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(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review - September 19, 2021

Topics:

  • Independence Day
  • Pashinyan’s Turkish overtures
  • Goris-Kapan highway

Guests:

  • Dr. Pietro Shakarian

Host:

  • Hovik Manucharyan

Episode #89 | Recorded: September 20, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210919.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - August 29, 2021

Topics:

  • Road to Syunik Blocked and Unblocked
  • 5-Year Plan Approved
  • Parliamentary Dynamics

Guests:

  • Benyamin Poghosyan / TW @Benyamin_Poghos

Guest(s):

Hosts:

  • Asbed Bedrossian / TW @qubriq

Episode 87 | Recorded: August 29, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210829.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - August 29, 2021

Topics:

  • Road to Syunik Blocked and Unblocked
  • 5-Year Plan Approved
  • Parliamentary Dynamics

Guests:

  • Benyamin Poghosyan / TW @Benyamin_Poghos

Guest(s):

Hosts:

  • Asbed Bedrossian / TW @qubriq

Episode 87 | Recorded: August 29, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210829.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - July 11, 2021

Topics:

  • Putin / Pashinyan meeting
  • Constitutional Court Challenge
  • Forging Steel out of Velvet
  • Groong Podcast’s Year-in-Review

Guests: Asbed Kotchikian

Guest(s):

Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210711.html

Episode 78 | Recorded: July 11, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - July 11, 2021

Topics:

  • Putin / Pashinyan meeting
  • Constitutional Court Challenge
  • Forging Steel out of Velvet
  • Groong Podcast’s Year-in-Review

Guests: Asbed Kotchikian

Guest(s):

Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210711.html

Episode 78 | Recorded: July 11, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 30, 2021 Topics:

  • Continued Tensions on the Eastern Border
  • Latest IRI and MPG Polls on the Armenian Elections
  • Election Politics

Guests:

  • Hrant Mikaelian
  • George Tabakyan

Guest(s):

Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 65 | Recorded: May 30, 2021 https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210530.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 30, 2021 Topics:

  • Continued Tensions on the Eastern Border
  • Latest IRI and MPG Polls on the Armenian Elections
  • Election Politics

Guests:

  • Hrant Mikaelian
  • George Tabakyan

Guest(s):

Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 65 | Recorded: May 30, 2021 https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210530.html

ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 23, 2021

Topics:

  • Border update, and Leaked documents
  • Azerbaijan membership in the CSTO?
  • New MPG Poll on the Armenian Elections

Guest:

  • Emil Sanamyan

Guest(s):

Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210523.html Recorded: May 24, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 23, 2021

Topics:

  • Border update, and Leaked documents
  • Azerbaijan membership in the CSTO?
  • New MPG Poll on the Armenian Elections

Guest:

  • Emil Sanamyan

Guest(s):

Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210523.html Recorded: May 24, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - April 25, 2021

Topics:

  • Nikol Pashinyan’s Roadmap & Snap Parliamentary Polls
  • The Visit to Syunik
  • Biden Recognizes the Armenian Genocide, Now What?
  • Update from Stepanakert
  • Are we Going to Mars?

Guests:

  • Tevan Poghosyan
  • Emil Sanamyan

Guest(s):

Hosts:

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210425.html Episode 59 | Recorded: April 25, 2021

ANN/Groong Week in Review - April 25, 2021

Topics:

  • Nikol Pashinyan’s Roadmap & Snap Parliamentary Polls
  • The Visit to Syunik
  • Biden Recognizes the Armenian Genocide, Now What?
  • Update from Stepanakert
  • Are we Going to Mars?

Guests:

  • Tevan Poghosyan
  • Emil Sanamyan

Guest(s):

Hosts:

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210425.html Episode 59 | Recorded: April 25, 2021

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 28, 2021

Topics:

  • What’s Going on with the Armed Forces?
    • Turkey: Enemy No More?
    • What Just Happened in the General Staff?
    • Morale and Readiness of the Armed Forces
    • The Defense Budget
  • Report from Syunik

Guests

  • George Tabakian
  • Karen Vrtanesyan

Hosts

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210328.html Episode 55 | Recorded: March 28, 2021

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 28, 2021

Topics:

  • What’s Going on with the Armed Forces?
    • Turkey: Enemy No More?
    • What Just Happened in the General Staff?
    • Morale and Readiness of the Armed Forces
    • The Defense Budget
  • Report from Syunik

Guests

  • George Tabakian
  • Karen Vrtanesyan

Hosts

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210328.html Episode 55 | Recorded: March 28, 2021

Guest(s):

ANN Groong Week in Review Episode 51 - Feb 21, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • President Sargsyan’s Interview
  • Legislation to Criminalize Defamation of Government Officials
  • Appointment of Acting Governors and Mayors during Martial Law
  • Opposition Protests on Feb 20
  • Govsagan, in the end

Guests

  • Asbed Kotchikian @asbedk
  • Marine Manucharyan @armoland
  • @Emil_Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

  • Alen Zamanyan @alenzam99
  • Asbed Bedrossian @Qubriq

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210221.html Episode 51 | Recorded: February 21, 2021

Guest(s):

ANN Groong Week in Review Episode 51 - Feb 21, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • President Sargsyan’s Interview
  • Legislation to Criminalize Defamation of Government Officials
  • Appointment of Acting Governors and Mayors during Martial Law
  • Opposition Protests on Feb 20
  • Govsagan, in the end

Guests

  • Asbed Kotchikian @asbedk
  • Marine Manucharyan @armoland
  • @Emil_Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

  • Alen Zamanyan @alenzam99
  • Asbed Bedrossian @Qubriq

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210221.html Episode 51 | Recorded: February 21, 2021

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 49 - February 14, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • Syunik Confidential
  • Developments in Artsakh
  • Snap elections flip flop

Guests:

  • Emil Sanamyan
  • Alen Zamanyan

Your Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210214.html Episode 49 | Recorded: February 14, 2021

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 49 - February 14, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • Syunik Confidential
  • Developments in Artsakh
  • Snap elections flip flop

Guests:

  • Emil Sanamyan
  • Alen Zamanyan

Your Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210214.html Episode 49 | Recorded: February 14, 2021

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 40 - Jan 10, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • The State of the Opposition and their demands
  • Update on the Border Positions between Armenia & Azerbaijan
  • The State of the Line of Contact around Artsakh

Guests

  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • George Tabakian

Your Hosts:

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210110.html Recorded: January 10, 2021

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 40 - Jan 10, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • The State of the Opposition and their demands
  • Update on the Border Positions between Armenia & Azerbaijan
  • The State of the Line of Contact around Artsakh

Guests

  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • George Tabakian

Your Hosts:

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210110.html Recorded: January 10, 2021

Guest(s):

Conversation with Bright Armenia’s Edmon Marukyan

Following the trilateral Karabakh ceasefire of Nov 9, all major political forces in Armenia (except for the ruling party) condemned Nikol Pashinyan’s agreement to the deal. While the dissatisfaction with the agreement is widespread, the opposition is not entirely unified on what to do next.

We’ll talk with the leader of one of the 2 parliamentary opposition factions, Bright Armenia about his, and his party’s vision and subsequent actions to be taken by Armenia.

What is Bright Armenia’s vision for post

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Guest(s):

Conversation with Bright Armenia’s Edmon Marukyan

Following the trilateral Karabakh ceasefire of Nov 9, all major political forces in Armenia (except for the ruling party) condemned Nikol Pashinyan’s agreement to the deal. While the dissatisfaction with the agreement is widespread, the opposition is not entirely unified on what to do next.

We’ll talk with the leader of one of the 2 parliamentary opposition factions, Bright Armenia about his, and his party’s vision and subsequent actions to be taken by Armenia.

What is Bright Armenia’s vision for post

 Read More

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 35 - Dec 20, 2020

Topics Covered:

  • Life in Artsakh
  • Update on Hin Tagher & Khtsaberd
  • Internal Political Situation in Yerevan
  • Kapan Border Tension

Guests

  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • Irina Safaryan
  • Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20201220.html Recorded: Dec 20, 2020

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 35 - Dec 20, 2020

Topics Covered:

  • Life in Artsakh
  • Update on Hin Tagher & Khtsaberd
  • Internal Political Situation in Yerevan
  • Kapan Border Tension

Guests

  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • Irina Safaryan
  • Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20201220.html Recorded: Dec 20, 2020

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Dec 6, 2020

Topics:

  • Turkey and Azerbaijan Connecting
  • Armenia’s Political Opposition Uniting
  • Does Putin support Pashinyan?
  • Robert Kocharyan Interview

Guests:

Episode 30 | Recorded: Dec 6, 2020

ANN/Groong Week in Review - Dec 6, 2020

Topics:

  • Turkey and Azerbaijan Connecting
  • Armenia’s Political Opposition Uniting
  • Does Putin support Pashinyan?
  • Robert Kocharyan Interview

Guests:

Episode 30 | Recorded: Dec 6, 2020

Guest(s):

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

Guest(s):

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

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 10/25/2020

Topics Covered:

  • International diplomacy on the move?
  • What is Turkey’s 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

Guest(s):

ANN/Groong Week in Review - 10/25/2020

Topics Covered:

  • International diplomacy on the move?
  • What is Turkey’s 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

Guest(s):

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)

Guest(s):

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)