Armenian News Network - Groong: Week In Review Podcast

Week in Review - June 21, 2026

In 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 Negotiations
• Russian Embargo
• Election Aftermath
• Persecutions Continue
• Armenia-Azerbaijan Telco Agreement

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 561 | Recorded: June 22, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/561

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/UYNTds7GVGE

#ArmenianNews #Armenia #Iran #USIranTalks #ArmenianElections #SouthCaucasus #NikolPashinyan #TRIPP

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Conversations on Groong - June 23, 2026

In 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 risks
• TRIPP and shifting regional power
• Armenia's contested post-election landscape
• Opposition failures and future strategy
• Risks of another parliamentary election

Guest: Arman Grigoryan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 560 | Recorded: June 22, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/560

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/SU6w4phqqGk

#ArmeniaElections #USIranNegotiations #SouthCaucasus #TRIPP #Iran #ArmanGrigoryan

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Conversations on Groong - June 20, 2026

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Hrant Mikaelian about the disputed aftermath of Armenia's June 7, 2026 parliamentary election. We discuss allegations of electoral fraud, threats against opposition parties, the Anti-Corruption Committee's proposed ban on opposition groups, Armenia-Russia tensions following the vote, and the EU's financial support for Armenian agricultural exports amid Russian sanctions.

Topics:

• Election aftermath and disputed legitimacy
• Threats against opposition parties
• Armenia-Russia tensions after vote
• EU lifeline for Armenian exports
• Polling failures and hidden votes

Guest: Hrant Mikaelian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 559 | Recorded: June 18, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/559

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #HrantMikaelian #NikolPashinyan #CivilContract #ArmeniaRussia #Polling

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Week in Review - June 14, 2026

In 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 Aftermath
• Armenia-Georgia Relations
• US-Iran Interim Agreement

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 558 | Recorded: June 15, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/558

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ioSlOhVsLFo

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

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Conversations on Groong - June 10, 2026

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.

Topics:

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

Guest: Arthur G. Martirosyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 557 | Recorded: June 9, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/557

#ArmenianElections #Armenia #NikolPashinyan #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #ArmenianOpposition

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Week in Review - June 7, 2026

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.

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

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 556 | Recorded: Jun 9, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/556

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#ArmenianElections #ArmenianNews #CivilContract #Pashinyan #Election2026 #SouthCaucasus

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Spotlight on Silence - June 6, 2026

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.

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

Guest: Rafael Ishkhanyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 555 | Recorded: June 4, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/555

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/wSZ7eO3JIKQ

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

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Conversations on Groong - June 4, 2026

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.

Topics:

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

Guest: Philippe Raffi Kalfayan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 554 | Recorded: June 3, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/554

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/L9vKGO5Ezr4

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

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Week In Review - May 31, 2026

In 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 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

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/553

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/oO5kbg6B_Q8

#Armenia #May28 #MarcoRubio #TRIPP #Syunik #CriticalMinerals #ElectionFraud #RussiaArmenia

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Conversations on Groong - June 1, 2026

In this Conversations on Groong episode, Hovik and Asbed speak with Dr. Sergey Markedonov about the sharp decline in Russia-Armenia relations before Armenia's June parliamentary elections. The discussion explores whether the vote is only a domestic contest, or a broader struggle over Armenia's identity, security, and geopolitical direction after Artsakh. Topics include Pashinyan's "Real Armenia" project, TRIPP and regional balance, Russia's warnings over Armenia's EU pivot, pressure on Armenian exports and energy pricing, the role of the Armenian Church, and whether the EU offers Armenia a real strategic alternative or only short-term political support.

Topics:

• TRIPP and Regional Balance
• Armenia's Geopolitical Election
• Pashinyan's "Real Armenia"
• Russia's Economic Pressure

Guest: Sergey Markedonov

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 552 | Recorded: May 31, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/552

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/5K3xqqYouKs

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

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