South Caucasus

Last updated: May 29, 2026

The South Caucasus sits at the crossroads of Russia, Turkey, Iran, and the broader Middle East — a small region whose internal conflicts have consistently attracted the attention of great powers. The three states of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia each navigate overlapping and often contradictory security relationships with Moscow, Washington, and Brussels, while managing unresolved territorial disputes and competing integration ambitions.

The 2020 Nagorno Karabakh war and Azerbaijan’s September 2023 offensive — which resulted in the ethnic cleansing of the entire Armenian population of Artsakh from Nagorno Karabakh — reshaped the regional order, accelerating Armenia’s pivot away from Russian security structures, deepening Azerbaijan’s strategic confidence, and leaving Georgia’s own geopolitical direction in flux following disputed elections and mass protests. The region has become a live testing ground for the limits of Russian influence, the reach of Western soft power, and the emerging role of powers like Turkey, Iran, India , and China.

Groong covers the South Caucasus comprehensively — not just Armenia’s domestic politics and security situation, but the regional dynamics that define the constraints and opportunities facing every state in the area. Episodes in this category examine bilateral relationships, multilateral formats, infrastructure corridors, and the geopolitical competition that makes the South Caucasus one of the most consequential small regions in Eurasian politics.

Groong episodes that include this tag

Below are all Groong episodes tagged with South Caucasus.

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine and Iran-Israel Conflicts
  • C5+1 in Washington DC
  • Vagharshapat/Etchmiadzin Municipal

Episode 486 | Recorded: November 17, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine and Iran-Israel Conflicts
  • C5+1 in Washington DC
  • Vagharshapat/Etchmiadzin Municipal

Episode 486 | Recorded: November 17, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine war status and U.S.–Russia dynamics
  • Church–state tensions and religious prosecutions
  • Opposition arrests, trials, and civil liberties
  • Border demarcation, enclaves

Episode 483 | Recorded: November 3, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine war status and U.S.–Russia dynamics
  • Church–state tensions and religious prosecutions
  • Opposition arrests, trials, and civil liberties
  • Border demarcation, enclaves

Episode 483 | Recorded: November 3, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Timing and intent for an Israel and Iran clash
  • Unfinished business from the June war
  • US role, limited support or full engagement
  • Iran’s escalation ladder and Caucasus spillover scenarios

Episode 482 | Recorded on October 30, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Timing and intent for an Israel and Iran clash
  • Unfinished business from the June war
  • US role, limited support or full engagement
  • Iran’s escalation ladder and Caucasus spillover scenarios

Episode 482 | Recorded on October 30, 2025

A deep dive with Dr. Trita Parsi on whether Israel will strike Iran again, why June’s war left “unfinished business,” how much Israel depends on the United States, what Iran’s rapid-response playbook looks like after June, and how a wider fight could spill into the South Caucasus and affect Armenia. Recorded Oct 30, 2025.

Guest:

Topics:

  • Euronest session takeaways
  • Aliyev’s transit move and TRIPP
  • Gyumri mayor arrest fallout
  • Pashinyan’s push to control the Church

Episode 481 | Recorded: October 29, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Euronest session takeaways
  • Aliyev’s transit move and TRIPP
  • Gyumri mayor arrest fallout
  • Pashinyan’s push to control the Church

Episode 481 | Recorded: October 29, 2025

Topics:

  • Pashinyan’s rise and Western backing
  • Breakdown of talks and secret meetings
  • Failures and propaganda during the war
  • Aftermath, revisionism, and political responsibility

Episode 476 | Recorded: September 28, 2025

Topics:

  • Pashinyan’s rise and Western backing
  • Breakdown of talks and secret meetings
  • Failures and propaganda during the war
  • Aftermath, revisionism, and political responsibility

Episode 476 | Recorded: September 28, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Sep. 19: Day of Artsakh’s Ethnic Cleansing
  • Civil Contract’s 7th Congress
  • Opposition (In)Action
  • Electric Network of Armenia

Episode 474 | Recorded: September 22, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Sep. 19: Day of Artsakh’s Ethnic Cleansing
  • Civil Contract’s 7th Congress
  • Opposition (In)Action
  • Electric Network of Armenia

Episode 474 | Recorded: September 22, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • War in Iran, Chapter 2?
  • Russia’s Stance on TRIPP
  • New MPG Poll in Armenia
  • Armenian Economy in H1/2025

Episode 471 | Recorded: September 8, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • War in Iran, Chapter 2?
  • Russia’s Stance on TRIPP
  • New MPG Poll in Armenia
  • Armenian Economy in H1/2025

Episode 471 | Recorded: September 8, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • SCO Summit in Tianjin, China
  • China-India Thaw
  • Power of Siberia Gas Pipeline
  • What’s in it for Armenia?

Episode 469 | Recorded: September 4, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • SCO Summit in Tianjin, China
  • China-India Thaw
  • Power of Siberia Gas Pipeline
  • What’s in it for Armenia?

Episode 469 | Recorded: September 4, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • SCO Summit in China
  • The UK in Armenia
  • TRIPP / Zangezur Corridor
  • Russian Azerbaijani Relations

Episode 467 | Recorded: September 1, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • SCO Summit in China
  • The UK in Armenia
  • TRIPP / Zangezur Corridor
  • Russian Azerbaijani Relations

Episode 467 | Recorded: September 1, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Pashinyan, Aliyev, in the White House
  • What “Peace”?
  • Armenian Economy

Episode 466 | Recorded: August 28, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Pashinyan, Aliyev, in the White House
  • What “Peace”?
  • Armenian Economy

Episode 466 | Recorded: August 28, 2025

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs joins to discuss the U.S.-brokered “TRIPP” (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity), also known as the Zangezur Corridor. The discussion covers the risks of foreign powers imposing corridors through Armenia, the muted response from Moscow, Tehran’s strong opposition, and what this means for regional security. Sachs stresses that Armenia should not look to distant powers like the United States for security or stability, but instead pursue prudent arrangements and economic cooperation with its immediate  Read More

Guest:

Topics:

  • August 23: Armenia’s declaration of State Sovereignty
  • The TRIPP Trap
  • Iran - Pezeshkian’s Visit
  • Russia - Overchuk’s visit
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 464 | Recorded: August 25, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • August 23: Armenia’s declaration of State Sovereignty
  • The TRIPP Trap
  • Iran - Pezeshkian’s Visit
  • Russia - Overchuk’s visit
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 464 | Recorded: August 25, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump-Putin Alaska Summit
  • Trump Corridor Politics
  • Russian-Azerbaijani Relations
  • Russian-Iranian Recalibration
  • New Opposition Emerging - Our Way

Episode 463 | Recorded: August 18, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump-Putin Alaska Summit
  • Trump Corridor Politics
  • Russian-Azerbaijani Relations
  • Russian-Iranian Recalibration
  • New Opposition Emerging - Our Way

Episode 463 | Recorded: August 18, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • TRIPP Corridor & US Involvement
  • US-Israel Strategy & War Risks
  • Iran’s Missed Opportunities & Shifts
  • Future of Iran–Armenia Relations

Episode 461 | Recorded: August 13, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • TRIPP Corridor & US Involvement
  • US-Israel Strategy & War Risks
  • Iran’s Missed Opportunities & Shifts
  • Future of Iran–Armenia Relations

Episode 461 | Recorded: August 13, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump, Aliyev, Pashinyan Meeting
  • Iranian Reaction
  • Russian Reaction

Episode 459 | Recorded: August 11, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump, Aliyev, Pashinyan Meeting
  • Iranian Reaction
  • Russian Reaction

Episode 459 | Recorded: August 11, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump, Pashinyan, Aliyev DC Summit
  • Ukraine War and the Shifting World Order
  • Russia and the South Caucasus

Episode 458 | Recorded: August 9, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump, Pashinyan, Aliyev DC Summit
  • Ukraine War and the Shifting World Order
  • Russia and the South Caucasus

Episode 458 | Recorded: August 9, 2025

In this episode, former U.S. Army officer and military-political analyst Stanislav Krapivnik discusses the geopolitical fallout from the Trump-Pashinyan-Aliyev summit in Washington, which saw the announcement of a “peace” framework, the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, U.S. plans for a 99-year “Trump Corridor” across Armenia, and the dropping of Section 907 to allow arms sales to Azerbaijan. He examines Russia’s heavy focus on the Ukraine war at the expense of the South Caucasus, the loss of Russian leverage over Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the growing role of Turkey. Krapivnik warns of  Read More

Guest:

Topics:

  • Corridor Logic
  • Crackdown Logic
  • IRI Poll
  • Russian-Azerbaijani Relations

Episode 456 | Recorded: July 28, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Corridor Logic
  • Crackdown Logic
  • IRI Poll
  • Russian-Azerbaijani Relations

Episode 456 | Recorded: July 28, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Artsakh Negotiations
  • Armenian Domestic Politics

Episode 455 | Recorded: July 25, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Artsakh Negotiations
  • Armenian Domestic Politics

Episode 455 | Recorded: July 25, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • EU Strategy in the South Caucasus
  • Attacks on the National Church
  • 2025 Local Election Politics

Episode 454 | Recorded: July 22, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • EU Strategy in the South Caucasus
  • Attacks on the National Church
  • 2025 Local Election Politics

Episode 454 | Recorded: July 22, 2025

Topics:

  • Pashinyan meets Aliyev in Abu Dhabi
  • Continued Persecution of Church and Opposition

Episode 453 | Recorded: July 13, 2025

Topics:

  • Pashinyan meets Aliyev in Abu Dhabi
  • Continued Persecution of Church and Opposition

Episode 453 | Recorded: July 13, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Constitution Day
  • Western Controlled Syunik?
  • What was Kallas Doing in Yerevan?
  • Russian-Azerbaijani Relations
  • Coup d’Etat? Or Coup d’Église?
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 452 | Recorded: July 7, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Constitution Day
  • Western Controlled Syunik?
  • What was Kallas Doing in Yerevan?
  • Russian-Azerbaijani Relations
  • Coup d’Etat? Or Coup d’Église?
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 452 | Recorded: July 7, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • The 12-Day War
  • Where did Trump’s American 1st Go?

Episode 450 | Recorded: June 26, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • The 12-Day War
  • Where did Trump’s American 1st Go?

Episode 450 | Recorded: June 26, 2025

The 12-Day War. Where did Trump’s American 1st Go?

Guest:

Topics:

  • Israel and Iran
  • Crackdown on the Opposition
  • Pashinyan in Istanbul
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 449 | Recorded: June 25, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Israel and Iran
  • Crackdown on the Opposition
  • Pashinyan in Istanbul
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 449 | Recorded: June 25, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Israel’s war on Iran and U.S. involvement
  • Risks of Iranian regime change or partition
  • Strategic dangers to Armenia

Episode 448 | Recorded: June 21, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Israel’s war on Iran and U.S. involvement
  • Risks of Iranian regime change or partition
  • Strategic dangers to Armenia

Episode 448 | Recorded: June 21, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Israel hits Iran, talks collapse
  • Armenia at risk if Iran weakens
  • Russia hardens stance on Ukraine

Episode 447 | Recorded: June 15, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Israel hits Iran, talks collapse
  • Armenia at risk if Iran weakens
  • Russia hardens stance on Ukraine

Episode 447 | Recorded: June 15, 2025

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs, to analyze the geopolitical fallout from Israel’s surprise military campaign against Iran, known as Operation Rising Lion. We explore how the attacks may sabotage U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, shift Russia’s strategic calculus, and destabilize the South Caucasus—particularly Armenia’s Syunik province. We also examine the implications for Russia-Iran relations, the Zangezur corridor, and Azerbaijan’s military posture. Finally, we discuss Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb, recent  Read More

Guest:

  • Rananjay Anand , Co-Founder & President of the Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO.

Topics:

  • Operation Sindoor
  • Indians Boycott Turkey & Azerbaijan
  • Armenia as a Robus Partner

Episode 445 | Recorded: June 9, 2025

Guest:

  • Rananjay Anand , Co-Founder & President of the Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO.

Topics:

  • Operation Sindoor
  • Indians Boycott Turkey & Azerbaijan
  • Armenia as a Robus Partner

Episode 445 | Recorded: June 9, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Turkey-Pakistan-Azerbaijan Axis
  • Operation Sindoor
  • Armenia As a Strategic Partner
  • West Asia and Eurasia Context
  • Future Outlook

Episode 443 | Recorded: June 3, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Turkey-Pakistan-Azerbaijan Axis
  • Operation Sindoor
  • Armenia As a Strategic Partner
  • West Asia and Eurasia Context
  • Future Outlook

Episode 443 | Recorded: June 3, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Status of Ukraine and US-Iran Crises
  • Hakan Fidan in Moscow
  • Erdogan, Aliyev, Sharif in Lachin
  • Azerbaijan and Pashinyan Attack the Armenian Church
  • Impeachment vs. Elections
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 442 | Recorded: June 2, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Status of Ukraine and US-Iran Crises
  • Hakan Fidan in Moscow
  • Erdogan, Aliyev, Sharif in Lachin
  • Azerbaijan and Pashinyan Attack the Armenian Church
  • Impeachment vs. Elections
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 442 | Recorded: June 2, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • May 28, Republic Day
  • Armenia’s EU-Russia policy confusion
  • Constitutional changes for “peace”
  • Impeachment vs. election dilemma
  • Azeri invasion threat and silence

Episode 441 | Recorded: May 28, 2025