Podcasts about south caucasus

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Turkey late last week for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the first formal meeting of its kind and a move Yerevan described as a "historic" step. Despite previous efforts - and a slew of concessions by Pashinyan to both Azerbaijan and Turkey over the past years - there has been little tangible progress in normalizing relations. Dr. Laurence Broers, an associate fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Program at Chatham House and an expert on the South Caucasus region, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at this normalization effort.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Armenia's Pashinyan, Turkey's Erdogan to hold 'historic' talks amid Iran-Israel warArmenian PM Pashinyan meets Erdogan in Turkey on 'historic' visitArmenian prime minister discusses reconciliation with Erdogan in landmark Turkey visitPM touts defense spending at NATO summitLibya, Turkey sign MoU on offshore areas, Athens reiterates rejection

Conversations on Groong - June 23, 2025TopicsIsrael's war on Iran and U.S. involvementRisks of Iranian regime change or partitionStrategic dangers to ArmeniaGuestArman GrigoryanHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 448 | Recorded: June 21, 2025SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/448VIDEO: https://youtu.be/jKvIM3J57rw#IranIsraelWar #IsraelIranConflict #Iran #Israel #IsraelConflict #Armenia #USForeignPolicy #Geopolitics #MiddleEastCrisisSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Conversations on Groong - June 16, 2025In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs, to analyze the geopolitical fallout from Israel's surprise military campaign against Iran, known as Operation Rising Lion. We explore how the attacks may sabotage U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, shift Russia's strategic calculus, and destabilize the South Caucasus—particularly Armenia's Syunik province. We also examine the implications for Russia-Iran relations, the "Zangezur Corridor", and Azerbaijan's military posture. Finally, we discuss Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb, recent Russian rhetoric labeling Ukraine a terrorist state, and whether Moscow is preparing to escalate its war effort.Topics:Israel hits Iran, talks collapseArmenia at risk if Iran weakensRussia hardens stance on UkraineGuest:Fyodor Lukyanov (Фёдор Алекса́ндрович Лукья́нов)Hosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 447 | Recorded: June 15, 2025SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/447VIDEO: https://youtu.be/aNoYaXZrwhQ#RisingLion #IsraelIranConflict #RussiaIranAlliance #ZangezurCorridor #UkraineWarSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Groong Week in Review - June 1, 2025In this episode of Groong's Week in Review, recorded on June 2, 2025, guest Benyamin Poghosyan joins hosts Hovik Manucharyan and Asbed Bedrossian to unpack a tense and volatile week in both regional and domestic politics. The conversation opens with rising tensions in the Ukraine war, as drone strikes reach deep into Russia, Germany lifts missile restrictions, and Trump labels Putin “crazy,” all while Iran nuclear talks remain frozen under hardline U.S. demands. The focus then shifts to the South Caucasus, where Turkish FM Hakan Fidan met Lavrov in Moscow to push the “3+3” platform and floated Istanbul as a summit venue for global powers. Meanwhile, Erdogan, Aliyev, and Pakistan's PM Sharif staged a PR spectacle in Lachin to inaugurate a third airport in occupied Artsakh, signaling strategic realignments. Back in Armenia, the Pashinyans launched harsh verbal attacks on the Armenian Church just as Baku's Grand Mufti claimed Etchmiadzin as Azerbaijani land, prompting questions of tacit coordination. The episode also revisits the impeachment debate versus opposition planning for the 2026 elections, probing whether security and corruption can drive real political traction. Finally, the hosts spotlight the rise of regime-aligned oligarch Narek Nalbandyan, whose sweetheart deals, state-enabled asset grabs, and government-backed expansion raise serious concerns about the erosion of anti-corruption values in Armenia today.TopicsStatus of Ukraine and US-Iran CrisesHakan Fidan in MoscowErdogan, Aliyev, Sharif in LachinAzerbaijan and Pashinyan Attack the Armenian ChurchImpeachment vs. ElectionsThe Kitchen SinkGuest: Benyamin PoghosyanHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 442 | Recorded: June 2, 2025SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/442VIDEO: https://youtu.be/oo_B7xhOVlMSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Groong Week in Review - May 25, 2025Topics:May 28, Republic DayArmenia's EU-Russia policy confusionConstitutional changes for “peace”Impeachment vs. election dilemmaAzeri invasion threat and silenceGuestArthur KhachatryanHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 441 | Recorded: May 28, 2025SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/441VIDEO: https://youtu.be/voqa1Sy5iZYSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

If you have thought about entering the wine trade but really don't think you would be much of wine winemaker...but you really feel like you are going to love it. It actually took me many years to "love" it but hear this story. Armen is getting ready to quite his day job... head down and make it work. And you  know, it is working. Armen Ghazikhanian didn't so much dive into the wine business as wander in with curiosity, a keen palate, and a spreadsheet in his back pocket. You'll come away from this episode with more than just a newfound respect for Armenian wine; you'll discover how a career in finance can lead to the art of curating bottles that carry centuries of culture and a whisper of volcanic terroir. Armen reveals how his passion-driven side gig, Cork and Bottle, was forged as much by personal connections and boots on the ground in remote Armenian villages as by business school savviness—only to discover that the wine industry plays by its own rules entirely. Along the way, you'll learn about the surprising renaissance of Armenian winemaking after the Soviet era, why indigenous grape varieties like areni and voskehat are turning the heads of wine judges and sommeliers, and what happens when you take a risk importing unknown bottles to the US, hoping they don't just satisfy your friends but spark conversation in wine shops and restaurants across California. Through anecdotes of smuggling bottles, weathering the red tape of international logistics, and winning unexpected gold at wine competitions, Armen shares what it means to balance romanticism and reality in the wine trade. Hosts and listeners alike will come away with a deeper appreciation for how wine isn't just a drink, but a powerful carrier of memory, tradition, and entrepreneurial risk—all told with Armen's self-effacing humor and Paul's insider understanding of the business. And if you've ever wondered whether a grape from the South Caucasus can go toe-to-toe with a California cab, this episode might just send you to the nearest shop asking for a bottle of “Areni”—even if you're not quite sure how to pronounce it.   #WineTalksPodcast #ArmenianWine #CorkAndBottle #WineImporter #WineCulture #PassionToProfession #IndigenousGrapes #WineBusiness

Buy the Oldest Stories books!: https://a.co/d/7Wn4jhS :In this episode of Oldest Stories, we explore the complex military and political history of Urartu during its northern campaigns in the early 8th century BCE. As King Menua consolidates power and expands Biainilli influence into the Armenian Highlands, he clashes with the highland polities of Etiuni and Diauehi—two distinct yet influential groups whose stories illuminate the ethnic, linguistic, and political diversity of the Iron Age Caucasus.We examine the engineering feats of Urartian infrastructure, the fortress networks of Etiuni, and the semi-nomadic coalition of the Kartvelian-speaking Diauehi. Through archaeological evidence, Urartian inscriptions, and historical reconstruction, this episode situates the military campaigns in the broader context of ancient Near Eastern state formation, nomadic-sedentary dynamics, and the forgotten peoples of the highlands. Key themes include mountain warfare, tribal confederations, language diversity, and imperial border policy in Iron Age Anatolia and the South Caucasus.Topics include: Urartu, Biainilli, Menua, Argishti I, Etiuni, Diauehi, Armenian Highlands, Lake Sevan, Kartvelians, Iron Age warfare, highland polities, Cimmerians, Assyrian frontier strategy, fortress archaeology, and ancient tribal coalitions in Eastern Anatolia and the Caucasus.I am also doing daily history facts again, at least until I run out of time again. You can find Oldest Stories on Reels, Tiktok, and Youtube.If you like the show, consider sharing with your friends, leaving a like, subscribing, or even supporting financially:Buy the Oldest Stories books: https://a.co/d/7Wn4jhSDonate here: https://oldeststories.net/or on patreon: https://patreon.com/JamesBleckleyor on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCG2tPxnHNNvMd0VrInekaA/joinYoutube and Patreon members get access to bonus content about Egyptian culture and myths.

Groong Week in Review - May 4, 2025TopicsWar Drums Around IranArmenia-Azerbaijan TalksMay 9: Victory Day in MoscowIt's OK to Beat Up Journalists in YerevanGuestBenyamin PoghosyanHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 434 | Recorded: May 6, 2025https://podcasts.groong.org/434VIDEO: https://youtu.be/n2VjZPNDSOMSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

In this episode of the International Risk Podcast, we turn our focus to the South Caucasus, where Armenia stands at a critical geopolitical juncture. Our guest is Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the American University of Armenia and a leading voice on regional security and Armenian foreign policy.Dr. Ter-Matevosyan offers a compelling analysis of Armenia's post-2020 political landscape, the complexities of its relationship with Azerbaijan, and the challenges of negotiating peace amid uncertainty. We explore how domestic expectations, historical narratives, and external pressures intersect in shaping Armenia's strategic choices.What are the risks of a fragile peace process? How are regional and global actors influencing the outcome? And what does the future hold for a country navigating between tradition, reform, and realpolitik?Join us for a deep and thought-provoking discussion on one of the most consequential, yet often overlooked, regions in international affairs.Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan is an Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the American University of Armenia and a leading scholar on Turkish foreign policy, regional security, and post-Soviet politics. He has advised government agencies, published extensively on nationalism and regional dynamics, and brings deep, evidence-based analysis to some of the most pressing questions about Armenia's place in an increasingly multipolar world.The International Risk Podcast is a weekly podcast for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. In these podcasts, we speak with experts in a variety of fields to explore international relations. Our host is Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's leading risk consulting firms. Dominic is a regular public and corporate event speaker, and visiting lecturer at several universities. Having spent the last 20 years successfully establishing large and complex operations in the world's highest-risk areas and conflict zones, Dominic now joins you to speak with exciting guests around the world to discuss international risk.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn and Subscribe for all our great updates!Tell us what you liked!

"Provoked", U.S. Foreign Policy, Colored Revolutions, Ukraine War, Armenia, and moreConversations on Groong - May 4, 2025TopicsWhat happened to Antiwar VoicesColor Revolutions as US StrategyArmenia and Pipeline GeopoliticsAnd more!GuestScott Horton- TW/@scotthortonshow, and @ScottHortonShow & @AntiWarComHostsHovik Manucharyan - TW/@HovikYerevanAsbed Bedrossian - TW/@qubriqEpisode 433 | Recorded: May 2, 2025Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

There is one surviving branch of the Helsinki Citizens Assembly: in the south Caucasus. Arzu Abdulleyeva, Natalia Martiroosyan and Alexander Russetsky belong to it, and in the Netherlands, Marten van Harten. They discuss the Nagorno Karabakh war and the new peace agreement, yet to be signed. Jill Carr-Harris steers the conversation. For the video, audio podcast and comments: https://tosavetheworld.ca/episode-764-progress-in-the-south-caucasus

SOUTH CAUCASUS  :TURKEY, AZERBAIJAN, ISRAEL VS RUSSIA, ARMENIA, IRAN. JANATAN SAYEH, BILL ROGGIO, FDD. 1904 DOHA

The small country of Armenia in the South Caucasus has long been positioning itself as an emerging technology hub. Hundreds of tech start-ups with strong ties to the US market through the Armenian diaspora are now based there. From 2020 to 2022, investments in small Armenian tech companies reached $48 million. The industry has been partly fuelled by the arrival of hundreds of Russian IT specialists following the invasion of Ukraine.We hear how the government wants the IT sector to develop the economy, talk to tech start-up founders, and find out how tech education for children is being prioritised.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk(Picture: Staff in the offices of Doctor Yan, a health care assistant app in Armenia. Credit: BBC)Presented and produced by Rayhan Demytrie

In EVN Report's news roundup for the week of March 28: Armenia's Parliament approves bill to pursue EU Membership; in a telephone call, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tells PM Nikol Pashinyan that any escalation in the South Caucasus is unacceptable; the Starlink satellite internet service launches in Armenia and more.

In EVN Report's news roundup for the week of March 28: Armenia's Parliament approves bill to pursue EU Membership; in a telephone call, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tells PM Nikol Pashinyan that any escalation in the South Caucasus is unacceptable; the Starlink satellite internet service launches in Armenia and more. The post Armenia's Parliament Approves Bill to Pursue EU Membership appeared first on EVN Report.

Week In Review - March 23, 2025Topics:Trump's Iran ultimatum exploredTurkey's protests seen as strategicAzerbaijan's peace deal as smokescreenArmenia's Westward drift analyzedGyumri elections stir controversyGuest: Dziunik AghajanianHost: Hovik ManucharyanEpisode 423 | Recorded: March 25, 2025Website: https://podcasts.groong.org/424Video: https://youtu.be/9W6IrqF4nnI Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Maria was joined by Tinatin Japaridze and Volodymyr Dubovyk to discuss how post-Soviet countries, particularly Ukraine and the states of the South Caucasus, are reckoning with the Trump administration's positions on the war in Ukraine. This conversation was recorded on Friday, March 7, 2025.

Conversations on Groong - March 3, 2025Topics:   - US Foreign Policy Under Trump  - Transactional Foreign Policy  - Trump's Cabinet & Policy Shifts   - US-Armenia RelationsGuest:  - James W. Carden  - Pietro ShakarianHosts:   - Hovik Manucharyan  - Asbed BedrossianEpisode 420 | Recorded: February 27, 2025https://podcasts.groong.org/420Video: https://youtu.be/Ntl9bnNrqdUSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Today, we welcome Colleen Ryan from OSCE, border training and management. We brought her on today to discuss the current challenges of border security in Europe.  --- One CA is a product of the civil affairs association  and brings in people who are current or former military, diplomats, development officers, and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with a partner nation's people and leadership. We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "last three feet" of U.S. foreign relations.  To contact the show, email us at CApodcasting@gmail.com  or look us up on the Civil Affairs Association website at www civilaffairsassoc.org --- Great news! Feedspot, the podcast industry ranking system rated One CA Podcast as one of the top 10 shows on foreign policy. Check it out at: https://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcasts/ --- Special thanks to the site "Rockstar Beats" for the sample of Taylor Seift "Midnight." Retrieved from: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXyd0iAdUYUWN7ifYYoqymNqJsaE0vEDC&si=-Vp6gUuRpqpHq66D   --- Transcript: 00:00:04    Introduction Welcome to the 1CA Podcast. This is your host, Jack Gaines. 1CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association and brings in people who are current or former military, diplomats, development officers, and field agents to discuss their experiences on ground with the partner nation's people and leadership. Our goal is to inspire anyone interested in working the last three feet of foreign relations. To contact the show, email us at capodcasting@gmail.com. Or look us up on the Civil Affairs Association website at www.civilaffairsassos.org. I'll have those in the show notes. 00:00:39    Colleen Ryan My name is Colleen Ryan. I'm currently the Border Advisor to the OSC in Vienna. I'm seconded by the United States. So I do need to make it clear that I'm not speaking on behalf of the OSC or on the broader political or organizational context right now. I'm specifically focusing on my work and my experiences. Wow. You're seconded? What does that mean? Yeah, I'm essentially loaned out by the U .S. to the OSCE to serve in this role. They pay my salary. 00:01:13    Jack Nice. How did you get nominated? Where do you normally work? 00:01:15    COLLEEN RYAN In a past life, I was a police officer back in the U .S. before transitioning to working internationally. So I came to find out about OSCE and opportunities while I was doing my master's back in the States. And then I just ended up applying for the special monitoring mission to Ukraine. So I was out there as a monitoring officer up until Russia's full -scale invasion. And then went back during the war with a non -governmental organization working on humanitarian protection in the South. And then made my way to this current role. That's great. So you've been part of living history in a way. Yeah, to be out in Donetsk up until a couple days before the invasion. Working with border guards all across Europe and the changing security landscape has been an interesting role so far. 00:02:04    JACK GAINES So you've lived what soldiers call the moment before. There's a feel in the air, and it makes you edgy, it makes you a little twitchy, because you know that you're about to go down with an enemy. And so did you get that sense? Did you get that feel that things were coming close in Donetsk? 00:02:23    COLLEEN RYAN We were there at the time to monitor the Minsk agreements, which was a ceasefire at the time. It wasn't until when the U .S. evacuated all U .S. personnel that you started to realize that, you know, it may actually happen. 00:02:36    JACK GAINES Right. And so your current position is now training the border guards of Ukraine. 00:02:44    COLLEEN RYAN Yes, I manage a project that trains border guards across the OSCE, specifically on detecting porch documents and imposters. So if it's a forged passport presented at the airport or at the road crossing or for the train, we train the border guards, whether it's from Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Albania. So it really depends on the needs of OSC participating states in this realm. It's obviously a field that requires recurrent training because travel documents like passports are constantly updated. that national authorities can stay ahead of forgers. So it is something that we have to continue training on. And with the current war against Ukraine, they have the most need. They're one of the bigger border services in Europe. And then just the need in terms of half their border guard is currently engaged in combat operations, while you have the rest who are working to secure their western and southern borders and the surge in western and southern border crossings with the closure of Ukraine's airspace. You know, all of that contributes to an ongoing need for these skills and updated training on detecting passport forgeries and detecting imposters. And then you see that on the flip side with Moldova, they've seen a surge in the border crossings because a lot evacuated from Ukraine into Moldova. A lot of humanitarian NGOs and other people now fly into Kijanel to go to Ukraine. And so they've seen just a huge... spike in terms of the number of travel documents and also diversity in terms of different countries, different types of documents. And so that's why we've also been training Moldovan border police as well. 00:04:29    JACK GAINES Sure. So you're there to teach them how to spot forged documents, but is there also a follow on either by that nation's foreign affairs office or their law enforcement that tries to find the forger and remove them? 00:04:43    COLLEEN RYAN Yeah, there is very likely follow on. in terms of criminal investigations when they find forged documents or if they identify an imposter. But our project primarily focuses on those who are working on the first line and second line document checks to just spot the person posing as someone else. And then we do some work with the forensic experts after the fact to make sure that they've got that next level of training as part of their investigations. But primarily it's focusing on the first and second line officers. 00:05:14    JACK GAINES I'm sure they see all kinds of crazy stuff. Everything from the amateur glue stick to people who actually have passport printer creating forged documents. 00:05:24    COLLEEN RYAN Yeah, it's sad and it's also really interesting, the surge in the use of artificial intelligence and seeing the ways that they're incorporating things like morphing into the passport to their forgeries where two people can now travel on one passport using morphing images and things like that. It really just shows how quickly this field in terms of document forgeries is evolving and how much border services are struggling to keep up and to maintain their training so they can spot these techniques. Right, which is why they're starting to put chips and other special films that have a radio signature and stuff like that. 00:05:53    JACK GAINES they're starting to put chips and other special films that have a radio signature and stuff like that. You could print it, but to actually find those films or chips that have that radio signature has got to be a lot tougher. 00:06:08    COLLEEN RYAN Yeah, and a lot of it is just down to, like, Order guards are under a lot of stress and pressure and they don't have much time to spot the fakes. They're getting crushed by people. Yeah. So a lot of it is just making sure that they can spot some of these easier to identify orgery trends and to make a quicker decision before it gets to the point of really having to do an in -depth examination of the document. 00:06:32    JACK GAINES Yeah, I would imagine that you would see forgery trends because people would be going to the same forger and they would be doing similar patterns until that turned away. 00:06:41    COLLEEN RYAN Yeah. 00:06:41    JACK GAINES And what's it like working with all these different border guards from different countries? I mean, everyone has got to be a little different, but the same. 00:06:49    COLLEEN RYAN For me, it's interesting because I'm one of the few who has worked in policing, worked in this operational arena, kind of understands a lot of what they've done. And so you kind of speak the same language. It's interesting to hear from them, like what they view as their biggest security challenges and what their biggest day -to -day challenges are in terms of their work life. Because you see common trends across a lot of the services. A lot of them can be underpaid and that contributes to staff turnover. And so then that means you go back to a country to do more training because you have new staffs. But then to see how a country's security... You know, their perspective in terms of their biggest border security threats in Albania, where I trained in June, might be different from Bulgaria, where I trained last month. But, you know, it's still the commonalities of document forgeries, imposters, making sure your airports are secure and things like that. So I like talking with the border guards, such a different perspective across each country. Right. 00:07:51    JACK GAINES I think that's really helpful that you have a law enforcement background. helps break that ice. 00:07:58    COLLEEN RYAN I understand the perspective, but we're really just there to help and to fill the gaps that their service might not have the time or the funding to provide additional training because they've got the whole spectrum of border security issues to deal with within their service. And so that's where our organization or other international organizations doing these types of projects come in is just fill the gaps and help them develop their capacity. Especially with some other countries we train for where Frontex, maybe they're not working in that country. So then we can help supplement other EU or Frontex or IOM or UN initiatives and help to harmonize border security standards across Europe, South Caucasus, Central Asia. 00:08:45    JACK GAINES I don't want to just keep circling around Ukraine. Is there any stories you have from some of the other countries you worked with? What's your favorite beer hall story on those? 00:08:53    COLLEEN RYAN Yeah, I mean, most of my stories are with Ukraine because I've trained Ukraine so much. So I'm happy to talk about that. Yeah, I feel very fortunate so far in the last year and a half to have trained almost 50 Ukraine border guards. And I was able to go to meet with their administration and their main forensic center in June to do a needs assessment to see how we could keep supporting. to make sure we weren't duplicating efforts from other international organizations or other bilateral initiatives there because we do know it's a crowded space there. 00:09:28    JACK GAINES I'm sure talking to them, you could figure out pretty quickly what those border guards needed, even if they were getting training from two or three organizations, if they weren't hitting it on the head. Yeah. And what was nice for us is we were able to actually shadow them on their train from out west as entered from. 00:09:38    COLLEEN RYAN was nice for us is we were able to actually shadow them on their train from out west as entered from. Shamashil, Poland, and went to Lviv. And so we got to board on the Ukrainian side and just seeing what they're dealing with in terms of doing document checks aboard the trains now and the different challenges they have with that as opposed to what it would be like to check a document at the airport. It's a very different perspective and it gives you insights on things like lighting and being able to see different security features in the passport. With the lighting on the train and the time of day when they're doing the document check, the technical equipment that they have aboard and that may not be connecting to the cell tower or have service as the train moves. And so it gives you a different perspective to actually be there and see it instead of just hearing about it over a Zoom call or in a sterile training environment. And so then building on that. We've been able to take some of those lessons learned and put them into our training where we're encouraging them and reminding them to say, hey, how would you see this in different types of light settings, running different types of simulations, so it more accurately reflects the conditions that they'll be doing the document checks in. So what's coming up next? 00:10:57    JACK GAINES What's the future of training? Do you have anything interesting coming up that you want to promote? 00:11:02    COLLEEN RYAN Yes, through the rest of the year, we have a couple more study visits. And these are important because they help the border guards to learn from other counterparts. They will look through how this country that they're visiting manages their forgery desk at an airport or in their border service. And it really helps with networking and sharing more information in terms of what they're seeing in terms of detecting trends or alerts on forged documents. We've got a couple of study visits coming up next week. I'll be in Madrid with another group from Ukraine. The following week, I'll be with Albania and Milan. And then a week after that, I'll be in Dublin, Ireland with forensic experts from Ukraine's border service to round out the year. So it's a busy stretch right now. That's very cool. 00:11:50    JACK GAINES Do these multinational engagements, do they ever end up with countries with border guards doing a bilateral agreement on border protection? Or do they ever work on... building something like Eurogest, where if they find a forger from multiple countries, they'll work together to try to find out where the route is. Is that multinational cooperation starting to build, or have you seen it? 00:12:14    COLLEEN RYAN On a smaller level with us, we do see that. So at the operational level with these border guards, even in -country, being able to message colleagues around their own country. Or the experts that do our trainings are active document experts serving in their border service. So now they've got another resource, say, if we're using experts from Spain or the Netherlands or UK or Italy, then these trainees now have another resource to flag potential trends and forge documents or to ask questions if they're unsure. And then, you know, moving ahead, we'll be looking to do some more joint training between two or three countries. Especially if we do it with bordering countries, it will really help that collaboration to, say, connect the two participating states. And now they've got operational contacts to ping across the border to say, hey, we're seeing this. What are you seeing? Things like that. So it's a good opportunity for us to foster that collaboration and increase the information sharing with us through the training or study visits. Right. Because it's so important to have that contact. 00:13:23    JACK GAINES to have that contact. It's one thing when you see an issue and you want to reach out and you have to make that cold call and figure out who's the right person. It's better if you've made a contact, you know someone from training, you can just say, hey, what's this and what's going on? And they can just plug you in with the right person and then Zoom. You know, a problem's fixed versus making it a whole, oh, you have to talk to our embassy and our embassy has to write our embassy. And so it's great that those kind of cross -border contacts are being made because. Even though so much of Europe is dominated by the Schengen, there's still issues with legal immigration and criminal movement that each country still monitors what's going on and partners. And then those that are outside the Schengen zone, it's just as important for them to actually have that contact so they can partner and work on things to quickly spot forgeries, theft, criminal activity, then stop it before it becomes rampant. So that's awesome. 00:14:22    COLLEEN RYAN And it's just it's it's the first building block of really increasing that cooperation, especially with your neighboring state and contributing towards that angle of integrated border management and jointly managed VCP. So even being able to have frontline document inspectors from two neighboring countries being able to reach out, that's just your first building block to building that relationship. So, yeah, it's always useful to have those contacts. Must be fun to be in the middle of it. Yeah. And it's really rewarding. To get your group of border officers on day one, you've got 20 to 30 border officers from all across their country, wherever we're training, they're virtual strangers, and to see them learn to open up and engage and to learn from our experts and then start to share some of their challenges with me and to build those relationships, whether it's in a group or with our experts or with OSCE, it's super rewarding because then you just get to keep building from there and asking, okay, what's next? What do you need next in addition to these document trainings? What do your forensic experts need or what do your border control officers need? So, yeah, it's really rewarding to be able to deliver when you've got the funding and you've got the interest of participating states and to help them manage their borders better. 00:15:37    JACK GAINES You know, we kind of forgot to talk about who OSCE is, Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe. You want to give me a brief overview of what the organization is? Yes. But it does. 00:15:50    COLLEEN RYAN Yeah. So the OSCE is world's largest regional security organization, the state of 57 participating states. And we operate on a consensus -based approach where all participating states have to agree. And we utilize an approach of comprehensive security. And so this really helps us to support our participating states in developing. their security sector and to enhance resilience and to develop capacity to address transnational threats. So my border security management unit is situated within the Transnational Threats Department. So that's our goal is to help participating states build their capacity to confront a wide array of transnational threats that can harm their national security and pan security more broadly. Right. Now, when I think security, I think of NATO. 00:16:38    JACK GAINES I think of NATO. So you've got to be a little different. NATO is, of course, a military organization that deals with security from conflict, either deterrence or response to conflict or crisis, disaster. What is it that OSCE does in terms of security? 00:16:55    COLLEEN RYAN Our three dimensions are political, military, economic and environmental, and human dimension. So what you would traditionally think of as human rights. And so being able to take that comprehensive approach opens up. a library of opportunities for us in terms of what we can provide support on. And so my unit's mandate stems from our border security management concept that the OSC Ministerial Council adopted in 2005. So our mandate in terms of border security is pretty broad. And I think our bread and butter really is helping to develop capacity of our participating states and providing technical assistance. I mean, our unique added value is that we can provide this tailored approach and we're pretty responsive when participating states do approach us with needs. So it's a bit different from NATO since we're not providing military support. We're looking at long -term institutional capacity buildings, whether it's in border security, policing, security sector agencies. That's the core of our work. And can you talk about what the application process was like to get involved? It's different for each job. So OSC, you either have secondments, like when I am on, where your national authority nominates you, or you have the professional contract where OSC directly hires you. So for mine, I had to apply through my seconding authority in the U .S., and I was competing amongst the Americans who wanted to be nominated. And so then once I got past that, then the U .S. put my name forward in the process, and then it was straight into the OSC hiring process. It's a written exam, and then it was an oral interview, and then it's shortlisted, and you go from there. But if it's a contracted offer, obviously you skip the secondment stage of it, and it's applying straight to OSC in the typical HR process. So it's a little different. You just have to look at the job posting and if it's a secondment or not. 00:19:01    JACK GAINES They give you a salary. 00:19:02    COLLEEN RYAN Do they give you a housing allowance? 00:19:02    JACK GAINES give you a housing allowance? 00:19:04    COLLEEN RYAN Yeah, it's about when I was paying in the U .S. The really fun expense was moving my cats over. So that it's a week in a housing allowance. But it's different for contracted. So it really just depends on which job you're going for, contracted or second. 00:19:22    JACK GAINES Had you traveled internationally before you joined this position? 00:19:26    COLLEEN RYAN Yeah, I had traveled quite a bit. Back when I was still a police officer, I liked to take my leave time to go over to Europe. So I did travel a bit. But never officially. It was always first travel. It was always tourist travel. Yeah, no, I had very, very little duty travel as a cop. 00:19:43    JACK GAINES But I bet that travel helped with your application to say, yeah, I've been to Europe and I've toured around, even though I was a tourist. 00:19:50    COLLEEN RYAN Yeah, and travel is just a great educator. And I know it's expensive and not everyone can do it. Travel just gives you good life experience, especially if you're doing it solo and traveling in Europe and interacting with different cultures and just finding your way and being able to navigate and step outside of your American comfort zone. If you're looking to work internationally, in addition, obviously, to the job experience and language and whatnot, travel is just such a good educator and a good way to end your horizons. Right. And I'll tell you what, traveling and living someplace, 00:20:23    JACK GAINES living someplace, It's a whole new experience because you learned the trains when you traveled, but now you got to find out, get a lease and what that takes. 00:20:32    COLLEEN RYAN Yeah. And then if you don't speak German or you don't speak the local English, that adds another layer of complexity. So yeah, you're absolutely right. The difference between living somewhere and traveling is huge. 00:20:43    JACK GAINES But it's fun. And actually, once you've lived overseas, you start to do quirky things, I find. Like, I'll travel and I'll go to a grocery store just to see how they do their business there. Yeah. You know, you go to restaurants, but see how laundry is done or, you know, just how the public services are done because you think, man, if I had to live here, I'd have to drag my trash to the backyard this time. Or over here, they take it on the street or the Germans, they have to have a lockbox. 00:21:12    COLLEEN RYAN What's been really interesting for me is my American friends hear me speak now and they think I'm starting to lose my accent and I can't tell where I'm from or I'll... interact with Europeans over here and they can't quite pick up on my American accent and I think I'm from the UK or Ireland or Australia. So that's been a really interesting experience because I don't think about it. I just talk and just the little things that come when you're living abroad. 00:21:37    SPEAKER_00 Okay. I think we got everything we wanted. Is there anything left that you want to draw on the table? 00:21:44    COLLEEN RYAN As I've mentioned, I firmly believe that any type of security cooperation, defense cooperation is built on relationships and trust. And so there's two of the Ukrainians in particular that I've become close with because they joined our training last year. And then this year they served as trainers for us and they've joined a few study visits. And so through that, we've developed trust and become friends. So now it's gotten to a point where they know I'm a huge Swifty. Oh, no. 00:22:14    SPEAKER_01 no. 00:22:16    COLLEEN RYAN You're a Swifty? Yeah. 00:22:16    SPEAKER_01 a Swifty? 00:22:19    COLLEEN RYAN So they'll ask, oh, what's the Taylor Swift song we should listen to for this trip? Or what's your favorite Taylor Swift song these days? And it's just a funny example of how this all starts with just building those relationships and getting people's trust when you're working with your partner nations. Sure. 00:22:38    SPEAKER_01 I thought maybe you brought Taylor Swift to the border and you couldn't get her across. 00:22:44    COLLEEN RYAN No, but I did give them Taylor Swift friendship bracelets when I was in Ukraine in June. 00:22:50    SPEAKER_01 Oh my gosh. I was going to say, next time you see them, they'll be like, hey, still have my Taylor Swift. They had them in London last week, so they still have them. 00:22:57    COLLEEN RYAN week, so they 00:23:02    SPEAKER_01 They probably feel obligated, like I can't take it off. She'll think less of me. 00:23:10    SPEAKER_01 It was quite funny. Cool. 00:23:14    SPEAKER_01 But yeah, you're right. It's those relationships, right? You build them and then you can reach out and the people are there. It's so much easier than a cold call. So much easier. That's half the job. 00:23:25    COLLEEN RYAN On one hand, you can joke about Taylor Swift, but then on the other, they can come to you with more training needs or more requests for specific areas of engagement. 00:23:34    SPEAKER_01 Yeah, they know they're safe to do it. Yeah, exactly. By just talking to you. Yeah. 00:23:39    SPEAKER_01 Well, cool. Okay. Well, I got it. And I will say just one more thing that I should mention. 00:23:43    COLLEEN RYAN I will say just one more thing that I should mention. I'm able to do all this work because I'm very lucky that the U .S. mission has fully funded my project and recognize the importance of OSCE as a multilateral line of effort to strengthen international security and broaden our engagement. Honestly, the amount of funding they've given me has been a huge boost and really made this work possible. So I feel like I have to give them a shout out here. 00:24:11    SPEAKER_01 Cool. All right, Coley. Well, thanks a bunch. All right.

Groong Week in Review - February 16, 2025Topics:World Politics – US-Russia relations, NATO tensions, and European reactions.Middle East Developments – Trump's Gaza proposal.Plan, or No Plan? – Pashinyan's acknowledgment of the 2019 OSCE MG peace plan.Corridor Talk – Armenia-Azerbaijan transit negotiations and their implications.Domestic Politics – Robert Kocharyan's press conference and its potential political impact.Guest: Dziunik AghajanianHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 416 | Recorded: February 17, 2025Video: https://youtu.be/j4NYboS2TckSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Russia, the US, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgian, and the New Global OrderConversations on Groong - February 16, 2025TopicsA New Détente?The Trump-Putin CallRussia's Strategic ChoicesRusso-Armenian RelationsRusso-Azerbaijani RelationsGeorgia's PragmatismGuestFyodor Lukyanov (Фёдор Алекса́ндрович Лукья́нов)HostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 414 | Recorded: Valentine's Day, February 14, 2025Video: https://youtu.be/55f4iBCIAGYSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

The Estrangement of Georgia and the WestConversations on Groong - February 10, 2025TopicsEffects of the Cutoff of USAIDGeorgia and the EUGeorgian and the South CaucasusGuestArchil SikharulidzeHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 412 | Recorded: February 9, 2025Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Mirzoyan in Moscow, Kostanyan in Tehran, Mher Grigoryan on the Border, FIS Annual Report, Silence of the LambsGroong Week in Review - January 26, 2025TopicsMirzoyan in MoscowVahan Kostanyan in TehranMher Grigoryan on the Border (concessions)FIS Annual Report 2025The Silence of the LambsGuestArthur KhachatryanHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 408 | Recorded: January 29, 2025Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Russian-Iranian Partnership Pact | Ep 407, Jan 27, 2025Conversations on Groong - January 27, 2025TopicsRusso-Iranian Partnership TreatyImplications of

Groong Week in Review - January 19, 2025TopicsTrump InaugurationRussian-Iranian Strategic PartnershipUK-Ukrainian 100-Year PartnershipUS-Armenian “Strategic Partnership”GuestHrant MikaelianHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 406 | Recorded: January 20, 2025Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

ANN Groong Week in Review - Dec 29, 2024Topics:Pashinyan's Lies on Decades of Negotiations17 Points to an Agreement2024 Review and 2025 OutlookGuest: Benyamin PoghosyanHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 403 | Recorded: December 31, 2024Show Notes: https://podcasts.groong.org/403YouTube: https://youtu.be/NVDZ---WZ0U#ArmenianNews #SouthCaucasus #PeaceTalks #Armenia #Azerbaijan #NagornoKarabakhSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

The largest economy in the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan has a growing partnership with Türkiye & Pakistan. Economic ties between India & Azerbaijan remain strong.

Conversations on Groong - December 14, 2024TopicsSyria and the Middle EastThe South CaucasusIntelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance44-Day War and the ISR FactorFueling Other WarsGuestLarry C. JohnsonHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 395 | Recorded: December 12, 2024https://podcasts.groong.org/395#Armenia #Syria #MiddleEast #SouthCaucasus #NagornoKarabakh #TurkeyArmeniaVIDEO: https://youtu.be/d1aCj0qewOESubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

This week, Kelly talks with former British Ambassador Leigh Turner about a wide range of topics, from crisis and safety issues facing embassies around the world to how technology is transforming the role of the diplomat, and how he sees European, Russian, and British foreign policy developing in the next few years. Leigh Turner is a writer based in London. He was the UK ambassador to Austria and UK permanent representative to the United Nations in Vienna from September 2016 to September 2021. Leigh's previous roles were as Her Majesty's consul general in Istanbul and director general for trade and investment for Turkey, Central Asia and the South Caucasus; Her Majesty's ambassador in Kyiv, Ukraine, and director of Overseas Territories in London, responsible for territories including St Helena, the Falklands and Bermuda.  https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Diplomacy-Politics-Power-Parties/dp/1447373928  https://rleighturner.com/  The opinions expressed in this conversation are strictly those of the participants and do not represent the views of Georgetown University or any government entity. Produced by Freddie Mallinson and Theo Malhotra. Recorded on December 9, 2024. Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision-makers around the world. Funding support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. For more, visit our website, and follow us on Linkedin, Twitter @GUDiplomacy, and Instagram @isd.georgetown

In this episode of “Examining the Context”, Dr. Nerses Kopalyan delves into the emerging contours of the Trump Doctrine, shedding light on the competing policy orientations within his administration and their potential implications for the South Caucasus—particularly Armenia's security landscape.

Conversations on GroongTopics:Turkey's Role in the 44-Day WarNATO and Intelligence SharingGlobal Power RivalriesLessons from U.S. Intelligence PracticesGuest: Karen KwiatkowskiHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 392 | Recorded: December 2, 2024https://podcasts.groong.org/392#Armenia #NagornoKarabakh #Artsakh #KarenKwiatkowski #44DayWar #Turkey #NATO #Geopolitics #MiddleEast #USForeignPolicySubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Conversations on GroongTopics:Escalation in SyriaCOP29 SummitCan NATO save Armenia?Guest: Jeffrey SachsHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 391 | Recorded: December 4, 2024https://podcasts.groong.org/391#JeffreySachs #ArmeniaNews #COP29 #SouthCaucasus #Geopolitics #NagornoKarabakh #MiddleEast #GlobalDiplomacy #BRICS #ClimateActionSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

In this episode of War & Peace, Olga and Elissa are joined by Tbilisi-based journalist Joshua Kucera to discuss Georgia's contested parliamentary elections and the prospects for the country and its breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia. They look at what explains the electoral success of the ruling Georgian Dream party, what's behind allegations of vote rigging and why the opposition has struggled to mobilise its support base in the aftermath of the polls. They explore Tbilisi's shifting relations with Moscow and Brussels, focusing on why the war in Ukraine and politics in the South Caucasus have driven Georgia away from the project of Western integration. They also examine the recent unrest in Abkhazia, the complicated relations among Georgia, the breakaway regions and Russia, and the EU's future as a mediator and monitor in the region. For more, check out Joshua's New York Times op-ed “This Country Turned Against the West, and It's Not Coming Back”, Crisis Group's commentary “Georgia: How to Tread Carefully and Preserve the EU's Diplomatic Role” and our Georgia country page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ANN Groong Week in Review - Nov 17, 2024Topics:  - Armenia-Azerbaijan talks  - COP29: Diplomacy and boycotts  - Gyumri's political intrigues  - Mass dismissal of Armenian government members  - Police “reform”   - Legislative Changes In Preparation For ElectionsGuest: Tevan PoghosyanHosts:  - Hovik Manucharyan  - Asbed BedrossianEpisode 386 | Recorded: November 18, 2024https://podcasts.groong.org/386Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Last week, Donald Trump was re-elected for a second term as president of the United States. This week, Robin Fabbro and OC Media editors Alexandra Kuenning and Nate Ostiller discuss what Trump's re-election as president might mean for the Caucasus as he appoints a new administration and the outcome of the war in Ukraine becomes more uncertain. Read more: How a Trump presidency could impact the South Caucasus Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today. …or donate to the collective Georgian media security fund.

China, BRICS, New World Order, Armenia in Kazan, Georgian Elections in 2024 | Ep 382 - Nov 4, 2024Conversations on GroongTopics:China, and the New World OrderBRICS Summit and Multipolarity Armenia at BRICS Georgian Elections in 2024Guest:Benyamin Poghosyan - TW/@Benyamin_PoghosHosts:Hovik Manucharyan - TW/@HovikYerevanAsbed Bedrossian - TW/@qubriqEpisode 382 | Recorded: November 4, 2024Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Conversations on Groong - Nov 3, 2024Topics:  - Georgian Elections Outcome  - Political Landscape  - Effect on Armenia and BeyondGuest: Johnny G. MelikianHosts:  - Hovik Manucharyan  - Asbed BedrossianRecorded: October 30, 2024Show notes: https://podcasts.groong.org/381Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

ANN Groong Week in Review - Oct 27, 2024Topics:  - Armenia at the BRICS Summit  - Armenia Azerbaijan Talks  - Armenia at COP29  - European Parliament ResolutionGuest: Anna KarapetyanHosts:  - Hovik Manucharyan  - Asbed BedrossianShow notes: https://podcasts.groong.org/379Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

The evolving relationship between Armenia and Russia has seen dramatic shifts in recent years, particularly in the wake of Armenia's devastating defeat in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. Once heavily reliant on Russian military support, Armenia now finds itself questioning the reliability of this partnership. As Russia grapples with its own military commitments in Ukraine and its shrinking influence in the South Caucasus, Armenia has begun to explore alternative alliances, deepening ties with countries like France and India. But with Russian troops still stationed in Armenia and economic dependencies persisting, can Armenia truly pivot away from Moscow's orbit? We ask our panel of experts about the complexities of Armenia's balancing act between historical alliances and new geopolitical realities. On the panel this week: - Oleysa Vartanyan (Caucasus Analyst) - Laurence Broers (Chatham House) - Thomas De Waal (Carnegie Europe) Intro - 00:00 PART I - 05:24 PART II - 27:36 PART III - 58:08 Outro - 1:21:38 Read the Armed Forces of Central Asia Report: https://oxussociety.org/projects/the-armed-forces-of-central-asia/ Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/c/theredlinepodcast Submit Questions and Join the Red Line Discord Server at: https://www.theredlinepodcast.com/discord For more info, please visit https://www.theredlinepodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ANN Groong Week in Review - Oct 6, 2024Topics:Armenian Azerbaijani TalksEscalation in the Middle EastConstitutional Court PuntsUpcoming BRICS SummitGuest:Benyamin Poghosyan - TW/@Benyamin_PoghosHosts:Hovik Manucharyan - TW/@HovikYerevanAsbed Bedrossian - TW/@qubriqEpisode 373 | Recorded: October 7, 2024Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Vahram Ter Matevosyan - The Dynamics of Identity and Geopolitics in the South Caucasus | Ep 372 - Oct 5, 2024Conversations on GroongTopics:Armenian Identity and Integration in the South CaucasusOn the Nature and Thinking of the Armenian ConstitutionRelations with Russia Through TimeThe Geopolitics Around the South CaucasusGuest:Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan, AUAHosts:Hovik Manucharyan - TW/@HovikYerevanAsbed Bedrossian - TW/@qubriqEpisode 372 | Recorded: October 2, 2024Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

In the first episode of a new season of War & Peace, Olga and Elissa talk with Konul de Moor, Crisis Group's consulting South Caucasus Analyst, about the difficult path toward peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan after Baku gained full control of Karabakh following a lightning offensive in September last year. They discuss the obstacles Baku faces in integrating Karabakh, including managing the return of displaced people and large-scale demining needs. They assess the peace process between Baku and Yerevan, the remaining sticking points to a deal and whether there is still a risk of an armed escalation between the two sides. They unpack the changing role of outside actors in the South Caucasus, including Russia's struggle to maintain a foothold in the region and prospects for normalisation between Türkiye and Armenia. They also explore what roles Western powers can play in bringing Armenia and Azerbaijan closer to a peace agreement. Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.For more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out our Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ANN Groong Week in Review - Sep 1, 2024Topics:  - Iran Shuts Down Talk of “Zangezur Corridor”  - Armenia Azerbaijan Talks  - Iran Armenia Trade / BRICS  - Foreign Intelligence Service  - Georgian and Azerbaijani ElectionsGuest: Amb. Dziunik AghajanianHosts:  - Hovik Manucharyan - TW/@HovikYerevan  - Asbed Bedrossian - TW/@qubriqEpisode 361 | Recorded: September 11, 2024Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

ANN Groong Week in Review - Sep 1, 2024Topics:Declarations of Independence Declaration of State Sovereignty of Armenia (1990) Artsakh Independence Day - September 2 (1991) Pashinyan Press Conference Negotiations Formats Artsakh Rights & Security as Pashinyan's “National Security” Problem Armenian and Azerbaijani Constitutions Liberating Occupied Armenian Territories Putin in Baku Azerbaijan's Application to BRICSGuest:Benyamin Poghosyan - TW/@Benyamin_PoghosHosts:Hovik Manucharyan - TW/@HovikYerevanAsbed Bedrossian - TW/@qubriqEpisode 359 | Recorded: September 2, 2024Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Racialization is the process of viewing a specific people with preconceived notions about them. In Russia, non-Russians -- particularly people from Asia or the South Caucasus -- have long been targets of racialization. The problem is especially acute in today's Russia, where many Russians openly express negative or derogatory views of these peoples, making life extremely difficult for Central Asians who live or work in the country. Joining host Bruce Pannier to look at the impact of racialization and ethnic discrimination on Central Asians in Russia are guests Nodira Abdulloeva, an advocate for the rights of migrant workers in Russia; sociologist and University of Amsterdam postdoctoral researcher Nodira Kholmatova; and Tolkun Umaraliev, chief editor for RFE/RL's Migrant Unit and Ferghana Valley Bureau.

1/2: #GEORGIA: SOUTH CAUCASUS: Balancing act between Moscow and Brussels teetering. Ekaterina Zolotova in Moscow, @GPFutures https://geopoliticalfutures.com/in-georgia-balancing-east-and-west-gets-tougher/ undated Petersburg

2/2: #GEORGIA: SOUTH CAUCASUS: Balancing act between Moscow and Brussels teetering. Ekaterina Zolotova in Moscow, @GPFutures https://geopoliticalfutures.com/in-georgia-balancing-east-and-west-gets-tougher/ 1896 Moscow

THE GEOPOLITICS OF THE SOUTH CAUCASUS by The Charles T. McDowell Center for Global Studies and Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center

A few months ago, thousands of Armenians took to the streets in anti-government protests calling on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign. Protesters, led by Archbishop Galstanyan, have blasted Pashinyan for what they see as endless concessions being made to Azerbaijan and Turkey with nothing to show for it in return. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor's chief correspondent covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa who has covered conflicts in Iraq, Syria and the South Caucasus, joins me to look into these protests and break down what's at stake in the region as Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, continues to demand further concessions from Armenia.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Archbishop seeking Armenian PM's ouster over concessions to Turkey, Azerbaijan down but not outDiplomatic efforts to decrease tensions as Turkey deploys warships near KasosTensions rise again in the AegeanPM: Progress, lost chances in past 50 yrs

PREVIEW: GEORGIA: Conversation with Anatol Lieven of Quincy, traveling in the South Caucasus, re the Georgia Dilemma -- West or East, Biden or Trump? More of this later. 1881 The end of the People's Will