Suren Sargsyan - Central Asia, TRIPP, Iran, and Armenia in the New Great Game | Ep 583, Sep 5, 2026

Conversations on Groong - September 5, 2026 In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Suren Sargsyan about the Iran War and great power competition for Armenia's strategic position. We discuss Washington's unclear endgame in the conflict with Iran, the future of Russia's military presence in Armenia and CSTO membership, and competing U.S. and European interests in new east-west transit routes through Armenia and Central Asia amid broader geopolitical rivalries. Topics: - U.S. objectives in the Iran war - Russia's 102nd base in Armenia - Pashinyan's sovereignty policy contradictions - Great-power rivalry across Central Asia - U.S. and EU interests in TRIPP - Armenia's place in Eurasian competition Guest: Suren Sargsyan Timestamps: 0:47 Intro to show with Suren Sargsyan 0:54 Why is Washington escalating the war on Iran, and why now? 4:23 How come Trump presents the war so differently than Iran? 5:57 What victory look like for the US? 7:21 Why are both Pashinyan and Putin not speaking clearly about the Russian 102nd military base? 12:34 Was removal of the Russian base discussed in Bishkek? Who needs that base most? 16:06 Can Armenia avoid taking sides in global rivalries? 18:04 What will be the main agenda items for Pashinyan's upcoming visit to Moscow? 30:53 What is the US strategy towards Central Asia, and does it compete with Europe's? 33:31 Is Turkey a proxy of the West, in strategy towards Central Asia? 36:25 Who is US Senator Steve Daines, how is he related to the TRIPP project? 42:25 What does the TRIPP give the US? 44:00 Who wants TRIPP more, Washington or Brussels? 45:15 Who loses the most if the TRIPP is not implemented? 49:54 What sort of Plan B's should Armenia have to the failure of the TRIPP? 50:35 Is there an East-West project that is acceptable to Iran as well? 52:18 About Suren Sargsyan 52:42 SUPPORT GROONG - podcasts.groong.org/donate Hosts: - Hovik Manucharyan - Asbed Bedrossian Episode 583 | Recorded: Sep 4, 2026 SHOW NOTES: