Philippe Raffi Kalfayan – Europe and America, JD Vance in Armenia, Pashinyan vs. the Armenian Church
Groong Week in Review – February 8, 2026
Topics
* A European View of America
* JD Vance in Armenia
* Pashinyan vs. The Armenian Church
* Europe and Armenia
Guest:
* Philippe Raffi Kalfayan
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro to show with Philippe Raffi Khalfayan
01:53 Why is Armenia so importan to us?
04:30 Why is the US administration unpopular in Europe?
10:29 Is Trump serious about encroaching on European sovereign territory, and alienating Europe as an ally?
20:09 Is Armenia an equal partner in the TRIPP agreement? And does this project and infrastructure secure Armenia physically, or its sovereignty?
28:37 What is the purpose of this visit to Yerevan by JD Vance?
40:03 Does the TRIPP drag Armenia into the Iran-Israel-US conflict, which could break out into full-scale war any day now?
46:33 What expectations would you have of JD Vance’s visit to Baku? What do you think are the aims of this visit?
49:35 Does the EU actually see Armenia as a member?
56:20 How do Europeans ensure that their diplomatic core advances a values-based foreign policy, and how do you hold them accountable when they fail catastrophically?
58:04 Why do you think Armenians cling to such fiction? Is Pashinyan selling the Armenian public a fictional “peace” based on a non-existent premises?
01:00:20 About Philippe Raffi Khalfayan
Hosts:
* Hovik Manucharyan
* Asbed Bedrossian
Episode 516 | Recorded: February 9, 2026
source


12 Comments
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Thank you gentleman's. Baron Philippe is clever and a man nice to listen to
Love from Iran 🇮🇷
Listening to a European perspective of the main reason for TRIPP enforces Armenians who have been skeptical of this “deal”. How to get more Armenians to participate in the Armenian elections more actively? Please bring on Arman Tatoyan soon.
Thank you Asbed and Hovik for inviting Dr. Kalfayan a precious distinguished guest. He is politicaly astute analist with exceptional insight into global affairs.❤️
Thank you Dr. P. Kalfayan for this very important educational discussion. All Armenians should listen and understand what’s going on before it’s too late, they should unite and save Armenia from barbaric enemies. 🇦🇲✝️🙏🏻❤️👏🏻👍🏻💪🏻👊👊
Philippe Raffi Kalfayan, another intelligent Armenian on Groong. Great interview!
"European Values!" The European ruling oligarchs don't treat their own citizens based on values, human rights etc. let alone those of other countries. Same goes for the US.
Being an Armenian outside of Armenia who cares about the well being of the Armenians in Armenia most importantly and overall wellbeing of the country is not a very fruitful adventure I must admit 😂 not because I expect or want anything in return for it but just because Armenians have an allergic reaction to listening more than they talk…. All Armenians really but especially those who went and elected Kikol and his xhumbak 😂😢
V endorsing Pashinyan 😏 Enjoyed discussion – enjoy Dr. PRK's articles. Yeah, the US is now apparently abandons friends everywhere and can't be trusted at all. Nuclear is necessary to the energy needs of data centers. We are woefully naive, indeed. The world is in quite the mess. Great discussion, Hovik, Asbed. Merci.
God Help – Be Good Dear 😂Armenians and …….All – On This PlaneT……. Earth Is A Loving Body Of The Mother -In The UniVerse ……..😂Diii Ti…..Ezerk ………Peace …Love And Respect……..🌞
Hi Every One………🌞