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.
Negotiations Carousel | Meghri Railway | Rasht-Astara Railway | Kornidzor Rally | Artsakh Politics | Ep 256 - May 21, 2023 [EP256]
Posted on Monday, May 22, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Artsakh Blockade, Armenian Genocide, India, Genocide, Ukraine, Turkey, Israel, Georgia
Guest:
Topics:
- Accelerated Negotiations
- Negotiations Carousel
- Meghri Railway
- Russia Finances Rasht-Astara
- Rallies in Artsakh and Kornidzor
- Artsakh Domestic Politics
Episode 256 | Recorded: May 22, 2023
Benyamin Poghosyan - Pashinyan, Aliyev, Michel in Brussels | Turkish Presidential Elections | Court vs. News & Media | Ep 255 - May 14, 2023 [EP255]
Posted on Monday, May 15, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Azerbaijan, Turkey, USA, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union, Russia, Georgia, India, Iran, China, Israel, Ukraine | Series: wir
Guest:
Topic:
- Pashinyan, Aliyev, Michel Meet in Brussels
- Azerbaijan Attacks Sotk
- Turkish Presidential Elections
Episode 255 | Recorded: May 15, 2023
Benyamin Poghosyan - Pashinyan, Aliyev, Michel in Brussels | Turkish Presidential Elections | Court vs. News & Media | Ep 255 - May 14, 2023 [EP255]
Posted on Monday, May 15, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Azerbaijan, Turkey, USA, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union, Russia, Georgia, India, Iran, China, Israel, UkraineGuest:
Topic:
- Pashinyan, Aliyev, Michel Meet in Brussels
- Azerbaijan Attacks Sotk
- Turkish Presidential Elections
Episode 255 | Recorded: May 15, 2023
Ruben Melikyan - Yerevan Court Freezes Assets of 168.am and Journalist Davit Sargsyan on Tigran Avinyan's Demand | Ep 254 - May 13, 2023 [EP254]
Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Human Rights, Geopolitics, India | Series: cog
Yerevan Court Freezes Assets of 168.am and Journalist Davit Sargsyan on Tigran Avinyan’s Demand A Conversation with Ruben Melikyan
Guest:
Topics:
Episode 254 | Recorded on Thursday, May 13 2023
Ruben Melikyan - Yerevan Court Freezes Assets of 168.am and Journalist Davit Sargsyan on Tigran Avinyan's Demand | Ep 254 - May 13, 2023 [EP254]
Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Human Rights, Geopolitics, IndiaYerevan Court Freezes Assets of 168.am and Journalist Davit Sargsyan on Tigran Avinyan’s Demand A Conversation with Ruben Melikyan
Guest:
Topics:
Episode 254 | Recorded on Thursday, May 13 2023
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 253, May 11, 2023 [EP253]
Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Artsakh Blockade, European Union, Genocide, Human Rights | Series: artsakhblockade
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 253, May 11, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - Mayil 11, 2023
Guest:
Topics:
- May 11 Azeri attacks on Sotk, Armenia
- Azerbaijan blocking ICRC convoys
- Sarsang reservoir depleting
- Rumors of a second pseudo-eco activist effort
- Lentsov in Baku - what results?
- Artsakh Ombuds & FM activities
- Matthew Bryza bemoans Armenian Opp & diaspora
- US Senate FR committee calls for sanctions
- May 9 in Artsakh
- Armenians, Artsakh and the victory in WW2
Episode 253 | Recorded: May 11, 2023
Read MoreArtsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 253, May 11, 2023 [EP253]
Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Artsakh Blockade, European Union, Genocide, Human RightsArtsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 253, May 11, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - Mayil 11, 2023
Guest:
Topics:
- May 11 Azeri attacks on Sotk, Armenia
- Azerbaijan blocking ICRC convoys
- Sarsang reservoir depleting
- Rumors of a second pseudo-eco activist effort
- Lentsov in Baku - what results?
- Artsakh Ombuds & FM activities
- Matthew Bryza bemoans Armenian Opp & diaspora
- US Senate FR committee calls for sanctions
- May 9 in Artsakh
- Armenians, Artsakh and the victory in WW2
Episode 253 | Recorded: May 11, 2023
Read MoreHrant Mikaelian - Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations | IRI Poll | Armenia Census 2022 [EP252]
Posted on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Poll, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Armenian Church, European Union, Georgia, Economy, India, Ukraine, China, Genocide, Israel | Series: wir
Guest:
Topics:
- Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue
- Latest IRI Armenia Poll Results
- Armenian Census 2022 - Preliminary Results
Episode 252 | Recorded: May 9, 2023
Hrant Mikaelian - Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations | IRI Poll | Armenia Census 2022 [EP252]
Posted on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Poll, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Armenian Church, European Union, Georgia, Economy, India, Ukraine, China, Genocide, IsraelGuest:
Topics:
- Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue
- Latest IRI Armenia Poll Results
- Armenian Census 2022 - Preliminary Results
Episode 252 | Recorded: May 9, 2023