Syunik

Last updated: May 29, 2026

Syunik is Armenia’s southernmost province, bordering Iran to the south and containing the cities of Goris and Kapan. It became a flashpoint in the post-2020 period for two related reasons: Azerbaijani demands for a transit corridor through its territory, and the ongoing encroachment of Azerbaijani forces on Armenian sovereign territory along its eastern and northern edges.

The proposed Zangezur Corridor — which Azerbaijan and Turkey have pushed for to connect Azerbaijan proper to the Nakhijevan exclave without crossing Armenian customs or security checkpoints — would run through Syunik. Armenia has consistently rejected extraterritorial corridor arrangements, insisting that any road or rail links operate under Armenian sovereignty and law. The dispute over this corridor has been one of the most contentious elements of the peace process.

Since 2021, Azerbaijani forces have occupied positions on Armenian sovereign territory in the Syunik region, including areas around Goris that effectively severed the direct road to Kapan for a period. The military pressure on Syunik is part of the broader pattern of Azerbaijani land seizures on Armenian territory that continued even after the 44-Day War ceasefire. Groong episodes covering Syunik address the corridor dispute, border security, and the strategic significance of Armenia’s southern corridor for its relationship with Iran.

Groong episodes that include this tag

Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Syunik.

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:

  • Reflections on August 8 White House Meeting
  • Tensions in Diaspora-Armenia Relations
  • Azerbaijani Lobbying, Caviar Diplomacy, and the Cuellar Bribery Case

Episode 470 | Recorded: September 5, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Reflections on August 8 White House Meeting
  • Tensions in Diaspora-Armenia Relations
  • Azerbaijani Lobbying, Caviar Diplomacy, and the Cuellar Bribery Case

Episode 470 | Recorded: September 5, 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:

  • 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:

  • 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

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:

  • Iran War
  • Iran-Azerbaijan Relations
  • Russian-Azerbaijani Tensions
  • Russian-Armenian Relations
  • Persecution of The Church Continues
  • Kaja Kallas in Armenia
  • OIC Declaration

Episode 451 | Recorded: June 30, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran War
  • Iran-Azerbaijan Relations
  • Russian-Azerbaijani Tensions
  • Russian-Armenian Relations
  • Persecution of The Church Continues
  • Kaja Kallas in Armenia
  • OIC Declaration

Episode 451 | Recorded: June 30, 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:

Topics:

  • Ukraine’s War, Poland’s Pivot?
  • Status Check on the Economy
  • RPA Names PM Candidate
  • Armenia’s Demographic Threats
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 444 | Recorded: June 9, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine’s War, Poland’s Pivot?
  • Status Check on the Economy
  • RPA Names PM Candidate
  • Armenia’s Demographic Threats
  • The Kitchen Sink

Episode 444 | 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:

  • US-Iran Nuclear Talks
  • Pezeshkian Visit to Baku
  • Iran-Armenia Relations
  • US Support for Azerbaijan

Episode 437 | Recorded: May 16, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US-Iran Nuclear Talks
  • Pezeshkian Visit to Baku
  • Iran-Armenia Relations
  • US Support for Azerbaijan

Episode 437 | Recorded: May 16, 2025

Guest:

  • Anna Karapetyan Director of the Insight Analytical Center for Applied Policy and Research.

Topics:

  • Iran-Armenia Military Exercises
  • Armenian Villages Terrorized by Azerbaijan
  • Mirzoyan in Antalya
  • Armenia’s Genocide Denial

Episode 428 | Recorded: April 14, 2025

Guest:

  • Anna Karapetyan Director of the Insight Analytical Center for Applied Policy and Research.

Topics:

  • Iran-Armenia Military Exercises
  • Armenian Villages Terrorized by Azerbaijan
  • Mirzoyan in Antalya
  • Armenia’s Genocide Denial

Episode 428 | Recorded: April 14, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US Iran Escalation
  • Aftermath of Gyumri and Parakar
  • MFA blames Artsakh for Regional Isolation
  • Bullets and Peace

Episode 426 | Recorded: April 8, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • US Iran Escalation
  • Aftermath of Gyumri and Parakar
  • MFA blames Artsakh for Regional Isolation
  • Bullets and Peace

Episode 426 | Recorded: April 8, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran Rejects US Offer of Direct Negotiations
  • Iran and Armenia Ties
  • Gyumri and Parakar Municipal Elections
  • Artsakh Refugee Protests in Armenia

Episode 425 | Recorded: March 31, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran Rejects US Offer of Direct Negotiations
  • Iran and Armenia Ties
  • Gyumri and Parakar Municipal Elections
  • Artsakh Refugee Protests in Armenia

Episode 425 | Recorded: March 31, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • TBD

Episode 417 | Recorded: February 12, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • TBD

Episode 417 | Recorded: February 12, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • A New Détente?
  • The Trump-Putin Call
  • Russia’s Strategic Choices
  • Russo-Armenian Relations
  • Russo-Azerbaijani Relations
  • Georgia’s Pragmatism

Episode 414 | Recorded: Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025

Guest:

Topics:

  • A New Détente?
  • The Trump-Putin Call
  • Russia’s Strategic Choices
  • Russo-Armenian Relations
  • Russo-Azerbaijani Relations
  • Georgia’s Pragmatism

Episode 414 | Recorded: Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025

A New Détente? The Trump-Putin Call. Russia’s Strategic Choices. Russo-Armenian Relations. Russo-Azerbaijani Relations. Georgia’s Pragmatism.

Guest:

Topics:

  • Syria and the Middle East
  • The South Caucasus
  • Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance
  • 44-Day War and the ISR Factor
  • Fueling Other Wars

Episode 395 | Recorded: December 12, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Syria and the Middle East
  • The South Caucasus
  • Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance
  • 44-Day War and the ISR Factor
  • Fueling Other Wars

Episode 395 | Recorded: December 12, 2024

Syria and the Middle East. The South Caucasus. Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance. 44-Day War and the ISR Factor. Fueling Other Wars.

Guest:

Topics:

  • Remembering the 1988 Earthquake in Spitak, Armenia
  • Aliyev’s “New” Demands
  • The Fall of Syria
  • Georgia’s Post-Election Unrest
  • Civil Contract Disobedience

Episode 394 | Recorded: December 9, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Remembering the 1988 Earthquake in Spitak, Armenia
  • Aliyev’s “New” Demands
  • The Fall of Syria
  • Georgia’s Post-Election Unrest
  • Civil Contract Disobedience

Episode 394 | Recorded: December 9, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Tavush Protests Gain Momentum
  • Pashinyan Pressing Ahead with Land Concessions
  • Poll Results on Tavush Protests

Episode 371 | Recorded: September 30, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Tavush Protests Gain Momentum
  • Pashinyan Pressing Ahead with Land Concessions
  • Poll Results on Tavush Protests

Episode 371 | Recorded: September 30, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran Shuts Down Talk of “Zangezur Corridor”
  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Iran Armenia Trade / BRICS
  • Foreign Intelligence Service
  • Georgian and Azerbaijani Elections

Episode 361 | Recorded: September 11, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran Shuts Down Talk of “Zangezur Corridor”
  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Iran Armenia Trade / BRICS
  • Foreign Intelligence Service
  • Georgian and Azerbaijani Elections

Episode 361 | Recorded: September 11, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Russian-Iranian Relations
  • Russian-Armenian Relations
  • Ukraine’s Kursk Gambit
  • Pavel Durov Arrested in France
  • Observations from Armenia and Russia

Episode 357 | Recorded: August 28, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Russian-Iranian Relations
  • Russian-Armenian Relations
  • Ukraine’s Kursk Gambit
  • Pavel Durov Arrested in France
  • Observations from Armenia and Russia

Episode 357 | Recorded: August 28, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Goris Kapan Road Cover UP

Episode 355 | Recorded: August 19, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Goris Kapan Road Cover UP

Episode 355 | Recorded: August 19, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran’s Geopolitical Moves
  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Stalled “Normalization”

Episode 353 | Recorded: August 12, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran’s Geopolitical Moves
  • Armenia Azerbaijan Talks
  • Stalled “Normalization”

Episode 353 | Recorded: August 12, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Background on Amb. Melikian
  • From Revolution to War
  • Goris-Kapan Handover
  • Armenia’s “Pivot” To The West
  • Srbazan Movement
  • Pan-Armenian Diplomatic Council

Episode 352a | Recorded: August 12, 2024

Guest:

Topics:

  • Background on Amb. Melikian
  • From Revolution to War
  • Goris-Kapan Handover
  • Armenia’s “Pivot” To The West
  • Srbazan Movement
  • Pan-Armenian Diplomatic Council

Episode 352a | Recorded: August 12, 2024