Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity

Last updated: May 29, 2026

The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, known by the acronym TRIPP, is a transport and economic connectivity initiative associated with the Trump administration’s regional diplomacy in the South Caucasus . The proposal envisions a corridor running through Armenian territory that would connect Turkey to Azerbaijan and onward to Central Asia, bypassing Iran.

TRIPP has become one of the most contested policy questions in Armenian political discourse. Critics, including much of the opposition, argue that the corridor would require Armenia to cede sovereign control over a critical land route through the Syunik province, effectively creating a functional analog to the Zangezur corridor that Azerbaijan and Turkey have long demanded — and that it would leave Armenia geopolitically isolated and economically dependent on forces hostile to its interests. Supporters within the government argue it represents an opportunity for economic integration and normalization with Turkey.

Groong has covered TRIPP across more than 60 episodes, examining the proposal’s terms, the divergent positions of Armenian political parties, the implications for Syunik and Armenian sovereignty, the US diplomatic context, and the relationship between TRIPP and the broader Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process.

Groong episodes that include this tag

Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity.

Dziunik Aghajanian - From Moscow to Riyadh: New Fault Lines Around Armenia | Ep 590, Sep 25, 2026 [EP590]

Posted on Friday, Sep 25, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Russian parliamentary election outcome
  • Middle East escalation and the Houthis
  • Armenia-Russia confrontation, including the 102nd base
  • Asset confiscation, anti-corruption, and Russian interests
  • Azerbaijan-Armenia “durable peace” tensions
  • Armenian opposition strategy

Episode 590 | Recorded: September 23, 2026

#Armenia #Russia #SouthCaucasus #Azerbaijan #MiddleEast #UkraineWar #ArmenianPolitics #Geopolitics

Dziunik Aghajanian - From Moscow to Riyadh: New Fault Lines Around Armenia | Ep 590, Sep 25, 2026 [EP590]

Posted on Friday, Sep 25, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Russian parliamentary election outcome
  • Middle East escalation and the Houthis
  • Armenia-Russia confrontation, including the 102nd base
  • Asset confiscation, anti-corruption, and Russian interests
  • Azerbaijan-Armenia “durable peace” tensions
  • Armenian opposition strategy

Episode 590 | Recorded: September 23, 2026

#Armenia #Russia #SouthCaucasus #Azerbaijan #MiddleEast #UkraineWar #ArmenianPolitics #Geopolitics

Transcript: Dziunik Aghajanian - From Moscow to Riyadh: New Fault Lines Around Armenia | Ep 590, Sep 25, 2026 [EP590]

Posted on Friday, Sep 25, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Dziunik Aghajanian about shifting geopolitical pressures on Armenia following Russia’s September 2026 parliamentary elections. We discuss Putin’s strengthened domestic position, the Armenia-Russia confrontation over the 102nd base, asset confiscation and anti-corruption efforts targeting Russian interests, and how Middle East escalation and the Iran War reshape Armenia’s strategic environment amid ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Process tensions.

Arthur Khachatryan - Opposition Strategy, TRIPP, and the Russian Base | Ep 589, Sep 23, 2026 [EP589]

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026 | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Reflections on Independence Day
  • Post-election opposition strategy
  • Tigranashen and other territorial concessions
  • Azerbaijani attacks on Armenian heritage
  • Azerbaijani control over TRIPP access
  • Future of Russia’s 102nd base
  • Asset confiscation and Russia tensions
  • Attacks and threats against the ARF

Episode 589 | Recorded: September 22, 2026

#Armenia #ArthurKhachatryan #ArmeniaAlliance #TRIPP #Tigranashen #Artsakh #SouthCaucasus #ArmenianPolitics

 Read More

Arthur Khachatryan - Opposition Strategy, TRIPP, and the Russian Base | Ep 589, Sep 23, 2026 [EP589]

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Reflections on Independence Day
  • Post-election opposition strategy
  • Tigranashen and other territorial concessions
  • Azerbaijani attacks on Armenian heritage
  • Azerbaijani control over TRIPP access
  • Future of Russia’s 102nd base
  • Asset confiscation and Russia tensions
  • Attacks and threats against the ARF

Episode 589 | Recorded: September 22, 2026

#Armenia #ArthurKhachatryan #ArmeniaAlliance #TRIPP #Tigranashen #Artsakh #SouthCaucasus #ArmenianPolitics

 Read More

Can an Armenian Even Use TRIPP [EP589]

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, Armenia, Azerbaijan

Hovik asks a simple question about TRIPP that no one will answer: can an Armenian board a train in one village and get off in the next?

Armenia at 35: Independence, Loss, and Unfinished Wars | Ep 588, Sep 20, 2026 [EP588]

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • Armenia marks 35 years independent
  • Artsakh remembered three years later
  • Armenian POWs remain in Baku
  • Ukraine strikes deep inside Russia
  • Turkey-Azerbaijan deepen strategic coordination
  • Citizenship costs rise sharply
  • Government opacity over war casualties

Episode 588 | Recorded: September 22, 2026

#Armenia #Artsakh #UkraineWar #ArmenianPOWs #Azerbaijan #Turkey #SouthCaucasus #ArmenianPolitics

Armenia at 35: Independence, Loss, and Unfinished Wars | Ep 588, Sep 20, 2026 [EP588]

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics

Topics:

  • Armenia marks 35 years independent
  • Artsakh remembered three years later
  • Armenian POWs remain in Baku
  • Ukraine strikes deep inside Russia
  • Turkey-Azerbaijan deepen strategic coordination
  • Citizenship costs rise sharply
  • Government opacity over war casualties

Episode 588 | Recorded: September 22, 2026

#Armenia #Artsakh #UkraineWar #ArmenianPOWs #Azerbaijan #Turkey #SouthCaucasus #ArmenianPolitics

Transcript: Armenia at 35: Independence, Loss, and Unfinished Wars | Ep 588, Sep 20, 2026 [EP588]

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Transcript

In this week’s Groong podcast episode, Hovik and Asbed reflect on Armenia’s 35th independence anniversary amid ongoing regional tensions and unresolved conflicts. We discuss the state of Armenian statehood three years after the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, Armenian prisoners of war still held in Baku, rising citizenship costs, government opacity over war casualties, and deepening Turkey-Azerbaijan strategic coordination.

Transcript: Arthur Khachatryan - Opposition Strategy, TRIPP, and the Russian Base | Ep 589, Sep 23, 2026 [EP589]

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026 | Category: Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Arthur Khachatryan, MP from Armenia Alliance, about opposition strategy following the June 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election. We discuss the Established Opposition’s plans to counter Pashinyan’s agenda, territorial concessions including Tigranashen, Azerbaijani attacks on Armenian heritage, the role of TRIPP and Azerbaijan’s control over transit corridors, the future of Russia’s 102nd military base, and escalating threats against opposition parties.

How Beijing Really Sees TRIPP and the Middle Corridor [EP587]

Posted on Sunday, Sep 20, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, China, Armenia

Warwick Powell on why Beijing stays relaxed about TRIPP and the Middle Corridor, and how the risk of any route becoming a chokepoint is managed by keeping alternatives.

Hrant Mikaelian - Chips for TRIPP, Education Crisis, and Economic Risks | Ep 586, Sep 17, 2026 [EP586]

Posted on Friday, Sep 18, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • AI chips tied to TRIPP diplomacy
  • Data centers raise major energy questions
  • Armenia faces severe education outcomes
  • Government reforms versus poor student performance
  • Azerbaijan targets Armenian heritage in Artsakh
  • Gas dependence exposes Armenia to shocks

Episode 586 | Recorded: September 16, 2026

#Armenia #TRIPP #ArtificialIntelligence #EducationCrisis #Artsakh #EnergySecurity #SouthCaucasus #HrantMikaelian

Hrant Mikaelian - Chips for TRIPP, Education Crisis, and Economic Risks | Ep 586, Sep 17, 2026 [EP586]

Posted on Friday, Sep 18, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • AI chips tied to TRIPP diplomacy
  • Data centers raise major energy questions
  • Armenia faces severe education outcomes
  • Government reforms versus poor student performance
  • Azerbaijan targets Armenian heritage in Artsakh
  • Gas dependence exposes Armenia to shocks

Episode 586 | Recorded: September 16, 2026

#Armenia #TRIPP #ArtificialIntelligence #EducationCrisis #Artsakh #EnergySecurity #SouthCaucasus #HrantMikaelian

Transcript: Hrant Mikaelian - Chips for TRIPP, Education Crisis, and Economic Risks | Ep 586, Sep 17, 2026 [EP586]

Posted on Friday, Sep 18, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Hrant Mikaelian about chip diplomacy, the TRIPP framework, and Armenia’s structural economic vulnerabilities. We discuss how the U.S. fast-tracked advanced AI exports to secure the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Process agreement, the massive energy demands of the planned Firebird data center, Armenia’s deepening education crisis, and the risks of energy dependence as the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant approaches shutdown.

AI Chips for 99 Years of Armenian Territory [EP585]

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 16, 2026 | Category: Politics, Technology, USA

A Wall Street Journal report says the U.S. dangled NVIDIA AI chips to get Armenia to sign the TRIPP corridor. The hosts weigh revocable chips against a 99-year deal.

Artsakh Remembered, SCO Theater, Russian Signals, and the Cucumber Paradox | Ep 584, Sep 6, 2026 [EP584]

Posted on Monday, Sep 7, 2026 | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • Artsakh remembered, its cause unresolved
  • Putin puts Russia’s military base on the table
  • Church prosecutions begin to unravel
  • EU trade headlines look better than the deal
  • Army indiscipline fuels mounting non-combat deaths
  • New political pressures before local elections

Episode 584 | Recorded: Sep 6, 2026

#Artsakh #Armenia #NagornoKarabakh #SouthCaucasus #SCO #Russia #EuropeanUnion #ArmenianPolitics

Artsakh Remembered, SCO Theater, Russian Signals, and the Cucumber Paradox | Ep 584, Sep 6, 2026 [EP584]

Posted on Monday, Sep 7, 2026

Topics:

  • Artsakh remembered, its cause unresolved
  • Putin puts Russia’s military base on the table
  • Church prosecutions begin to unravel
  • EU trade headlines look better than the deal
  • Army indiscipline fuels mounting non-combat deaths
  • New political pressures before local elections

Episode 584 | Recorded: Sep 6, 2026

#Artsakh #Armenia #NagornoKarabakh #SouthCaucasus #SCO #Russia #EuropeanUnion #ArmenianPolitics

Transcript: Artsakh Remembered, SCO Theater, Russian Signals, and the Cucumber Paradox | Ep 584, Sep 6, 2026 [EP584]

Posted on Monday, Sep 7, 2026 | Category: Transcript

In this week’s Groong episode, Hovik and Asbed review September 2026 developments across Armenia and the South Caucasus. We examine Artsakh’s remembered independence declaration on September 2, 1991, and its unresolved cause following the 2023 ethnic cleansing; Putin’s signaling on Russia’s military base presence; ongoing Armenian Church prosecutions; EU trade negotiations; mounting non-combat military deaths; and political pressures ahead of local elections. We also analyze U.S. envoy Witkoff and Kushner’s diplomatic shuttle through Moscow and Kyiv.

Suren Sargsyan - Central Asia, TRIPP, Iran, and Armenia in the New Great Game | Ep 583, Sep 5, 2026 [EP583]

Posted on Saturday, Sep 5, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Geopolitics | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • U.S. objectives in the Iran war
  • Russia’s 102nd base in Armenia
  • Pashinyan’s sovereignty policy contradictions
  • Great-power rivalry across Central Asia
  • U.S. and EU interests in TRIPP
  • Armenia’s place in Eurasian competition

Episode 583 | Recorded: Sep 4, 2026

#Armenia #IranWar #TRIPP #CentralAsia #Russia #UnitedStates #Geopolitics #SouthCaucasus

Suren Sargsyan - Central Asia, TRIPP, Iran, and Armenia in the New Great Game | Ep 583, Sep 5, 2026 [EP583]

Posted on Saturday, Sep 5, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Geopolitics

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • U.S. objectives in the Iran war
  • Russia’s 102nd base in Armenia
  • Pashinyan’s sovereignty policy contradictions
  • Great-power rivalry across Central Asia
  • U.S. and EU interests in TRIPP
  • Armenia’s place in Eurasian competition

Episode 583 | Recorded: Sep 4, 2026

#Armenia #IranWar #TRIPP #CentralAsia #Russia #UnitedStates #Geopolitics #SouthCaucasus

TRIPP: Who Developed the Corridor Deal and Why Steve Witkoff Matters [EP583]

Posted on Saturday, Sep 5, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, Armenia, Azerbaijan, USA

Suren Sargsyan traces the origins of TRIPP back decades and identifies Steve Witkoff as the key architect of the current U.S. initiative.

Trump Has No Exit Strategy in Iran War [EP583]

Posted on Saturday, Sep 5, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, Iran, USA, Middle East

Suren Sargsyan argues the Trump administration lacks a clear exit strategy in its escalating war with Iran, creating deeper policy problems.

Transcript: Suren Sargsyan - Central Asia, TRIPP, Iran, and Armenia in the New Great Game | Ep 583, Sep 5, 2026 [EP583]

Posted on Saturday, Sep 5, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Geopolitics, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Suren Sargsyan about the Iran War and great power competition for Armenia’s strategic position. We discuss Washington’s unclear endgame in the conflict with Iran, the future of Russia’s military presence in Armenia and CSTO membership, and competing U.S. and European interests in new east-west transit routes through Armenia and Central Asia amid broader geopolitical rivalries.

Arthur Martirosyan - The Fourth Republic and the Politics of Erasure | Ep 581, Aug 29, 2026 [EP581]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 29, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Pashinyan’s Revenge Against Opposition
  • Kocharyan Arrested, Family Under State Pressure
  • Opposition Strategy Under Repression
  • Pashinyan’s Five-Year Transformation Agenda
  • Government Assault on Armenian Church
  • Tigranashen and Border Concessions
  • TRIPP, Turan, and Central Asia

Episode 581 | Recorded: August 28, 2026

#ArmenianElections #Armenia #NikolPashinyan #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #ArmenianOpposition

Arthur Martirosyan - The Fourth Republic and the Politics of Erasure | Ep 581, Aug 29, 2026 [EP581]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 29, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Pashinyan’s Revenge Against Opposition
  • Kocharyan Arrested, Family Under State Pressure
  • Opposition Strategy Under Repression
  • Pashinyan’s Five-Year Transformation Agenda
  • Government Assault on Armenian Church
  • Tigranashen and Border Concessions
  • TRIPP, Turan, and Central Asia

Episode 581 | Recorded: August 28, 2026

#ArmenianElections #Armenia #NikolPashinyan #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #ArmenianOpposition

TRIPP, Kazakhstan, and the Western Encroachment in Central Asia [EP581]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 29, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, Politics

Pashinyan offers TRIPP stakes to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to isolate Russia while EU seeks Central Asian access. Expert analyzes broader European strategy in Central Asia and China’s role.

Transcript: Arthur Martirosyan - The Fourth Republic and the Politics of Erasure | Ep 581, Aug 29, 2026 [EP581]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 29, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Arthur G. Martirosyan about Armenia’s post-election political crisis and Pashinyan’s governance agenda. We discuss the arrest of opposition leaders including Robert Kocharyan, attacks on the Armenian Church, border concessions including Tigranashen, the TRIPP corridor, and how the Established Opposition is strategizing under state repression in the Fourth Republic.

Dziunik Aghajanian - Armenia Between Iran, Russia & the New Middle East Order | Ep 579, Aug 22, 2026 [EP579]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 22, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Significance of the Mecca joint defense pact
  • Iran warns Armenia over TRIPP
  • Aliyev advances plans through Syunik
  • Armenia faces growing energy dependence
  • Russia sets deadlines for Yerevan
  • Opposition tests its parliamentary strategy

Episode 579 | Recorded: August 18, 2026

#Armenia #SouthCaucasus #Mecca #TRIPP #Iran #Russia #Azerbaijan #EAEU #CSTO

Dziunik Aghajanian - Armenia Between Iran, Russia & the New Middle East Order | Ep 579, Aug 22, 2026 [EP579]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 22, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Significance of the Mecca joint defense pact
  • Iran warns Armenia over TRIPP
  • Aliyev advances plans through Syunik
  • Armenia faces growing energy dependence
  • Russia sets deadlines for Yerevan
  • Opposition tests its parliamentary strategy

Episode 579 | Recorded: August 18, 2026

#Armenia #SouthCaucasus #Mecca #TRIPP #Iran #Russia #Azerbaijan #EAEU #CSTO

TRIPP is a Ground Operation Against Iran, Ambassador Says [EP579]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 22, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, Iran, Armenia, Politics

Former Ambassador Aghajanian argues TRIPP is designed as part of a U.S.-led ground operation strategy against Iran, putting Armenia in an extremely vulnerable position.

Transcript: Dziunik Aghajanian - Armenia Between Iran, Russia & the New Middle East Order | Ep 579, Aug 22, 2026 [EP579]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 22, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Dziunik Aghajanian about Armenia’s precarious position between Iran, Russia, and emerging Middle East power shifts. We discuss the Mecca joint defense pact signed by Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, Iran’s warnings over TRIPP, Ilham Aliyev’s militarization plans in Nakhijevan, Armenia’s growing energy dependence, Russian deadlines for Yerevan, and how the Established Opposition is testing its parliamentary strategy ahead of the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election.

Aryeh Lightstone: The Rabbi Behind TRIPP and U.S. Armenian Policy [EP576]

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 12, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, USA, Israel, Politics, Armenia

Hovik profiles Aryeh Lightstone, the Orthodox rabbi and Abraham Accords architect now advising on TRIPP implementation in Armenia.

Pashinyan’s Church War, the Russia-EU Choice, and TRIPP | Ep 576, Aug 9, 2026 [EP576]

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 12, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Alliance
  • Iran War Update
  • Catholicos on Trial
  • EAEU Meeting in Cholpon-Ata
  • Corruption & Persecutions

Episode 576 | Recorded: August 10, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #ArmenianChurch #GareginII #TRIPP #ArmeniaRussia #SouthCaucasus #Groong

Pashinyan’s Church War, the Russia-EU Choice, and TRIPP | Ep 576, Aug 9, 2026 [EP576]

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 12, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Topics:

  • Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Alliance
  • Iran War Update
  • Catholicos on Trial
  • EAEU Meeting in Cholpon-Ata
  • Corruption & Persecutions

Episode 576 | Recorded: August 10, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #ArmenianChurch #GareginII #TRIPP #ArmeniaRussia #SouthCaucasus #Groong

Transcript: Pashinyan’s Church War, the Russia-EU Choice, and TRIPP | Ep 576, Aug 9, 2026 [EP576]

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 12, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this week’s Groong episode, the hosts examine Pashinyan’s confrontation with the Armenian Church, Armenia’s strategic positioning between Russia and the EU, and the geopolitical implications of TRIPP. We discuss the trial of Catholicos Garegin II, Iran’s military leadership realignment, the Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defense pact, and how these shifts reshape Armenia’s role in the South Caucasus.

Tigranashen Unanswered, Russia’s Railways Challenged | Ep 574, Aug 2, 2026 [EP574]

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • New parliament is sworn in
  • Tigranashen and Armenia’s territorial red lines
  • Civil Contract’s evasive enclave answers
  • Armenia challenges Russia’s railway concession
  • TRIPP reshapes regional power and transit

Episode 574 | Recorded: August 3, 2026

#ArmenianNews #Tigranashen #ArmenianRailways #TRIPP #SouthCaucasus #ArmeniaRussia #ZangezurCorridor #Geopolitics

Tigranashen Unanswered, Russia’s Railways Challenged | Ep 574, Aug 2, 2026 [EP574]

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics

Topics:

  • New parliament is sworn in
  • Tigranashen and Armenia’s territorial red lines
  • Civil Contract’s evasive enclave answers
  • Armenia challenges Russia’s railway concession
  • TRIPP reshapes regional power and transit

Episode 574 | Recorded: August 3, 2026

#ArmenianNews #Tigranashen #ArmenianRailways #TRIPP #SouthCaucasus #ArmeniaRussia #ZangezurCorridor #Geopolitics

Transcript: Tigranashen Unanswered, Russia’s Railways Challenged | Ep 574, Aug 2, 2026 [EP574]

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Transcript

In this week’s Groong Week in Review, Hovik and Asbed discuss Armenia’s new parliament sworn in on August 2, 2026, and the Armenia Alliance’s direct challenge to Civil Contract over Tigranashen. We examine the government’s evasive responses on territorial red lines, Armenia’s challenge to Russia’s railway concession, and how TRIPP reshapes regional power dynamics in the South Caucasus.

Christine Arakelian - Forever Wars, NATO 3.0, Armenia's High-Stakes Western Pivot | Ep 572, Jul 31, 2026 [EP572]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 1, 2026 | Category: Armenia, USA, European Union, Politics, Geopolitics, Diaspora | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • US Foreign Policy & the Fracture of MAGA
  • Iran and the Risk of Forever Wars
  • NATO 3.0 and Europe’s Militarization
  • Post-2026 Election Armenia
  • TRIPP and Pashinyan’s Pivot to the West

Episode 572 | Recorded: July 29, 2026

#ForeverWars #NATO #IranWar #Armenia #TRIPP #MAGA #USForeignPolicy #SouthCaucasus

Christine Arakelian - Forever Wars, NATO 3.0, Armenia's High-Stakes Western Pivot | Ep 572, Jul 31, 2026 [EP572]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 1, 2026 | Category: Armenia, USA, European Union, Politics, Geopolitics, Diaspora

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • US Foreign Policy & the Fracture of MAGA
  • Iran and the Risk of Forever Wars
  • NATO 3.0 and Europe’s Militarization
  • Post-2026 Election Armenia
  • TRIPP and Pashinyan’s Pivot to the West

Episode 572 | Recorded: July 29, 2026

#ForeverWars #NATO #IranWar #Armenia #TRIPP #MAGA #USForeignPolicy #SouthCaucasus

TRIPP Is Starved of Real Money-$400M Won't Cut It [EP572]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 1, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, Economy, Armenia

Christine Arakelian argues that the $400 million allocated to TRIPP is grossly insufficient compared to similar corridor projects, casting doubt on US commitment to Armenia’s western pivot.

Transcript: Christine Arakelian - Forever Wars, NATO 3.0, Armenia's High-Stakes Western Pivot | Ep 572, Jul 31, 2026 [EP572]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 1, 2026 | Category: Armenia, USA, European Union, Politics, Geopolitics, Diaspora, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Christine Arakelian about American foreign policy fractures, Iran war risks, and Armenia’s pivot to the West. We discuss whether the United States has coherent foreign policy, the collapse of the MAGA coalition over Forever Wars, NATO 3.0 and Europe’s militarization, and how Pashinyan’s post-2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election government is navigating TRIPP amid global instability.

From Caspian Drones to Armenia’s Cold Winter | Ep 571, Jul 26, 2026 [EP571]

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 28, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Iran, Politics | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • Ukraine expands its war into the Caspian
  • Iran warns of a wider regional response
  • Russia and the West test stalled diplomacy
  • Aliyev positions Baku as a geopolitical hub
  • Armenia faces pressure over EU alignment
  • Baku POW abuse and their deteriorating health
  • Housing policy expose domestic failures

Episode 571 | Recorded: July 27, 2026

#Armenia #UkraineWar #Iran #CaspianSea #SouthCaucasus #MiddleCorridor #ArmenianPOWs #Geopolitics

From Caspian Drones to Armenia’s Cold Winter | Ep 571, Jul 26, 2026 [EP571]

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 28, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Iran, Politics

Topics:

  • Ukraine expands its war into the Caspian
  • Iran warns of a wider regional response
  • Russia and the West test stalled diplomacy
  • Aliyev positions Baku as a geopolitical hub
  • Armenia faces pressure over EU alignment
  • Baku POW abuse and their deteriorating health
  • Housing policy expose domestic failures

Episode 571 | Recorded: July 27, 2026

#Armenia #UkraineWar #Iran #CaspianSea #SouthCaucasus #MiddleCorridor #ArmenianPOWs #Geopolitics

Archil Sikharulidze - Armenia and Georgia Between Russia and Europe | Ep 570, Jul 26, 2026 [EP570]

Posted on Monday, Jul 27, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Georgia, Geopolitics, Politics | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Russia’s changing South Caucasus strategy
  • Georgia’s widening dispute with Europe
  • Armenia’s shift away from Russia
  • Georgia’s role in regional transit
  • Armenia-Georgia ties under pressure

Episode 570 | Recorded: July 24, 2026

#Armenia #Georgia #Russia #EuropeanUnion #SouthCaucasus #GeorgianDream #NikolPashinyan #MiddleCorridor

Archil Sikharulidze - Armenia and Georgia Between Russia and Europe | Ep 570, Jul 26, 2026 [EP570]

Posted on Monday, Jul 27, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Georgia, Geopolitics, Politics

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Russia’s changing South Caucasus strategy
  • Georgia’s widening dispute with Europe
  • Armenia’s shift away from Russia
  • Georgia’s role in regional transit
  • Armenia-Georgia ties under pressure

Episode 570 | Recorded: July 24, 2026

#Armenia #Georgia #Russia #EuropeanUnion #SouthCaucasus #GeorgianDream #NikolPashinyan #MiddleCorridor

Transcript: From Caspian Drones to Armenia’s Cold Winter | Ep 571, Jul 26, 2026 [EP571]

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 28, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Iran, Politics, Transcript

In this week’s edition of the Armenian News podcast, Hovik and Asbed analyze escalating regional tensions as Ukraine expands operations into the Caspian Sea, striking Iranian and Russian assets. We examine how this merger of the Northern and Southern conflicts affects Armenia, Kazakhstan’s energy security, and Pashinyan’s diplomatic positioning amid new pressure from Western capitals following Aliyev’s recent visits to Germany and Berlin.

Transcript: Archil Sikharulidze - Armenia and Georgia Between Russia and Europe | Ep 570, Jul 26, 2026 [EP570]

Posted on Monday, Jul 27, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Georgia, Geopolitics, Politics, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Dr. Archil Sikharulidze about Russia’s shifting strategy in the South Caucasus and Armenia and Georgia’s diverging paths. We discuss Moscow’s assessment of Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Process developments, Georgia’s widening dispute with Europe, Armenia’s shift away from Russia, and how regional transit corridors reshape geopolitical competition between Moscow, Brussels, and Washington.

Iran War, TRIPP Money, and Armenia’s Political Purgatory | Ep 561, Jul 19, 2026 [EP568]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 22, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • US-Iran War Continues
  • Summer Lull in Yerevan Politics
  • Konstantin Sokolov: Master of TRIPP & Teghut
  • UN: Abp. Galstanyan Charges Unjustified
  • Armenian POW Slams Pashinyan from Baku

Episode 568 | Recorded: July 20, 2026

#IranWar #TRIPP #Teghut #Armenia #PoliticalPrisoners #ArmenianPOWs #KonstantinSokolov

Iran War, TRIPP Money, and Armenia’s Political Purgatory | Ep 561, Jul 19, 2026 [EP568]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 22, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Topics:

  • US-Iran War Continues
  • Summer Lull in Yerevan Politics
  • Konstantin Sokolov: Master of TRIPP & Teghut
  • UN: Abp. Galstanyan Charges Unjustified
  • Armenian POW Slams Pashinyan from Baku

Episode 568 | Recorded: July 20, 2026

#IranWar #TRIPP #Teghut #Armenia #PoliticalPrisoners #ArmenianPOWs #KonstantinSokolov

Konstantin Sokolov, TRIPP+, and the Teghut Mine: A Conflict of Interest [EP568]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 22, 2026 | Category: USA, Armenia, Economy, Geopolitics

Konstantin Sokolov, a Trump megadonor, was appointed to lead TRIPP+, a U.S. fund managing $200 million in South Caucasus investments, the same week he acquired Armenia’s second-largest copper mine. The hosts examine the conflict of interest.

Transcript: Iran War, TRIPP Money, and Armenia’s Political Purgatory | Ep 561, Jul 19, 2026 [EP568]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 22, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this week’s Groong Week in Review, Hovik and Asbed break down escalating tensions across the Middle East as the US-Iran war intensifies following the collapse of the June ceasefire. We examine the strategic implications for Armenia and the South Caucasus, the role of TRIPP advocates like Konstantin Sokolov, and how regional instability intersects with Pashinyan’s political vulnerabilities at home, including charges against Archbishop Galstanyan and ongoing Armenian POW cases.

Iran's Legitimate Security Concerns About TRIPP-Pashinyan's Tone-Deaf Response [EP567]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 15, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, Iran, Politics

Hovik details Iran’s formal request for TRIPP safeguards and Pashinyan’s dismissal, illustrating Armenia’s strategic pivot away from its longtime partner toward NATO.

NATO in Ankara, War in Iran, and the Scissors Over Armenia | Ep 567, Jul 12, 2026 [EP567]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 15, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • NATO summit in Ankara
  • Iran War Update
  • Taking Scissors to Armenia
  • Shaping the Parliament
  • OSCE vs. Garegin II

Episode 567 | Recorded: July 13, 2026

#ArmenianNews #NATOSummit #IranWar #TRIPP #ArmeniaAzerbaijan #ArmenianParliament #GareginII #OSCE

NATO in Ankara, War in Iran, and the Scissors Over Armenia | Ep 567, Jul 12, 2026 [EP567]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 15, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Topics:

  • NATO summit in Ankara
  • Iran War Update
  • Taking Scissors to Armenia
  • Shaping the Parliament
  • OSCE vs. Garegin II

Episode 567 | Recorded: July 13, 2026

#ArmenianNews #NATOSummit #IranWar #TRIPP #ArmeniaAzerbaijan #ArmenianParliament #GareginII #OSCE

Turkey Leading NATO's Anti-Russia Charge Through TRIPP and Geopolitics [EP567]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 15, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, NATO, Turkey, USA

Hovik explains Turkey’s expanded strategic importance in NATO, positioning TRIPP as a European long-term project to exclude Russia and Iran, not merely a transit corridor.

Transcript: NATO in Ankara, War in Iran, and the Scissors Over Armenia | Ep 567, Jul 12, 2026 [EP567]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 15, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this Groong Week in Review episode, Hovik and Asbed cover the 36th NATO summit in Ankara, escalating Iran war developments, and Armenia’s removal of murals honoring fallen soldiers. We discuss NATO’s defense spending surge, Trump’s shift on Turkey and F-35 access, Ukraine aid commitments, and what these geopolitical shifts mean for Armenia and the South Caucasus amid ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan peace negotiations.

Dmitry Suslov - Ukraine’s Endgame, Armenia’s Crossroads | Ep 566, Jul 11, 2026 [EP566]

Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, Politics | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Ukraine’s long war and endgame
  • Novorossiya and a landlocked Ukraine?
  • Europe rearms against Russia
  • NATO 3.0 and containment
  • Armenia’s post-election Western pivot
  • EU promises versus EAEU dependence
  • TRIPP, Syunik, and Russian red lines

Episode 566 | Recorded: July 9, 2026

#Russia #UkraineWar #NATO #Europe #Armenia #SouthCaucasus #TRIPP #Syunik #EAEU

Dmitry Suslov - Ukraine’s Endgame, Armenia’s Crossroads | Ep 566, Jul 11, 2026 [EP566]

Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, Politics

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Ukraine’s long war and endgame
  • Novorossiya and a landlocked Ukraine?
  • Europe rearms against Russia
  • NATO 3.0 and containment
  • Armenia’s post-election Western pivot
  • EU promises versus EAEU dependence
  • TRIPP, Syunik, and Russian red lines

Episode 566 | Recorded: July 9, 2026

#Russia #UkraineWar #NATO #Europe #Armenia #SouthCaucasus #TRIPP #Syunik #EAEU

Russia's South Caucasus Dilemma: TRIPP as Strategic Containment or Negotiable Asset? [EP566]

Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, Russia, Armenia

Suslov explains Russia’s conflicted view of TRIPP: a strategic threat violating the 2020 agreement, but potentially negotiable as a way to preserve Russian influence.