Armenian News Network - Groong

ANN Groong Week in Review - August 6, 2023 Topics: - War of Words with Russia - Iran’s Diplomatic Perspective - Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations - Artsakh: New Parliament Speaker Guest: - Sergei Melkonian TW/@MelkonianSergei Hosts: - Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan - Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq Episode 272 | Recorded: August 7, 2023

ANN Groong Week in Review - July 30, 2023 Topics: - Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations - Azerbaijani Propaganda in Shushi - Situation in Artsakh Guest: - Yeghia Tashjian TW/@yeghig Hosts: - Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan - Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq Episode 271 | Recorded: July 31, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev - July 19, 2023 Topics * Continuing Azeri Aggression * Daily shootings, mortar fire * Constant shooting at farmers in the fields * Level of hardship * Level of determination * Azerbaijan claims Armenians can use road through Aghdam * Chales Michel welcomes this!?!?!?!? * “National Movement” Launched on July 14, 2023 * What is the message to the world, and goals? * HayaQve [.am] Guests: * Gev Iskajyan - TW/@GevIskajyan Hosts: * Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan * Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq 00:00 Intro to show and guest - June 15 00:27 Continuing Azeri aggression - what is the effect? 02:13 Lack of transportation fuel 04:35 Charles Michel consistent siding with Azerbaijan 09:27 The new National Movement in Artsakh 12:29 What is Gurgen Nersisyan trying to achieve with this? 16:21 Sign Hayakve [.am] 17:30 Closing comments Episode 270 | Recorded: July 19, 2023 https://podcasts.groong.org/270

ANN Groong Week in Review - July 16, 2023 Topics: * Latest on Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations * Economic State in Armenia * September Yerevan Mayoral Elections * Estimating the War Dead * Hayaqve [.am] Guest: * Hrant Mikaelian - TW/@Hrant_M Hosts: * Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan * Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq 00:00:00 Intro to show 00:00:18 Today’s topic 00:00:56 Intro to guest Hrant Mikaelian 00:01:15 Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations 00:02:43 Armenia’s diplomatic catastrophe 00:07:50 No mention of ICC, ECHR decisions 00:09:36 Charles Michel “former Nagorno Karabakh” 00:11:02 Stepanakert rally and activation? 00:12:48 Vitaly Balasanyan crested 00:12:55 Ruben Vardanyan welcome the rally 00:21:36 What is Armen Grigoryan discussion in DC 00:22:22 Unconfirmed reports of US-Azeri demands 00:24:18 Zakharova on Armenian recognition of Artsakh in Azerbaijan 00:31:19 Armenian health care system 00:33:02 Armenian pension system 00:35:25 Wages 00:36:33 Armenian family size decreasing 00:40:07 Government favoring the IT sector 00:44:29 Yerevan mayoral elections 00:45:37 Are the 60% undecided an opportunity? 00:50:17 Estimating the 44-day war dead numbers 00:59:02 Were the Syrian mercenaries counted? 01:01:00 Hayaqve [.am] 01:01:31 Personal thoughts 01:01:40 Hrant - Armavir and other archaeological sites left dilapidated 01:04:08 Hovik - Armen Grigoryan’s death, Taguhi Tovmasyan’s dismissal 01:06:28 Asbed - Thinking Vardevar, not thinking Artsakh 01:07:34 Closing comments Episode 269 | Recorded July 17, 2023 https://podcasts.groong.org/269

ANN Groong Week in Review - July 9, 2023 Topics: * Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations * US, Armenian NSC Advisors Meet * New MPG Poll * HayaQve [.am] Guest: * Benyamin Poghosyan - TW/@Benyamin_Poghos Hosts: * Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan * Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq 00:00:00 Intro to show 00:00:20 Today’s topic 00:00:35 Intro to guest Benyamin Poghosyan 00:00:56 Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations 00:01:07 Stepanakert rejects DC invite for talks with Baku 00:01:44 What are Stepanakert’s options? 00:02:45 Areas of Am/Az disagreements 00:03:04 Disagreement on using maps for border demarcation 00:05:30 Securing Artsakh’s Rights & Security 00:08:08 Does Azerbaijan need a peace agreement? 00:10:42 Why did Pashinyan call Putin on Arayik Harutyunyan’s request 00:13:05 Why Armenia’s meek stance in face to Azeri belligerence? 00:19:34 How does the West view Armenians in their geopolitics? 00:22:27 How do the Russian peacekeepers play into the picture? 00:26:05 Why the lack of interest in helping Armenia defend itself? 00:27:02 Ukraine, CSTO, European Peace Initiative, rearming Armenia 00:28:59 US & Armenian NSC chairs meet - what was discussed? 00:33:35 MPG Poll 00:33:54 Q1 - Who is to blame for Artsakh Blockade? 00:35:47 What does the Armenian public expect for the government to do? 00:38:52 Q4: How likely is an Azeri military aggression? 00:43:16 Q5 Which countries might help to defend? 00:44:12 Is it the Armenian Gov policies that drive allies away? 00:45:28 Gov propaganda fear mongering and confusing 00:46:03 What do external observers conclude from Armenia elections? 00:48:06 Q9 Yerevan mayoral elections 00:49:37 What will a Civil Contract win tell external observers? 00:50:17 Are the mayoral elections like a referendum on Pashinyan? 00:50:54 References to Q2 & Q3 “Armenian symbols” & “testimony” 00:52:00 Hayaqve - what message will failure send to external observers? 00:55:15 Personal thoughts 00:55:26 Hovik - Hayqve and gov media fear mongering and intimidation 00:58:33 Benyamin - Armenians perceived as a people with no redlines 00:59:57 Closing comments Episode 268 | Recorded July 10, 2023 https://podcasts.groong.org/268

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev - July 7, 2023 Topics * Catastrophic Situation in Artsakh - Gegham Stepanyan * Zakharova confirms conditions, calls on Azerbaijan to drop blockade * Hakari video fiasco - Pashinyan propaganda? * Azeri preconditions to Baku-Stepanakert talks * ANCA supported NDAA resolutions in US Congress Guests: * Gev Iskajyan - TW/@GevIskajyan Hosts: * Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan * Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq 00:00 Intro to show and guest - June 15 00:28 Catastrophic Situation in Artsakh - Gegham Stepanyan 02:40 Lack of fuel prevents food distribution 03:51 Zakharova confirms conditions, calls on Azerbaijan to drop blockade 04:57 Is Russia prepping steps to mitigate blockade? 07:01 Hakari video fiasco - Pashinyan propaganda? 10:27 Azeri preconditions to Baku-Stepanakert talks 12:00 ANCA supported NDAA resolutions in US Congress 14:31 Closing Episode 267 | Recorded: July 7 , 2023 https://podcasts.groong.org/267

ANN Groong Week in Review - July 2, 2023 Topics: - Introduction 00:00 - Negotiating with Satan 04:11 - DC Negotiations: Any chance for progress 14:06 - Vartan Oskanian on negotiations 16:17 - Rights and Security 23:50 - "Democracy" 29:07 - Border Demarcation 36:16 - No Unblocking or Guarantees 46:54 - Integration with Azerbaijan = assimilation 50:25 - What are Stepanakert's options 52:50 - Hayaqve 57:45 - Rants 59:17 Guest: - Arthur G. Martirosyan Hosts: - Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan - Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq Episode 266 | Recorded July 4, 2023 https://podcasts.groong.org/266

Anna Abrahamian: The Wagner Group Insurrection in Russia, June 2023 Topics: - The Wagner Group - Special Ops in Russia - Over at The Ministry of Defense - A White Russian - On The Western Front - Are We Done Yet? - Parallels with 2016 in Armenia? - PMCs in Armenia? Guest: - Anna Abrahamian Hosts: - Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq - Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan Episode 265 | Recorded: June 30, 2023 Website: https://podcasts.groong.org/265

ANN Groong Week in Review - June 25, 2023 Topics: * Concrete Barriers On Hakari Bridge * Erdogan visit to Azerbaijan * Lukashenko At the CSTO * Putin Defuses Wagnerian Opera * Pashinyan Gives 44-Day War Testimony in Parliament * HayaQve Guest: * Tevan Poghosyan - TW/@TevanPoghosyan Hosts: * Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan * Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq 00:00:00 Intro to show 00:00:24 Today’s topic 00:01:26 Intro to Guest Tevan Poghosyan 00:01:54 Concrete Barriers on the Hakari Bridge 00:03:56 Why did Armenia shoot? 00:08:58 What strategy, will Russians stay? What guarantees apply? 00:10:12 US-Baku-Stepanakert activation? 00:13:54 Is US interested in Artsakh’s plight? 00:17:02 Is there ANY chance of US force to aid Artsakh? 00:18:38 Erdogan in Azerbaijan 00:19:38 What are realistic expectations from “normalization”? 00:22:44 Pashinyan’s “no choice” propositions 00:26:57 Lukashenko to CSTO: “Armenia justified”? 00:31:03 Does Russia has resources to deal with Armenia’s problems? 00:34:15 Putin, Prigozhin, Wagner Group, Russia 00:36:15 Will Putin be strengthened by these events 00:38:33 How can Russian instability affect Armenia 00:40:11 Pashinyan’s war testimony in parliament 00:43:33 Call for Independent war commission 00:45:20 Why isn’t Opposition participating in testimonies? 00:48:18 Why “parliamentary supermajority” is an undemocratic disaster 00:49:53 Hayaqve.am - citizen initiative to amend the law 00:52:08 Why should Armenian citizens sign the Hayaqve petition? 01:00:40 Personal statements 01:00:51 Hovik: Why did Pashinyan gov decide to shoot at the Hakari bridge? 01:02:13 Tevan: Artsakh blockaded for 197 days, a shame on our nation 01:04:36 Closing comments Episode 264 | Recorded June 25, 2023 https://podcasts.groong.org/264

ANN Groong Week in Review - June 11, 2023 Topics: - Erdogan Reshuffles Cabinet, First Visit to Baku - Latest Developments in Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations, Baku Postpones - Economic Developments, More Subsidies to IT Sector - MPG Poll: Pashinyan’s Rating is Falling Guest: - Hrant Mikaelian Hosts: - Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan - Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq Episode 262 | Recorded June 12, 2023

Hagop Djernazian - Questionable 99-year Land Lease by the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem | Ep. 261 - June 11, 2023 Topics: * Intro to Armenians in Jerusalem * Escalating violence on Armenians * Intro to the Armenian Patriarchate * On the contract of the 99-year lease and its consequences * About the community protest movement * What if the contract goes forward? Guest: * Hagop Djernazian - TW/@HDjernazian Hosts: * Katia Peltekian - TW/@KatiaPeltekian * Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq * Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan 00:00 Intro to show 00:23 Intro to topic 00:41 Intro to guest Hagop Djernazian 00:55 Intro to Armenians in Jerusalem 02:57 Escalating violence on Armenians by Jewish extremists 04:45 Police unresponsive, violence reaching Armenian businesses 06:11 How is the Armenian patriarch elected? 07:03 Is Patriarchate autonomous from Etchmiadzin? 07:31 Role of the King of Jordan, President of Palestinian Authority, and Gov Israel 08:09 What is the effect of revoking their recognition? 09:02 Details of the contract of the 99-year lease 11:30 What will be the effect of this deal? 12:35 The finger pointing goes on 13:55 What have the Palestinians, Jordanians, Armenians tried to do about this? 15:39 About the unresponsive Patriarchate 17:04 Effect of the retraction of the recognition of the patriarch 18:15 Is there a process to impeach the patriarch? 18:42 Has there been a request for the patriarch to resign? 18:58 About the community protests movement 20:04 What does the movement hope to achieve? 20:43 What if the contract goes forward? 23:01 Is the real motivation of this lease the Judaization of the Armenian Quarters? 24:24 Is this treason? What are the consequences for the region? 25:41 Are there non-Armenians at the protests? 26:05 Closing comments Episode 261 | Recorded: June 11, 2023 https://podcasts.groong.org/261

Dziunik Aghajanian - on Armenian Diplomacy, Foreign Policy, Pashinyan Agenda and Mother Armenia | Ep. 258 - June 1, 2023 Topics: * Intro to Ms Aghajanian * Career path, Mentors, Influencers * Parting ways with the MFA * How did Armenia Resist Turkish Pressure prior to 2018 * Impressions of 2018 events * On Pashinyan’s Policies to Surrender Artsakh * Letter Planning the Surrender * Messaging Aliyev to begin Instigations * Changing Security Doctrine * The Myth of Western Security Guarantees * Pashinyan’s Fiction re Alma Ata and Madrid Principles * On Armenia’s National Interests * On Armenian Foreign Policy Vectors * Can Armenia get Closer to Iran? * Can “Normalization” with Turkey work? * Mother Armenia / Մայր Հայաստան Movement Announced Guest: * Dziunik Aghajanian - FB/@RubenMelikian Hosts: * Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan * Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq 00:00:00 Intro to show 00:00:45 Intro to guest Dziunik Aghajanian 00:01:39 On Aghajanian’s career path 00:03:30 Influencers and mentors 00:03:46 On Garnik Nanagoulian 00:05:04 On Vartan Oskanian 00:06:19 On Arman Kirakosyan 00:06:44 On Jivan Tabibian 00:08:22 Zareh Sinanyan declares Genocide recognition fulfilled 00:08:36 How did Armenia fight off Turkish pressure re Genocide prior to 2018 00:14:47 Why Aghajanian part ways with the Armenian MFA? 00:16:17 Impressions of 2018 velvet events 00:17:21 On Pashinyan policies aimed at surrendering Artsakh 00:18:48 Signs that surrendering artsakh was state policy 00:19:44 Artsakh is Armenia message to Aliyev to begin hostilities 00:20:19 Changing to “rights and security” from “self-determination” 00:21:29 Was regime aware it was leading into 2020 war? 00:23:35 Pashinyan letter planning trajectory of the war 00:25:11 How could the West guarantee security? 00:26:13 What promises of security guarantees were made to Pashinyan? 00:27:12 The myth of western protection 00:28:52 Are Pashinyan claims re Alma Ata and Madrid valid? 00:32:35 On Madrid Principles 00:34:13 State of the MFA immediately upon end of 44-day war 00:37:28 Did Armenian gov know 44-day was coming? 00:39:11 State of MFA after Zohrab Mnatsakanian resignation 00:43:22 Principled boundaries of professional diplomats 00:44:56 What are Armenia’s national interests? 00:47:44 On Armenia’s foreign policy vectors 00:51:17 Can Armenia get closer to Iran? 00:53:41 “Normalization” and relations with Turkey 00:57:20 About Mother Armenia movement 01:09:26 Closing comments Episode 254 | Recorded: May 31, 2023 https://podcasts.groong.org/258

Armenian News Network Groong Week in Review - May 28, 2023 Topics: - Introduction 00:00 - Mother Armenia Movement 01:35 - Worldwide Response to Pashinyan's Statement 13:08 - Pashinyan's Logic 17:23 - Moscow Meeting 21:49 - Aliyev Ultimatum 24:20 - Erdogan Reelected 27:28 - Goodbye CSTO / Hello NATO? 31:27 - Rants 36:37 Guest: - Arthur Khachikyan Hosts: - Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan - Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq Episode 257 | Recorded May 30, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong Week in Review - May 21, 2023 Topics: - Introduction 00:00 - Accelerated Negotiations - Negotiations Carousel 01:16 - Meghri Railway 22:35 - Russia Finances Rasht-Astara 30:41 - Rallies in Artsakh and Kornidzor 37:14 - Artsakh Domestic Politics 42:44 - Rants 50:51 Guest: - Tevan Poghosyan TW/@TevanPoghosyan Hosts: - @HovikYerevan - Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq Episode 256 | Recorded May 22, 2023

ANN Groong Week in Review - May 14, 2023 Topics: * Pashinyan, Aliyev, Michel in Brussels * Azerbaijani Attacks on Sotk * Turkish Presidential Elections Guest: * Benyamin Poghosyan - TW/@Benyamin_Poghos Hosts: * Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan * Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq 00:00 Intro to show 00:17 Today’s topic 00:38 Intro to Guest 00:54 Azeri attack on Sotk 02:34 Why the Attacks - and economic effect on Sotk mine 06:02 Is there attempt to affect the negotiations? 07:30 MIchel’s remarks on 29,800 and 86,600 sq km 08:06 Armenian arguments around 1991 Alma Ata declaration 09:20 Why put the sq. km. numbers in the deal? 10:08 Is Pashinyan also agreeing to surrender or trade enclaves? 12:38 What about Aliyev’s 29,000 number? 14:00 Will Aliyev withdraw from Armenian territories? 16:59 About forces mirror-withdrawing. Where to where? 19:42 How close are we to signing a deal? 23:40 Is the EU Mission providing a benefit? What is their modality? 35:18 Turkish presidential elections 37:05 What would a Kilicdaroglu presidency mean? 40:39 What difference would it make for Armenia? 41:58 Could there be internal instability due to elections? 43:10 Personal thoughts 43:21 Benyamin - AI 44:32 Hovik - POW exchanges and hading over criminals 45:32 Closing comments Episode 255 | Recorded May 15, 2023 Website: https://podcasts.groong.org/255

Ruben Melikyan - Armenian Court Freezes Assets of Journalist and News & Media Outlet | Ep. 254 - May 13, 2023 Topics: * Yerevan Court Freezes Assets of 168.am * Are these harsh punitive measures unusual? * Is Tigran Avinyan’s Demand Reasonable? * Can it be considered “Administrative Pressure”? * Is the court’s action illegal or unconstitutional? * External Factors Influencing Armenian Media * Where does USAID support for Armenian media go? Guest: * Ruben Melikyan - FB/@RubenMelikian Hosts: * Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan * Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq 00:00 Intro to show 00:11 Today’s topic - Avinyan vs 168 & Davit Sargsyan 01:02 Intro to Guest 01:25 Are these harsh punitive measures unusual 03:57 Is Avinyan’s demand Reasonable? 05:26 Is this Administrative Pressure? 07:35 Is this illegal or unconstitutional? 10:15 External factors influencing Armenian media 13:57 Where does USAID support for Armenian media go? 15:03 Closing comments Episode 254 | Recorded: May 13, 2023 https://podcasts.groong.org/254

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev - May 11, 2023 Topics * May 11 Azeri attacks on Sotk, Armenia * Azerbaijan blocking ICRC convoys * Sarsang reservoir depleting * Rumors of a second pseudo-eco activist effort * Lentsov in Baku - what results? * Artsakh Ombuds & FM activities * Matthew Bryza bemoans Armenian Opp & diaspora * May 9 in Artsakh * Armenians, Artsakh and the victory in WW2 Guests: * Gev Iskajyan - TW/@GevIskajyan Hosts: * Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan * Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq 00:00 Intro to show and guest - May 11 00:28 May 11 Azeri attacks on Sotk, Armenia 02:00 Azeris blocking ICRC convoys 03:43 Sarsang reservoir depleting 05:54 Rumors of a second pseudo-eco activist effort 07:06 Lentsov in Baku - what results? 08:11 Artsakh Ombuds & FM activities 09:58 Matthew Bryza bemoans Armenian Opp & diaspora 12:02 May 9 in Artsakh 13:21 Armenians, Artsakh and the victory in WW2 14:45 Closing Episode 250 | Recorded: May 11, 2023 https://podcasts.groong.org/253