Nikol Pashinyan

Last updated: May 29, 2026

Nikol Pashinyan has been a central figure in Groong’s coverage since the podcast launched in 2020. He rose to power in 2018 through a street movement that its proponents called the Velvet Revolution — though a substantial segment of Armenian political opinion views the events as a color revolution or externally influenced regime change operation rather than a spontaneous civic uprising. Under Pashinyan, Armenia has undergone one of the most turbulent periods in its post-independence history.

The most consequential event of Pashinyan’s tenure was Armenia’s defeat in the 44-Day War of 2020, which ended with the loss of most of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) under a Russian-brokered ceasefire. Pashinyan survived political pressure to resign and consolidated power through snap elections in 2021. The September 2023 Azerbaijani offensive that caused the ethnic cleansing of the entire Armenian population of Artsakh deepened the crisis of legitimacy — both internationally and domestically — as critics argue his concessions to Aliyev made the outcome inevitable.

Since 2022, Pashinyan has undertaken a significant reorientation of Armenian foreign policy: suspending participation in the CSTO , deepening ties with France, the EU, and the United States, and accepting Western security assistance including an EU monitoring mission on the Armenian border. This pivot away from Russia has defined Armenian geopolitics in the post-Artsakh period. Groong has covered every major step of this reorientation, including what it means for Armenia’s relationship with Iran, India, and other partners.

Domestically, Groong’s coverage of Pashinyan addresses his government’s confrontation with the Armenian Church , the arrest of opposition figures and political prisoners , the Tavush border delimitation controversy, and Civil Contract’s campaign in the June 2026 parliamentary elections . Critics covered extensively on Groong argue that Pashinyan has used his parliamentary supermajority to weaken democratic institutions and neutralize political opposition under the guise of reform.

Groong episodes that include this tag

Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Nikol Pashinyan.

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:

  • Georgian Nationalism and Identity
  • Georgia, Armenia, post 2018
  • Accession to the EU
  • Strategic Partnership

Episode 315 | Recorded: March 12, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Georgian Nationalism and Identity
  • Georgia, Armenia, post 2018
  • Accession to the EU
  • Strategic Partnership

Episode 315 | Recorded: March 12, 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

Guest:

Topics:

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

Episode 312 | Recorded: Mar 3, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

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

Episode 312 | Recorded: Mar 3, 2024

In episode 310 , we talked about the potential that the US CIA and the UK MI6 are overseeing the creation of Armenia’s new intelligence service.

Guest:

Topics:

  • French Connection
  • Russian-Armenian Dialog
  • Negotiations and Risk of War

Episode 311 | Recorded: February 27, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • French Connection
  • Russian-Armenian Dialog
  • Negotiations and Risk of War

Episode 311 | Recorded: February 27, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia’s Security in Danger
  • Munich Security Conference
  • Relations with Regional Allies

Episode 310 | Recorded: February 18, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia’s Security in Danger
  • Munich Security Conference
  • Relations with Regional Allies

Episode 310 | Recorded: February 18, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Yerevan City Politics
  • Aliyev “Elections”
  • Armenia-Georgia Strategic Partnership
  • Latest MPG Poll Review

Episode 309 | Recorded: Feb 11, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Yerevan City Politics
  • Aliyev “Elections”
  • Armenia-Georgia Strategic Partnership
  • Latest MPG Poll Review

Episode 309 | Recorded: Feb 11, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Georgia’s search for a modern national identity
  • Politics in Context
  • EU accession process and outlook
  • Armenia-Georgia Strategic Partnership

Episode 308 | Recorded: February 7, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Georgia’s search for a modern national identity
  • Politics in Context
  • EU accession process and outlook
  • Armenia-Georgia Strategic Partnership

Episode 308 | Recorded: February 7, 2024

Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - Feb 4, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Diplomatic Flurry
    • Raisi in Ankara
    • Raisi in Moscow
    • Putin in Ankara
  • Aliyev’s Constitution for Armenia
  • How can the Opposition become a consequential force?

Episode 306 | Recorded: February 3, 2024

Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - Feb 4, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Diplomatic Flurry
    • Raisi in Ankara
    • Raisi in Moscow
    • Putin in Ankara
  • Aliyev’s Constitution for Armenia
  • How can the Opposition become a consequential force?

Episode 306 | Recorded: February 3, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations
  • Is Armenia Rearming itself?
  • Pashinyan and the Constitution

Episode 305 | Recorded: January 29, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations
  • Is Armenia Rearming itself?
  • Pashinyan and the Constitution

Episode 305 | Recorded: January 29, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • World in Conflict
    • Ukraine, Israel-Gaza, Middle East
  • Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations
  • Prognosis for 2024
  • Thoughts from the Participants

Episode 304 | Recorded: January 22, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • World in Conflict
    • Ukraine, Israel-Gaza, Middle East
  • Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations
  • Prognosis for 2024
  • Thoughts from the Participants

Episode 304 | Recorded: January 22, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • An Armenian in St. Petersburg, Russia
  • Russian Perceptions and Outlook on the War in Ukraine
  • Perceptions of Armenia and Artsakh in Russia
  • World Events that might Affect Outcome of the War in Ukraine
  • Where do Armenia and Artsakh Figure in a New World Order?

Episode 303 | Recorded: January 22, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • An Armenian in St. Petersburg, Russia
  • Russian Perceptions and Outlook on the War in Ukraine
  • Perceptions of Armenia and Artsakh in Russia
  • World Events that might Affect Outcome of the War in Ukraine
  • Where do Armenia and Artsakh Figure in a New World Order?

Episode 303 | Recorded: January 22, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • “Forced Illusion of Normalcy”
  • Political Prisoners and Judicial Harassment
  • Negotiations and “Peace Treaty”
  • Armenia’s Military Capacity
  • What Need to be Done?
  • Thoughts from the Participants

Episode 302 | Recorded: January 14, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • “Forced Illusion of Normalcy”
  • Political Prisoners and Judicial Harassment
  • Negotiations and “Peace Treaty”
  • Armenia’s Military Capacity
  • What Need to be Done?
  • Thoughts from the Participants

Episode 302 | Recorded: January 14, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Public TV Cancels Catholicos New Year’s Address
  • Governor Hunting Season
  • “Zangezur corridor” redux; “Peace treaty”
  • Thoughts from the Participants
    • Podcasts, labels, and language of division

Episode 301 | Recorded: January 8, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Public TV Cancels Catholicos New Year’s Address
  • Governor Hunting Season
  • “Zangezur corridor” redux; “Peace treaty”
  • Thoughts from the Participants
    • Podcasts, labels, and language of division

Episode 301 | Recorded: January 8, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Artsakh President Annuls Dissolution of Republic
  • Insecurity without Borders
  • Pashinyan in St. Petersburg
  • Year-end 2023 Predictions Review
  • Predictions for 2024

Episode 300 | Recorded: December 31, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Artsakh President Annuls Dissolution of Republic
  • Insecurity without Borders
  • Pashinyan in St. Petersburg
  • Year-end 2023 Predictions Review
  • Predictions for 2024

Episode 300 | Recorded: December 31, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Negotiations
    • Strategy, Prisoner Exchange, “Point Zero”
  • The West’s Interests
  • Israel-Gaza Conflict

Episode 299 | Recorded: December 18, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Negotiations
    • Strategy, Prisoner Exchange, “Point Zero”
  • The West’s Interests
  • Israel-Gaza Conflict

Episode 299 | Recorded: December 18, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ruling Party Power Grabs
    • Why is Civil Contract so Adamant on Total Municipal Control
    • Political Prisoners
  • Early/Snap Elections?
  • Armenia’s Controlled Judiciary
  • About Yenokian’s new book: Ալտերնատիվ պատմություն Հայոց

Episode 298 | Recorded: December 13, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ruling Party Power Grabs
    • Why is Civil Contract so Adamant on Total Municipal Control
    • Political Prisoners
  • Early/Snap Elections?
  • Armenia’s Controlled Judiciary
  • About Yenokian’s new book: Ալտերնատիվ պատմություն Հայոց

Episode 298 | Recorded: December 13, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • “No Peace” Treaty Negotiations
    • Turkish-Azeri goal: Demilitarized Armenia (aka Batumi Treaty 2.0)
    • Humiliating Swap of Azeri Criminals for Armenian Hostages
  • Aliyev Calls for Snap Elections
  • Russia-Armenian Relations
  • Russia-Ukraine War

Episode 297 | Recorded: December 10, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • “No Peace” Treaty Negotiations
    • Turkish-Azeri goal: Demilitarized Armenia (aka Batumi Treaty 2.0)
    • Humiliating Swap of Azeri Criminals for Armenian Hostages
  • Aliyev Calls for Snap Elections
  • Russia-Armenian Relations
  • Russia-Ukraine War

Episode 297 | Recorded: December 10, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenian-Azerbaijani Negotiations
  • Armenian Diplomacy in the West
  • Relations with Russia

Episode 296 | Recorded: December 3, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenian-Azerbaijani Negotiations
  • Armenian Diplomacy in the West
  • Relations with Russia

Episode 296 | Recorded: December 3, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenian Foreign Policy Vectors
  • Latest MPG Poll Result Analysis
  • Armenian Economy and 2024 Budget

Episode 295 | Recorded: Nov 15, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenian Foreign Policy Vectors
  • Latest MPG Poll Result Analysis
  • Armenian Economy and 2024 Budget

Episode 295 | Recorded: Nov 15, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • What is the 1991 Alma Ata Declaration?
  • What is the CIS Based on?
  • About Borders, Treaties, and Declarations
  • Armenia’s explicit reservation affecting Artsakh in the Treaty
  • Why would Pashinyan ignore the Reservations?
  • Territorial Integrity and Use of Force
  • What Autonomy was LTP Envisioning?
  • Where does 2023 Leave the Cause of Artsakh?
  • How should Armenia Pursue it on the International Scene?

Episode 293 | Recorded: November 13, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • What is the 1991 Alma Ata Declaration?
  • What is the CIS Based on?
  • About Borders, Treaties, and Declarations
  • Armenia’s explicit reservation affecting Artsakh in the Treaty
  • Why would Pashinyan ignore the Reservations?
  • Territorial Integrity and Use of Force
  • What Autonomy was LTP Envisioning?
  • Where does 2023 Leave the Cause of Artsakh?
  • How should Armenia Pursue it on the International Scene?

Episode 293 | Recorded: November 13, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Crossroads of Peace
  • 3+3=5 in Tehran
  • Relations with Russia
  • Defense Deal with France
  • Artsakh Status

Episode 291 | Recorded: October 31, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Crossroads of Peace
  • 3+3=5 in Tehran
  • Relations with Russia
  • Defense Deal with France
  • Artsakh Status

Episode 291 | Recorded: October 31, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenian National Congress (ANC)
  • Democracy and Armenia
  • Azerbaijan-Armenia Negotiations
  • Artsakh
  • Global Conflicts - Israel, Ukraine

Episode 290 | Recorded: October 27, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenian National Congress (ANC)
  • Democracy and Armenia
  • Azerbaijan-Armenia Negotiations
  • Artsakh
  • Global Conflicts - Israel, Ukraine

Episode 290 | Recorded: October 27, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenian News & Media Space
    • RFE/RL Azatutyun in the Armenian Media Space
    • Fake News
    • Freedom of Press
  • Politics and Geopolitics of Armenia
  • Artsakh
  • Global Conflicts - Israel, Ukraine

Episode 289 | Recorded: October 26, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenian News & Media Space
    • RFE/RL Azatutyun in the Armenian Media Space
    • Fake News
    • Freedom of Press
  • Politics and Geopolitics of Armenia
  • Artsakh
  • Global Conflicts - Israel, Ukraine

Episode 289 | Recorded: October 26, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Aftermath of the Ethnic Cleansing of Artsakh
    • Shahramanyan meets Protesters
    • “Rights & Security”
    • Government-in-Exile
  • Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
    • Ripple Effects to the South Caucasus
    • Effects in the Middle East
    • Lebanon & the Armenian Community

Episode 288 | Recorded: October 22, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Aftermath of the Ethnic Cleansing of Artsakh
    • Shahramanyan meets Protesters
    • “Rights & Security”
    • Government-in-Exile
  • Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
    • Ripple Effects to the South Caucasus
    • Effects in the Middle East
    • Lebanon & the Armenian Community

Episode 288 | Recorded: October 22, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran in an Evolving World Order
  • Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
  • Armenian-Iranian Relations
  • Azerbaijani-Iranian Relations
  • Vision for a Better Future

Episode 287 | Recorded: October 20, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran in an Evolving World Order
  • Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
  • Armenian-Iranian Relations
  • Azerbaijani-Iranian Relations
  • Vision for a Better Future

Episode 287 | Recorded: October 20, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • At the Brink of a New War?
  • Relations with Russia
  • Platform Shuffle: Brussels vs. Moscow
  • Update on Yerevan Mayor

Episode 286 | Recorded: October 17, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • At the Brink of a New War?
  • Relations with Russia
  • Platform Shuffle: Brussels vs. Moscow
  • Update on Yerevan Mayor

Episode 286 | Recorded: October 17, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Genocide & Consequences
  • Legal Status of Former Artsakh Leadership
  • Artsakh Government in Exile

Episode 285 | Recorded: October 11, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Genocide & Consequences
  • Legal Status of Former Artsakh Leadership
  • Artsakh Government in Exile

Episode 285 | Recorded: October 11, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Flares Up
  • The Future of Artsakh and Artsakhtsis
  • Armenian-Azerbaijani Negotiations

Episode 284 | Recorded: October 9, 2023

Guest:

Topics:

  • Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Flares Up
  • The Future of Artsakh and Artsakhtsis
  • Armenian-Azerbaijani Negotiations

Episode 284 | Recorded: October 9, 2023