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:

  • Role of the Opposition
  • Relations with the Tavush Movement
  • Relations with the Diaspora

Episode 364 | Recorded: September 13, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran Shuts Down Talk of “Zangezur Corridor”
  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Iran Armenia Trade / BRICS
  • Foreign Intelligence Service
  • Georgian and Azerbaijani Elections

Episode 361 | Recorded: September 11, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran Shuts Down Talk of “Zangezur Corridor”
  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Iran Armenia Trade / BRICS
  • Foreign Intelligence Service
  • Georgian and Azerbaijani Elections

Episode 361 | Recorded: September 11, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia, Artsakh and the 2024 US Elections
  • On the Major Presidential Candidates
  • On the Vice President Candidates
  • On the National Security Apparatus
  • Arab-American “Uncommitted” Movement
  • And the Armenian Vote goes to…

Episode 360 | Recorded: September 4, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia, Artsakh and the 2024 US Elections
  • On the Major Presidential Candidates
  • On the Vice President Candidates
  • On the National Security Apparatus
  • Arab-American “Uncommitted” Movement
  • And the Armenian Vote goes to…

Episode 360 | Recorded: September 4, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Norwegian & NATO Support for Ukraine
  • “The Ukraine War & the Eurasian World Order”
  • Small States and Multipolarity
  • Armenia’s Position in a Multipolar World

Episode 359 | Recorded: August 30, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Norwegian & NATO Support for Ukraine
  • “The Ukraine War & the Eurasian World Order”
  • Small States and Multipolarity
  • Armenia’s Position in a Multipolar World

Episode 359 | Recorded: August 30, 2024

Norwegian & NATO Support for Ukraine. “The Ukraine War & the Eurasian World Order”. Small States and Multipolarity. Armenia’s Position in a Multipolar World.

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Declarations of Independence
    • Declaration of State Sovereignty of Armenia (1990)
    • Artsakh Independence Day - September 2 (1991)
  • Pashinyan Press Conference
    • Negotiations Formats
    • Artsakh Rights & Security as Pashinyan’s “National Security” Problem
    • Armenian and Azerbaijani Constitutions
    • Liberating Occupied Armenian Territories
  • Putin in Baku
    • Azerbaijan’s Application to BRICS

Episode 358 | Recorded: September 2, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Declarations of Independence
    • Declaration of State Sovereignty of Armenia (1990)
    • Artsakh Independence Day - September 2 (1991)
  • Pashinyan Press Conference
    • Negotiations Formats
    • Artsakh Rights & Security as Pashinyan’s “National Security” Problem
    • Armenian and Azerbaijani Constitutions
    • Liberating Occupied Armenian Territories
  • Putin in Baku
    • Azerbaijan’s Application to BRICS

Episode 358 | Recorded: September 2, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Russian-Iranian Relations
  • Russian-Armenian Relations
  • Ukraine’s Kursk Gambit
  • Pavel Durov Arrested in France
  • Observations from Armenia and Russia

Episode 357 | Recorded: August 28, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Russian-Iranian Relations
  • Russian-Armenian Relations
  • Ukraine’s Kursk Gambit
  • Pavel Durov Arrested in France
  • Observations from Armenia and Russia

Episode 357 | Recorded: August 28, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Goris Kapan Road Cover UP

Episode 355 | Recorded: August 19, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Goris Kapan Road Cover UP

Episode 355 | Recorded: August 19, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran’s Geopolitical Moves
  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Stalled “Normalization”

Episode 353 | Recorded: August 12, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran’s Geopolitical Moves
  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Stalled “Normalization”

Episode 353 | Recorded: August 12, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • US Leadership Changes
  • Iran Armenia Relations
  • Russian-Armenian Relations
  • EU Push for an Agreement
  • Srbazan Movement Next Steps

Episode 351 | Recorded: August 6, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • US Leadership Changes
  • Iran Armenia Relations
  • Russian-Armenian Relations
  • EU Push for an Agreement
  • Srbazan Movement Next Steps

Episode 351 | Recorded: August 6, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Revolutionary Mistakes
  • Nov. 9 Statement, Corridors, Communications
  • Misguided Pivot
  • Turkish Involvement in the 44-Day War

Episode 349 | Recorded: July 31, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Revolutionary Mistakes
  • Nov. 9 Statement, Corridors, Communications
  • Misguided Pivot
  • Turkish Involvement in the 44-Day War

Episode 349 | Recorded: July 31, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • New Leadership Coming to Many Countries
  • Aliyev Continues to Thumb the Nose of The West
  • Permanent US Defense Attaché to Armenia
  • Mid-year Review of our 2024 Predictions

Episode 347 | Recorded: July 22, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • New Leadership Coming to Many Countries
  • Aliyev Continues to Thumb the Nose of The West
  • Permanent US Defense Attaché to Armenia
  • Mid-year Review of our 2024 Predictions

Episode 347 | Recorded: July 22, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Background on the Lemkin Institute
  • Genocide in Artsakh
  • Armenian Government’s Genocide Denial
  • Gaza and other Genocides

Episode 341 | Recorded: June 25, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Background on the Lemkin Institute
  • Genocide in Artsakh
  • Armenian Government’s Genocide Denial
  • Gaza and other Genocides

Episode 341 | Recorded: June 25, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Police Brutality, Violence & Repressions
  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Armenia Russia Relations

Episode 337 | Recorded: June 17, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Police Brutality, Violence & Repressions
  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Armenia Russia Relations

Episode 337 | Recorded: June 17, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Peace Treaty and more Aliyev Demands
  • James O’Brien in Yerevan
  • Russia Armenia Relations
  • Srbazan Movement

Episode 335 | Recorded: June 10, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Peace Treaty and more Aliyev Demands
  • James O’Brien in Yerevan
  • Russia Armenia Relations
  • Srbazan Movement

Episode 335 | Recorded: June 10, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Heavy Rainstorms Flood Northern Armenia
  • Bagrat Srbazan Movement
    • Church and State
  • Geopolitical Developments
  • Rights and Security for Artsakh Armenians

Episode 334 | Recorded: June 3, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Heavy Rainstorms Flood Northern Armenia
  • Bagrat Srbazan Movement
    • Church and State
  • Geopolitical Developments
  • Rights and Security for Artsakh Armenians

Episode 334 | Recorded: June 3, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Tavush Protests Gain Momentum
  • Pashinyan Pressing Ahead with Land Concessions
  • Poll Results on Tavush Protests

Episode 331 | Recorded: May 18, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Tavush Protests Gain Momentum
  • Pashinyan Pressing Ahead with Land Concessions
  • Poll Results on Tavush Protests

Episode 331 | Recorded: May 18, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Bagrat Srbazan Brings Masses To the Streets
  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks Continue

Episode 329 | Recorded: May 14, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Bagrat Srbazan Brings Masses To the Streets
  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks Continue

Episode 329 | Recorded: May 14, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Tavush Demarcation and Delimitation
  • Bagrat Srbazan Coming to Yerevan
  • Hungary Blocks EU Aid to Armenia

Episode 328 | Recorded: May 5, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Tavush Demarcation and Delimitation
  • Bagrat Srbazan Coming to Yerevan
  • Hungary Blocks EU Aid to Armenia

Episode 328 | Recorded: May 5, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • 109th Commemorations of the Armenian Genocide
  • Pashinyan Concedes Tavush Territories
  • Russia Withdrawing Peacekeepers from Artsakh

Episode 326 | Recorded: April 24, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • 109th Commemorations of the Armenian Genocide
  • Pashinyan Concedes Tavush Territories
  • Russia Withdrawing Peacekeepers from Artsakh

Episode 326 | Recorded: April 24, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Iran Amidst Conflicts
  • Political Prisoners

Episode 324 | Recorded: April 16, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Iran Amidst Conflicts
  • Political Prisoners

Episode 324 | Recorded: April 16, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trilateral US-EU-Armenia Meeting
  • Talks with Azerbaijan
    • Tavush: What has Pashinyan Promised
  • Relations with Russia in Freefall
  • Pashinyan Suppressing Artsakh Leadership

Episode 323 | Recorded: April 8, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trilateral US-EU-Armenia Meeting
  • Talks with Azerbaijan
    • Tavush: What has Pashinyan Promised
  • Relations with Russia in Freefall
  • Pashinyan Suppressing Artsakh Leadership

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.

Topics:

  • Mission Details
    • Mission & Goals
    • Operational Details
    • Communication
    • Immunity
  • Perceptions from Neighboring Countries
  • Incidents
    • August 15 ,2023
    • Nerkin Hand

Guest:

Episode 322 | Recorded: March 26, 2024

Topics:

  • Mission Details
    • Mission & Goals
    • Operational Details
    • Communication
    • Immunity
  • Perceptions from Neighboring Countries
  • Incidents
    • August 15 ,2023
    • Nerkin Hand

Guest:

Episode 322 | Recorded: March 26, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Terror Attack in Moscow
  • Growing List of Political Prisoners in Armenia
    • Narek Samsonyan & Vazgen Saghatelyan brutally arrested
    • Narek Malyan Exonerated, Remains Jailed
  • Pashinyan in Tavush
  • Stoltenberg’s in the South Caucasus

Episode 320 | Recorded: March 25, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Terror Attack in Moscow
  • Growing List of Political Prisoners in Armenia
    • Narek Samsonyan & Vazgen Saghatelyan brutally arrested
    • Narek Malyan Exonerated, Remains Jailed
  • Pashinyan in Tavush
  • Stoltenberg’s in the South Caucasus

Episode 320 | Recorded: March 25, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Reactions to Interview with Canadian Ambassador
  • More Concessions Signaled by Pashinyan
  • EU Parliament Resolution on Armenia
  • Fish Rots from the Head

Episode 318 | Recorded: March 18, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Reactions to Interview with Canadian Ambassador
  • More Concessions Signaled by Pashinyan
  • EU Parliament Resolution on Armenia
  • Fish Rots from the Head

Episode 318 | Recorded: March 18, 2024

Topics:

  • IRI Poll, December 2023
  • MPG Poll, February 2024

Guest:

Topics:

Episode 317 | Recorded: March 16, 2024

Topics:

  • IRI Poll, December 2023
  • MPG Poll, February 2024

Guest:

Topics:

Episode 317 | Recorded: March 16, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Establishment of Canadian Embassy in Armenia
  • EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia (EUMA)
  • Political Prisoners
  • Canadian Military Supplies to Turkey

Episode 316 | Recorded: March 15, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Establishment of Canadian Embassy in Armenia
  • EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia (EUMA)
  • Political Prisoners
  • Canadian Military Supplies to Turkey

Episode 316 | Recorded: March 15, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran Parliamentary Elections
  • Geopolitical U-turn in Armenia?
  • Iran Armenia Relations
  • Anti-Iranian Propaganda from NGOs

Episode 314 | Recorded: March 11, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran Parliamentary Elections
  • Geopolitical U-turn in Armenia?
  • Iran Armenia Relations
  • Anti-Iranian Propaganda from NGOs

Episode 314 | Recorded: March 11, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia Stalled
    • Stalled with Enemies
    • Stalled with Allies
  • Economic Diversification
  • Fish Rots from the Head

Episode 313 | Recorded: Mar 11, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia Stalled
    • Stalled with Enemies
    • Stalled with Allies
  • Economic Diversification
  • Fish Rots from the Head

Episode 313 | Recorded: Mar 11, 2024

On February 24, a group of Russian and Armenian experts met in Congress hotel in Yerevan to discuss the state of Armenia-Russia relations. The discussion was friendly but tough and frank. Our guest from episode #311 was one of the participants in that discussion.

The following is a transcript of a clip from episode 311 , where we address the blooming romance (at least as it appears externally) between the Armenia and France, NATO and the collective West.

Guest:

Topics:

  • Remembering Sumgait Pogroms
  • Russian-Armenian Experts Dialog
  • Exit from CSTO?
  • Armenian-Azerbaijani Negotiations
  • Edmon Marukyan Resigns

Episode 312 | Recorded: Mar 3, 2024