Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan introduces draft laws to regulate AI-generated content
The new rules also apply to photo video and audio content created using AI, which must also be labeled before publication in the media.
News Stories
Yesterday, 13 March 2026
Yesterday, 13 March 2026
Georgia
Georgia nearly sextuples customs clearance fees for cars older than six years
The government reversed its previous decision to ban the import of pre-2020 cars.
Daghestan
Daghestani Health Ministry raided in anti-corruption investigation
The searches took place two weeks after his brother Kirill Glazov lost his PM seat over alleged anti-corruption violations.
Georgia
OSCE issues damning report on Georgia’s democratic backsliding
The report was prepared under the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism.
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
Armenia rejects Russian aid for Nagorno-Karabakh refugees ahead of elections
The aid was set to be delivered by an organisation previously linked to interference in Moldova’s 2024 EU referendum.
Reviews
Review | Persephone (Where the Light Forgets Me) — the echoing architecture of girlhood
This debut work is an exploration of girlhood, leaning into an internal, almost private narrative that speaks to a collective female experience.
Adygea
Adygea court fines man for hanging pig’s head at mosque
The man, who came from Anapa, had hung the head on the fence of a mosque in an Adygean village in 2025.
Armenia–EU Relations
EU says Armenia ‘successfully’ implementing visa liberalisation plan
The remarks came during his visit to Yerevan.
Daily Brief
Friday, 13 March 2026
Armenia * Armenia has refused Russian humanitarian aid intended for displaced Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. According to Armenian fact-checkers, the Eurasia company involved in delivering the aid had previously been linked to interference in the 2025 Moldovan elections, including the transfer of electoral bribes, some reportedly in cryptocurrencies. * Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs
Georgia’s EU U-turn
What to know about Georgia’s ‘most dangerous’ legislation yet
Georgian Dream’s latest legislative amendments have deepened fears over the ruling party tightening its grip on power.
Thursday, 12 March 2026
Azerbaijan
Turkish commander says Turkey ‘ready to provide military assistance’ to Azerbaijan
During the meeting Metin Tokel stated that Turkey always stands by Azerbaijan's side.
Ingushetia
Two Ingush men sentenced to life imprisonment over Crocus City Hall terror attack
They are members of the Ingush religious brotherhood of Batalhadzhintsy.
OC Insider
The Iran war is raising hopes — and fears — among Azerbaijanis
The tensions between the republic of Azerbaijan and Iranian Azerbaijan are re-emerging in public discourse.
Armenia
Pashinyan says Brussels–Tbilisi rift is ‘biggest problem’ for Armenia’s EU bid
Raising the Georgia–EU issue led to speculation that the Georgian authorities had requested Nikol Pashinyan raise the matter.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani journalist ends hunger strike after jail retracts meeting restrictions
The jail had previously required all meetings to be held through a glass partition.
Chechnya
Kadyrov condemns ‘treacherous’ US–Israeli attacks on Iran
Chechen Head called the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader a ‘tragedy’ and proposed holding a meeting of Persian Gulf countries in Chechnya.
Azerbaijan
Aliyev meets European Council President Costa in Baku
The two leaders released a 15-point joint statement that highlighted Azerbaijan–EU cooperation.
2026 Iran War
Iran attacks oil tanker in Iraqi waters reportedly carrying over 20 Georgians
Reports indicated the attack appeared to be carried out by explosive-laden Iranian boats.
Georgia
Parliament swept clean of tents after a year of protest
Darejan Tskhvitaria’s tent was removed after a fire broke out, which she believes was set intentionally.
Armenia
Pashinyan confirms firing genocide memorial head for giving Vance book on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
The resignation came after Edita Gzoyan gave a book on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to US Vice President JD Vance.
Armenia–Azerbaijan Relations
Aliyev says he achieved peace with Armenia by force
He had made the remark moments before saying ‘there is nothing better than peace’.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan eyes oil windfall as Iran war rattles energy markets
Azerbaijan’s economy is highly dependent on oil and natural gas, with increases in oil prices directly affecting Azerbaijan’s state budget revenues.
Daily Brief
Thursday, 12 March 2026
Regional * In his speech at the EU Parliament, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said ‘the biggest problem’ on the path of Armenia’s EU integration was ‘the frozen state of the political dialogue between the EU and Georgia’. He also offered a road connection between Azerbaijan and its exclave Nakhchivan via Armenia ahead of the opening of the Trump Route. Armenia * While in Strasbourg, Pashinyan met the EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola. They discussed issues on bilateral cooperation, a
Nikol Pashinyan
Explainer | How Pashinyan is working to topple Catholicos Karekin II
As parliamentary elections grow nearer, tensions between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the Armenian Apostolic Church continue to build.
Wednesday, 11 March 2026
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
Armenia’s opposition reportedly planning to bus in voters from Russia for parliamentary election
A prominent election observation group in Armenia, Independent Observer, warned of the plans on Wednesday.
North Caucasus
More than 2,500 ‘terrorists’ reportedly killed in the North Caucasus since 2006
The head of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has said the agency has ‘almost completely eliminated the insurgent underground’ in the region.
Georgia
Georgia’s foreign direct investment rises to $1.7 billion in 2025
The figure marks a 7.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Daghestan
Daghestani media outlet decries rumours Israelis are being relocated to Daghestan
RIA Derbent has claimed that fake posts about Israelis being relocated to Daghestan were being published under its name.
Germany
Circassian Özdemir wins race for Minister-President of Germany’s Baden-Würrtemberg
Cem Özdemir has gained attention for raising awareness of Circassian history.
Georgia
OSCE delegation blocked from meeting detained protesters during Georgia visit
The visiting delegates said their requests had been denied by a number of Georgian politicians, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
