UK on Groong Podcast

David Davidian - Armenia’s Foreign Intel Service Annual Report | Ep 511, Jan 31, 2026

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 15:00:00 -0700

Summary

David Davidian reviews Armenia’s 2026 External Security Risk Assessment from the Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) and argues it reads like a generic public document, not a usable intelligence product. He and the hosts discuss why the FIS was split from the National Security Service, what a real risk assessment should deliver (priorities, methods, and actionable guidance), and where the report falls short. The conversation also covers how the report uses “hybrid threats,” how it frames Azerbaijan and the risk of escalation, and why the technology section (AI, data centers, GPUs) raises security and civil-liberty concerns if the state lacks data safeguards and governance.

David Davidian - Armenia’s Foreign Intel Service Annual Report | Ep 511, Jan 31, 2026

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 15:00:00 -0700

Episode Summary

Hrant Mikaelian - Trump Inauguration, Iran-Russia, UK-Ukraine, US-Armenia Strategic Partnerships | Ep 406, Jan 19, 2025

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 00:06:59 +0400

Trump Inauguration

We recorded this episode on January 20, 2025, during Trump’s inauguration. This marks one of the most anticipated U.S. transitions of power in recent memory. Topics include:

Potential nuclear confrontation with Russia.
The possibility of a U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran.
Broader shifts in the global world order.

Hrant shares insights on Trump’s foreign policy priorities and the implications of his cabinet choices.

A Tale of Three Partnerships

Russian-Iranian Strategic Partnership

On January 17, Russia and Iran signed a 20-year “Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” marking a deepening of relations. The agreement is poised to influence conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon.

Hrant Mikaelian - Trump Inauguration, Iran-Russia, UK-Ukraine, US-Armenia Strategic Partnerships | Ep 406, Jan 19, 2025

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 00:06:59 +0400

Episode Summary

Trump Inauguration. Russian-Iranian Strategic Partnership. UK-Ukrainian 100-Year Partnership. US-Armenian “Strategic Partnership”.

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Benyamin Poghosyan - Police Brutality, Violence, and Repressions, Armenia Azerbaijan Talks, Armenia Russia Relations | Ep 337 - June 16, 2024

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:15:00 -0400

Police Violence and Repressions

June 12 came and went. It was billed as a sort of culminating point and the date when Bagrat Srbazan’s assurances, that he needed 96 hours to remove Pashinyan, expired.

It proved to be a bloody day. On that day, the Pashinyan regime proved that they’re willing to use unprecedented force to suppress the protesters. Up to a hundred people sought medical attention after the police lobbed dozens of stun grenades at the protesters, many of them protesters.

Benyamin Poghosyan - Police Brutality, Violence, and Repressions, Armenia Azerbaijan Talks, Armenia Russia Relations | Ep 337 - June 16, 2024

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:15:00 -0400

Episode Summary

Police Brutality, Violence & Repressions. Armenia Azerbaijan Talks. Armenia Russia Relations.

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Benyamin Poghosyan - Genocide Denial by the Armenian Government | Armenia Azerbaijan Talks | Iran Amidst Conflicts | Political Prisoners | Ep 324 - Apr 14, 2024

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 00:15:00 -0400

Armenian Genocide Denial

Every week Pashinyan seems to push the envelope on the narratives that challenge historical realities and themes related to Armenian identity. This is done in a way that would put George Orwell to shame.

“It’s the Russians’ Fault”

First, he opened the week by giving a “lecture” to students, which he records and shares on Tiktok nowadays, where he essentially blames the Russians (or the Soviets) for repatriating to Armenia descendants of the Armenian Genocide. He further blames Russia for stoking the nascent movement to recognize the Armenian genocide in Soviet Armenia. Of course, during the entire time he does this, he doesn’t actually use the term “genocide” a single time.

Benyamin Poghosyan - Genocide Denial by the Armenian Government | Armenia Azerbaijan Talks | Iran Amidst Conflicts | Political Prisoners | Ep 324 - Apr 14, 2024

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 00:15:00 -0400

Episode Summary

Armenia Azerbaijan Talks. Iran Amidst Conflicts. Political Prisoners.

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