Yerevan
Last updated: June 11, 2026
Yerevan is Armenia’s capital and largest city, with a population of approximately 1.1 million in the metropolitan area. Founded in 782 BCE, it is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Located in the Ararat Valley roughly 44 kilometers west of the Azerbaijan border, Yerevan is home to Republic Square, the Armenian National Museum, Etchmiadzin Cathedral, and numerous universities, theaters, and cultural institutions. The city serves as Armenia’s economic engine, housing the country’s major businesses, media outlets, and educational centers. Key government institutions—the National Assembly (parliament), presidential residence, and government ministries—are located in central Yerevan, making it the seat of state power and the venue where major policy decisions affecting Armenia’s relationship with Azerbaijan , Russia , the United States , Iran , and Turkey are formulated and announced.
Yerevan’s Republic Square remains a symbolic center of Armenian national life, and the surrounding neighborhoods host universities, cultural institutions, and media outlets that shape public discourse on war, peace, and Armenia’s geopolitical alignment.
Yerevan has been the epicenter of Armenia’s major political upheavals since independence in 1991. The so-called Velvet Revolution in 2018 centered on mass protests in Yerevan’s streets against Robert Kocharyan and resulted in Nikol Pashinyan ascending to power. Since then, the city has witnessed successive cycles of protest and state crackdown: street demonstrations against the 2020 ceasefire agreement following the 44-Day War , opposition rallies during Pashinyan’s tenure, and most recently, state pressure on the Armenian Church and arrests of opposition figures ahead of the June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections. Yerevan’s geography and political institutions make it the arena where Armenia’s foreign policy commitments, including negotiations over the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Process , commitments to TRIPP (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity), and Armenia’s shifting relationship with CSTO membership are debated, contested, and implemented.
The city’s role in Armenia’s current geopolitical predicament is direct and unavoidable. Yerevan’s proximity to the Azerbaijani border and its status as Armenia’s sole major urban center mean that security threats, blockade pressure, and territorial demands all converge on decisions made within the capital’s government buildings. During the Iran War beginning in early 2026, Yerevan became a site of intense diplomatic activity as foreign officials visited to signal American intentions regarding the TRIPP corridor, regional alignment, and Armenia’s relationship with Washington. The city’s parliament elected in June 2026 will determine whether Armenia continues Pashinyan’s course of concessions to Azerbaijan and the West, or whether opposition forces can halt further territorial or sovereignty losses. As such, developments in Yerevan invariably reflect and shape the choices available to Armenia as a state caught between Russia , an increasingly assertive Azerbaijan, a destabilized Iran, and a United States pursuing its own strategic interests in the South Caucasus.
Groong episodes that include this tag
Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Yerevan.
Conversation with My Step's Maria Karapetyan (Ep #39) - 01/08/2021 [EP39]
Posted on Friday, Jan 8, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Azerbaijan, China, Human Rights, Israel, Nagorno Karabakh | Series: cog
Guest(s):
Conversation with My Step’s Maria Karapetyan - 01/08/2021
As protesters in the streets of Yerevan continue demanding the resignation of PM Nikol Pashinyan in the aftermath of the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, the ruling My Step faction seems to be firmly on the side of the prime minister.
In the last week or so here at Groong we hosted representatives of various opposition parties and today we will host a representative from the ruling My Step faction to talk about the ongoing political crisis in Armenia.
Today weâre joined by:
Maria Karapetyan, who is a member
Read MoreConversation with My Step's Maria Karapetyan (Ep #39) - 01/08/2021 [EP39]
Posted on Friday, Jan 8, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Azerbaijan, China, Human Rights, Israel, Nagorno KarabakhGuest(s):
Conversation with My Step’s Maria Karapetyan - 01/08/2021
As protesters in the streets of Yerevan continue demanding the resignation of PM Nikol Pashinyan in the aftermath of the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, the ruling My Step faction seems to be firmly on the side of the prime minister.
In the last week or so here at Groong we hosted representatives of various opposition parties and today we will host a representative from the ruling My Step faction to talk about the ongoing political crisis in Armenia.
Today weâre joined by:
Maria Karapetyan, who is a member
Read MoreArtsakh 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
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)
Artsakh War: Security situation | Diplomatic activity | Humanitarian impact (Ep. 21) [EP21]
Posted on Tuesday, Oct 13, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Turkey, Russia, Human Rights, Genocide, SyriaGuest(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)
Stepanakert Cluster Bombed | Turkey's Role | Russia Quiet | What's Next? | Ep. 20 - Oct 4, 2020 [EP20]
Posted on Monday, Oct 5, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Iran, Syria, Geopolitics | Series: wir
ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 4, 2020
Topics:
- Stepanakert under persistent bombardment using banned cluster bombs.
- Turkeyâs role in the war.
- Why is Russia quiet?
- What can we expect next?
Guests:
Episode 20 | Recorded: Oct 3, 2020
Stepanakert Cluster Bombed | Turkey's Role | Russia Quiet | What's Next? | Ep. 20 - Oct 4, 2020 [EP20]
Posted on Monday, Oct 5, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Iran, Syria, GeopoliticsANN/Groong Week in Review - October 4, 2020
Topics:
- Stepanakert under persistent bombardment using banned cluster bombs.
- Turkeyâs role in the war.
- Why is Russia quiet?
- What can we expect next?
Guests:
Episode 20 | Recorded: Oct 3, 2020
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #18) - 09/27/2020 [EP18]
Posted on Monday, Sep 28, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Israel, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Syria, Artsakh, China, Economy, Genocide, Lebanon, Ukraine, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Genocide | Series: wir
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #18) - 09/27/2020
Topics:
- The 29th Anniversary of Armenian Independence;
- Armeniaâs foreign policy;
- Azerbaijan war of disinformation; and lastly
- Opposition trio rally and Tsarukyanâs arrest
Guests
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Marine Manucharyan
- Emil Sanamyan
Hosts
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200927.html Episode 18 | Recorded on September 26, 2020
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #18) - 09/27/2020 [EP18]
Posted on Monday, Sep 28, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Israel, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Syria, Artsakh, China, Economy, Genocide, Lebanon, Ukraine, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian GenocideGuest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #18) - 09/27/2020
Topics:
- The 29th Anniversary of Armenian Independence;
- Armeniaâs foreign policy;
- Azerbaijan war of disinformation; and lastly
- Opposition trio rally and Tsarukyanâs arrest
Guests
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Marine Manucharyan
- Emil Sanamyan
Hosts
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200927.html Episode 18 | Recorded on September 26, 2020
CoG: "Velvet Revolution" Two Years On - Part 1 | Ep 17 - Sep 25, 2020 [EP17]
Posted on Friday, Sep 25, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Democracy, Nagorno Karabakh, Economy, Georgia, Russia | Series: cog
CoG: “Velvet Revolution” Two Years On - Part 1 | Ep 17 - Sep 25, 2020
It’s been two and a half years since the dramatic popular protests of 2018 that resulted in the resignation of Serge Sargsyan and the subsequent election of Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister in Armenia. The change in power, which is commonly referred to as “The Velvet Revolution”, gave many the hope of a more democratic Armenia. Many promises were made in 2018, and mid-way through this administration many of us want to know how the Armenian government is delivering on those promises.
In this
Read MoreCoG: "Velvet Revolution" Two Years On - Part 1 | Ep 17 - Sep 25, 2020 [EP17]
Posted on Friday, Sep 25, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Democracy, Nagorno Karabakh, Economy, Georgia, RussiaCoG: “Velvet Revolution” Two Years On - Part 1 | Ep 17 - Sep 25, 2020
It’s been two and a half years since the dramatic popular protests of 2018 that resulted in the resignation of Serge Sargsyan and the subsequent election of Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister in Armenia. The change in power, which is commonly referred to as “The Velvet Revolution”, gave many the hope of a more democratic Armenia. Many promises were made in 2018, and mid-way through this administration many of us want to know how the Armenian government is delivering on those promises.
In this
Read MoreANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #16) - 09/20/2020 [EP16]
Posted on Monday, Sep 21, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Genocide, Human Rights, Israel, Armenian Church, Armenian Genocide, NATO | Series: wir
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/20/2020
Topics:
- Constitutional Court Appointment
- Armeniaâs Growing National Debt
- Calls for the Resignation of the Minister of Education
- Escalated Tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border
- Armenian Soldier dies amidst escalation
- Azerbaijan again slams negotiations, turns away Russian AWACS
- Khodorkovsky Publishes New Dossier on Armenian & Azerbaijan
- Bob Dole hired by Embassy of Armenia as a Lobbyist
Guests
- Hrant Mikaelyan
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Hosts
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #16) - 09/20/2020 [EP16]
Posted on Monday, Sep 21, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Genocide, Human Rights, Israel, Armenian Church, Armenian Genocide, NATOGuest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/20/2020
Topics:
- Constitutional Court Appointment
- Armeniaâs Growing National Debt
- Calls for the Resignation of the Minister of Education
- Escalated Tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border
- Armenian Soldier dies amidst escalation
- Azerbaijan again slams negotiations, turns away Russian AWACS
- Khodorkovsky Publishes New Dossier on Armenian & Azerbaijan
- Bob Dole hired by Embassy of Armenia as a Lobbyist
Guests
- Hrant Mikaelyan
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Hosts
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #14) - 09/13/2020 [EP14]
Posted on Monday, Sep 14, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Israel, India, China, Georgia, Ukraine, Nagorno Karabakh | Series: wir
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/13/2020
Topics:
- Electoral Reforms in Armenia
- Journalist Dana Mazalov passes away
- ANSEF Reorganization
- My Step MP Arsen Julfalakyan Resigns from Parliament
- Russian Opposition Leader Navalny’s Poisoning and Recovery
- What is going on in Baku?
- Azeri pressure on Arms Providers to Armenia
- Aliyev vs. Aliyeva?
- Caucasus 2020 Joint Military Exercises and those MIA
Guests
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Hosts
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website:
Read MoreANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #14) - 09/13/2020 [EP14]
Posted on Monday, Sep 14, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Israel, India, China, Georgia, Ukraine, Nagorno KarabakhGuest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/13/2020
Topics:
- Electoral Reforms in Armenia
- Journalist Dana Mazalov passes away
- ANSEF Reorganization
- My Step MP Arsen Julfalakyan Resigns from Parliament
- Russian Opposition Leader Navalny’s Poisoning and Recovery
- What is going on in Baku?
- Azeri pressure on Arms Providers to Armenia
- Aliyev vs. Aliyeva?
- Caucasus 2020 Joint Military Exercises and those MIA
Guests
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Hosts
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website:
Read MoreANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #11) - 08/30/2020 [EP11]
Posted on Sunday, Aug 30, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Azerbaijan, Russia, Syria, Artsakh, Lebanon, USA, Middle East, Turkey, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union | Series: wir
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/30/2020
Topics:
- Armenian POW Gurgen Alaverdyan
- Armeniaâs Humanitarian Aid to Aleppo
- Serge Sargsyanâs Interview and the Four-Day War Deliberations
- National Awards
- Vagharshak Harutyunyanâs Appointment as Chief Advisor to Pashinyan
Guests:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Guest(s):
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200830.html Episode 11 | Recorded on August 30 2020
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #11) - 08/30/2020 [EP11]
Posted on Sunday, Aug 30, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Azerbaijan, Russia, Syria, Artsakh, Lebanon, USA, Middle East, Turkey, Nagorno Karabakh, European UnionANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/30/2020
Topics:
- Armenian POW Gurgen Alaverdyan
- Armeniaâs Humanitarian Aid to Aleppo
- Serge Sargsyanâs Interview and the Four-Day War Deliberations
- National Awards
- Vagharshak Harutyunyanâs Appointment as Chief Advisor to Pashinyan
Guests:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Guest(s):
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200830.html Episode 11 | Recorded on August 30 2020
Education Reform in Armenia - (Ep #7) - 08/10/2020 [EP7]
Posted on Sunday, Aug 30, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Iran, Georgia, India, Lebanon, Turkey, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh | Series: cog
Guest(s):
Education Reform in Armenia - 08/10/2020 Conversations on Groong Asbed Kotchikian talks with Ara Sanjian & Siranush Dvoyan
Topics:
Background of education reform(s) in Armenia In depth analysis of the content, standards & measurable outcomes of the proposed curriculumâs history & literature segments. Challenges of implementing the proposed curriculum
In recent months, Armeniaâs government has published its proposal for K-12 curriculum reform in Armenian schools. The new curriculum, which includes education standards and learning
Read MoreEducation Reform in Armenia - (Ep #7) - 08/10/2020 [EP7]
Posted on Sunday, Aug 30, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Iran, Georgia, India, Lebanon, Turkey, Armenian Church, Nagorno KarabakhGuest(s):
Education Reform in Armenia - 08/10/2020 Conversations on Groong Asbed Kotchikian talks with Ara Sanjian & Siranush Dvoyan
Topics:
Background of education reform(s) in Armenia In depth analysis of the content, standards & measurable outcomes of the proposed curriculumâs history & literature segments. Challenges of implementing the proposed curriculum
In recent months, Armeniaâs government has published its proposal for K-12 curriculum reform in Armenian schools. The new curriculum, which includes education standards and learning
Read MoreTurkey - Part 1 - Transformation and Continuity | Ep. 9 - Aug 24, 2020 [EP9]
Posted on Tuesday, Aug 25, 2020 | Category: Turkey, Armenia, Genocide, Middle East, Syria, Azerbaijan, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Economy, NATO, Russia | Series: cog
Topics:
- Turkeyâs Transformation in Historical Perspective
- Change and Continuity of Turkish Political Culture
- Turkeyâs Foreign Policy
Guests:
Host:
Episode 9 | Recorded: August 2020
Turkey - Part 1 - Transformation and Continuity | Ep. 9 - Aug 24, 2020 [EP9]
Posted on Tuesday, Aug 25, 2020 | Category: Turkey, Armenia, Genocide, Middle East, Syria, Azerbaijan, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Economy, NATO, RussiaTopics:
- Turkeyâs Transformation in Historical Perspective
- Change and Continuity of Turkish Political Culture
- Turkeyâs Foreign Policy
Guests:
Host:
Episode 9 | Recorded: August 2020
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #8) - 08/16/2020 [EP8]
Posted on Monday, Aug 17, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Economy, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Iran, Human Rights, Genocide, Israel, China, Turkey, Middle East, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union, NATO | Series: wir
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/16/2020
This Week in Review we talk with Hrant Mikaelian to discuss important issues and developments around Armenia, such as the Coronavirus Pandemic, and its economic effect; Armenia’s membership in EurAsian Economic Union and the economic effect of that organization on Armenia; and some of the trends affecting Russia and its economy.
Hrant will then join us in our weekly lightning round of questions from the past weekâs headlines, to analyze Prime Minister Pashinyanâs
Read MoreANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #8) - 08/16/2020 [EP8]
Posted on Monday, Aug 17, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Economy, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Iran, Human Rights, Genocide, Israel, China, Turkey, Middle East, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union, NATOGuest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/16/2020
This Week in Review we talk with Hrant Mikaelian to discuss important issues and developments around Armenia, such as the Coronavirus Pandemic, and its economic effect; Armenia’s membership in EurAsian Economic Union and the economic effect of that organization on Armenia; and some of the trends affecting Russia and its economy.
Hrant will then join us in our weekly lightning round of questions from the past weekâs headlines, to analyze Prime Minister Pashinyanâs
Read More#WordsNotSwords | Kocharyan Interview | SIS Charges Arthur Danielyan | Constitutional Court Nominees | State of Covid | Changes in Diaspora High Commissioner Office | Headlines | People | Ep 8 - Aug 2, 2020 [EP5]
Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Economy, Artsakh, Georgia, Iran, Russia, Turkey, Armenian Church, China, Genocide, Human Rights, Israel, Ukraine, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO, European Union | Series: wir
ANN Groong Week in Review - 08/02/2020
Topics:
- Living With Conflict #WordsNotSwords
- Panel Discussion on Robert Kocharyanâs Interview
- Lightning Round
- The SIS Charges Arthur Danielyan
- Nominees for the Constitutional Court
- The PMâs Outlook on the State of the Pandemic
- Staff Changes in the Diaspora High Commissionerâs Office
Guests
Resident panelists:
Episode 5 | Recorded ob August 2, 2020
#WordsNotSwords | Kocharyan Interview | SIS Charges Arthur Danielyan | Constitutional Court Nominees | State of Covid | Changes in Diaspora High Commissioner Office | Headlines | People | Ep 8 - Aug 2, 2020 [EP5]
Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Economy, Artsakh, Georgia, Iran, Russia, Turkey, Armenian Church, China, Genocide, Human Rights, Israel, Ukraine, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO, European UnionANN Groong Week in Review - 08/02/2020
Topics:
- Living With Conflict #WordsNotSwords
- Panel Discussion on Robert Kocharyanâs Interview
- Lightning Round
- The SIS Charges Arthur Danielyan
- Nominees for the Constitutional Court
- The PMâs Outlook on the State of the Pandemic
- Staff Changes in the Diaspora High Commissionerâs Office
Guests
Resident panelists:
Episode 5 | Recorded ob August 2, 2020
Constitutional Court Standoff | Polls | Armenia Response to COVID | Armenian Media | Headlines | People in the News | Ep 1 - Jul 12, 2020 [EP1]
Posted on Sunday, Jul 12, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Poll, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Economy, China, Turkey, Armenian Genocide | Series: wir
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 07/12/2020
Topics:
- The Constitutional Court Standoff Continues in Limbo
- Polls, and what you should know about them
- The Armenian Government’s response to COVID-19
- The State of Armenian Media: Media Freedoms During Covid
Guests:
Episode 1 | Recorded on July 12, 2020
Constitutional Court Standoff | Polls | Armenia Response to COVID | Armenian Media | Headlines | People in the News | Ep 1 - Jul 12, 2020 [EP1]
Posted on Sunday, Jul 12, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Poll, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Economy, China, Turkey, Armenian GenocideANN/Groong Week in Review - 07/12/2020
Topics:
- The Constitutional Court Standoff Continues in Limbo
- Polls, and what you should know about them
- The Armenian Government’s response to COVID-19
- The State of Armenian Media: Media Freedoms During Covid
Guests:
Episode 1 | Recorded on July 12, 2020