Benyamin Poghosyan

Topics:

• Lachin Corridor Blockade
• Continuing Armenian-Azerbaijani Negotiations
• Turkish-Azerbaijani Military Exercises
• Travel Impressions from the region

Episode 182 | Recorded: December 13, 2022

Guest:

• Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

• Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue
  • CSTO Debacle
  • Lavrov Bombshell
  • Lachin Corridor Blockaded
  • Brussels Summit Canceled
• Artsakh President Lays off Government
• Parliamentary Opposition Fragmenting

Episode 181 | Recorded: December 6, 2022

Guest:

• Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

• Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue
  • CSTO Debacle
  • Lavrov Bombshell
  • Lachin Corridor Blockaded
  • Brussels Summit Canceled
• Artsakh President Lays off Government
• Parliamentary Opposition Fragmenting

Episode 181 | Recorded: December 6, 2022

Guest:

• Harut Sassounian @HarutSassounian

Topics:

• What is HyeID , what problems is it trying to address?
• Organizations and models for Diaspora representation
• Funding and operations
• Outreach to the Diaspora and the Armenian government
• Current State of the project

Episode 176 | Recorded: November 12, 2022

Guest:

• Harut Sassounian @HarutSassounian

Topics:

• What is HyeID , what problems is it trying to address?
• Organizations and models for Diaspora representation
• Funding and operations
• Outreach to the Diaspora and the Armenian government
• Current State of the project

Episode 176 | Recorded: November 12, 2022

Guest:

• Arthur G. Martirosyan @ArthurMartirosyan

Topics:

• Latest “Peace” Developments
  • Border Delimitation Discussions in Brussels
  • Meeting of the Foreign Ministers in DC
• Bellicose Statements Between Azerbaijan and Iran
• Ruben Vardanyan Takes Over as State Minister of Artsakh

Episode 175 | Recorded: November 8, 2022

Guest:

• Arthur G. Martirosyan @ArthurMartirosyan

Topics:

• Latest “Peace” Developments
  • Border Delimitation Discussions in Brussels
  • Meeting of the Foreign Ministers in DC
• Bellicose Statements Between Azerbaijan and Iran
• Ruben Vardanyan Takes Over as State Minister of Artsakh

Episode 175 | Recorded: November 8, 2022

Guests:

• Arthur Khachikyan
• Yeghia Tashjian @Yeghig

Topics:

• Monitors in Armenia
• Russia-West Rivalry in the South Caucasus
• Armenian-Iranian Relations
• Maritime Agreement between Israel and Lebanon
• State of Lebanon’s Presidential Election

Guests:

• Arthur Khachikyan
• Yeghia Tashjian @Yeghig

Topics:

• Monitors in Armenia
• Russia-West Rivalry in the South Caucasus
• Armenian-Iranian Relations
• Maritime Agreement between Israel and Lebanon
• State of Lebanon’s Presidential Election

Guests:

• Ardashes ‘Ardy’ Kassakhian is a Glendale City Councilman, and the current mayor of Glendale
• Adrin Nazarian is the California State Assemblymember from the 46th District, representing the San Fernando Valley

Topics:

• On the LA City Council scandal and how to move forward
• On Paul Krekorian, elected LA City Council president
• On redistricting in the aftermath of the scandal
• On the effect of the scandal on the LA mayoral race
• On Armenia’s Situation in the South Caucasus
• On Armenia’s Negotiations with Azerbaijan
• On Turkish-Armenian “Normalization”

Episode 170 | Recorded: October 19 & 20, 2022

Guests:

• Ardashes ‘Ardy’ Kassakhian is a Glendale City Councilman, and the current mayor of Glendale
• Adrin Nazarian is the California State Assemblymember from the 46th District, representing the San Fernando Valley

Topics:

• On the LA City Council scandal and how to move forward
• On Paul Krekorian, elected LA City Council president
• On redistricting in the aftermath of the scandal
• On the effect of the scandal on the LA mayoral race
• On Armenia’s Situation in the South Caucasus
• On Armenia’s Negotiations with Azerbaijan
• On Turkish-Armenian “Normalization”

Episode 170 | Recorded: October 19 & 20, 2022

Guests:

• Arthur G. Martirosyan
• Karen Vrtanesyan
• Suren Sargsyan

Topics:

• Azerbaijani Aggression
• Russia and CSTO
• UN & International Reaction
• War Communications (with Karen Vrtanesyan)
• Nancy Pelosi’s Visit (with Suren Sargsyan)

Episode 165 | Recorded: Sunday, September 18, 2022

Guests:

• Arthur G. Martirosyan
• Karen Vrtanesyan
• Suren Sargsyan

Topics:

• Azerbaijani Aggression
• Russia and CSTO
• UN & International Reaction
• War Communications (with Karen Vrtanesyan)
• Nancy Pelosi’s Visit (with Suren Sargsyan)

Episode 165 | Recorded: Sunday, September 18, 2022

From ‘revolution’ to war: deciphering Armenia’s populist foreign policy-making process Conversation with Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan

Armenian News Network/Groong - September 12, 2022

Recently two AUA professors (Prof. Hovhannes Nikoghosyan and Prof. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan) published a paper in Taylor and Francis Online (TANDF) that analyzes the foreign policy decision making (FPDM) process of the Nikol Pashinyan administration, titled: “From ‘revolution’ to war: deciphering Armenia’s populist foreign policy-making process”. In this episode, we talk to one of the authors

From ‘revolution’ to war: deciphering Armenia’s populist foreign policy-making process Conversation with Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan

Armenian News Network/Groong - September 12, 2022

Recently two AUA professors (Prof. Hovhannes Nikoghosyan and Prof. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan) published a paper in Taylor and Francis Online (TANDF) that analyzes the foreign policy decision making (FPDM) process of the Nikol Pashinyan administration, titled: “From ‘revolution’ to war: deciphering Armenia’s populist foreign policy-making process”. In this episode, we talk to one of the authors

Armenian News Network - Groong Week in Review - Sep 4, 2022

Topics:

• September 2: Artsakh Independence Day
  • September 2 is a public holiday commemorating the day 31 years ago when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic declared independence from the USSR. Before 2020, this would be a festive holiday. This year, there were protests in both Yerevan and Stepanakert as well as visits to the gravesites of fallen heroes.
• Developments in Geopolitics
  • There were two major meetings this week between Armenia and Azerbaijan. On August 30, the deputy PMs met in Moscow, then on August 31, Pashinyan and Aliyev met

Armenian News Network - Groong Week in Review - Sep 4, 2022

Topics:

• September 2: Artsakh Independence Day
  • September 2 is a public holiday commemorating the day 31 years ago when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic declared independence from the USSR. Before 2020, this would be a festive holiday. This year, there were protests in both Yerevan and Stepanakert as well as visits to the gravesites of fallen heroes.
• Developments in Geopolitics
  • There were two major meetings this week between Armenia and Azerbaijan. On August 30, the deputy PMs met in Moscow, then on August 31, Pashinyan and Aliyev met

Guest(s):

• Tevan Poghosyan

Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - July 17, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00:00 Introduction
• 00:02:30 CIA Chief in Armenia
• 00:18:26 Army Chief Appointed
• 00:30:41 Armen Grigoryan Dies in Court
• 00:45:14 Mourad Papazian is Denied Entry in Armenia
• 00:57:04 Bayramov and Mirzoyan in Tbilisi
• 01:06:11 Rants

Guests:

• Tevan Poghosyan - TW/@TevanPoghosyan

Host:

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

Episode 148 | Recorded: Monday, July 19, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220717.html

Guest(s):

• Tevan Poghosyan

Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - July 17, 2022

Topics:

• 00:00:00 Introduction
• 00:02:30 CIA Chief in Armenia
• 00:18:26 Army Chief Appointed
• 00:30:41 Armen Grigoryan Dies in Court
• 00:45:14 Mourad Papazian is Denied Entry in Armenia
• 00:57:04 Bayramov and Mirzoyan in Tbilisi
• 01:06:11 Rants

Guests:

• Tevan Poghosyan - TW/@TevanPoghosyan

Host:

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

Episode 148 | Recorded: Monday, July 19, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220717.html