Armenian News Network - Groong: Week In Review Podcast - podcast cover

Armenian News Network - Groong: Week In Review Podcast

Armenian News Network / Groongpodcasts.groong.org
Weekly review of Armenian News from https://groong.org. Keeping up with news related to Armenia and Armenians can be challenging; the sheer volume of news in the past few years has increased greatly, and the rise of the “Fake News” phenomenon contributing to the erosion of trust in the news media. The diversity of languages used by the worldwide Armenian community also poses a challenge for Armenian news; there is a significant portion of news that originates in Armenian, sometimes in Russian, and does not get adequately translated into English, or Western Armenian, for those in the Diaspora who are not proficient in Eastern Armenian. Finally, with the COVID-19 pandemic and the political turbulence in countries where significant communities of the Armenian Diaspora reside, be it Syria, Lebanon, the United States, etc., many of our friends and colleagues indicate that they’re simply overloaded with information and lack the time and energy to separate the good from the bad. So we’re creating this weekly digest of news and analysis that we find relevant to share with our friends and the wider ANN/Groong audience. Our goal is to provide a brief overview of the main headlines of the past week, and then cover a smaller set of the more important developments, curated by ANN/Groong editors and contributors who spend an inordinate amount of time daily to process Armenian news. We hope that over time this podcast will help our listeners in becoming more astute consumers of Armenian news. We will strive to provide a rich set of notes with each installation, with links to the most relevant articles and information as a starting point for your further investigation.
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Episodes

Karen Kwiatkowski - War on Iran, Where did Trump’s America 1st Go | Ep 450, Jun 28, 2025

Conversations on Groong - June 28, 2025 In this episode of Conversations on Groong, retired Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski joins us to unpack the so-called “12-Day War” between Israel and Iran, and the troubling ways in which Donald Trump has redefined his “America First” doctrine to justify U.S. involvement. We examine Trump’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and the muted response from MAGA influencers. The conversation also explores Israel’s goals, the regional fallout, the near-total silence fro...

Jun 28, 202544 minEp. 450

Sergei Melkonian - Israel & Iran, Crackdown on Opposition, Pashinyan in Istanbul | Ep 449, June 22, 2025

Groong Week in Review - June 22, 2025 This Week in Review episode features Sergei Melkonian and covers a turbulent week in Armenia and the region. As Israel and the U.S. launched a short but intense war on Iran, Armenia found itself navigating heightened regional risks, a rising refugee flow, and diplomatic silence. Meanwhile, domestically, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan escalated a political and cultural confrontation with the Armenian Church, arresting billionaire Samvel Karapetyan after he pu...

Jun 27, 20251 hr 13 minEp. 449

Arman Grigoryan - Israel and US vs Iran, Strategic Dangers to Armenia | Ep 448, Jun 23, 2025

Conversations on Groong - June 23, 2025 Topics Israel’s war on Iran and U.S. involvement Risks of Iranian regime change or partition Strategic dangers to Armenia Guest Arman Grigoryan Hosts Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian Episode 448 | Recorded: June 21, 2025 SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/448 VIDEO: https://youtu.be/jKvIM3J57rw #IranIsraelWar #IsraelIranConflict #Iran #Israel #IsraelConflict #Armenia #USForeignPolicy #Geopolitics #MiddleEastCrisis Subscribe and follow us everywhere ...

Jun 23, 20251 hr 14 minEp. 448

Fyodor Lukyanov - Israel Attacks Iran: Perspectives From Russia | Ep 447, Jun 16, 2025

Conversations on Groong - June 16, 2025 In 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 fo...

Jun 17, 202545 minEp. 447

Spotlight on Silence: Surveillance State: Armenia’s Biometric Crackdown | Ep 446, Jun 15, 2025

Spotlight on Silence - June 15, 2025 In this episode of Groong: Spotlight on Silence, we speak with Rafael Ishkhanyan of the Armenian Center for Political Rights about Armenia’s sweeping new surveillance law. Passed quietly in March 2025, the law grants police 24/7 access to camera networks across public institutions and allows for real-time facial recognition, raising deep concerns about privacy, political targeting, and unchecked state power. We explore what the law says, what it leaves out, a...

Jun 15, 202555 minEp. 446

Rananjay Anand – Will India Turn to Armenia Amid Turkey-Azerbaijan Fallout? | Ep 445, June 12, 2025

Conversations on Groong - June 12, 2025 In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Rananjay Anand, president of the Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO, about the growing potential for a strategic partnership between India and Armenia. As Turkey and Azerbaijan double down on their support for Pakistan—most recently during Operation Sindoor—Indian public sentiment is shifting. Weddings, conferences, and corporate events once destined for Istanbul and Baku are being redirected, and Armenia...

Jun 12, 202533 minEp. 445

Hrant Mikaelian - Poland’s Shift, RPA’s Nominee, Economy, Demographics | Ep 444, June 8, 2025

Groong Week in Review - June 8, 2025 In this Week in Review episode, Groong hosts unpack a tense week in Armenian politics and society. Prime Minister Pashinyan intensifies his attacks on the Armenian Church, while the ruling Civil Contract party faces mounting criticism over corruption and nepotism. The opposition RPA nominates a symbolic candidate for prime minister amid an unlikely impeachment effort. Meanwhile, Armenia's economy shows cracks beneath reported growth, Georgia tightens trade ro...

Jun 11, 20251 hr 20 minEp. 444

Abhinav Pandya - From Sindoor to Syunik: India’s New Geopolitical Frontline | Ep 443, June 6, 2025

Conversations on Groong - June 6, 2025 In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Abhinav Pandya about the emerging Turkey–Pakistan–Azerbaijan axis and its implications for India’s security and regional posture. We explore the symbolism behind the opening of an empty airport in Berdzor (Lachin), the broader strategic coordination among these three nations, and how India responded with Operation Sindoor following a major terror attack in Pahalgam. The conversation also looks at Arm...

Jun 06, 20251 hr 4 minEp. 443

Benyamin Poghosyan - Ukraine and US-Iran, Fidan in Moscow, Lachin, Azerbaijan and Pashinyan attack Armenian Church, Impeachment vs. Elections | Ep 442, June 1, 2025

Groong Week in Review - June 1, 2025 In 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. deman...

Jun 04, 20251 hr 13 minEp. 442

Arthur Khachatryan – Republic Day, EU Drama, and Constitutional Chaos | Ep 441, May 25, 2025

Groong Week in Review - May 25, 2025 Topics: May 28, Republic Day Armenia’s EU-Russia policy confusion Constitutional changes for “peace” Impeachment vs. election dilemma Azeri invasion threat and silence Guest Arthur Khachatryan Hosts Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian Episode 441 | Recorded: May 28, 2025 SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/441 VIDEO: https://youtu.be/voqa1Sy5iZY Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong...

May 30, 20251 hr 9 minEp. 441

Էդգար Ղազարյան – Խոսքի ազատության և մամուլի վիճակը Հայաստանում | Ep 440, May 28, 2025

Conversations on Groong - May 28, 2025 INTERVIEW IN ARMENIAN / ՀԱՐՑԱԶՐՈՒՅՑ ՀԱՅԵՐԵՆ Topics: - Criminal charges used to silence Edgar Ghazaryan / Քրեական մեղադրանքներ՝ Էդգար Ղազարյանին լռեցնելու համար - Media freedom in Armenia under Pashinyan's rule / Մամուլի ազատությունը Հայաստանում Փաշինյանի կառավարման օրոք - Public broadcasting under political control / Հանրային հեռարձակումը քաղաքական վերահսկողության տակ - State-aligned actors spreading misinformation / Ապատեղեկատվություն տարածող պետական կողմի...

May 29, 20251 hr 6 minEp. 440

Levon Zourabian - US-Iran, Russia-Ukraine, Armenia-Azerbaijan, 2026 Campaigns | Ep 439, May 27, 2025

Conversations on Groong - May 27, 2025 Topics US-Iran Nuclear Talks Russia and Ukraine Armenia Azerbaijan Talks Armenian Elections in 2026 Guest Levon Zourabian Hosts Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian Episode 439 | Recorded: May 23, 2025 SHOW NOTES : https://podcasts.groong.org/439 VIDEO : https://youtu.be/CSmca-IgTaE Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong...

May 27, 20251 hr 27 minEp. 439

Hrant Mikaelian - Tirana, Lavrov, Armenian Un-Democracy, Demilitarization, and More | Ep 438, May 18, 2025

Tirana, Lavrov, Armenian Un-Democracy, Demilitarization, and More Groong Week in Review - May 18, 2025 Topics Pashinyan in Tirana Russia’s Lavrov in Yerevan Democracy in Jeopardy Armenia’s Demilitarization by Any Other Name The Kitchen Sink Guest Hrant Mikaelian Hosts Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian Episode 438 | Recorded: May 21, 2025 Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong...

May 23, 20251 hr 8 minEp. 438

Ehsan Movahedian - Iran Amidst Geopolitical Tensions | Ep 437, May 18, 2025

Iran Amidst Geopolitical Tensions Topics US-Iran Nuclear Talks Pezeshkian Visit to Baku Iran-Armenia Relations Abraham Accords for the South Caucasus Guest Ehsan Movahedian - TW/@ ultra_ehsan Hosts Hovik Manucharyan - TW/@HovikYerevan Asbed Bedrossian - TW/@qubriq Episode 437 | Recorded: May 16, 2025 Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong...

May 19, 202545 minEp. 437

Pietro Shakarian - Victory Day and Artsrun Hovhannisyan’s Historical Revision | Ep 436, May 16, 2025

Conversations on Groong - May 15, 2025 Topics May 9, Victory Day and Parade Pashinyan, Aliyev Posture at Victory Day Artsrun Hovhannisyan’s Historical Revision Armenia and Artsakh Contributions to WW2 Guest : Pietro Shakarian Host : Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian Episode 436 | Recorded: May 12, 2025 Show Notes: https://podcasts.groong.org/436 VIDEO: https://youtu.be/iEieWDdov-A Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong...

May 15, 202543 minEp. 436

Arthur Martirosyan - May 9, India Pakistan, Armenia Azerbaijan, New Pope | Ep 435, May 11, 2025

Groong Week in Review - May 11, 2025 Topics May 9 Victory Parade Ukraine India and Pakistan Armenian Azerbaijani Talks American Pope Guest Arthur G. Martirosyan Hosts Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian Episode 435 | Recorded: May 12, 2025 SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/435 VIDEO: https://youtu.be/DYQGg6pHONI Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong...

May 14, 20251 hr 11 minEp. 435

Benyamin Poghosyan - US-Iran Tensions, Armenia-Azerbaijan, Victory Day, Journalist Assaulted | Ep 434, May 4, 2025

Groong Week in Review - May 4, 2025 Topics War Drums Around Iran Armenia-Azerbaijan Talks May 9: Victory Day in Moscow It’s OK to Beat Up Journalists in Yerevan Guest Benyamin Poghosyan Hosts Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian Episode 434 | Recorded: May 6, 2025 https://podcasts.groong.org/434 VIDEO: https://youtu.be/n2VjZPNDSOM Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong...

May 07, 202556 minEp. 434

Scott Horton - on his book Provoked, U.S. Foreign Policy, Colored Revolutions, Ukraine War, Armenia, and more | Ep 433, May 4, 2025

"Provoked", U.S. Foreign Policy, Colored Revolutions, Ukraine War, Armenia, and more Conversations on Groong - May 4, 2025 Topics What happened to Antiwar Voices Color Revolutions as US Strategy Armenia and Pipeline Geopolitics And more! Guest Scott Horton - TW/@scotthortonshow, and @ScottHortonShow & @AntiWarCom Hosts Hovik Manucharyan - TW/@HovikYerevan Asbed Bedrossian - TW/@qubriq Episode 433 | Recorded: May 2, 2025 Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong...

May 04, 20251 hr 31 minEp. 433

Dziunik Aghajanian - Armenian State Genocide Denial, Politics of Silence, Pezeshkian in Baku, Bandar Abbas | Ep 432, Apr 27, 2025

Groong Week in Review - April 27, 2025 Topics: When the State Steps back from Remembrance The Politics of Silence Pezeshkian in Baku Bandar Abbas: Explosion, or Warning? Guest: Dziunik Aghajanian Hosts: Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian Episode 432 | Recorded: April 29, 2025 https://podcasts.groong.org/432 VIDEO: https://youtu.be/RI9G01r68Xc Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong...

May 01, 202559 minEp. 432

Alberto M. Fernandez – Vatican-Baku Partnership and Erosion of Moral Authority | Ep 431, Apr 29, 2025

Conversations on Groong – April 29, 2025 Topics: Vatican’s alliance with Azerbaijan Whitewashing of Artsakh’s ethnic cleansing Global silence on Armenian Genocide U.S. policy under Trump and risks to Armenia Guest: Alberto M. Fernandez Hosts: Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian Episode 431 | Recorded: April 29, 2025 https://podcasts.groong.org/431 VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ma7QlJRzjTI Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong...

Apr 30, 202552 minEp. 431

Vatican Betrays Armenians, Aids Azerbaijani Propaganda (Hadjian & Matiossian) | Ep 430, Apr 29, 2025

Conversations on Groong - April 28, 2025 Topics Vatican Hosts Fake Azeri Conference Azerbaijani Propaganda and Cultural Misappropriation Weakness and Silent Complicity of the Armenian State Guests Avedis Hadjian Dr. Vartan Matiossian Hosts Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian Episode 430 | Recorded: April 26, 2025 VIDEO: https://youtu.be/VgPSd_RboY0 #Vatican #ArmenianGenocide #Artsakh #AzerbaijaniPropaganda #GroongPodcast Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong...

Apr 29, 20251 hr 6 minEp. 430

Hrant Mikaelian - Iran, EXIM and Azerbaijan, Gyumri, Artsakh Refugees in Armenia | Ep 429, Apr 20, 2025

Groong Week in Review - April 20, 2025 Topics: US-Iran Talks & Israeli Threats Trump Administration Support for Azerbaijan Iran-Azerbaijan Relations & Corridor Demands Vatican Controversy & Global Anti-Armenian Propaganda Local Elections in Gyumri and Parakar Government-Fueled Hate Against Artsakh Refugees Guest: Hrant Mikaelian Hosts: Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian Episode 429 | Recorded: April 21, 2025 https://podcasts.groong.org/429 #ArmenianPolitics #VaticanControversy #Artsa...

Apr 23, 202558 minEp. 429

Anna Karapetyan - Iran-Armenia Military Exercises, Azerbaijan Border Shootings, Mirzoyan at Antalya Diplomatic Forum, Genocide Denial by the Armenian Government | Ep 428, Apr 13, 2025

Groong Week in Review - April 13, 2025 Topics Iran-Armenia Military Exercises Armenian Villages Terrorized by Azerbaijan Mirzoyan in Antalya Armenia’s Genocide Denial Guest Anna Karapetyan - TW/@Karapetyan_Ann Hosts Hovik Manucharyan - TW/@HovikYerevan Asbed Bedrossian - TW/@qubriq Episode 428 | Recorded: April 14, 2025 Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong...

Apr 16, 202554 minEp. 428

Warwick Powell - U.S., China, Tariff Wars, and Multipolarity | Ep 427, Apr 10, 2025

U.S., China, Tariff Wars, and Multipolarity | Ep 427, Apr 10, 2025 Conversations on Groong - April 10, 2025 Topics U.S. Tariff Wars Target: Iran The Global South The Belt and Road Initiative Guest Warwick Powell Hosts Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian Episode 427 | Recorded: April 6, 2025 Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong...

Apr 10, 202558 minEp. 427

Benyamin Poghosyan - US-Iran, Gyumri, Armenia MFA Blames Artsakh, Negotiations with Azerbaijan | Ep 426, Apr 6, 2025

Benyamin Poghosyan - US-Iran, Gyumri, Armenia MFA Blames Artsakh, Negotiations with Azerbaijan Groong Week in Review - April 6, 2025 Topics US Iran Escalation Aftermath of Gyumri and Parakar MFA blames Artsakh for Regional Isolation Bullets and Peace Guest Benyamin Poghosyan Hosts Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian Episode 426 | Recorded: April 8, 2025 Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong...

Apr 09, 20251 hrEp. 426

Arthur Khachatryan - Iran, US, Armenia, Fake Peace, Gyumri & Parakar Municipal Elections | Ep 425, Mar 30, 2025

Iran, US, Armenia, Fake Peace, Gyumri & Parakar Municipal Elections Groong Week in Review - March 30, 2025 Topics Iran Rejects US Offer of Direct Negotiations Iran and Armenia Ties Gyumri and Parakar Municipal Elections Artsakh Refugee Protests in Armenia Guest Arthur Khachatryan , MP - Hayastan Dashinq/ARF Hosts Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian Episode 425 | Recorded: March 31, 2025 Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong...

Apr 02, 202552 minEp. 425

Dziunik Aghajanian - Illusions of Peace and Geopolitical Games | Ep 424 - Mar 23, 2025

Week In Review - March 23, 2025 Topics : Trump’s Iran ultimatum explored Turkey’s protests seen as strategic Azerbaijan’s peace deal as smokescreen Armenia’s Westward drift analyzed Gyumri elections stir controversy Guest : Dziunik Aghajanian Host : Hovik Manucharyan Episode 423 | Recorded: March 25, 2025 Website : https://podcasts.groong.org/424 Video : https://youtu.be/9W6IrqF4nnI Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong...

Mar 27, 202551 minEp. 424

Benyamin Poghosyan - Peace or Capitulation? Armenia's Dilemma & Ukraine Shifts | Ep 423 - Mar 16, 2025

Week In Review - March 16, 2025 Topics : Armenia-Azerbaijan "Treaty" – Concessions, secrecy, opposition backlash Preconditions for Peace – OSCE Minsk dissolution, constitutional changes Ukraine War Talks – Jeddah negotiations, UAV attacks, Trump-Putin call Witkoff’s Baku Stop – Mysterious visit raising geopolitical questions Guest: Benyamin Poghosyan Host: Hovik Manucharyan Episode 423 | Recorded: March 17, 2025 Website : https://podcasts.groong.org/423 Youtube : https://youtu.be/I8VXW-T9Dmg #Ar...

Mar 18, 202548 minEp. 423

Negotiations Expert: Ukraine-U.S. Ceasefire Agreement in Jeddah – Is Russia on Board? | Ep 422, Mar 12, 2025

Conversations on Groong - March 12, 2025 Topics Ceasefire Terms : The Ukraine-U.S. proposal is a 30-day truce, contingent on Russia’s acceptance, with U.S. resuming military aid and intelligence-sharing. Negotiation Dynamics : Ukraine seeks breathing space, the U.S. aims for diplomatic progress, and Russia has yet to respond, keeping its options open. Posturing & International Pressure : The U.S., Ukraine, and the EU are aligning their messaging, framing Russia as the obstacle if it rejects ...

Mar 13, 202537 minEp. 422

Hrant Mikaelian - Abkhazia Polls, Armenian Hostages in Baku, Yerevan Protests | Ep 421, Mar 2, 2025

Week In Review - March 2, 2025 Topics: Abkhaz Elections & Regional Implications – The second round of Abkhazia’s presidential elections, the impact of mass protests, and what Badra Gunba’s victory means for the region. Armenian Hostages in Baku – Ongoing trials of Armenian POWs and former Artsakh leaders, reports of torture, and international calls for independent medical evaluations. Protests in Yerevan Over POWs – Civil society and opposition-led demonstrations demanding stronger governmen...

Mar 05, 202555 minEp. 421
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