The Nagorno Karabakh conflict — also known as the Artsakh conflict — has been the central subject of Groong’s coverage since the podcast launched. With more than 450 episodes addressing the dispute in whole or in part, this archive represents one of the most comprehensive English-language audio records of the conflict’s recent history. The conflict was not simply a territorial dispute between two states; at its core, it was the Armenian population of Artsakh asserting their right to determine their own political future — a struggle for self-determination that formed the political and legal foundation of the conflict from its origins in the late Soviet period through the fall of the republic in 2023.
Groong covered the 44-Day War of 2020, in which Azerbaijan retook large portions of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), the subsequent nine-month blockade of the Lachin corridor in 2022–2023, and the September 2023 Azerbaijani offensive that ended Armenian governance of the region and caused the ethnic cleansing of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians from their homes.
Coverage includes analysis of diplomatic efforts at the OSCE Minsk Group and beyond, the situation of Armenian prisoners of war held by Azerbaijan, the right of return for displaced Armenians, and ongoing negotiations between Yerevan and Baku over a peace agreement.
Episode 328 | Recorded: May 5, 2024
Episode 326 | Recorded: April 24, 2024
Episode 326 | Recorded: April 24, 2024
Episode 324 | Recorded: April 16, 2024
Episode 324 | Recorded: April 16, 2024
Episode 323 | Recorded: April 8, 2024
Episode 323 | Recorded: April 8, 2024
The following is a transcript from Episode 322 where we conduct an in-depth interview with Dr. Markus Ritter, the head of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMA) in Armenia. Dr. Ritter provides detailed explanations regarding the mission’s activities, its role in calming tensions along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, and the challenges it faces amidst regional dynamics. Covering specific incidents and addressing criticisms, Dr. Ritter offers transparency on the mission’s operations, emphasizing its commitment to contributing to peace and stability in the region.
Episode 322 | Recorded: March 26, 2024