Tag: 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.
Turkey & Azerbaijan Connecting | Opposition Uniting | Putin support? | Kocharyan Interview Ep. 30 - Dec. 6, 2020 [EP30]
Posted on Monday, Dec 7, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Turkey, Russia, Economy, Iran, China, Geopolitics, Middle East | Series: WIR
ANN/Groong Week in Review - Dec 6, 2020
Topics:
- Turkey and Azerbaijan Connecting
- Armeniaâs Political Opposition Uniting
- Does Putin support Pashinyan?
- Robert Kocharyan Interview
Guests:
Episode 30 | Recorded: Dec 6, 2020
Turkey & Azerbaijan Connecting | Opposition Uniting | Putin support? | Kocharyan Interview Ep. 30 - Dec. 6, 2020 [EP30]
Posted on Monday, Dec 7, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Turkey, Russia, Economy, Iran, China, Geopolitics, Middle EastANN/Groong Week in Review - Dec 6, 2020
Topics:
- Turkey and Azerbaijan Connecting
- Armeniaâs Political Opposition Uniting
- Does Putin support Pashinyan?
- Robert Kocharyan Interview
Guests:
Episode 30 | Recorded: Dec 6, 2020
Border Demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan | Scene in Yerevan | COVID | Armenia Fund (Ep. 29) [EP29]
Posted on Friday, Dec 4, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Georgia, Economy, Russia, China, Middle East | Series: WIR
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 29 - Nov 29, 2020
Topics Covered:
- Border Demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan
- The Scene in Yerevan
- COVID Update
- Armenia Fund support for the post-war Economy
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Resident Panelists:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Hrant Mikaelian
Recorded: Nov 29, 2020
Border Demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan | Scene in Yerevan | COVID | Armenia Fund (Ep. 29) [EP29]
Posted on Friday, Dec 4, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Georgia, Economy, Russia, China, Middle EastANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 29 - Nov 29, 2020
Topics Covered:
- Border Demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan
- The Scene in Yerevan
- COVID Update
- Armenia Fund support for the post-war Economy
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Resident Panelists:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Hrant Mikaelian
Recorded: Nov 29, 2020
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 10/25/2020
Topics Covered:
- International diplomacy on the move?
- What is Turkeyâs endgame?
- War and post-war economy
- Update on COVID
Guests:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Hrant Mikaelian
- Emil Sanamyan
Your Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20201025.html Episode 23 | Recorded on October 25, 2020
International diplomacy | Turkey’s endgame | War and post-war economy | Update on COVID - 10/25/2020 [EP23]
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 28, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Turkey, Syria, Iran, Economy, Armenian Genocide, Genocide, LebanonANN/Groong Week in Review - 10/25/2020
Topics Covered:
- International diplomacy on the move?
- What is Turkeyâs endgame?
- War and post-war economy
- Update on COVID
Guests:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Hrant Mikaelian
- Emil Sanamyan
Your Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20201025.html Episode 23 | Recorded on October 25, 2020
Artsakh War: Security situation | Diplomatic activity | Humanitarian impact (Ep. 21) [EP21]
Posted on Tuesday, Oct 13, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Turkey, Russia, Human Rights, Genocide, Syria | Series: WIR
ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 12, 2020
Topics Covered:
- Security situation on the ground;
- Diplomatic activity, short & long term goals;
- Humanitarian impact in Artsakh & Armenia;
- Effect of social media on the war.
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Asbed Kotchikian
Resident Panelists:
- Lara Aharonian: Co-founder & co-director of the Women’s Resource Center NGO in Yerevan
- Robert Avetisyan: Representative of Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the US
Episode 21 Recorded: Oct 12, 2020 Full details: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20201012.html Playlist: WiR (Week in Review)
Artsakh War: Security situation | Diplomatic activity | Humanitarian impact (Ep. 21) [EP21]
Posted on Tuesday, Oct 13, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Turkey, Russia, Human Rights, Genocide, SyriaANN/Groong Week in Review - October 12, 2020
Topics Covered:
- Security situation on the ground;
- Diplomatic activity, short & long term goals;
- Humanitarian impact in Artsakh & Armenia;
- Effect of social media on the war.
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Asbed Kotchikian
Resident Panelists:
- Lara Aharonian: Co-founder & co-director of the Women’s Resource Center NGO in Yerevan
- Robert Avetisyan: Representative of Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the US
Episode 21 Recorded: Oct 12, 2020 Full details: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20201012.html Playlist: WiR (Week in Review)