Nagorno Karabakh

Last updated: May 29, 2026

The Nagorno Karabakh conflict — also known as the Artsakh conflict, and in official Azerbaijani and international usage as the Nagorno-Karabakh 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.

At its core, the conflict was not simply a territorial dispute between two states. The Armenian population of Artsakh — the Republic of Artsakh — was asserting its right to self-determination, a principle recognized in international law and enshrined in the UN Charter. That claim stood in direct tension with Azerbaijan’s insistence on its territorial integrity and the inviolability of Soviet-era administrative borders. The failure to resolve that tension through diplomacy over three decades ultimately ended in war.

Groong covered the 44-Day War of September–November 2020, in which Azerbaijan retook large portions of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) with Turkish military support, and the November 9, 2020 ceasefire brokered by Russia. That ceasefire created an unstable status quo: the Republic of Artsakh continued to exist on a reduced territory under the protection of Russian peacekeepers, but Azerbaijan progressively tightened its grip. The nine-month blockade of the Lachin Corridor from December 2022 onward cut the region off from food, medicine, and fuel, creating a humanitarian crisis documented in real time on Groong.

Azerbaijan’s military offensive of September 19–20, 2023 ended Armenian governance of Nagorno-Karabakh entirely. Within three weeks, virtually the entire Armenian population of Artsakh at the time — some 120,000 people, the descendants of communities that had lived in the region for millenia — was driven from the Republic of Artsakh to Armenia. Human rights organizations and many governments characterized this as ethnic cleansing. The Azerbaijani government dissolved the Republic of Artsakh on January 1, 2024.

Groong’s ongoing coverage addresses the situation of Armenian prisoners of war still held in Baku, including former Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan , the right of return for the displaced population, ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan peace negotiations , and the prospects for accountability for what occurred.

Groong episodes that include this tag

Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Nagorno Karabakh.

Guest:

Topics:

  • Status of Ukraine and US-Iran Crises
  • Hakan Fidan in Moscow
  • Erdogan, Aliyev, Sharif in Lachin
  • Azerbaijan and Pashinyan Attack the Armenian Church
  • Impeachment vs. Elections
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 442 | Recorded: June 2, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • May 28, Republic Day
  • Armenia’s EU-Russia policy confusion
  • Constitutional changes for “peace”
  • Impeachment vs. election dilemma
  • Azeri invasion threat and silence

Episode 441 | Recorded: May 28, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • May 28, Republic Day
  • Armenia’s EU-Russia policy confusion
  • Constitutional changes for “peace”
  • Impeachment vs. election dilemma
  • Azeri invasion threat and silence

Episode 441 | Recorded: May 28, 2025

INTERVIEW IN ARMENIAN / ՀԱՐՑԱԶՐՈՒՅՑ ՀԱՅԵՐԵՆ

Guest:

Topics:

  • Criminal charges used to silence Edgar Ghazaryan / Քրեական մեղադրանքներ՝ Էդգար Ղազարյանին լռեցնելու համար
  • Media freedom in Armenia under Pashinyan’s rule / Մամուլի ազատությունը Հայաստանում Փաշինյանի կառավարման օրոք
  • Public broadcasting under political control / Հանրային հեռարձակումը քաղաքական վերահսկողության տակ
  • State-aligned actors spreading misinformation / Ապատեղեկատվություն տարածող պետական կողմի դերակատարները

Episode 440 | Recorded: March 9, 2025

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INTERVIEW IN ARMENIAN / ՀԱՐՑԱԶՐՈՒՅՑ ՀԱՅԵՐԵՆ

Guest:

Topics:

  • Criminal charges used to silence Edgar Ghazaryan / Քրեական մեղադրանքներ՝ Էդգար Ղազարյանին լռեցնելու համար
  • Media freedom in Armenia under Pashinyan’s rule / Մամուլի ազատությունը Հայաստանում Փաշինյանի կառավարման օրոք
  • Public broadcasting under political control / Հանրային հեռարձակումը քաղաքական վերահսկողության տակ
  • State-aligned actors spreading misinformation / Ապատեղեկատվություն տարածող պետական կողմի դերակատարները

Episode 440 | Recorded: March 9, 2025

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Guest:

Topics:

  • Pashinyan in Tirana
  • Russia’s Lavrov in Yerevan
  • Democracy in Jeopardy
  • Armenia’s Demilitarization by Any Other Name
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 438 | Recorded: May 21, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Pashinyan in Tirana
  • Russia’s Lavrov in Yerevan
  • Democracy in Jeopardy
  • Armenia’s Demilitarization by Any Other Name
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 438 | Recorded: May 21, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US-Iran Nuclear Talks
  • Pezeshkian Visit to Baku
  • Iran-Armenia Relations
  • US Support for Azerbaijan

Episode 437 | Recorded: May 16, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US-Iran Nuclear Talks
  • Pezeshkian Visit to Baku
  • Iran-Armenia Relations
  • US Support for Azerbaijan

Episode 437 | Recorded: May 16, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • May 9, Victory Day and Parade
  • Pashinyan, Aliyev Posture at Victory Day
  • Artsrun Hovhannisyan’s Historical Revision
  • Armenia and Artsakh Contributions to WW2

Episode 436 | Recorded: May 15, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • May 9, Victory Day and Parade
  • Pashinyan, Aliyev Posture at Victory Day
  • Artsrun Hovhannisyan’s Historical Revision
  • Armenia and Artsakh Contributions to WW2

Episode 436 | Recorded: May 15, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran Sanctions Escalate Amid Tensions
  • Journalist Beaten Inside Yerevan Office
  • Moscow Celebrates Victory Day Parade
  • Armenia Caught Between EU and Russia

Episode 434 | Recorded: May 6, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran Sanctions Escalate Amid Tensions
  • Journalist Beaten Inside Yerevan Office
  • Moscow Celebrates Victory Day Parade
  • Armenia Caught Between EU and Russia

Episode 434 | Recorded: May 6, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • What happened to Antiwar Voices
  • Color Revolutions as US Strategy
  • Armenia and Pipeline Geopolitics
  • And more!

Episode 433 | Recorded: May 2, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • What happened to Antiwar Voices
  • Color Revolutions as US Strategy
  • Armenia and Pipeline Geopolitics
  • And more!

Episode 433 | Recorded: May 2, 2025

What happened to Antiwar Voices. Color Revolutions as US Strategy. Armenia and Pipeline Geopolitics. And more!

Guest:

Topics:

  • Genocide Recognition and State Silence
  • Iran-Azerbaijan Talks & Geopolitical Shifts
  • Bandar Abbas: Explosion, or Warning?

Episode 432 | Recorded: April 29, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Genocide Recognition and State Silence
  • Iran-Azerbaijan Talks & Geopolitical Shifts
  • Bandar Abbas: Explosion, or Warning?

Episode 432 | Recorded: April 29, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Vatican’s alliance with Azerbaijan
  • Whitewashing of Artsakh’s ethnic cleansing
  • Global silence on Armenian Genocide
  • U.S. policy under Trump and risks to Armenia

Episode 431 | Recorded: April 29, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Vatican’s alliance with Azerbaijan
  • Whitewashing of Artsakh’s ethnic cleansing
  • Global silence on Armenian Genocide
  • U.S. policy under Trump and risks to Armenia

Episode 431 | Recorded: April 29, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Vatican Hosts Fake Azeri Conference
  • Azerbaijani Propaganda and Cultural Misappropriation
  • Weakness and Silent Complicity of the Armenian State

Episode 430 | Recorded: April 26, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Vatican Hosts Fake Azeri Conference
  • Azerbaijani Propaganda and Cultural Misappropriation
  • Weakness and Silent Complicity of the Armenian State

Episode 430 | Recorded: April 26, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US-Iran Talks & Israeli Threats
  • Trump Administration Support for Azerbaijan
  • Iran-Azerbaijan Relations & Corridor Demands
  • Vatican Controversy & Global Anti-Armenian Propaganda
  • Local Elections in Gyumri and Parakar
  • Government-Fueled Hate Against Artsakh Refugees

Episode 429 | Recorded: April 22, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US-Iran Talks & Israeli Threats
  • Trump Administration Support for Azerbaijan
  • Iran-Azerbaijan Relations & Corridor Demands
  • Vatican Controversy & Global Anti-Armenian Propaganda
  • Local Elections in Gyumri and Parakar
  • Government-Fueled Hate Against Artsakh Refugees

Episode 429 | Recorded: April 22, 2025

Guest:

  • Anna Karapetyan Director of the Insight Analytical Center for Applied Policy and Research.

Topics:

  • Iran-Armenia Military Exercises
  • Armenian Villages Terrorized by Azerbaijan
  • Mirzoyan in Antalya
  • Armenia’s Genocide Denial

Episode 428 | Recorded: April 14, 2025

Guest:

  • Anna Karapetyan Director of the Insight Analytical Center for Applied Policy and Research.

Topics:

  • Iran-Armenia Military Exercises
  • Armenian Villages Terrorized by Azerbaijan
  • Mirzoyan in Antalya
  • Armenia’s Genocide Denial

Episode 428 | Recorded: April 14, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US Iran Escalation
  • Aftermath of Gyumri and Parakar
  • MFA blames Artsakh for Regional Isolation
  • Bullets and Peace

Episode 426 | Recorded: April 8, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US Iran Escalation
  • Aftermath of Gyumri and Parakar
  • MFA blames Artsakh for Regional Isolation
  • Bullets and Peace

Episode 426 | Recorded: April 8, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran Rejects US Offer of Direct Negotiations
  • Iran and Armenia Ties
  • Gyumri and Parakar Municipal Elections
  • Artsakh Refugee Protests in Armenia

Episode 425 | Recorded: March 31, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran Rejects US Offer of Direct Negotiations
  • Iran and Armenia Ties
  • Gyumri and Parakar Municipal Elections
  • Artsakh Refugee Protests in Armenia

Episode 425 | Recorded: March 31, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump’s Iran ultimatum explored
  • Turkey’s protests seen as strategic
  • Azerbaijan’s peace deal as smokescreen
  • Armenia’s Westward drift analyzed
  • Gyumri elections stir controversy

Episode 424 | Recorded: March 25, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump’s Iran ultimatum explored
  • Turkey’s protests seen as strategic
  • Azerbaijan’s peace deal as smokescreen
  • Armenia’s Westward drift analyzed
  • Gyumri elections stir controversy

Episode 424 | Recorded: March 25, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia-Azerbaijan “Treaty”: Concessions, secrecy, opposition backlash.
  • Preconditions for Peace: OSCE Minsk dissolution, constitutional changes.
  • Ukraine War Talks: Jeddah negotiations, UAV attacks, Trump-Putin call.
  • Witkoff’s Baku Stop: Mysterious visit raising geopolitical questions.

Episode 423 | Recorded: March 17, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia-Azerbaijan “Treaty”: Concessions, secrecy, opposition backlash.
  • Preconditions for Peace: OSCE Minsk dissolution, constitutional changes.
  • Ukraine War Talks: Jeddah negotiations, UAV attacks, Trump-Putin call.
  • Witkoff’s Baku Stop: Mysterious visit raising geopolitical questions.

Episode 423 | Recorded: March 17, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Abkhaz Elections & Regional Implications – The second round of Abkhazia’s presidential elections, the impact of mass protests, and what Badra Gunba’s victory means for the region.
  • Armenian Hostages in Baku – Ongoing trials of Armenian POWs and former Artsakh leaders, reports of torture, and international calls for independent medical evaluations.
  • Protests in Yerevan Over POWs – Civil society and opposition-led demonstrations demanding stronger government action and international intervention.
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Guest:

Topics:

  • Abkhaz Elections & Regional Implications – The second round of Abkhazia’s presidential elections, the impact of mass protests, and what Badra Gunba’s victory means for the region.
  • Armenian Hostages in Baku – Ongoing trials of Armenian POWs and former Artsakh leaders, reports of torture, and international calls for independent medical evaluations.
  • Protests in Yerevan Over POWs – Civil society and opposition-led demonstrations demanding stronger government action and international intervention.
 Read More

Guest:

Topics:

  • US Foreign Policy Under Trump
  • Transactional Foreign Policy
  • Trump’s Cabinet & Policy Shifts
  • US-Armenia Relations

Episode 420 | Recorded: February 27, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US Foreign Policy Under Trump
  • Transactional Foreign Policy
  • Trump’s Cabinet & Policy Shifts
  • US-Armenia Relations

Episode 420 | Recorded: February 27, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Jean-Daniel Ruch’s Career & Background
  • The Role of Diplomacy in Conflict Resolution
  • Western Democracy Promotion & Geopolitical Power Plays
  • The War in Ukraine & Failed Peace Efforts
  • US & European Geopolitical Strategies
  • The International Criminal Court & Selective Justice
  • The Artsakh Conflict & Armenian Displacement

Episode 419 | Recorded: February 27, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Jean-Daniel Ruch’s Career & Background
  • The Role of Diplomacy in Conflict Resolution
  • Western Democracy Promotion & Geopolitical Power Plays
  • The War in Ukraine & Failed Peace Efforts
  • US & European Geopolitical Strategies
  • The International Criminal Court & Selective Justice
  • The Artsakh Conflict & Armenian Displacement

Episode 419 | Recorded: February 27, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine Negotiations in Riyadh
  • Edgar Ghazayan Bullied by the Government
  • Robert Kocharyan Press Conference
  • Yerevan Bus Fares

Episode 418 | Recorded: February 24, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine Negotiations in Riyadh
  • Edgar Ghazayan Bullied by the Government
  • Robert Kocharyan Press Conference
  • Yerevan Bus Fares

Episode 418 | Recorded: February 24, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • TBD

Episode 417 | Recorded: February 12, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • TBD

Episode 417 | Recorded: February 12, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • World Politics
  • Plan, or No Plan?
  • Corridor Talk
  • Domestic Politics

Episode 416 | Recorded: February 17, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • World Politics
  • Plan, or No Plan?
  • Corridor Talk
  • Domestic Politics

Episode 416 | Recorded: February 17, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • A New Détente?
  • The Trump-Putin Call
  • Russia’s Strategic Choices
  • Russo-Armenian Relations
  • Russo-Azerbaijani Relations
  • Georgia’s Pragmatism

Episode 414 | Recorded: Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • A New Détente?
  • The Trump-Putin Call
  • Russia’s Strategic Choices
  • Russo-Armenian Relations
  • Russo-Azerbaijani Relations
  • Georgia’s Pragmatism

Episode 414 | Recorded: Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025

A New Détente? The Trump-Putin Call. Russia’s Strategic Choices. Russo-Armenian Relations. Russo-Azerbaijani Relations. Georgia’s Pragmatism.

Guest:

  • Anna Karapetyan Director of the Insight Analytical Center for Applied Policy and Research.

Topics:

  • Pashinyan in DC
  • Trump Sanctions the ICC
  • Azerbaijani Diplomacy in Action
  • Workers Strike at Zangezur Mining Co.

Episode 413 | Recorded: February 11, 2025

Guest:

  • Anna Karapetyan Director of the Insight Analytical Center for Applied Policy and Research.

Topics:

  • Pashinyan in DC
  • Trump Sanctions the ICC
  • Azerbaijani Diplomacy in Action
  • Workers Strike at Zangezur Mining Co.

Episode 413 | Recorded: February 11, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • MPG Poll: Pashinyan’s Rating Tanks
  • Russia Azerbaijan Relations Deteriorating
  • Armenia’s Strategic Geopolitical Balancing
  • Azerbaijan and the “Zangezur Corridor”

Episode 410 | Recorded: February 3, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • MPG Poll: Pashinyan’s Rating Tanks
  • Russia Azerbaijan Relations Deteriorating
  • Armenia’s Strategic Geopolitical Balancing
  • Azerbaijan and the “Zangezur Corridor”

Episode 410 | Recorded: February 3, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Who was Kirk Kerkorian?
  • How Kerkorian Discovered Armenia
  • Investing in Armenia
  • End of Investments and Death of Kerkorian

Episode 409 | Recorded: January 21, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Who was Kirk Kerkorian?
  • How Kerkorian Discovered Armenia
  • Investing in Armenia
  • End of Investments and Death of Kerkorian

Episode 409 | Recorded: January 21, 2025

Who was Kirk Kerkorian? How Kerkorian Discovered Armenia. Investing in Armenia. End of Investments and Death of Kerkorian.

Guest:

Topics:

  • Mirzoyan in Moscow
  • Vahan Kostanyan in Tehran
  • Mher Grigoryan on the Border (concessions)
  • FIS Annual Report 2025
  • The Silence of the Lambs

Episode 408 | Recorded: January 29, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Mirzoyan in Moscow
  • Vahan Kostanyan in Tehran
  • Mher Grigoryan on the Border (concessions)
  • FIS Annual Report 2025
  • The Silence of the Lambs

Episode 408 | Recorded: January 29, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Russo-Iranian Partnership Treaty
  • Implications of 🇷🇺 - 🇮🇷 pact for Armenia
  • Trump Back in Office: War or Peace?

Episode 407 | Recorded: January 25, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Russo-Iranian Partnership Treaty
  • Implications of 🇷🇺 - 🇮🇷 pact for Armenia
  • Trump Back in Office: War or Peace?

Episode 407 | Recorded: January 25, 2025