Armenian News Network - Groong: Week In Review Podcast

Conversations on Groong - May 11, 2026

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.

Topics:

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

Guest: Anna Grigoryan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 544 | Recorded: May 9, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/544

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/SV2I8iBr9ss

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

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Conversations on Groong - May 10, 2026

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.

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

Guests:

• Nare Navasardyan
• Hovhannes Ishkhanyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 543 | Recorded: May 7, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/543

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/wapw0tYOafg

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

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Conversations on Groong - May 10, 2026

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.

Topics:

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

Guest:

• Tatevik Soghoyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 542 | Recorded: May 9, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/542

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/jP9QJuMwDNo

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

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Conversations on Groong - May 8, 2026

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.

Topics

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

Guest: Anatol Lieven

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 541 | Recorded: May 5, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/541

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/bnwKcnMSZTk

#AnatolLieven #Russia #Iran #Europe #UkraineWar #SouthCaucasus

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Conversations on Groong - May  6, 2026

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.

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

Guest: Mikael Darbinian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 540 | Recorded: May 5, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/540

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/LhnSc26cT7c

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

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Groong Week in Review - May 3, 2026

This Groong Week in Review examines a volatile week across Armenia and the region. Asbed and Hovik discuss Trump’s declared ceasefire with Iran, the failed US-Iran talks in Islamabad, the continuing naval blockade, and the wider political pressure shaping Washington’s war posture. The episode also covers “Operation Kochari,” the secret visit of Azerbaijani deputy prime minister Shahin Mustafayev to Armenia, border demarcation, TRIPP, and the political theater around trade with Azerbaijan. The discussion turns to Azerbaijan’s destruction of the Stepanakert cathedral, the muted international response, and Pashinyan’s comments on the issue. The hosts also analyze the latest MPG poll, opposition coalition math, election fraud concerns, the EPC meeting, legal pressure on the opposition, mass surveillance, and Armenia’s falling press freedom ranking.

Topics:

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

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 539 | Recorded: May 2, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/539

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/eIIg1IWYm1w

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

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Conversations on Groong - May 3, 2026

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 diplomacy around Artsakh, and what Armenia should learn from the long collapse of the peace process. The conversation also looks at the Iran war, US and Israeli goals in the region, the TRIPP/Zangezur Corridor and its security impact on Armenia, and the role of outside powers in shaping outcomes in the South Caucasus. The episode closes with a discussion of Armenia’s June parliamentary elections, opposition repression, election monitoring, and whether international observers will judge the vote by facts on the ground or political convenience.

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

Guest: Hrair Balian

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 538 | Recorded: April 30, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/538

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/5ubpIoBjAI0

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

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Conversations on Groong - Apr 30, 2026

In this Conversations on Groong episode, we speak with Arega Hovsepyan of the Strong Armenia party about Armenia’s June 2026 parliamentary elections, opposition politics, and the shifting geopolitical landscape in the South Caucasus. The discussion covers recent arrests of Strong Armenia members, political pressure on the opposition, and concerns about democratic processes under Pashinyan. We also examine the situation of displaced Artsakh Armenians, including rights, return, voting access, and living conditions in Armenia. The episode explores competing narratives around “peace” with Azerbaijan, the implications of the Zangezur Corridor or TRIPP project, and how regional dynamics involving Iran, Russia, and Turkey shape Armenia’s security and political future. 

Topics:

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

Guest: Arega Hovsepyan

Hosts:

• Hovik Manucharyan
• Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 537 | Recorded: Apr 28, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/537

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/G2lysDT6SSQ

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

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Groong Week in Review - April 26, 2026

This Week in Review on Groong examines how the Iran war fallout and the extension of the ceasefire are reshaping Armenia’s geopolitical position. We break down the push for the TRIPP or Zangezur Corridor and the claims of Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization, and assess how they tie to regional power dynamics involving Iran, Russia, Turkey, and the United States. The episode also covers Armenia’s 2026 elections and rising elite tensions. In addition, we discuss the global commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, contrasting international messaging with domestic narratives and linking it to ongoing debates around Artsakh and historical continuity.

Topics:
  - TRIPP hinges on Iran war outcome
  - Armenian Genocide commemoration
  - Peace narrative vs corridor reality
  - Parliamentary election

Guest: Arthur G Martirosyan

Hosts:
  - Hovik Manucharyan
  - Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 536 | Recorded: April 27, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/536

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/tu49vlEYJKU

#Armenia #IranWar #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #Elections2026 #SouthCaucasus #Geopolitics #Groong

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Conversations on Groong - April 26, 2026

Dr. Philippe Raffi Kalfayan joined Groong to discuss the International Observatory for Democracy in Armenia (IODA), its work ahead of Armenia’s June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections, and the risks it sees in the pre-election environment. The conversation covered IODA’s mission, its first fact-finding trip to Armenia, concerns about judicial control and administrative resources, questions about OSCE/ODIHR and EU impartiality, and the pressure facing opposition figures and parties before election day.

Topics
* IODA’s mission and election observation work
* Armenia’s June 2026 parliamentary election risks
* Questions around international observer impartiality
* Suspect voter lists, fraud, and transparency concerns
* Pressure on opposition figures and parties

Guest
* Philippe Raffi Kalfayan

Hosts
* Hovik Manucharyan
* Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 535 | Recorded: April 24, 2026

SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/535

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/IuqGI9y6PGw

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

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