Nikol Pashinyan

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.

Benyamin Poghosyan - Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations | US Armenia NSC Advisors Meet | MPG Poll on Current Afaairs | Ep 268 - July 9, 2023 [EP268]

Posted on Monday, Jul 10, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Artsakh Blockade, Armenian Genocide, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Iran, Israel, European Union, NATO, China

Guest:

Benyamin Poghosyan

Topics:

Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations
US, Armenian NSC Advisors Meet
New MPG Poll
Haya-Qve [.am]

Episode 268 | Recorded: July 10, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 267, July 7, 2023 [EP267]

Posted on Friday, Jul 7, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, USA, Artsakh Blockade, Russia, Iran, Israel | Series: artsakhblockade

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 267, July 7, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - July 7, 2023

Guest:

Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

Catastrophic Situation in Artsakh - Gegham Stepanyan
Zakharova Confirms Conditions, Calls on Azerbaijan to Drop Blockade
Hakari video fiasco - Pashinyan propaganda?
Azeri preconditions to Baku-Stepanakert talks
ANCA supported NDAA resolutions in US Congress

Episode 267 | Recorded: July 7, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 267, July 7, 2023 [EP267]

Posted on Friday, Jul 7, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, USA, Artsakh Blockade, Russia, Iran, Israel

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 267, July 7, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - July 7, 2023

Guest:

Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

Catastrophic Situation in Artsakh - Gegham Stepanyan
Zakharova Confirms Conditions, Calls on Azerbaijan to Drop Blockade
Hakari video fiasco - Pashinyan propaganda?
Azeri preconditions to Baku-Stepanakert talks
ANCA supported NDAA resolutions in US Congress

Episode 267 | Recorded: July 7, 2023

Arthur G Martirosyan - Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue | Self-Determination for Artsakh | Hayaqve [.am] [EP266]

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 4, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh Blockade, European Union, Georgia, Ukraine, Genocide, Human Rights, India, Iran, Middle East, NATO | Series: wir

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

Arthur G Martirosyan - Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue | Self-Determination for Artsakh | Hayaqve [.am] [EP266]

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