15 days ago

OTS & CIS summits, Trump-Aliyev Tensions, Armenia Opposition Gears up for 2026

Groong Week in Review - October 12, 2025

Topics
* Aliyev pushes “Zangezur Corridor” at OTS
* Pashinyan pitches “Trump Route” at CIS
* Putin–Aliyev meeting eases tensions
* Armenia’s opposition gears up for 2026

Guest
* Hrant Mikaelian

Hosts
* Hovik Manucharyan
* Asbed Bedrossian

Episode 478 | Recorded: October 14, 2025
https://podcasts.groong.org/478

00:00 Intro to show with Hrant Mikaelian
00:38 What outcomes from the 2025 CIS summit in Dushanbe?
07:17 Any Pashinyan-Aliyev Elevator Meeting this time in Dushanbe?
07:59 Pashinyan;'s changing of the logic of negotiations to Armenia's detriment
08:19 Who needed the Russian-Azeri thaw, and what concessions were made?
14:04 Do the issues of the Armenian Truck drivers in Russia reflect the problems in Armenian-Russian relations?
17:13 Aliyev hosts summit of Turkic countries, pushes Corridor narrative
23:43 The scene of the 2026 elections shaping up
25:01 Impressions on "In Our Way", #MerDzevov and Samvel Karapetyan's entry into politics
30:42 On Arman Tatoyan and Wings of Unity
31:17 On Gagik Tsarukyan and Prosperous Armenia
32:10 Is there a figure who can play the role of unifying the opposition?
32:44 What's going on with the RPA and the impeachment movement?
35:08 What to make of the very large "undecided" vote?
37:54 How will the votes distribute?
38:42 Kocharyan's plan for a much bigger TRIPP
44:11 Personal thoughts from the participants
44:22 Hovik: Trump Route 3 inches? Or Trump Route 9 inches?
45:46 Hrant: First Turkey & Russia excluded Russia from controling Syunik. Next they will excude the U.S.
46:54 About Hrant Mikaelian