Georgian Dream’s ‘alternative facts’ machine

by Nate Ostiller

• 3 min read

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Georgian Dream’s search for friendship with Trump may be falling flat

Nate Ostiller

••3 min read

Well, here it is — President Donald Trump, 2.0. As an American, I feel a strong sense of despair and concern about the state of my country and what will happen to minorities, the queer community, climate change, free speech, and countless other domestic issues. As a fervent supporter of Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression and a past resident of Kyiv, I also worry about Trump’s plans to cut back on critical US aid for the country. Based on Trump’s campaign statements, he is likely aching

OC Insider

To many more recognitions of the Circassian Genocide

Yousef Bardouka

••2 min read

It finally happened: Ukraine recognised the Circassian Genocide. Some of you may not know this about me, but I am a diaspora Circassian, born and raised in Jordan. I grew up in a Circassian community, and I went to a Circassian school, but had this recognition taken place, say, 20 years ago, I likely would not have batted an eye, and neither would many others, whether my age or older. There was a time where we Circassians — at least in Jordan — were not aware of what had happened to our ancest

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Nine years of pressure

Aytan Farhadova

••3 min read

‘Shirin and the girls were detained’ was a phrase first whispered in 2015 while Meydan TV staff were being trained in Ukraine. I was working with them at the time. The news shocked everyone, and as I remember one of my colleagues arguing with everyone after hearing this news while we were in the office of the Ukraine media outlet Nashi Qroshi. This month, a similar refrain was uttered when Meydan TV journalist Aysel Umudova sent a voice message on Telegram saying ‘Aytaj, Khayala, Aynur, Natig

OC Insider

Cutting the aid of those in need

Arshaluys Barseghyan

••2 min read

Last week brought bad news for Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians. For a little over a year, the 100,000 refugees who lost their homes have been relying on government aid to cover rent and utilities in Armenia. Rental prices, which skyrocketed after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have left Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians with little choice but to pay increased rents, especially in and around Yerevan, where they prefer to stay for work, education, and other opportunities. The aid is modest — just ֏50,00