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Joseph Bohigian is a composer and performer of acoustic and electronic music. His work focuses on issues of memory, cultural reunification, and diaspora. With a strong interest in reestablishing a relationship with lost elements of our past to better envision our future, he makes use of archival materials in his music, such as sound recordings, interviews, and written texts, synthesizing fragments of song lyrics and reviving ancient musical notations.Khatchadour Khatchadourian is a Lebanese-Armenian vocalist and duduk player based in the Bay Area. Growing up within the Armenian diaspora in Lebanon and Aleppo, Syria, Khatchadour's voice pays homage to the vocal landscapes of the South Caucasus, Levant, and Anatolia. Khatchadour's passion for the duduk, an Armenian double reed woodwind, began in 2007, and has since taken him on musical journeys across Armenia and Southern France.On the opening night of this year's Other Minds Festival, Khatchadourian will be performing with Ensemble Decipher in the world premiere of Bohigian's I Am He Whose Life and Soul Are Torment, a symbolic biography of the Armenian filmmaker Sergei Parajanov told through the multilingual poetry of Sayat-Nova. On this episode, guest host Devin King interviews Khatchadouian and Bohigian about the project.Music: Scenes 7, 1, 8, and 5 from I Am He Whose Life and Soul Are Torment by Joseph Bohigian, performed by Khatchadour Khatchadourian and Ensemble Decipherjosephbohigian.comFollow Khatchadour on Instagram.khatchmusic.comFollow us on Instagram and Facebook.otherminds.orgContact us at otherminds@otherminds.org.This episode of the Other Minds Podcast was hosted by Devin King and edited by Joseph Bohigian. Outro music is “Kings: Atahualpa” by Brian Baumbusch (Other Minds Records).
Week in Review - September 6, 2026In 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.Topics:Artsakh remembered, its cause unresolvedPutin puts Russia's military base on the tableChurch prosecutions begin to unravelEU trade headlines look better than the dealArmy indiscipline fuels mounting non-combat deathsNew political pressures before local electionsHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 584 | Recorded: Sep 6, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/584VIDEO: https://youtu.be/2mSjTCZ2s6c#Artsakh #Armenia #NagornoKarabakh #SouthCaucasus #SCO #Russia #EuropeanUnion #ArmenianPoliticsSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Conversations on Groong - September 5, 2026In 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.Topics:U.S. objectives in the Iran warRussia's 102nd base in ArmeniaPashinyan's sovereignty policy contradictionsGreat-power rivalry across Central AsiaU.S. and EU interests in TRIPPArmenia's place in Eurasian competitionGuest: Suren SargsyanHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 583 | Recorded: Sep 4, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/583VIDEO: https://youtu.be/XMhQm0VCALA#Armenia #IranWar #TRIPP #CentralAsia #Russia #UnitedStates #Geopolitics #SouthCaucasusSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Week in Review - August 30, 2026In this week's Groong news roundup, Hovik and Asbed examine Armenia's position at the SCO Summit amid intensifying global conflicts. We discuss Russia's escalation in Ukraine, unprecedented Western diplomatic visits to Moscow, the renewed US-Iran War, and Pashinyan's meetings with regional and global leaders including Aliyev and Putin. We also address the ongoing persecution of former Artsakh leaders and the selective justice targeting Armenia's political landscape.Topics:Russia Escalates War Against UkraineUnprecedented Western Visits to MoscowUS-Iran War Flares AgainAll Artsakh Presidents Behind BarsArmenia at the SCO SummitPashinyan Meets Aliyev, Putin, ModiPolitical Persecutions and Selective JusticeHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 582 | Recorded: August 31, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/582VIDEO: https://youtu.be/PzoUvdhbgvQ#Armenia #Artsakh #UkraineWar #IranWar #SCO #Pashinyan #SouthCaucasus #ArmenianPoliticsSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Blue Sea, Black Gold, Red Banner: The South Caucasus and Scandinavia, 1880s–1920s (Northern Illinois University Press, 2026) tells the story of the historical connections between two geographically distant and culturally distinct regions on the edges of Europe: Scandinavia and the South Caucasus. From the late nineteenth century, maritime trade fostered new commercial links and consular relations. Scandinavian merchants, particularly in Batumi and Baku, played key roles. The discovery of oil along the Caspian Sea shores attracted Scandinavian entrepreneurs, notably the Swedish Nobel family, helping to develop Baku into a booming industrial hub. Tom Trier focuses on the years of upheaval surrounding World War I and the collapse of the Russian Empire, when Georgia—along with Armenia and Azerbaijan—briefly emerged as an independent republic. The four-decade relationship ended abruptly during the Bolshevik Red Army's invasion of the South Caucasus from 1920 to 1921. Drawing on both Scandinavian and Georgian perspectives, Blue Sea, Black Gold, Red Banner examines how Nordic merchants, consuls, and diplomats navigated the shifting political landscape and how Georgia's social democratic leadership looked to neutral Scandinavia as a gateway to broader European political, diplomatic, and economic engagement. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Blue Sea, Black Gold, Red Banner: The South Caucasus and Scandinavia, 1880s–1920s (Northern Illinois University Press, 2026) tells the story of the historical connections between two geographically distant and culturally distinct regions on the edges of Europe: Scandinavia and the South Caucasus. From the late nineteenth century, maritime trade fostered new commercial links and consular relations. Scandinavian merchants, particularly in Batumi and Baku, played key roles. The discovery of oil along the Caspian Sea shores attracted Scandinavian entrepreneurs, notably the Swedish Nobel family, helping to develop Baku into a booming industrial hub. Tom Trier focuses on the years of upheaval surrounding World War I and the collapse of the Russian Empire, when Georgia—along with Armenia and Azerbaijan—briefly emerged as an independent republic. The four-decade relationship ended abruptly during the Bolshevik Red Army's invasion of the South Caucasus from 1920 to 1921. Drawing on both Scandinavian and Georgian perspectives, Blue Sea, Black Gold, Red Banner examines how Nordic merchants, consuls, and diplomats navigated the shifting political landscape and how Georgia's social democratic leadership looked to neutral Scandinavia as a gateway to broader European political, diplomatic, and economic engagement. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/russian-studies
Blue Sea, Black Gold, Red Banner: The South Caucasus and Scandinavia, 1880s–1920s (Northern Illinois University Press, 2026) tells the story of the historical connections between two geographically distant and culturally distinct regions on the edges of Europe: Scandinavia and the South Caucasus. From the late nineteenth century, maritime trade fostered new commercial links and consular relations. Scandinavian merchants, particularly in Batumi and Baku, played key roles. The discovery of oil along the Caspian Sea shores attracted Scandinavian entrepreneurs, notably the Swedish Nobel family, helping to develop Baku into a booming industrial hub. Tom Trier focuses on the years of upheaval surrounding World War I and the collapse of the Russian Empire, when Georgia—along with Armenia and Azerbaijan—briefly emerged as an independent republic. The four-decade relationship ended abruptly during the Bolshevik Red Army's invasion of the South Caucasus from 1920 to 1921. Drawing on both Scandinavian and Georgian perspectives, Blue Sea, Black Gold, Red Banner examines how Nordic merchants, consuls, and diplomats navigated the shifting political landscape and how Georgia's social democratic leadership looked to neutral Scandinavia as a gateway to broader European political, diplomatic, and economic engagement. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/european-studies Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Blue Sea, Black Gold, Red Banner: The South Caucasus and Scandinavia, 1880s–1920s (Northern Illinois University Press, 2026) tells the story of the historical connections between two geographically distant and culturally distinct regions on the edges of Europe: Scandinavia and the South Caucasus. From the late nineteenth century, maritime trade fostered new commercial links and consular relations. Scandinavian merchants, particularly in Batumi and Baku, played key roles. The discovery of oil along the Caspian Sea shores attracted Scandinavian entrepreneurs, notably the Swedish Nobel family, helping to develop Baku into a booming industrial hub. Tom Trier focuses on the years of upheaval surrounding World War I and the collapse of the Russian Empire, when Georgia—along with Armenia and Azerbaijan—briefly emerged as an independent republic. The four-decade relationship ended abruptly during the Bolshevik Red Army's invasion of the South Caucasus from 1920 to 1921. Drawing on both Scandinavian and Georgian perspectives, Blue Sea, Black Gold, Red Banner examines how Nordic merchants, consuls, and diplomats navigated the shifting political landscape and how Georgia's social democratic leadership looked to neutral Scandinavia as a gateway to broader European political, diplomatic, and economic engagement. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/eastern-european-studies Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Conversations on Groong - August 28, 2026In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Ambassador Jack Matlock, the last US Ambassador to the Soviet Union, about whether the West missed a historic opportunity to integrate Russia into Western security architecture after the Cold War. We discuss the internal collapse of the Soviet Union, Reagan-Gorbachev diplomacy, NATO expansion and Russian backlash, and how Cold War-era decisions shape Armenia's geopolitical choices today, including Matlock's firsthand observations of Soviet Armenia during glasnost and the Nagorno Karabakh movement.Topics:Recollections from Soviet South CaucasusWhy the Soviet Union collapsedHow the Cold War endedReagan and Gorbachev's diplomacyAmerica's post-Cold War triumphalismNATO expansion and Russian backlashGreat-power rivalry in the CaucasusArmenia's geopolitical choices todayGuest: Jack F. Matlock Jr.Hosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 580 | Recorded: Aug 27, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/580#JackMatlock #ColdWar #SovietUnion #Reagan #Gorbachev #NATO #Russia #SouthCaucasus #ArmeniaSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Week in Review - August 16, 2026In this episode of Groong Week in Review, Hovik and Asbed discuss Armenia's precarious position amid escalating Iran War risks, Russia's December ultimatum on the Eurasian Economic Union, and deepening security threats from TRIPP. We examine how a broader US-Iran conflict could devastate Armenia through refugee flows and logistics collapse, why Pashinyan's EAEU defiance has triggered Russian pressure, and what frozen CSTO membership actually means for Armenian security.Topics:US-Iran War Risks ReturnArmenia Faces Regional Spillover RisksRussia Pressures Armenia Over Western PivotTRIPP Deepens Security and Energy RisksDomestic Politics Grow More ConfrontationalArrests and Prosecutions Fuel Repression ClaimsHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 578 | Recorded: August 17, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/578VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Iu-zBumxcR4#Armenia #IranWar #TRIPP #Syunik #SouthCaucasus #RussiaArmenia #Nakhichevan #ArmenianPoliticsSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
As the birthplace of wine and the vinifera grape species, Georgia (the country), has wine deeply embedded in its culture. Yet, having survived conquest by three empires, fine wines are not the current norm in Georgia, where the Russian Communists focused on quantity over quality. Irakli Gilauri is launching Gilauri Wines to change that and to give wine collectors all over the world a chance to taste and connect with the best of the Ancient Terroir that is his home country of Georgia. Detailed Show Notes: Irakli's background: public company CEO (Bank of Georgia, Georgia Capital), wine collector for 20 years, took UC Davis winemaking coursesMission: to make a fine wine from Georgia that showcases the original terroir of wineGeorgia (the country) wine historyThe birthplace of wine, 8,000 years agoWhere vitis vinifera originated (the broader South Caucasus region)Located between the Caucasus Mountains, Black Sea and Caspian Sea; between Russia, Turkey, and AzerbaijanOne of the only biodiversity hotspots with a mid-temperate climateMain wine region Kakheti (Eastern Georgia), ~85% of grapes grown there, similar to Napa as it sits between 2 mountain rangesMain grape is Saperavi, closest to vitis silvestris, one of the original vinifera grape varietiesWine is embedded deep in Georgian culture, people believe grapes and wine allowed it to survive 3 empires (Persian, Ottoman, and Russian) and keep their language, script, and faithThe “oldest wine cellar in the world”~40k old bottles, from the early 1840s, including First Growth BordeauxsCollection of the Russian Romanovs (originally housed in St Petersburg)During WWII, Stalin moved the cellar into three places, including one in TbilisiGeorgian government is authenticating the wines and will auction some offGilauri WinesStarted w/ 10 grape varieties (incl Saperavi, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot) in 5 locations, needed to conduct research on mapping terroir to deliver top quality because the Communists only cared about quantityStarted in 2022, but first vintage will be 2024, 2022 and 2023 wines will not be released as the quality was not high enoughHas the potential to produce 75k bottles, but 1st vintage will only be 1,800 bottles (1,200 Saperavi, 600 Chardonnay), with the rest bulked outWinegrowing is very different from the Georgian norm; focused on quality (e.g. - mixed Guyot pruning with only 1 cane, cover crops, green harvesting, 500L barrel fermentation, cold maceration for aromas (which cannot be done in traditional qvevri)Saperavi clonal material from Italy, Georgian nurseries have too much virusDTC focused brand; in order to share with fellow wine lovers, not enough for retail US, UK, EU, Switzerland availableIn US, also producing a Vine Hill Ranch Napa Cabernet with Nigel Kinsman at Wheeler Farms, and can use that license to import and sell Georgian wines DTC; Napa Cab as the sister wine to Georgian SaperaviHas conducted blind tastings of top New World and Old World wines to compare with Gilauri's “Ancient World” wineAllocations of 1st Georgian wines Dec 2026, 1st Napa wines Spring 2027Vanessa Conlin MW coming on to help promote the wines in the USJoin the allocation list at Gilauri.comWine, food, & travel go togetherSommTV producing a cooking show for Georgian cuisine, which is a mix of Asian, European, and Middle Eastern influencesWill have a free private concierge to organize wine trips to GeorgiaTrying to get access to “Stalin Cellar” for list membersLoyal clients will also have access to 4 bedroom house in GeorgiaExpected pricing:
Simon Smith is Chair of the Ukraine Forum Steering Committee at Chatham House. He served as British Ambassador to Ukraine (2012–2015) during the Euromaidan Revolution, Russia's annexation of Crimea, and the outbreak of the Donbas war. Before Kyiv, he was Director for Russia, South Caucasus and Central Asia at the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (2005–2007), giving him extensive experience in British policy toward Russia and the post-Soviet region. Smith is regarded as one of the UK's most experienced diplomats on Eastern Europe. ----------John Lough is an Associate Fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House (since 2009) and Head of Foreign Policy at the New Eurasian Strategies Centre, a London- and Washington-based think tank. He began his career at the Soviet Studies (later Conflict Studies) Research Centre, specialising in Soviet and Russian security policy. John has had a long career spanning government, diplomacy, business and academia. He previously served as the first NATO representative based in Moscow following the end of the Cold War, where he worked on NATO–Russia relations during a formative period. ----------LINKS:https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/05/how-russia-ukraine-ceasefire-could-imperil-ukrainian-and-european-securityhttps://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-people/orysia-lutsevychhttps://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-people/keir-gileshttps://icds.ee/en/the-russian-way-of-ceasefires-and-the-traps-it-sets-for-europe/----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------DESCRIPTION:Why a Ceasefire Isn't Peace: Russia's War Aims, Negotiation Traps, and Western Complacency | Simon Smith & John LoughThe host interviews Chatham House's Simon Smith and John Lough about why a ceasefire in Ukraine would not equal peace, citing the Korean Armistice as a warning that unresolved issues can harden into decades of confrontation. They argue Putin's objectives—subjugating Ukraine, blocking its integration with Western or European security structures, enforcing demilitarization and political change in Kyiv—have not changed, making any pause potentially a chance for Russia to regroup. The discussion covers Ukraine's strikes inside Russia, economic and recruitment pressures on Moscow, and risks of escalation against Ukrainian infrastructure. They stress Western political complacency, incremental support, and the danger that electorates may find a Russian victory “palatable,” arguing enforcement matters more than signatures in any talks. John Lough outlines likely Russian minimum demands, including full control of Donbas and removing Zelensky.----------
Week in Review - August 9, 2026In 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.Topics:Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi AllianceIran War UpdateCatholicos on TrialEAEU Meeting in Cholpon-AtaCorruption & PersecutionsHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 576 | Recorded: August 10, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/576VIDEO: https://youtu.be/F5o0rNBgbJU#Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #ArmenianChurch #GareginII #TRIPP #ArmeniaRussia #SouthCaucasus #GroongSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Almost a year after the Washington Declaration, Armenia is trying to turn a hard-won peace with Azerbaijan into something lasting. In this conversation, Armenia's ambassador to the United States, Narek Mkrtchyan, explains what the agreement means on the ground and why the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity could reshape the region and the country's future.“We sit in a very tough neighborhood. We sit in a very interesting geography. We are at the crossroads of Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, South Caucasus,” Mkrtchyan says.Mkrtchyan describes how Armenia is trying to turn geography into strategy through the development of diplomacy, new trade routes, and international partnerships. He views this as more than a peace process—it's a chance to redefine Armenia's place in the region.“In the center is the concept of crossroads of peace,” Mkrtchyan says.Recently, Armenia also got approval for the biggest artificial intelligence factory in the region—a $4 billion project that officials say could help make the country a hub for computing power and advanced technology.Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Week in Review - August 2, 2026In 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.Topics:New parliament is sworn inTigranashen and Armenia's territorial red linesCivil Contract's evasive enclave answersArmenia challenges Russia's railway concessionTRIPP reshapes regional power and transitHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 574 | Recorded: August 3, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/574VIDEO: https://youtu.be/dSzzQC3-ECA#ArmenianNews #Tigranashen #ArmenianRailways #TRIPP #SouthCaucasus #ArmeniaRussia #ZangezurCorridor #GeopoliticsSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Conversations on GroongIn 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.Topics:US Foreign Policy & the Fracture of MAGAIran and the Risk of Forever WarsNATO 3.0 and Europe's MilitarizationPost-2026 Election ArmeniaTRIPP and Pashinyan's Pivot to the WestGuest: Christine A. ArakelianHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 572 | Recorded: July 29, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/572VIDEO: https://youtu.be/aFGknXV57a4#Russia #IranWar #UkraineWar #SouthCaucasus #Armenia #TRIPP #Geopolitics #EurasiaSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Week in Review - July 26, 2026In 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.Topics:Ukraine expands its war into the CaspianIran warns of a wider regional responseRussia and the West test stalled diplomacyAliyev positions Baku as a geopolitical hubArmenia faces pressure over EU alignmentBaku POW abuse and their deteriorating healthHousing policy expose domestic failuresHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 571 | Recorded: July 27, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/571VIDEO: https://youtu.be/boe2261X_bM#Armenia #UkraineWar #Iran #CaspianSea #SouthCaucasus #MiddleCorridor #ArmenianPOWs #GeopoliticsSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Conversations on Groong - July 27, 2026In 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.Topics:Russia's changing South Caucasus strategyGeorgia's widening dispute with EuropeArmenia's shift away from RussiaGeorgia's role in regional transitArmenia-Georgia ties under pressureGuest: Archil SikharulidzeHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 570 | Recorded: July 24, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/570VIDEO: https://youtu.be/_Cr0HFioCfA#Armenia #Georgia #Russia #EuropeanUnion #SouthCaucasus #GeorgianDream #NikolPashinyan #MiddleCorridorSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Conversations on Groong - July 25, 2026In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Anthony Barsamian about Armenian Diaspora advocacy, Armenia-Diaspora relations, and the next phase of Armenian-American activism. We discuss decades of work securing U.S.-Armenia relations and aid packages, the achievement of U.S. Armenian Genocide recognition and what comes next, and the role of the Armenian Republic in promoting international genocide recognition-including recent developments with Israeli recognition efforts.Topics:Armenian-American advocacy and its next phaseGenocide recognition, justice, and reparationsChurch-state conflict and national unityGuest: Anthony J. BarsamianHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 569 | Recorded: July 21, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/569VIDEO: https://youtu.be/DZe1ltgELys#ArmenianDiaspora #AnthonyBarsamian #ArmenianGenocide #ArmenianChurch #ArmeniaDiaspora #SouthCaucasusSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Week in Review - July 19, 2026In 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.Topics:US-Iran War ContinuesSummer Lull in Yerevan PoliticsKonstantin Sokolov: Master of TRIPP & TeghutUN: Abp. Galstanyan Charges UnjustifiedArmenian POW Slams Pashinyan from BakuHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 568 | Recorded: July 20, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/568VIDEO: https://youtu.be/zx2g2_dWLGc#IranWar #TRIPP #Teghut #Armenia #PoliticalPrisoners #ArmenianPOWs #KonstantinSokolovSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Week in Review - July 12, 2026In 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.Topics:NATO summit in AnkaraIran War UpdateTaking Scissors to ArmeniaShaping the ParliamentOSCE vs. Garegin IIHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 567 | Recorded: July 13, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/567#ArmenianNews #NATOSummit #IranWar #TRIPP #ArmeniaAzerbaijan #ArmenianParliament #GareginII #OSCESubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
I sat down with Arsen Nazaryan, an ESG and risk management expert, to discuss the current state of ESG in Armenia, where we stand today, what real progress looks like, and why ESG is rapidly evolving from a "nice-to-have" into a strategic necessity. In this conversation, we cover: The actual development of ESG frameworks in Armenia. Key pillars and local challenges. Whether Armenian companies are leading or just responding to international pressure, the most important mindset shift businesses need to make. Why ESG today is really about risk mitigation and adaptive capacity. If you're doing business in Armenia, the South Caucasus, or emerging markets, this episode is packed with practical insights.
I sat down with Arsen Nazaryan, an ESG and risk management expert, to discuss the current state of ESG in Armenia, where we stand today, what real progress looks like, and why ESG is rapidly evolving from a "nice-to-have" into a strategic necessity. In this conversation, we cover: The actual development of ESG frameworks in Armenia. Key pillars and local challenges. Whether Armenian companies are leading or just responding to international pressure, the most important mindset shift businesses need to make. Why ESG today is really about risk mitigation and adaptive capacity. If you're doing business in Armenia, the South Caucasus, or emerging markets, this episode is packed with practical insights.
Conversations on Groong - July 11, 2026In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Dr. Dmitry Suslov about Russia's strategic position across multiple fronts: the Ukraine War, Armenia's post-election Western pivot, TRIPP and Syunik, and Europe's rearmament against Russia. We discuss the long-term confrontation between Russia and NATO, Pashinyan's Western alignment after the June 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election, and how transport corridors in the South Caucasus may reshape regional containment lines.Topics:Ukraine's long war and endgameNovorossiya and a landlocked Ukraine?Europe rearms against RussiaNATO 3.0 and containmentArmenia's post-election Western pivotEU promises versus EAEU dependenceTRIPP, Syunik, and Russian red linesGuest: Dmitry SuslovHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 566 | Recorded: July 9, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/566VIDEO: https://youtu.be/NFS46vZ039Q#Russia #UkraineWar #NATO #Europe #Armenia #SouthCaucasus #TRIPP #Syunik #EAEUSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Conversations on Groong - July 10, 2026In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Dr. Sergey Markedonov about Russia's strategic position amid the Ukraine War and its implications for Armenia. We discuss why Moscow remains bogged down in Ukraine despite its military superiority, how the war of attrition shapes Russian bandwidth for the South Caucasus, the geopolitical role of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, and Pashinyan's Western pivot following the June 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election.Topics:Ukraine's war of attritionRussia's strategic bandwidth problemTRIPP and Iran's red linesIsrael's Armenian Genocide moveArmenia's Western pivot after electionsGuest: Sergey MarkedonovHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 565 | Recorded: July 8, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/565VIDEO: https://youtu.be/YqsHd8TSyHQ#ArmenianNews #SouthCaucasus #UkraineWar #Russia #Armenia #EAEU #TRIPP #GeopoliticsSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Week in Review - July 5, 2026In this episode of Groong Week in Review for July 5, 2026, Hovik and Asbed analyze Armenia's Constitutional Court ruling upholding the disputed 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election results. We examine the disqualification of Prosperous Armenia votes, Civil Contract's three-fifths majority, the opposition's parliamentary leverage, and what these outcomes mean for Armenian sovereignty amid ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Process negotiations and regional pressures.Topics:Court rubber stamps stolen electionsVon der Leyen in the South CaucasusEU connectivity push in CaucasusRubinyan vs. SimonyanPost-election opposition raids beginIMEI or IMEI notHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 564 | Recorded: July 6, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/564VIDEO: https://youtu.be/oSgxiwpIwWw#Armenia #ArmenianNews #Pashinyan #ArmenianPolitics #SouthCaucasus #ConstitutionalCourt #SurveillanceStateSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Conversations on Groong - July 3, 2026In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Amb. Dziunik Aghajanian about the Iran-Israel conflict, Armenia's 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election aftermath, and Israeli recognition of the Armenian Genocide. We discuss whether the US-Iran MOU represents genuine de-escalation or a tactical pause before renewed confrontation, the Constitutional Court's review of election fraud allegations against the Civil Contract regime, and Russia's warnings to Armenia amid regional instability.Topics:US-Iran MoUElection AftermathRussian Warnings to ArmeniaIsraeli Recognizes the Armenian GenocideGuest: Dziunik AghajanianHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 563 | Recorded: July 1, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/563VIDEO: https://youtu.be/vgl4sRDGiTY#ArmenianNews #IranWar #DziunikAghajanian #ArmenianElections #RussiaArmenia #SouthCaucasus #ArmenianGenocideSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Week in Review - June 28, 2026In this week's Groong Week in Review, Hovik and Asbed discuss Israel's historic recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Russia's ongoing warnings toward Armenia, and the political uncertainty following the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election. We examine the geopolitical context behind Israel's decision, Pashinyan's measured response, and what these developments signal about Armenia's regional position amid shifting US-Turkey relations and broader Middle East tensions.Topics:Israel Recognizes the Armenian GenocideRussian Warnings ContinuePost Election LimboHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 562 | Recorded: June 29, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/562VIDEO: https://youtu.be/35N6GqdKnLk#ArmenianGenocide #Armenia #Israel #Pashinyan #RussiaArmenia #SouthCaucasusSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Week in Review - June 21, 2026In this Groong Week in Review episode, Hovik and Asbed examine the fallout from Armenia's 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Elections, the ongoing US-Iran War ceasefire negotiations and their regional implications, and escalating political persecutions following the vote. We discuss how six opposition parties-including Strong Armenia, Armenia Alliance, Prosperous Armenia, and others-have challenged the election results at the Constitutional Court, Russia's continued criticism of Pashinyan's government amid an economic embargo, and Armenia-Azerbaijan telecommunications developments amid broader geopolitical uncertainty in the South Caucasus.Topics:US-Iran NegotiationsRussian EmbargoElection AftermathPersecutions ContinueArmenia-Azerbaijan Telco AgreementHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 561 | Recorded: June 22, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/561VIDEO: https://youtu.be/UYNTds7GVGE#ArmenianNews #Armenia #Iran #USIranTalks #ArmenianElections #SouthCaucasus #NikolPashinyan #TRIPPSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Conversations on Groong - June 23, 2026In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Dr. Arman Grigoryan about US-Iran negotiations and Armenia's contested post-election landscape. We discuss the prospects for a US-Iran agreement, its implications for TRIPP and Iran-Russia relations, the aftermath of the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election, and how shifting great-power dynamics reshape the South Caucasus.Topics:US-Iran negotiations and regional risksTRIPP and shifting regional powerArmenia's contested post-election landscapeOpposition failures and future strategyRisks of another parliamentary electionGuest: Arman GrigoryanHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 560 | Recorded: June 22, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/560VIDEO: https://youtu.be/SU6w4phqqGk#ArmeniaElections #USIranNegotiations #SouthCaucasus #TRIPP #Iran #ArmanGrigoryanSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
While Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan campaigned on a pro-Europe platform in the pivotal vote, the opposition wanted to see the country take a more pro-Russia course. Despite clumsy Russian attempts to influence the outcome of the elections, Pashinyan was victorious. What does his win mean for Armenia, the ongoing peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Russia's ability to project power in the South Caucasus?
Week in Review - June 14, 2026In this episode of Groong Week in Review for June 14, 2026, we analyze the aftermath of Armenia's 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election, shifting Armenia-Georgia relations, and a landmark interim US-Iran agreement that reshapes regional stability. We discuss the ceasefire framework, sanctions relief, and how the Iran war's resolution affects Armenian security, energy markets, and the broader South Caucasus landscape.Topics:Armenian Election AftermathArmenia-Georgia RelationsUS-Iran Interim AgreementHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 558 | Recorded: June 15, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/558VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ioSlOhVsLFo#Armenia #ArmenianNews #ArmenianElections #CivilContract #Pashinyan #ArmenianConstitution #Referendum #ProsperousArmenia #SouthCaucasus #CECSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
The War between Israel and the US on one side and Iran and Lebanon on the other is in its fourth month. Despite claims from the White House that a deal is imminent, the war and the destruction have continued. Indeed the concept of a cease fire is undermined with every attack. The global economy is struggling with the increased energy costs due to the closing of the Straits of Hormuz. And people continue to die. So on today's show we update the news on the war, explore any potential pathways to end the war and examine the impact of the war particularly on both Iran and Lebanon. [ dur: 58mins. ] Yeghia Tashjian is the Regional and International Affairs Cluster Coordinator of Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy & International Affairs (IFI) and a part time Instructor at American University of Beirut. He is the author “The International North-South Transport Corridor and the Belt and Road Initiative in the South Caucasus,” published in the edited volume of Routledge Handbook of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Eurasia (2025). Ervand Abrahamian is Professor Emeritus at City University of New York. He is the author of A History of Modern Iran and Inventing the Axis of Evil: The Truth About North Korea, Iran and Syria. Stephen Zunes is a Professor of Politics at the University of San Francisco. He is the author of numerous publications including Tinderbox: U.S. Middle East Policy and the Roots of Terrorism, Western Sahara: War, Nationalism and Conflict Irresolution co-authored with Jacob Mundy. This program is produced by Ankine Aghassian, Doug Becker and Sudd Dongre. Politics and Activism, War / Weapons, Middle East, Iran, Israel, Lebanon , US
Martin Zugec, Technical Solutions Director at Bitdefender, discussing their work on "FamousSparrow APT Targets Azerbaijani Oil and Gas Industry." Bitdefender researchers uncovered a sustained cyber espionage campaign by the China-linked FamousSparrow group targeting an Azerbaijani oil and gas company, highlighting the growing focus on critical energy infrastructure in the South Caucasus. The attackers repeatedly exploited the same vulnerable Microsoft Exchange server over multiple months, deploying evolving versions of Deed RAT and Terndoor malware through sophisticated DLL sideloading techniques designed to evade detection and maintain persistence. The operation underscores FamousSparrow's adaptability and persistence, demonstrating how advanced threat actors continually refine their tooling and return to compromised environments until vulnerabilities are fully remediated and access is cut off. The research and executive brief can be found here: FamousSparrow APT Targets Azerbaijani Oil and Gas Industry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Martin Zugec, Technical Solutions Director at Bitdefender, discussing their work on "FamousSparrow APT Targets Azerbaijani Oil and Gas Industry." Bitdefender researchers uncovered a sustained cyber espionage campaign by the China-linked FamousSparrow group targeting an Azerbaijani oil and gas company, highlighting the growing focus on critical energy infrastructure in the South Caucasus. The attackers repeatedly exploited the same vulnerable Microsoft Exchange server over multiple months, deploying evolving versions of Deed RAT and Terndoor malware through sophisticated DLL sideloading techniques designed to evade detection and maintain persistence. The operation underscores FamousSparrow's adaptability and persistence, demonstrating how advanced threat actors continually refine their tooling and return to compromised environments until vulnerabilities are fully remediated and access is cut off. The research and executive brief can be found here: FamousSparrow APT Targets Azerbaijani Oil and Gas Industry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week on Talk Eastern Europe, we unpack major developments shaping the future of the South Caucasus and the Western Balkans.Alexandra returns from Armenia after observing the country's consequential parliamentary elections and shares what international headlines got wrong about the vote. Was this really an "East versus West" contest? How much influence did Russia have? And why did many Armenians feel they were choosing between imperfect options?We also examine Albania's largest protests in recent memory. What began as demonstrations against a controversial tourism project, linked to the Trump family and Jared Kushner, has evolved into a broader challenge to Prime Minister Edi Rama, raising difficult questions about corruption, environmental protection, and Albania's EU aspirations.Finally, we turn to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where a dispute over the next High Representative highlights growing divisions between the United States and Europe over the region's future.In the second half of the episode, we discuss our latest Deep Dive interview on Montenegro's troubled path toward EU membership and ask whether the country's 2028 accession ambitions remain realistic.Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space. ABOUT THIS PODCASTWe publish twice weekly. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major platforms. Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-formanalysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/ Support us on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time. https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Subscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe FOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/
Conversations on Groong - June 10, 2026In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Arthur G. Martirosyan about Armenia's contested 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election and Pashinyan's path to a third term. We discuss whether the vote was free and fair, how state pressure and Western backing shaped the outcome, the razor-thin thresholds that determine parliamentary representation, Pashinyan's post-election crackdown against the Established Opposition, and what a Civil Contract supermajority would mean for Armenia's governance and the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Process.Topics:Contested results and thresholdsPashinyan's post-election crackdownWestern backing and interferenceRussia's delayed pressure campaignOpposition choices after the voteGuest: Arthur G. MartirosyanHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 557 | Recorded: June 9, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/557#ArmenianElections #Armenia #NikolPashinyan #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #ArmenianOppositionSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Week In Review - May 31, 2026In this episode of Groong's Week in Review, hosts Hovik and Asbed examine Armenia's May 28 Independence Day parade as campaign theater, Marco Rubio's push for critical minerals deals, and the strategic risks of TRIPP in Syunik. We discuss how Pashinyan's military parade coincides with Armenian prisoners of war held hostage in Baku, the questionable financing of weapons through $8 billion in external debt, and the broader geopolitical pressures from Russia and Iran as Armenia heads into the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election.Topics:May 28 and StatehoodParade as Campaign TheaterRubio's Armenia AgreementsMinerals Without GuaranteesTRIPP Risks in SyunikRussia and Iran PushbackElection Climate and RepressionHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 553 | Recorded: June 1, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/553VIDEO: https://youtu.be/oO5kbg6B_Q8#Armenia #May28 #MarcoRubio #TRIPP #Syunik #CriticalMinerals #ElectionFraud #RussiaArmeniaSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Will Armenia opt for a “soft divorce” with Russia and realign its foreign policy in a pivotal vote in June? As pro-Western and pro-Russian forces gear up for a showdown, we explore the ideas, the pressures and the political visions that could shape the country's future - and the wider implications for the South Caucasus.Contributors: Daria Mosolova, Gayane Alexanyan and Grigor AtanesianProducer: Kriszta Satori Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg Music: Pete Cunningham
Week in Review - May 17, 2026This Week in Review covers a tense mix of global and Armenian political crises, from Trump's summit with Xi Jinping and the deepening Iran war, to Armenia's worsening relations with Russia and the risks to trade, energy, and security ties. Hovik and Asbed also examine Armenia's heated election climate, including allegations of state pressure, abuse of administrative resources, selective law enforcement, Pashinyan's violent campaign rhetoric against opposition leaders, and the muted response of international observers. The episode also looks at Robert Kocharyan's call for major-power guarantees for peace with Azerbaijan, and the vandalism of the Sourp Nshan Armenian Church in Javakhk.Topics:Trump, China, and IranArmenia-Russia "soft divorce"Pashinyan's violent campaign rhetoricState resources and election pressureJavakhk church vandalism concernsHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 547 | Recorded: May 18, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/547VIDEO: https://youtu.be/XrhKanb6QDg#Pashinyan #ArmeniaElections #ArmenianPolitics #PoliticalViolence #HateSpeech #ArmeniaRussia #IranWar #SouthCaucasusSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Conversations on Groong - May 15, 2026Dr. Arman Grigoryan joins Groong to discuss Armenia's post-2020 foreign policy and his argument that Pashinyan's government has replaced one failed project, maximalist claims over Artsakh, with another: a risky strategic pivot away from Russia and toward the West. The conversation examines "revolutionary recklessness," the roots of the 2020 war, Armenia's worsening ties with Russia, the surrender of Artsakh, TRIPP and Syunik, Western encouragement, and the absence of firm security guarantees. Grigoryan also considers whether Armenia is gaining real sovereignty or exposing itself to greater pressure from Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Russia.Topics:Revolutionary recklessness after 2020Armenia's pivot away from RussiaArtsakh's surrender and strategic reorientationTRIPP, Syunik, and security guaranteesWestern backing, Armenian riskGuest: Arman GrigoryanHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 546 | Recorded: May 13, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/546VIDEO: https://youtu.be/K3fj1Y35Dsw#ArmanGrigoryan #Armenia #Russia #Pashinyan #Artsakh #TRIPP #SouthCaucasus #GeopoliticsSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
In this episode, we unpack how the war in the Middle East has been shaping the economic outlook for Azerbaijan, and why — perhaps surprisingly — it has generated some positive spillovers for Armenia too. We explore how Armenia continues to outperform growth expectations, while its external sector undergoes a structural shift toward IT and financial services that most investors are still overlooking. We then turn to the June 2026 parliamentary elections and why their outcome is directly tied to the pace of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process and the prospect of opening the Turkish border for the first time since 1993. After more than three decades of conflict, a new chapter may finally be within reach in the South Caucasus. Speakers Khamza Sharifzoda, EM, Economic and Policy Research Fatih Akcelik, EM, Economic and Policy Research Moderator: Nicolaie Alexandru-Chidesciuc, EM, Economic and Policy Research This podcast was recorded on 13 May 2026. This communication is provided for information purposes only. Institutional clients can view the related report at https://www.jpmm.com/research/content/GPS-5250547-0, https://www.jpmm.com/research/content/GPS-5207471-0, https://www.jpmm.com/research/content/GPS-5165451-0, for more information; please visit www.jpmm.com/research/disclosures for important disclosures. © 2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved. This material or any portion hereof may not be reprinted, sold or redistributed without the written consent of J.P. Morgan. It is strictly prohibited to use or share without prior written consent from J.P. Morgan any research material received from J.P. Morgan or an authorized third-party (“J.P. Morgan Data”) in any third-party artificial intelligence (“AI”) systems or models when such J.P. Morgan Data is accessible by a third-party.
Conversations on Groong - May 8, 2026In this episode of Conversations on Groong, Dr. Anatol Lieven joins us to examine Russia's place in a rapidly shifting global order. The discussion looks at the war in Ukraine, the state of Russia-EU relations after Viktor Orbán's political defeat, and the uncertain trajectory of the war on Iran, including whether any real diplomatic offramp still exists. They also explore whether Russia's relationship with Iran is truly strategic or mainly transactional, how China fits into the wider balance of power, and what all of this means for the South Caucasus, Armenia's current path under Pashinyan, and Azerbaijan's ambitions to turn wartime leverage into lasting regional influence.TopicsRussia, Iran, Europe, multipolar orderUkraine war and Russia-West tensionsIran war and diplomatic offrampsArmenia, TRIPP, South CaucasusGuest: Anatol LievenHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 541 | Recorded: May 5, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/541VIDEO: https://youtu.be/bnwKcnMSZTk#AnatolLieven #Russia #Iran #Europe #UkraineWar #SouthCaucasusSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Day 1,531.Today, after a weekend in which Zelensky joined more than 30 European leaders – along with the prime minister of Canada – at the European Political Community summit in Armenia, a country Moscow considers a close ally in the South Caucasus, and Ukraine calls Russia's bluff over “ceasefires”, we report on further shadow fleet sanctions activity – from new regulations to unexplained explosions. And later, we look ahead to May Day celebrations in Russia and ask whether a Ukrainian drone penetrating Moscow's layers of air defence suggests the parade could go off with a real bang.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.With thanks to Yuliya Sotska of Ukrainian charity ‘Children of Heroes'.NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest CONTENT REFERENCED:Learn more about ‘Children of Heroes':https://childrenheroes.org/en/ Francis's Long Interview with Silicon Curtain:Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vopvERNHGtg Audio: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0qwPAXSkPTvScvGtdKa2rmZelensky challenges Putin to new ceasefire (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/04/zelensky-challenges-putin-to-new-ceasefire/ Starmer to lobby Macron for closer EU ties (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/03/keir-starmer-join-eu-defence-fund-loan-ukraine/ Zelensky has scrapped open-ended military contracts to attract new recruits (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/01/zelensky-scraps-indefinite-contracts-soldiers-recruits/ Europe fears Putin's ‘window of opportunity' is now (Politico):https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-fears-valdimir-putin-window-opportunity-nato-test/EMAIL US:Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.HIGHLIGHTS: Putin challenged to new ceasefire by Zelensky Fears NATO 'disintegrating' as Trump pulls thousands of troops from Europe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Conversations on Groong - May 3, 2026In this Conversations on Groong episode, Hrair Balian joins us to discuss his book Anatomy of Peacemaking: Nagorno Karabakh Conflict & Missed Opportunities, the failure of diplomacy around Artsakh, and what Armenia should learn from the long collapse of the peace process. The conversation also looks at the Iran war, US and Israeli goals in the region, the TRIPP/Zangezur Corridor and its security impact on Armenia, and the role of outside powers in shaping outcomes in the South Caucasus. The episode closes with a discussion of Armenia's June parliamentary elections, opposition repression, election monitoring, and whether international observers will judge the vote by facts on the ground or political convenience.Mr. Balian's book: https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Peacemaking-Nagorno-Karabakh-Opportunities-Rethinking/dp/3032124891Topics:US-Iran war and failed diplomacyTRIPP and Armenia's security risksKarabakh negotiations and missed chancesPashinyan's Artsakh policy reversalArmenia's June elections and monitoringGuest: Hrair BalianHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 538 | Recorded: April 30, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/538VIDEO: https://youtu.be/5ubpIoBjAI0#HrairBalian #Groong #Armenia #Artsakh #NagornoKarabakh #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #ArmenianElectionsSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Conversations on Groong - Apr 30, 2026In this Conversations on Groong episode, we speak with Arega Hovsepyan of the Strong Armenia party about Armenia's June 2026 parliamentary elections, opposition politics, and the shifting geopolitical landscape in the South Caucasus. The discussion covers recent arrests of Strong Armenia members, political pressure on the opposition, and concerns about democratic processes under Pashinyan. We also examine the situation of displaced Artsakh Armenians, including rights, return, voting access, and living conditions in Armenia. The episode explores competing narratives around “peace” with Azerbaijan, the implications of the Zangezur Corridor or TRIPP project, and how regional dynamics involving Iran, Russia, and Turkey shape Armenia's security and political future. Topics:Strong Armenia and election dynamicsNew arrests and political pressureArtsakh Armenians and their rightsTRIPP corridor and regional securityGuest: Arega HovsepyanHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 537 | Recorded: Apr 28, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/537VIDEO: https://youtu.be/G2lysDT6SSQ#Armenia #Artsakh #StrongArmenia #AregaHovsepyan #ArmenianPolitics #SouthCaucasus #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #GeopoliticsSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Groong Week in Review - April 26, 2026This Week in Review on Groong examines how the Iran war fallout and the extension of the ceasefire are reshaping Armenia's geopolitical position. We break down the push for the TRIPP or Zangezur Corridor and the claims of Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization, and assess how they tie to regional power dynamics involving Iran, Russia, Turkey, and the United States. The episode also covers Armenia's 2026 elections and rising elite tensions. In addition, we discuss the global commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, contrasting international messaging with domestic narratives and linking it to ongoing debates around Artsakh and historical continuity.Topics: - TRIPP hinges on Iran war outcome - Armenian Genocide commemoration - Peace narrative vs corridor reality - Parliamentary electionGuest: Arthur G MartirosyanHosts: - Hovik Manucharyan - Asbed BedrossianEpisode 536 | Recorded: April 27, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/536VIDEO: https://youtu.be/tu49vlEYJKU#Armenia #IranWar #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #Elections2026 #SouthCaucasus #Geopolitics #GroongSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Conversations on Groong - April 25, 2026In this episode of the Groong podcast, we speak with Dr. Dmitry Suslov about the shifting geopolitical landscape across the Iran war, the Ukraine conflict, and the South Caucasus. We examine the fragile state of the Iran war and its impact on global trade and regional escalation, Russia's strategic positioning, and the potential for a broader conflict involving Azerbaijan and Turkey. The discussion then turns to the Ukraine war, focusing on attrition, Europe's growing militarization, and the prospects for a long-term Russia–Europe confrontation. Finally, we explore Russia's policy in the South Caucasus, including Armenia's political trajectory, tensions following Pashinyan's Moscow visit, and the broader balance of power shaping Armenia's future.Topics:Iran war dynamics and Russia's roleUkraine war and Europe's militarizationArmenia's pivot and Russia's responseRegional power balanceGuestDr. Dmitry SuslovHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 534 | Recorded: April 24, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/534VIDEO: https://youtu.be/kjUQN8LVuFk#Russia #IranWar #UkraineWar #SouthCaucasus #Armenia #TRIPP #Geopolitics #EurasiaSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Groong Week in Review - April 19, 2026In this Week in Review episode, Ambassador Dziunik Aghajanian discusses the stalled Iran negotiations after the Islamabad talks, the renewed pressure around Hormuz and the naval blockade, Turkey's posture toward Israel and the region; Armenia's lower-profile participation in the Antalya Diplomatic Forum; Russia's shifting rhetoric on TRIPP and the South Caucasus; and the June 7 parliamentary election in Armenia, including constitutional changes, border concessions, the gas pipeline rerouting issue, and the use of surveillance and arrests against opposition figures.TopicsIran War UpdateAntalya Diplomatic ForumArmenian Parliamentary ElectionGuestHrant MikaelianHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 532 | Recorded: April 20, 2026https://podcasts.groong.org/532Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
Groong Week in Review - April 12, 2026In this episode, we examine a fast-moving regional and political landscape, from the collapse of the US-Iran talks in Islamabad and the threat of a new naval blockade, to Viktor Orban's election loss in Hungary and what it may signal for Armenia and the wider region. We also dig into new polling from Armenia, including public views on security, the Iran war, free speech, voter turnout, and party support ahead of the 2026 elections. Along the way, we look at the Abkhaz railway as a possible alternative trade route, questions around TRIPP and Armenia's growing dependence on Azerbaijan and Turkey, and what the latest numbers may reveal about the strength, weakness, and strategy of Armenia's opposition.Topics: US-Iran Talks in PakistanOrban Loses Hungary ElectionsArmenian Parliamentary ElectionsPolls: MPG, IRI, ARAR, EVNGuest: Hrant MikaelianHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 531 | Recorded: April 14, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/531VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ZzhV5xsXFks#Armenia #IranWar #ArmenianPolitics #HungaryElections #ArmeniaPollsSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong
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