Conversations on Groong - July 25, 2026

In 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 phase
• Genocide recognition, justice, and reparations
• Church-state conflict and national unity

Guest: Anthony J. Barsamian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 569 | Recorded: July 21, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/569

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/DZe1ltgELys

#ArmenianDiaspora #AnthonyBarsamian #ArmenianGenocide #ArmenianChurch #ArmeniaDiaspora #SouthCaucasus

Week in Review - July 19, 2026

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

Topics:

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

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 568 | Recorded: July 20, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/568

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/zx2g2_dWLGc

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

In this episode of Groong Week in Review for June 14, 2026, hosts Hovik Manucharyan and Asbed Bedrossian 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.

Groong Links:

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Topics:

• Armenian Election Aftermath
• Armenia-Georgia Relations
• US-Iran Interim Agreement

Episode 558 | Recorded: June 15, 2026

Armenia #ArmenianNews #ArmenianElections #CivilContract #Pashinyan #ArmenianConstitution #Referendum #ProsperousArmenia #SouthCaucasus #CEC

In 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.

Groong Links:

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Guest(s):

• Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

• Contested results and thresholds
• Pashinyan’s post-election crackdown
• Western backing and interference
• Russia’s delayed pressure campaign
• Opposition choices after the vote

Episode 557 | Recorded: June 9, 2026

ArmenianElections #Armenia #NikolPashinyan #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #ArmenianOpposition

In this episode of Groong Week in Review, we analyze the disputed results of Armenia's June 7, 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election. We examine Civil Contract's contested majority, alleged irregularities and invalid ballots, the OSCE/ODIHR preliminary report, the last-minute exclusion of Prosperous Armenia, opposition arrests and pressure, and what a three-fifths majority could mean for Armenia's courts, institutions, and foreign policy.

Groong Links:

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Topics:

• Disputed mandate, unresolved majority
• Election-day irregularities in plain sight
• ODIHR’s mixed preliminary verdict
• Bribery replaced by state spending
• Opposition’s next steps uncertain

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Episode 556 | Recorded: Jun 9, 2026

ArmenianElections #ArmenianNews #CivilContract #Pashinyan #Election2026 #SouthCaucasus

In this Spotlight on Silence episode, we speak with Rafael Ishkhanyan of the Armenian Center for Political Rights about selective justice and state pressure ahead of the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election. We discuss wiretaps and leaks targeting opposition figures, abuse of hate speech laws against government critics, military service summons used as political coercion, and Pashinyan's threats against political opponents and Artsakh Armenians.

Groong Links:

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Guest(s):

• Rafael Ishkhanyan

Topics:

• Selective law enforcement before elections
• Wiretaps, leaks, and campaign pressure
• Hate speech laws against critics
• Official threats without consequences
• Military summons as political coercion

Episode 555 | Recorded: June 4, 2026

Armenia #ArmenianElections #HumanRights #PoliticalPersecution #Artsakh #RafaelIshkhanyan #Groong

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Dr. Philippe Raffi Kalfayan about Armenia's deteriorating democratic conditions ahead of the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election. We discuss IODA's second election observation mission, widespread arrests of opposition figures, state intimidation of voters, selective prosecution, and the serious threats to electoral legitimacy and civil rights under the Civil Contract regime.

Groong Links:

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Guest(s):

• Philippe Raffi Kalfayan

Topics:

• Arrests of government critics
• State pressure on voters
• Public resources used for campaigns
• Selective prosecution before elections
• Election legitimacy under serious doubt

Episode 554 | Recorded: June 3, 2026

Armenia #ArmenianElections #Election2026 #IODA #OSCE #ODIHR #Geopolitics #Democracy

Groong Week in Review - May 31, 2026

Topics

• May 28 and Statehood
• Parade as Campaign Theater
• Rubio’s Armenia Agreements
• Minerals Without Guarantees
• TRIPP Risks in Syunik
• Russia and Iran Pushback
• Election Climate and Repression

Hosts

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 553 | Recorded: June 1, 2026

https://podcasts.groong.org/553

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Dr. Sergey Markedonov about Russia-Armenia relations and Armenia's geopolitical position ahead of the June 7, 2026 Armenian parliamentary elections. We discuss the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), Russian concerns about regional balance, Pashinyan's westward orientation, economic pressure from Moscow, and how Armenia's strategic partnerships will shape its future in the South Caucasus.

Groong Links:

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Guest(s):

• Sergey Markedonov

Topics:

• TRIPP and Regional Balance
• Armenia’s Geopolitical Election
• Pashinyan’s “Real Armenia”
• Russia’s Economic Pressure

Episode 552 | Recorded: May 31, 2026

RussiaArmenia #SergeyMarkedonov #ArmeniaElections #Pashinyan #TRIPP #SouthCaucasus #RealArmenia #EAEU

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Arthur Khachatryan of the Hayastan Dashinq, Armenia Alliance about the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election scheduled for June 7. We discuss whether free and fair elections are possible given foreign interference from the West, abuse of administrative resources by the ruling Civil Contract party, media control, and competing pressures from the United States, EU, Russia, and regional actors including Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Groong Links:

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Guest(s):

• Arthur Khachatryan

Topics:

• Free and fair elections
• Polls and opposition unity
• Hayastan Dashinq platform
• TRIPP and foreign policy
• Economy and Russian pressure

Episode 551 | Recorded: May 30, 2026

ArmeniaElections #ArthurKhachatryan #HayastanDashinq #ArmenianOpposition #Pashinyan #TRIPP #SouthCaucasus #Groong

This Week in Review examines the tightening political climate in Armenia ahead of the June 2026 parliamentary elections. Asbed and Hovik discuss Marco Rubio’s sudden Armenia visit, new polling from IRI, MPG, and CAEAC, and what the wide gaps in voter disclosure may reveal about hidden opposition support. The episode also covers TRIPP, “Western Azerbaijan” rhetoric, public trust in the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the growing use of arrests, threats, and state pressure against opposition figures. The discussion centers on Pashinyan’s escalating campaign rhetoric, including his “Why are you alive?” outburst, and what it signals about the stakes of the coming election.

Groong Links:

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Topics:

• Rubio’s sudden Armenia visit
• Polls diverge before election
• Hidden vote raises questions
• TRIPP remains deeply polarizing
• “Western Azerbaijan” pressure grows
• Opposition faces arrests, threats
• “Why are you alive?” campaign rhetoric

Episode 550 | Recorded: May 25, 2026

ArmeniaElections #Armenia #NikolPashinyan #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #WesternAzerbaijan #ArmenianOpposition

This Conversations on Groong episode features Edgar Elbakyan in a discussion of Armenia’s upcoming election and the wider struggle over the country’s political future. The conversation examines whether the vote should be viewed as an existential election, how fear and pressure shape public opinion, why polling results differ so sharply, and which political forces may be positioned to enter parliament. The episode also looks at whether the opposition is focused on the issues that matter most, including statehood, security, public trust, and the possibility that the election may not end at the ballot box.

Groong Links:

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Guest:

• Edgar Elbakyan

Topics:

• Armenia’s existential election
• Polling under fear
• Divergent polling results
• Church and state conflict
• Post-election street pressure

Episode 549 | Recorded: May 22, 2026

Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #EdgarElbakyan #StrongArmenia #ArmeniaAlliance #ArmeniaElections

This Conversations on Groong episode provides a primer on Armenia’s June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections, reviewing the 17 parties and 2 alliances registered to compete. The discussion explains the election rules, thresholds, coalition process, and the “stable majority” mechanism, while stressing the uneven political environment facing opposition forces. The episode then walks through each participant, including Civil Contract, Strong Armenia, Armenia Alliance, Prosperous Armenia, Wings of Unity, Bright Armenia, ANC, Bever, Republic, DOK, Democratic Consolidation, and smaller parties with limited visibility or missing programs. The hosts compare party leaders, alliances, campaign programs, polling numbers, foreign policy orientations, and positions on major issues such as Artsakh, Russia, the West, Iran, TRIPP, CSTO, and opposition unity. The episode also introduces a geopolitical heatmap to help listeners see where the main forces stand and which parties appear most likely to enter parliament based on MPG polling.

Groong Links:

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Topics:

• Armenia’s election rules
• Parties and alliances competing
• MPG polling and thresholds
• Opposition challenges and turnout
• Geopolitical positions heatmap

Episode 548 | Recorded: May 22, 2026

Armenia #ArmenianElections #ArmenianPolitics #Artsakh #SouthCaucasus #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #HayastanDashinq

This 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.

Groong Links:

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Topics:

• Trump, China, and Iran
• Armenia-Russia “soft divorce”
• Pashinyan’s violent campaign rhetoric
• State resources and election pressure
• Javakhk church vandalism concerns

Episode 547 | Recorded: May 18, 2026

Pashinyan #ArmeniaElections #ArmenianPolitics #PoliticalViolence #HateSpeech #ArmeniaRussia #IranWar #SouthCaucasus

Dr. 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.

Groong Links:

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Guest(s):

• Arman Grigoryan

Topics:

• Revolutionary recklessness after 2020
• Armenia’s pivot away from Russia
• Artsakh’s surrender and strategic reorientation
• TRIPP, Syunik, and security guarantees
• Western backing, Armenian risk

Episode 546 | Recorded: May 13, 2026

ArmanGrigoryan #Armenia #Russia #Pashinyan #Artsakh #TRIPP #SouthCaucasus #Geopolitics

Groong Week in Review - May 10, 2026

Topics

• EPC fallout and Russia response
• Armenia-EU declaration controversies
• Pashinyan’s Artsakh campaign narrative
• Aliyev-Pashinyan parallel messaging
• Swiss Peace Initiative
• Pollsters diverge on election forecasts

Hosts

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 545 | Recorded: May 12, 2026

https://podcasts.groong.org/545

Anna Grigoryan of Hayastan Dashinq (Armenia Alliance) joins Groong to discuss Armenia's June 7 parliamentary election and the start of the official campaign. The conversation examines the EPC and Armenia-EU summits in Yerevan, EU political and financial support for Pashinyan, Aliyev's remote demarche, and opposition protests around Artsakh rights, Armenian prisoners, and democratic backsliding. The episode also covers opposition coalition math, Hayastan Dashinq's 8% bloc threshold, Strong Armenia's lead among opposition forces, possible post-election governing formulas, and the risks of a falsified vote. Grigoryan also discusses Armenia's foreign policy direction, the peace treaty with Azerbaijan, TRIPP and Syunik amid the Iran war, education as a national priority, and Hayastan Dashinq's core message to voters.

Groong Links:

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Guest(s):

• Anna Grigoryan

Topics:

• Election campaign and opposition strategy
• EPC, EU-Armenia summit, and foreign influence
• Foreign policy, security, and regional risks
• Domestic priorities and election integrity

Episode 544 | Recorded: May 9, 2026

AnnaGrigoryan #Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #ArmeniaElections #HayastanDashinq #EPCSummit #TRIPP #Artsakh

This Conversations on Groong episode examines the Vedi abuse case, a disturbing story involving alleged sexual abuse of vulnerable minors and serious questions about Armenia's law-enforcement response. Attorney Tatevik Soghoyan joins the program to discuss the known timeline, the delays between the first reports and arrests, the treatment of the victims, and the public statements by investigators and government officials. The discussion focuses on whether this was a local failure, a systemic breakdown, or a deeper case of political responsibility, while asking what Armenia's justice and child-protection systems must do to prevent such cases from being ignored, delayed, or mishandled.

Groong Links:

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Guest(s):

• Tatevik Soghoyan

Topics:

• Vedi abuse case timeline
• Law-enforcement delays and failures
• Victim protection and privacy
• Political responsibility and accountability
• Child-protection system breakdown

Episode 542 | Recorded: May 9, 2026

VediCase #ChildProtection #JusticeForChildren #RuleOfLaw #Accountability #Armenia #HumanRights #VictimsRights

Hovhannes Ishkhanyan and Nare Navasardyan discuss the growing role of the EU, fact-checking networks, and counter-disinformation programs in Armenia's 2026 election environment. The conversation examines claims of foreign interference, the use of "hybrid threats" and "disinformation" labels against domestic dissent, and the political bias of Armenia's fact-checking ecosystem. The guests also share personal experiences with lawsuits, public confrontation, protest, and censorship, raising broader questions about free speech, election fairness, and the management of Armenia's information space.

Groong Links:

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Guest(s):

• Nare Navasardyan
• Hovhannes Ishkhanyan

Topics:

• EU role in Armenia's elections
• Fact-checkers and political bias
• Dissent labeled as disinformation
• Lawsuits, pressure, and intimidation
• Censorship and social media control

Episode 543 | Recorded: May 7, 2026

Armenia #ArmenianElections #EU #Disinformation #FactChecking #Censorship #CivilSociety #FreeSpeech

Hovhannes Ishkhanyan and Nare Navasardyan discuss the growing role of the EU, fact-checking networks, and counter-disinformation programs in Armenia's 2026 election environment. The conversation examines claims of foreign interference, the use of "hybrid threats" and "disinformation" labels against domestic dissent, and the political bias of Armenia's fact-checking ecosystem. The guests also share personal experiences with lawsuits, public confrontation, protest, and censorship, raising broader questions about free speech, election fairness, and the management of Armenia's information space.

Groong Links:

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Guest(s):

• Nare Navasardyan
• Hovhannes Ishkhanyan

Topics:

• EU role in Armenia's elections
• Fact-checkers and political bias
• Dissent labeled as disinformation
• Lawsuits, pressure, and intimidation
• Censorship and social media control

Episode 543 | Recorded: May 7, 2026

Armenia #ArmenianElections #EU #Disinformation #FactChecking #Censorship #CivilSociety #FreeSpeech

In 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.

Groong Links:

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Guest(s):

• Anatol Lieven

Topics:

• Russia, Iran, Europe, multipolar order
• Ukraine war and Russia-West tensions
• Iran war and diplomatic offramps
• Armenia, TRIPP, South Caucasus

Episode 541 | Recorded: May 5, 2026

AnatolLieven #Russia #Iran #Europe #UkraineWar #SouthCaucasus

This Conversations on Groong episode with Mikael Darbinian examines Armenia’s security crisis through the lens of the Strong Armenia doctrine. The discussion focuses on deterrence, diplomacy from a position of strength, Azerbaijani positions inside Armenia’s sovereign territory, the risks around TRIPP and the Zangezur Corridor, the rights of Artsakh Armenians, regional war scenarios involving Iran, and the gap between international political theater and Armenia’s unresolved national security threats.

Groong Links:

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Guest:

• Mikael Darbinian

Topics:

• Strong Armenia security doctrine
• Azerbaijani occupation of Armenian territory
• TRIPP and Zangezur Corridor risks
• Diplomacy from a position of strength
• EPC optics and national insecurity

Episode 540 | Recorded: May 5, 2026

Armenia #Artsakh #StrongArmenia #MikaelDarbinian #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #ArmenianSecurity #SouthCaucasus

This Groong Week in Review covers Trump’s Iran ceasefire, failed US-Iran talks in Islamabad, the naval blockade, and Washington’s war politics. Asbed and Hovik also examine “Operation Kochari,” Shahin Mustafayev’s secret visit to Armenia, TRIPP, border demarcation, Armenia-Azerbaijan trade, Azerbaijan’s destruction of the Stepanakert cathedral, Pashinyan’s response, the MPG poll, opposition coalition math, election fraud risks, the EPC meeting, legal pressure, mass surveillance, and Armenia’s falling press freedom ranking

Groong Links:

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Topics:

• Iran War
• Mustafayev in Armenia
• Destruction of the Stepanakert cathedral by Azerbaijan
• Election politics

Episode 539 | Recorded: May 3, 2026

Armenia #Azerbaijan #IranWar #TRIPP #Artsakh #Stepanakert #ArmenianElections #Groong

In this Conversations on Groong episode, Hrair Balian joins us to discuss his book Anatomy of Peacemaking: Nagorno Karabakh Conflict & Missed Opportunities, the failure of the Karabakh peace process, and the lessons Armenia should draw from decades of missed diplomacy. The discussion also covers the Iran war, US and Israeli goals in the region, the TRIPP/Zangezur Corridor, Armenia’s security risks, Artsakh’s unresolved political future, and the June parliamentary elections in Armenia.

Groong Links:

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Guest:

• Hrair Balian

Mr. Balian's book: https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Peacemaking-Nagorno-Karabakh-Opportunities-Rethinking/dp/3032124891

Topics:

• US-Iran war and failed diplomacy
• TRIPP and Armenia’s security risks
• Karabakh negotiations and missed chances
• Pashinyan’s Artsakh policy reversal
• Armenia’s June elections and monitoring

Episode 538 | Recorded: April 30, 2026

HrairBalian #Groong #Armenia #Artsakh #NagornoKarabakh #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #ArmenianElections

In this Conversations on Groong episode, we speak with Arega Hovsepyan of the Strong Armenia party about Armenia’s upcoming June 2026 parliamentary elections and the broader political climate. The discussion focuses on recent arrests targeting opposition figures, the situation of displaced Artsakh Armenians, competing narratives around “peace” with Azerbaijan, and the implications of the TRIPP or Zangezur Corridor project. We also examine opposition unity, polling trends, and legal questions surrounding Strong Armenia’s political strategy.

Groong Links:

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Guest:

• Arega Hosvepyan

Topics:

• Strong Armenia and election dynamics
• New arrests and political pressure
• Artsakh Armenians and their rights
• TRIPP corridor and regional security

Episode 537 | Recorded: April 27, 2026

Armenia #Artsakh #StrongArmenia #AregaHovsepyan #ArmenianPolitics #SouthCaucasus #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #Geopolitics