Iran War, TRIPP Money, and Armenia’s Political Purgatory | Ep 561, Jul 19, 2026

Week in Review - July 19, 2026 In this week's Groong Week in Review, Hovik and Asbed break down escalating tensions across the Middle East as the US-Iran war intensifies following the collapse of the June ceasefire. We examine the strategic implications for Armenia and the South Caucasus, the role of TRIPP advocates like Konstantin Sokolov, and how regional instability intersects with Pashinyan's political vulnerabilities at home, including charges against Archbishop Galstanyan and ongoing Armenian POW cases. Topics: US-Iran War Continues Summer Lull in Yerevan Politics Konstantin Sokolov: Master of TRIPP & Teghut UN: Abp. Galstanyan Charges Unjustified Armenian POW Slams Pashinyan from Baku Timestamps: 0:04 Intro to Week in Review for July 19, 2026 0:56 What is the US endgame in the war on Iran? 7:43 Why would Iran be OK with these US escalations and de-escalations at their own whim? 9:59 Is the era of US dominance in the Middle East over? 14:03 What's the latest in Armenia's political summer? 15:26 What was expected from opposition leaders over the summer? 22:03 Konstantin Sokolov will run TRIPP+ and has bought Teghut Mining 25:51 What oversight is there on the TRIPP+ Enterprise Fund? 31:01 The Media's code of propaganda and labeling of Samvel Karapetyan 33:26 Why was Abp Bagrat Galstanyan released into House Arrest from pre-trial detention? 38:28 Aregnaz Manukyan - opposition detainee in pre-trial detention 41:56 Vardan Ghukasyan, mayor of Gyumri, also released to House Arrest 42:19 Armen Ashotyan still in Pashinyan purgatory 43:11 Major-Gen Davit Manukyan POW in Baku - slammed Pashinyan Hosts: Hovik Manucharyan Asbed Bedrossian Episode 568 | Recorded: July 20, 2026 SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/568 #IranWar #TRIPP #Teghut #Armenia #PoliticalPrisoners #ArmenianPOWs #KonstantinSokolov