News Stories
Today, 22 January 2026
Today, 22 January 2026
Georgia
Conditions for Russian activist imprisoned in Georgia reportedly tightened amid health concerns
Anastasia Zinovkina was sentenced in September 2025 and is held in the Rustavi women’s prison.
Azerbaijan
Aliyev talks cooperation with asset management giant BlackRock
The details of the proposed agreement are scant, but could involve more than $1 billion.
Armenia–Azerbaijan Relations
Pashinyan says Armenian and Azerbaijani energy systems of ‘will definitely’ be interconnected
In turn, Ilham Aliyev said that the ‘day is not too far away’ when Armenian cargo would go directly through Azerbaijan.
Ingushetia
Russian military court sentences two Ingush men for assassination of Russian general
Ramazan Padiev and Batukhan Tochiev did not plead guilty.
Georgia
Georgian Interior and Defence Ministry employees charged over restaurant brawl
The scuffle took place in the Tkibuli municipality in western Georgia.
The United States
Trump calls the Caucasus Russia’s ‘territory’
The seemingly offhand comment came during US President Donald Trump’s retelling of his involvement in ‘solving’ the Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict.
Armenia–Russia Relations
Mirzoyan says Lavrov’s comments about Gyumri mayor could be ‘interference’ in Armenia’s affairs
Lavrov claimed that Gyumri’s mayor was facing criminal charges over remarks advocating for a union state between Armenia and Russia.
Iran
What would the collapse of Iran’s regime mean for Armenia and Azerbaijan?
With limited military or economic power and a demonstrated lack of public legitimacy, sizable change in Iran’s regime seems inevitable.
Daily Brief
Thursday, 22 January 2026
Armenia * Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has left for Switzerland, where he is set to participate in the signing of the Charter of the Board of Peace as a founding member at the invitation of US President Donald Trump. * Pashinyan said on Wednesday that the energy systems of Armenia and Azerbaijan ‘will definitely and unconditionally be interconnected’. Azerbaijan * The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)’s annual report says Azerbaijan ranks third in Europe and Central Asia with 24 im
Reviews
Review | The Pear Field — a look at life in Tbilisi’s ‘school for idiots’
Nana Ekvitimishvili’s debut novel is a short, intense work that confronts society’s silence and ethical blind spots.
Yesterday, 21 January 2026
Georgia
Georgia’s Epiphany pardon fiasco leaves families freezing outside prisons in vain
Families, journalists, and activists spent two snowy days outside Georgian prisons hoping for a presidential pardon for imprisoned government critics.
Chechnya
Chechnya again named the region with the lowest crime rate in Russia
Official statistics do not take into account reports by human rights groups of abductions, torture and extrajudicial killings
South Ossetia
Gagloev dissolves South Ossetian government
As part of the dissolution, President Alan Gagloev dismissed Prime Minister Konstantin Dzhussoev.
Armenia
Armenian miners strike in demand for higher wages
The mining company has rejected raising wages, claiming a lack of capacity.
Chechnya
Kadyrov supporter in Moscow admits destroying plaque to murdered journalist Politkovskaya
The woman admitted that she destroyed two of the three plaques recently installed.
Azerbaijan
Despite holding no official position, Aliyev’s son attends Davos meetings
Heydar Aliyev Jr. appeared in several official photos at Davos, but his presence has not been commented on by the government.
Ingushetia
Ingush schoolchildren receive drone operation training
Children will be taught to operate drones starting from year seven.
Azerbaijan
Running out of time — Azerbaijan looks to tax hikes to counter shrinking hydrocarbon reserves
While economically necessary, these fiscal adjustments may carry political consequences, including the potential for civilian unrest.
Armenia–Russia Relations
Lavrov says it is ‘impossible’ for Armenia to switch to EU standards while in the EAEU
The statement came after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia ‘unequivocally and without question’ wants to become an EU member state.
Daily Brief
Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Regional * Armenia President Vahagn Khachaturyan has participated in a panel discussion at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos alongside Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. According to Armenpress, Khachaturyan said that ‘a peaceful and stable’ South Caucasus can become a key hub between Europe and Asia. Armenia * ‘It’s obvious to anyone familiar with the operating principles’ of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the EU that ‘it is impossible
Tuesday, 20 January 2026
Adam Kadyrov
Opinion | Not even Kadyrov’s own children are safe from the impunity they created on the roads
By flaunting their own traffic rules, the Kadyrov family has created a reality in which even their own children are no longer safe.
Chechnya
Ramzan Kadyrov’s sons own property worth more than $25 million, leaked data shows
Even Kadyrov’s seven-year-old son has his own mansion.
Daghestan
Daghestani school guard stabs pupil after being hit by a snowball
Investigative authorities have reported the opening of a criminal case following the incident.
Nikol Pashinyan
Fresh from bashing opponents, Pashinyan to beat drums in upcoming concert
Nikol Pashinyan has taken up drumming recently, sharing many videos of him playing since December 2025.
Armenia–Azerbaijan Relations
Armenian intelligence says war with Azerbaijan ‘highly unlikely’ in 2026
The forecast came as part of the Foreign Intelligence Service’s annual report.
Armenia
Armenian declares 27 January as day of fallen soldiers
The date does not correspond to any major event, lacking consensus.
Daghestan
Daghestani activist sentenced in absentia for sharing ‘fake’ information about Russian army
The reason for the criminal prosecution were posts on Instagram about the actions of the Russian military in Ukraine in the spring of 2022.
Georgia
Chiatura protest leaders receive long prison sentences on violence charges
The four leaders of the miners’ city protest were arrested in April 2025.
Gaza War
Trump invites Pashinyan to join Gaza Board of Peace
Pashinyan was invited to join the board as a founding member.
