Samvel Karapetyan

Last updated: May 29, 2026

Samvel Karapetyan is an Armenian businessman and the chairman of the Strong Armenia Alliance, which registered to compete in Armenia’s June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections. MPG polling consistently placed Strong Armenia in second place behind Civil Contract, making Karapetyan one of the most visible opposition figures in the pre-election period.

Groong has followed his emergence as a political actor, his party’s platform on Artsakh, the peace process with Azerbaijan, and foreign policy orientation, as well as the question of whether Strong Armenia can attract enough opposition voters to become a meaningful check on Civil Contract’s parliamentary dominance.

Groong episodes that include this tag

Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Samvel Karapetyan.

Iran War, TRIPP Money, and Armenia’s Political Purgatory | Ep 561, Jul 19, 2026 [EP568]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 22, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: wir, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • US-Iran War Continues
  • Summer Lull in Yerevan Politics
  • Konstantin Sokolov: Master of TRIPP & Teghut
  • UN: Abp. Galstanyan Charges Unjustified
  • Armenian POW Slams Pashinyan from Baku

Episode 568 | Recorded: July 20, 2026

#IranWar #TRIPP #Teghut #Armenia #PoliticalPrisoners #ArmenianPOWs #KonstantinSokolov

Iran War, TRIPP Money, and Armenia’s Political Purgatory | Ep 561, Jul 19, 2026 [EP568]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 22, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • US-Iran War Continues
  • Summer Lull in Yerevan Politics
  • Konstantin Sokolov: Master of TRIPP & Teghut
  • UN: Abp. Galstanyan Charges Unjustified
  • Armenian POW Slams Pashinyan from Baku

Episode 568 | Recorded: July 20, 2026

#IranWar #TRIPP #Teghut #Armenia #PoliticalPrisoners #ArmenianPOWs #KonstantinSokolov

Transcript: Iran War, TRIPP Money, and Armenia’s Political Purgatory | Ep 561, Jul 19, 2026 [EP568]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 22, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this week’s Groong Week in Review, Hovik and Asbed break down escalating tensions across the Middle East as the US-Iran war intensifies following the collapse of the June ceasefire. We examine the strategic implications for Armenia and the South Caucasus, the role of TRIPP advocates like Konstantin Sokolov, and how regional instability intersects with Pashinyan’s political vulnerabilities at home, including charges against Archbishop Galstanyan and ongoing Armenian POW cases.

NATO in Ankara, War in Iran, and the Scissors Over Armenia | Ep 567, Jul 12, 2026 [EP567]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 15, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: wir, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • NATO summit in Ankara
  • Iran War Update
  • Taking Scissors to Armenia
  • Shaping the Parliament
  • OSCE vs. Garegin II

Episode 567 | Recorded: July 13, 2026

#ArmenianNews #NATOSummit #IranWar #TRIPP #ArmeniaAzerbaijan #ArmenianParliament #GareginII #OSCE

NATO in Ankara, War in Iran, and the Scissors Over Armenia | Ep 567, Jul 12, 2026 [EP567]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 15, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • NATO summit in Ankara
  • Iran War Update
  • Taking Scissors to Armenia
  • Shaping the Parliament
  • OSCE vs. Garegin II

Episode 567 | Recorded: July 13, 2026

#ArmenianNews #NATOSummit #IranWar #TRIPP #ArmeniaAzerbaijan #ArmenianParliament #GareginII #OSCE

Transcript: NATO in Ankara, War in Iran, and the Scissors Over Armenia | Ep 567, Jul 12, 2026 [EP567]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 15, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this Groong Week in Review episode, Hovik and Asbed cover the 36th NATO summit in Ankara, escalating Iran war developments, and Armenia’s removal of murals honoring fallen soldiers. We discuss NATO’s defense spending surge, Trump’s shift on Turkey and F-35 access, Ukraine aid commitments, and what these geopolitical shifts mean for Armenia and the South Caucasus amid ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan peace negotiations.

Dmitry Suslov - Ukraine’s Endgame, Armenia’s Crossroads | Ep 566, Jul 11, 2026 [EP566]

Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, Politics | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Ukraine’s long war and endgame
  • Novorossiya and a landlocked Ukraine?
  • Europe rearms against Russia
  • NATO 3.0 and containment
  • Armenia’s post-election Western pivot
  • EU promises versus EAEU dependence
  • TRIPP, Syunik, and Russian red lines

Episode 566 | Recorded: July 9, 2026

#Russia #UkraineWar #NATO #Europe #Armenia #SouthCaucasus #TRIPP #Syunik #EAEU

Dmitry Suslov - Ukraine’s Endgame, Armenia’s Crossroads | Ep 566, Jul 11, 2026 [EP566]

Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, Politics

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Ukraine’s long war and endgame
  • Novorossiya and a landlocked Ukraine?
  • Europe rearms against Russia
  • NATO 3.0 and containment
  • Armenia’s post-election Western pivot
  • EU promises versus EAEU dependence
  • TRIPP, Syunik, and Russian red lines

Episode 566 | Recorded: July 9, 2026

#Russia #UkraineWar #NATO #Europe #Armenia #SouthCaucasus #TRIPP #Syunik #EAEU

Transcript: Dmitry Suslov - Ukraine’s Endgame, Armenia’s Crossroads | Ep 566, Jul 11, 2026 [EP566]

Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, Politics, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Dr. Dmitry Suslov about Russia’s strategic position across multiple fronts: the Ukraine War, Armenia’s post-election Western pivot, TRIPP and Syunik, and Europe’s rearmament against Russia. We discuss the long-term confrontation between Russia and NATO, Pashinyan’s Western alignment after the June 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election, and how transport corridors in the South Caucasus may reshape regional containment lines.

Samvel Karapetyan's Rise: A Third Way for Armenia? [EP565]

Posted on Friday, Jul 10, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Markedonov analyzes why Samvel Karapetyan’s Strong Armenia party emerged as the primary opposition force despite his lack of political background, signaling Armenian society’s demand for alternatives.

Sergey Markedonov - Ukraine, TRIPP, and Armenia’s Western Pivot | Ep 565, Jul 10, 2026 [EP565]

Posted on Friday, Jul 10, 2026 | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Ukraine’s war of attrition
  • Russia’s strategic bandwidth problem
  • TRIPP and Iran’s red lines
  • Israel’s Armenian Genocide move
  • Armenia’s Western pivot after elections

Episode 565 | Recorded: July 8, 2026

#ArmenianNews #SouthCaucasus #UkraineWar #Russia #Armenia #EAEU #TRIPP #Geopolitics

Sergey Markedonov - Ukraine, TRIPP, and Armenia’s Western Pivot | Ep 565, Jul 10, 2026 [EP565]

Posted on Friday, Jul 10, 2026

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Ukraine’s war of attrition
  • Russia’s strategic bandwidth problem
  • TRIPP and Iran’s red lines
  • Israel’s Armenian Genocide move
  • Armenia’s Western pivot after elections

Episode 565 | Recorded: July 8, 2026

#ArmenianNews #SouthCaucasus #UkraineWar #Russia #Armenia #EAEU #TRIPP #Geopolitics

Transcript: Sergey Markedonov - Ukraine, TRIPP, and Armenia’s Western Pivot | Ep 565, Jul 10, 2026 [EP565]

Posted on Friday, Jul 10, 2026 | Category: Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Dr. Sergey Markedonov about Russia’s strategic position amid the Ukraine War and its implications for Armenia. We discuss why Moscow remains bogged down in Ukraine despite its military superiority, how the war of attrition shapes Russian bandwidth for the South Caucasus, the geopolitical role of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, and Pashinyan’s Western pivot following the June 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election.

The Constitutional Court has ruled, now what? | Ep 564, Jul 5, 2026 [EP564]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • Court rubber stamps stolen elections
  • Von der Leyen in the South Caucasus
  • EU connectivity push in Caucasus
  • Rubinyan vs. Simonyan
  • Post-election opposition raids begin
  • IMEI or IMEI not

Episode 564 | Recorded: July 6, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianNews #Pashinyan #ArmenianPolitics #SouthCaucasus #ConstitutionalCourt #SurveillanceState

The Constitutional Court has ruled, now what? | Ep 564, Jul 5, 2026 [EP564]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Topics:

  • Court rubber stamps stolen elections
  • Von der Leyen in the South Caucasus
  • EU connectivity push in Caucasus
  • Rubinyan vs. Simonyan
  • Post-election opposition raids begin
  • IMEI or IMEI not

Episode 564 | Recorded: July 6, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianNews #Pashinyan #ArmenianPolitics #SouthCaucasus #ConstitutionalCourt #SurveillanceState

Transcript: The Constitutional Court has ruled, now what? | Ep 564, Jul 5, 2026 [EP564]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this episode of Groong Week in Review for July 5, 2026, Hovik and Asbed analyze Armenia’s Constitutional Court ruling upholding the disputed 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election results. We examine the disqualification of Prosperous Armenia votes, Civil Contract’s three-fifths majority, the opposition’s parliamentary leverage, and what these outcomes mean for Armenian sovereignty amid ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Process negotiations and regional pressures.

Hrant Mikaelian - Election Aftermath and Polls in Armenia | Ep 559, Jun 20, 2026 [EP559]

Posted on Saturday, Jun 20, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Election aftermath and disputed legitimacy
  • Threats against opposition parties
  • Armenia-Russia tensions after vote
  • EU lifeline for Armenian exports
  • Polling failures and hidden votes

Episode 559 | Recorded: June 18, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #HrantMikaelian #NikolPashinyan #CivilContract #ArmeniaRussia #Polling

Hrant Mikaelian - Election Aftermath and Polls in Armenia | Ep 559, Jun 20, 2026 [EP559]

Posted on Saturday, Jun 20, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Election aftermath and disputed legitimacy
  • Threats against opposition parties
  • Armenia-Russia tensions after vote
  • EU lifeline for Armenian exports
  • Polling failures and hidden votes

Episode 559 | Recorded: June 18, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #HrantMikaelian #NikolPashinyan #CivilContract #ArmeniaRussia #Polling

Transcript: Hrant Mikaelian - Election Aftermath and Polls in Armenia | Ep 559, Jun 20, 2026 [EP559]

Posted on Saturday, Jun 20, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Hrant Mikaelian about the disputed aftermath of Armenia’s June 7, 2026 parliamentary election. We discuss allegations of electoral fraud, threats against opposition parties, the Anti-Corruption Committee’s proposed ban on opposition groups, Armenia-Russia tensions following the vote, and the EU’s financial support for Armenian agricultural exports amid Russian sanctions.

Arthur Martirosyan - After the Anger, What Next? | Ep 557, Jun 10, 2026 [EP557]

Posted on Thursday, Jun 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Contested results and thresholds
  • Pashinyan’s post-election crackdown
  • Western backing and interference
  • Russia’s delayed pressure campaign
  • Opposition choices after the vote

Episode 557 | Recorded: June 9, 2026

#ArmenianElections #Armenia #NikolPashinyan #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #ArmenianOpposition

Arthur Martirosyan - After the Anger, What Next? | Ep 557, Jun 10, 2026 [EP557]

Posted on Thursday, Jun 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Contested results and thresholds
  • Pashinyan’s post-election crackdown
  • Western backing and interference
  • Russia’s delayed pressure campaign
  • Opposition choices after the vote

Episode 557 | Recorded: June 9, 2026

#ArmenianElections #Armenia #NikolPashinyan #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #ArmenianOpposition

Transcript: Arthur Martirosyan - After the Anger, What Next? | Ep 557, Jun 10, 2026 [EP557]

Posted on Thursday, Jun 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Arthur G. Martirosyan about Armenia’s contested 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election and Pashinyan’s path to a third term. We discuss whether the vote was free and fair, how state pressure and Western backing shaped the outcome, the razor-thin thresholds that determine parliamentary representation, Pashinyan’s post-election crackdown against the Established Opposition, and what a Civil Contract supermajority would mean for Armenia’s governance and the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Process.

2026 Elections: A Mandate Under Dispute | Ep 556, June 7, 2026 [EP556]

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 10, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • Disputed mandate, unresolved majority
  • Election-day irregularities in plain sight
  • ODIHR’s mixed preliminary verdict
  • Bribery replaced by state spending
  • Opposition’s next steps uncertain

Try the Groong Podcast App

Episode 556 | Recorded: Jun 9, 2026 #ArmenianElections #ArmenianNews #CivilContract #Pashinyan #Election2026 #SouthCaucasus

2026 Elections: A Mandate Under Dispute | Ep 556, June 7, 2026 [EP556]

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 10, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Topics:

  • Disputed mandate, unresolved majority
  • Election-day irregularities in plain sight
  • ODIHR’s mixed preliminary verdict
  • Bribery replaced by state spending
  • Opposition’s next steps uncertain

Try the Groong Podcast App

Episode 556 | Recorded: Jun 9, 2026 #ArmenianElections #ArmenianNews #CivilContract #Pashinyan #Election2026 #SouthCaucasus

Transcript: 2026 Elections: A Mandate Under Dispute | Ep 556, June 7, 2026 [EP556]

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 10, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this episode of Groong Week in Review, we analyze the disputed results of Armenia’s June 7, 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election. We examine Civil Contract’s contested majority, alleged irregularities and invalid ballots, the OSCE/ODIHR preliminary report, the last-minute exclusion of Prosperous Armenia, opposition arrests and pressure, and what a three-fifths majority could mean for Armenia’s courts, institutions, and foreign policy.

Spotlight on Silence: Selective Justice in Armenia’s Election Campaign | Ep 555, Jun 6, 2026 [EP555]

Posted on Saturday, Jun 6, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Human Rights | Series: sos, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Selective law enforcement before elections
  • Wiretaps, leaks, and campaign pressure
  • Hate speech laws against critics
  • Official threats without consequences
  • Military summons as political coercion

Episode 555 | Recorded: June 4, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #HumanRights #PoliticalPersecution #Artsakh #RafaelIshkhanyan #Groong

Spotlight on Silence: Selective Justice in Armenia’s Election Campaign | Ep 555, Jun 6, 2026 [EP555]

Posted on Saturday, Jun 6, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Human Rights

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Selective law enforcement before elections
  • Wiretaps, leaks, and campaign pressure
  • Hate speech laws against critics
  • Official threats without consequences
  • Military summons as political coercion

Episode 555 | Recorded: June 4, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #HumanRights #PoliticalPersecution #Artsakh #RafaelIshkhanyan #Groong

Transcript: Spotlight on Silence: Selective Justice in Armenia’s Election Campaign | Ep 555, Jun 6, 2026 [EP555]

Posted on Saturday, Jun 6, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Human Rights, Transcript

In this Spotlight on Silence episode, we speak with Rafael Ishkhanyan of the Armenian Center for Political Rights about selective justice and state pressure ahead of the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election. We discuss wiretaps and leaks targeting opposition figures, abuse of hate speech laws against government critics, military service summons used as political coercion, and Pashinyan’s threats against political opponents and Artsakh Armenians.

Philippe Raffi Kalfayan - IODA's Second Mission and Armenia's Dire Election Climate | Ep 554, Jun 4, 2026 [EP554]

Posted on Thursday, Jun 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Human Rights, Artsakh | Series: cog

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Arrests of government critics
  • State pressure on voters
  • Public resources used for campaigns
  • Selective prosecution before elections
  • Election legitimacy under serious doubt

Episode 554 | Recorded: June 3, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #Election2026 #IODA #OSCE #ODIHR #Geopolitics #Democracy

Philippe Raffi Kalfayan - IODA's Second Mission and Armenia's Dire Election Climate | Ep 554, Jun 4, 2026 [EP554]

Posted on Thursday, Jun 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Human Rights, Artsakh

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Arrests of government critics
  • State pressure on voters
  • Public resources used for campaigns
  • Selective prosecution before elections
  • Election legitimacy under serious doubt

Episode 554 | Recorded: June 3, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #Election2026 #IODA #OSCE #ODIHR #Geopolitics #Democracy

Transcript: Philippe Raffi Kalfayan - IODA's Second Mission and Armenia's Dire Election Climate | Ep 554, Jun 4, 2026 [EP554]

Posted on Thursday, Jun 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Human Rights, Artsakh, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Dr. Philippe Raffi Kalfayan about Armenia’s deteriorating democratic conditions ahead of the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election. We discuss IODA’s second election observation mission, widespread arrests of opposition figures, state intimidation of voters, selective prosecution, and the serious threats to electoral legitimacy and civil rights under the Civil Contract regime.

May 28, Rubio’s Armenia Deals, and the Cost of Strategic Drift | Ep 553, May 31, 2026 [EP553]

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 2, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Georgia | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • May 28 and Statehood
  • Parade as Campaign Theater
  • Rubio’s Armenia Agreements
  • Minerals Without Guarantees
  • TRIPP Risks in Syunik
  • Russia and Iran Pushback
  • Election Climate and Repression

Episode 553 | Recorded: June 1, 2026

#Armenia #May28 #MarcoRubio #TRIPP #Syunik #CriticalMinerals #ElectionFraud #RussiaArmenia

May 28, Rubio’s Armenia Deals, and the Cost of Strategic Drift | Ep 553, May 31, 2026 [EP553]

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 2, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Georgia

Topics:

  • May 28 and Statehood
  • Parade as Campaign Theater
  • Rubio’s Armenia Agreements
  • Minerals Without Guarantees
  • TRIPP Risks in Syunik
  • Russia and Iran Pushback
  • Election Climate and Repression

Episode 553 | Recorded: June 1, 2026

#Armenia #May28 #MarcoRubio #TRIPP #Syunik #CriticalMinerals #ElectionFraud #RussiaArmenia

Transcript: May 28, Rubio’s Armenia Deals, and the Cost of Strategic Drift | Ep 553, May 31, 2026 [EP553]

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 2, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Georgia, Transcript

In this episode of Groong’s Week in Review, hosts Hovik and Asbed examine Armenia’s May 28 Independence Day parade as campaign theater, Marco Rubio’s push for critical minerals deals, and the strategic risks of TRIPP in Syunik. We discuss how Pashinyan’s military parade coincides with Armenian prisoners of war held hostage in Baku, the questionable financing of weapons through $8 billion in external debt, and the broader geopolitical pressures from Russia and Iran as Armenia heads into the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election.

Arthur Khachatryan - Armenia Alliance in the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election | Ep 551, May 31, 2026 [EP551]

Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Free and fair elections
  • Polls and opposition unity
  • Hayastan Dashinq platform
  • TRIPP and foreign policy
  • Economy and Russian pressure

Episode 551 | Recorded: May 30, 2026

#ArmeniaElections #ArthurKhachatryan #HayastanDashinq #ArmenianOpposition #Pashinyan #TRIPP #SouthCaucasus #Groong

Arthur Khachatryan - Armenia Alliance in the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election | Ep 551, May 31, 2026 [EP551]

Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Free and fair elections
  • Polls and opposition unity
  • Hayastan Dashinq platform
  • TRIPP and foreign policy
  • Economy and Russian pressure

Episode 551 | Recorded: May 30, 2026

#ArmeniaElections #ArthurKhachatryan #HayastanDashinq #ArmenianOpposition #Pashinyan #TRIPP #SouthCaucasus #Groong

Transcript: Arthur Khachatryan - Armenia Alliance in the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election | Ep 551, May 31, 2026 [EP551]

Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Arthur Khachatryan of the Hayastan Dashinq, Armenia Alliance about the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election scheduled for June 7. We discuss whether free and fair elections are possible given foreign interference from the West, abuse of administrative resources by the ruling Civil Contract party, media control, and competing pressures from the United States, EU, Russia, and regional actors including Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Rubio Visit, New MPG and IRI Polls, Hidden Votes and Why Are You Alive? | Ep 550, May 24, 2026 [EP550]

Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Genocide, Azerbaijan, Russia, China | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • Rubio’s sudden Armenia visit
  • Polls diverge before election
  • Hidden vote raises questions
  • TRIPP remains deeply polarizing
  • “Western Azerbaijan” pressure grows
  • Opposition faces arrests, threats
  • “Why are you alive?” campaign rhetoric

Episode 550 | Recorded: May 25, 2026

#ArmeniaElections #Armenia #NikolPashinyan #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #WesternAzerbaijan #ArmenianOpposition

Rubio Visit, New MPG and IRI Polls, Hidden Votes and Why Are You Alive? | Ep 550, May 24, 2026 [EP550]

Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Genocide, Azerbaijan, Russia, China

Topics:

  • Rubio’s sudden Armenia visit
  • Polls diverge before election
  • Hidden vote raises questions
  • TRIPP remains deeply polarizing
  • “Western Azerbaijan” pressure grows
  • Opposition faces arrests, threats
  • “Why are you alive?” campaign rhetoric

Episode 550 | Recorded: May 25, 2026

#ArmeniaElections #Armenia #NikolPashinyan #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #WesternAzerbaijan #ArmenianOpposition

Transcript: Rubio Visit, New MPG and IRI Polls, Hidden Votes and Why Are You Alive? | Ep 550, May 24, 2026 [EP550]

Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Genocide, Azerbaijan, Russia, China, Transcript

This Week in Review examines the tightening political climate in Armenia ahead of the June 2026 parliamentary elections. Asbed and Hovik discuss Marco Rubio’s sudden Armenia visit, new polling from IRI, MPG, and CAEAC, and what the wide gaps in voter disclosure may reveal about hidden opposition support. The episode also covers TRIPP, “Western Azerbaijan” rhetoric, public trust in the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the growing use of arrests, threats, and state pressure against opposition figures. The discussion centers on Pashinyan’s escalating campaign rhetoric, including his “Why are you alive?” outburst, and what it signals about the stakes of the coming election.

Edgar Elbakyan - The Battle for Armenia’s Political Future | Ep 549, May 24, 2026 [EP549]

Posted on Sunday, May 24, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia’s existential election
  • Polling under fear
  • Divergent polling results
  • Church and state conflict
  • Post-election street pressure

Episode 549 | Recorded: May 22, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #EdgarElbakyan #StrongArmenia #ArmeniaAlliance #ArmeniaElections

Edgar Elbakyan - The Battle for Armenia’s Political Future | Ep 549, May 24, 2026 [EP549]

Posted on Sunday, May 24, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia’s existential election
  • Polling under fear
  • Divergent polling results
  • Church and state conflict
  • Post-election street pressure

Episode 549 | Recorded: May 22, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #EdgarElbakyan #StrongArmenia #ArmeniaAlliance #ArmeniaElections

Parties and Alliances in the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election | Ep 548, May 22, 2026 [EP548]

Posted on Saturday, May 23, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, BRICS, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, European Union | Series: cog, video

Topics:

  • Armenia’s election rules
  • Parties and alliances competing
  • MPG polling and thresholds
  • Opposition challenges and turnout
  • Geopolitical positions heatmap

Episode 548 | Recorded: May 22, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #ArmenianPolitics #Artsakh #SouthCaucasus #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #HayastanDashinq

Parties and Alliances in the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election | Ep 548, May 22, 2026 [EP548]

Posted on Saturday, May 23, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, BRICS, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, European Union

Topics:

  • Armenia’s election rules
  • Parties and alliances competing
  • MPG polling and thresholds
  • Opposition challenges and turnout
  • Geopolitical positions heatmap

Episode 548 | Recorded: May 22, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #ArmenianPolitics #Artsakh #SouthCaucasus #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #HayastanDashinq

Transcript: Edgar Elbakyan - The Battle for Armenia’s Political Future | Ep 549, May 24, 2026 [EP549]

Posted on Sunday, May 24, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Transcript

This Conversations on Groong episode features Edgar Elbakyan in a discussion of Armenia’s upcoming election and the wider struggle over the country’s political future. The conversation examines whether the vote should be viewed as an existential election, how fear and pressure shape public opinion, why polling results differ so sharply, and which political forces may be positioned to enter parliament. The episode also looks at whether the opposition is focused on the issues that matter most, including statehood, security, public trust, and the possibility that the election may not end at the ballot box.

Transcript: Parties and Alliances in the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election | Ep 548, May 22, 2026 [EP548]

Posted on Saturday, May 23, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, BRICS, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, European Union, Transcript

This Conversations on Groong episode provides a primer on Armenia’s June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections, reviewing the 17 parties and 2 alliances registered to compete. The discussion explains the election rules, thresholds, coalition process, and the “stable majority” mechanism, while stressing the uneven political environment facing opposition forces. The episode then walks through each participant, including Civil Contract, Strong Armenia, Armenia Alliance, Prosperous Armenia, Wings of Unity, Bright Armenia, ANC, Bever, Republic, DOK, Democratic Consolidation, and smaller parties with  Read More

Week in Review - EPC in Armenia, Russia, Parliamentary Election, Swiss Peace Initiative | Ep 545, May 10, 2026 [EP545]

Posted on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, NATO, European Union, Human Rights | Series: wir

Topics:

  • EPC fallout and Russia response
  • Armenia-EU declaration controversies
  • Pashinyan’s Artsakh campaign narrative
  • Aliyev-Pashinyan tag-team messaging
  • Swiss Peace Initiative
  • Pollsters diverge on election forecasts

Episode 545 | Recorded: May 12, 2026

#WeekInReview #Armenia #SwissPeaceInitiative #NagornoKarabakh #Artsakh

Week in Review - EPC in Armenia, Russia, Parliamentary Election, Swiss Peace Initiative | Ep 545, May 10, 2026 [EP545]

Posted on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, NATO, European Union, Human Rights

Topics:

  • EPC fallout and Russia response
  • Armenia-EU declaration controversies
  • Pashinyan’s Artsakh campaign narrative
  • Aliyev-Pashinyan tag-team messaging
  • Swiss Peace Initiative
  • Pollsters diverge on election forecasts

Episode 545 | Recorded: May 12, 2026

#WeekInReview #Armenia #SwissPeaceInitiative #NagornoKarabakh #Artsakh

Transcript: Week in Review - EPC in Armenia, Russia, Parliamentary Election, Swiss Peace Initiative | Ep 545, May 10, 2026 [EP545]

Posted on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, NATO, European Union, Human Rights, Transcript

In this Week in Review, Asbed and Hovik discuss the fallout from the EPC summit in Yerevan, Armenia’s role as a platform for anti-Russian messaging, and Putin’s warning about a possible “separation” if Armenia moves toward the EU. They examine the Armenia-EU declaration, focusing on TRIPP, Ukraine, hybrid threats, security cooperation, visa liberalization, and the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant. The episode then turns to Armenia’s election campaign, Pashinyan’s claim that Artsakh was “never ours,” Aliyev’s parallel messaging from occupied Artsakh, pressure on opposition figures, the Swiss Peace Initiative, and sharp divergence between election polls.

Anna Grigoryan - Armenia Alliance in the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election | Ep 544, May 11, 2026 [EP544]

Posted on Monday, May 11, 2026 | Category: Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, European Union, Economy, NATO, Human Rights | Series: cog

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Election campaign and opposition strategy
  • EPC, EU-Armenia summit, and foreign influence
  • Foreign policy, security, and regional risks
  • Domestic priorities and election integrity

Episode 544 | Recorded: May 9, 2026

#AnnaGrigoryan #Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #ArmeniaElections #HayastanDashinq #EPCSummit #TRIPP #Artsakh

Anna Grigoryan - Armenia Alliance in the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election | Ep 544, May 11, 2026 [EP544]

Posted on Monday, May 11, 2026 | Category: Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, European Union, Economy, NATO, Human Rights

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Election campaign and opposition strategy
  • EPC, EU-Armenia summit, and foreign influence
  • Foreign policy, security, and regional risks
  • Domestic priorities and election integrity

Episode 544 | Recorded: May 9, 2026

#AnnaGrigoryan #Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #ArmeniaElections #HayastanDashinq #EPCSummit #TRIPP #Artsakh

EU Interference and Armenia's 2026 Elections | Ep 543, May 10, 2026 [EP543]

Posted on Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Georgia, Human Rights, NATO, European Union | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • EU role in Armenia’s elections
  • Fact-checkers and political bias
  • Dissent labeled as disinformation
  • Lawsuits, pressure, and intimidation
  • Censorship and social media control

Episode 543 | Recorded: May 7, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #EU #Disinformation #FactChecking #Censorship #CivilSociety #FreeSpeech

EU Interference and Armenia's 2026 Elections | Ep 543, May 10, 2026 [EP543]

Posted on Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Georgia, Human Rights, NATO, European Union

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • EU role in Armenia’s elections
  • Fact-checkers and political bias
  • Dissent labeled as disinformation
  • Lawsuits, pressure, and intimidation
  • Censorship and social media control

Episode 543 | Recorded: May 7, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #EU #Disinformation #FactChecking #Censorship #CivilSociety #FreeSpeech

Transcript: Anna Grigoryan - Armenia Alliance in the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election | Ep 544, May 11, 2026 [EP544]

Posted on Monday, May 11, 2026 | Category: Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, European Union, Economy, NATO, Human Rights, Transcript

Anna Grigoryan of Hayastan Dashinq (Armenia Alliance) joins Groong to discuss Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary election and the start of the official campaign. The conversation examines the EPC and Armenia-EU summits in Yerevan, EU political and financial support for Pashinyan, Aliyev’s remote demarche, and opposition protests around Artsakh rights, Armenian prisoners, and democratic backsliding. The episode also covers opposition coalition math, Hayastan Dashinq’s 8% bloc threshold, Strong Armenia’s lead among opposition forces, possible post-election governing formulas,  Read More

Tatevik Soghoyan - Who Failed the Children of Vedi | Ep 542, May 10, 2026 [EP542]

Posted on Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Human Rights, Nagorno Karabakh | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Vedi abuse case timeline
  • Law-enforcement delays and failures
  • Victim protection and privacy
  • Political responsibility and accountability
  • Child-protection system breakdown

Episode 542 | Recorded: May 9, 2026

#VediCase #ChildProtection #JusticeForChildren #RuleOfLaw #Accountability #Armenia #HumanRights #VictimsRights

Tatevik Soghoyan - Who Failed the Children of Vedi | Ep 542, May 10, 2026 [EP542]

Posted on Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Human Rights, Nagorno Karabakh

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Vedi abuse case timeline
  • Law-enforcement delays and failures
  • Victim protection and privacy
  • Political responsibility and accountability
  • Child-protection system breakdown

Episode 542 | Recorded: May 9, 2026

#VediCase #ChildProtection #JusticeForChildren #RuleOfLaw #Accountability #Armenia #HumanRights #VictimsRights

Transcript: EU Interference and Armenia's 2026 Elections | Ep 543, May 10, 2026 [EP543]

Posted on Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Georgia, Human Rights, NATO, European Union, Transcript

Hovhannes Ishkhanyan and Nare Navasardyan discuss the growing role of the EU, fact-checking networks, and counter-disinformation programs in Armenia’s 2026 election environment. The conversation examines claims of foreign interference, the use of “hybrid threats” and “disinformation” labels against domestic dissent, and the political bias of Armenia’s fact-checking ecosystem. The guests also share personal experiences with lawsuits, public confrontation, protest, and censorship, raising broader questions about free speech, election fairness, and the management of Armenia’s information space.

Transcript: Tatevik Soghoyan - Who Failed the Children of Vedi | Ep 542, May 10, 2026 [EP542]

Posted on Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Human Rights, Nagorno Karabakh, Transcript

This Conversations on Groong episode examines the Vedi abuse case, a disturbing story involving alleged sexual abuse of vulnerable minors and serious questions about Armenia’s law-enforcement response. Attorney Tatevik Soghoyan joins the program to discuss the known timeline, the delays between the first reports and arrests, the treatment of the victims, and the public statements by investigators and government officials. The discussion focuses on whether this was a local failure, a systemic breakdown, or a deeper case of political responsibility, while asking what Armenia’s justice and child-protection systems must do to prevent such cases from being ignored, delayed, or mishandled.

Mikael Darbinian - Armenia’s Borders, TRIPP, and the Price of Weakness | Ep 540, May 6, 2026 [EP540]

Posted on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Armenian News, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, NATO, Iran, Georgia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • Strong Armenia security doctrine
  • Azerbaijani occupation of Armenian territory
  • TRIPP and Zangezur Corridor risks
  • Diplomacy from a position of strength
  • EPC optics and national insecurity

Episode 540 | Recorded: May 5, 2026

#Armenia #Artsakh #StrongArmenia #MikaelDarbinian #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #ArmenianSecurity #SouthCaucasus

Mikael Darbinian - Armenia’s Borders, TRIPP, and the Price of Weakness | Ep 540, May 6, 2026 [EP540]

Posted on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Armenian News, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, NATO, Iran, Georgia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union

Guest:

Topics:

  • Strong Armenia security doctrine
  • Azerbaijani occupation of Armenian territory
  • TRIPP and Zangezur Corridor risks
  • Diplomacy from a position of strength
  • EPC optics and national insecurity

Episode 540 | Recorded: May 5, 2026

#Armenia #Artsakh #StrongArmenia #MikaelDarbinian #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #ArmenianSecurity #SouthCaucasus