Tag: South Caucasus
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.
Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict in Regional Context - Libaridian / De Waal (Ep. 19) [EP19]
Posted on Saturday, Oct 3, 2020 | Category: Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Middle East, Genocide, Artsakh, China, Geopolitics, Georgia, Human Rights, India, Lebanon, Syria | Series: COG
Conversations on Groong - October 3, 2020
It has now been 7 days since Azerbaijan initiated a wide-scale attack against Armenia and Artsakh. The tragic news of deaths and destruction continue to stream in every hour.
In todayâs conversation on Groong, we talk to Jirair Libaridian and Thomas DeWaal about the regional geopolitics that helped create a ripe environment for renewed fighting and various potential scenarios that may develop as a result of it.
Questions explored:
- What was the path leading to the latest escalation?
- Why has Turkey taken an active role in the conflict?
- Was Russia
Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict in Regional Context - Libaridian / De Waal (Ep. 19) [EP19]
Posted on Saturday, Oct 3, 2020 | Category: Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Middle East, Genocide, Artsakh, China, Geopolitics, Georgia, Human Rights, India, Lebanon, SyriaConversations on Groong - October 3, 2020
It has now been 7 days since Azerbaijan initiated a wide-scale attack against Armenia and Artsakh. The tragic news of deaths and destruction continue to stream in every hour.
In todayâs conversation on Groong, we talk to Jirair Libaridian and Thomas DeWaal about the regional geopolitics that helped create a ripe environment for renewed fighting and various potential scenarios that may develop as a result of it.
Questions explored:
- What was the path leading to the latest escalation?
- Why has Turkey taken an active role in the conflict?
- Was Russia
Telecommunications Security in Armenia (Ep #15) - 09/15/2020 [EP15]
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 15, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Technology, Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Economy, Middle East | Series: COG
Armenian News Network/Groong: Telecommunications Security in Armenia - Sep 15, 2020)
Conversations on Groong
Background and formulation of the telecoms market in Armenia
Telecommunications market in Armenia started with the monopoly of the incumbent operator ArmenTel owned jointly by Greek state owned company OTE (90%) and Armenian government (10%). The sale-purchase agreement granted ArmenTel (recently rebranded to VEON) exclusive rights to provide basic telecommunications services including international Internet connectivity, mobile and fixed telephony. ArmenTelâs monopoly remained till
Read MoreTelecommunications Security in Armenia (Ep #15) - 09/15/2020 [EP15]
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 15, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Technology, Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Economy, Middle EastArmenian News Network/Groong: Telecommunications Security in Armenia - Sep 15, 2020)
Conversations on Groong
Background and formulation of the telecoms market in Armenia
Telecommunications market in Armenia started with the monopoly of the incumbent operator ArmenTel owned jointly by Greek state owned company OTE (90%) and Armenian government (10%). The sale-purchase agreement granted ArmenTel (recently rebranded to VEON) exclusive rights to provide basic telecommunications services including international Internet connectivity, mobile and fixed telephony. ArmenTelâs monopoly remained till
Read More
Education Reform in Armenia - 08/10/2020 Conversations on Groong Asbed Kotchikian talks with Ara Sanjian & Siranush Dvoyan
Topics:
Background of education reform(s) in Armenia In depth analysis of the content, standards & measurable outcomes of the proposed curriculumâs history & literature segments. Challenges of implementing the proposed curriculum
In recent months, Armeniaâs government has published its proposal for K-12 curriculum reform in Armenian schools. The new curriculum, which includes education standards and learning outcomes, proved to be quite controversial with
Read MoreEducation Reform in Armenia - 08/10/2020 Conversations on Groong Asbed Kotchikian talks with Ara Sanjian & Siranush Dvoyan
Topics:
Background of education reform(s) in Armenia In depth analysis of the content, standards & measurable outcomes of the proposed curriculumâs history & literature segments. Challenges of implementing the proposed curriculum
In recent months, Armeniaâs government has published its proposal for K-12 curriculum reform in Armenian schools. The new curriculum, which includes education standards and learning outcomes, proved to be quite controversial with
Read MoreTurkey - Part 2 - Zero Problems? | Ep. 10 - Aug 28, 2020 [EP10]
Posted on Friday, Aug 28, 2020 | Category: Turkey, Armenia, Genocide, Armenian Genocide, Azerbaijan, Russia, China, Middle East, Syria, Georgia, Iran, Economy | Series: COG
Topics:
- Turkey: Zero Problems?
- Azerbaijan: The Myth of Brotherly Relations?
- Armenia: From Diplomatic Overtures to a Mini Cold War
Guests:
Host:
Episode 10 | Recorded: August 2020
Turkey - Part 2 - Zero Problems? | Ep. 10 - Aug 28, 2020 [EP10]
Posted on Friday, Aug 28, 2020 | Category: Turkey, Armenia, Genocide, Armenian Genocide, Azerbaijan, Russia, China, Middle East, Syria, Georgia, Iran, EconomyTopics:
- Turkey: Zero Problems?
- Azerbaijan: The Myth of Brotherly Relations?
- Armenia: From Diplomatic Overtures to a Mini Cold War
Guests:
Host:
Episode 10 | Recorded: August 2020
#WordsNotSwords | Kocharyan Interview | SIS Charges Arthur Danielyan | Constitutional Court Nominees | State of Covid | Changes in Diaspora High Commissioner Office | Headlines | People | Ep 8 - Aug 2, 2020 [EP5]
Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Economy, Artsakh, Georgia, Iran, Russia, Turkey, Armenian Church, China, Genocide, Human Rights, Israel, Ukraine | Series: WIR
ANN Groong Week in Review - 08/02/2020
Topics:
- Living With Conflict #WordsNotSwords
- Panel Discussion on Robert Kocharyanâs Interview
- Lightning Round
- The SIS Charges Arthur Danielyan
- Nominees for the Constitutional Court
- The PMâs Outlook on the State of the Pandemic
- Staff Changes in the Diaspora High Commissionerâs Office
Guests
Resident panelists:
Episode 5 | Recorded ob August 2, 2020