Georgia
Georgia reshuffles university faculties, sparking criticism
The process is part of a controversial higher education reform.
News Stories
Yesterday, 12 February 2026
Yesterday, 12 February 2026
Armenia
Seven Armenian opposition members investigated for allegedly tampering in local elections
The defendants are being accused of directing a number of people to vote in favour of the opposition Victory Alliance in the Vagharshapat elections.
Georgia–Iran Relations
Tbilisi marks Iran’s Islamic Revolution amidst ongoing government crackdown
Georgian officials attended a reception at the Iranian Embassy and Tbilisi’s TV Tower was lit to mark the occasion.
Reviews
Review | Panopticon — coming-of-age in the shadow of the sacred
George Sikharulidze’s feature debut explores the fractured dual life of a Tbilisi teenager caught between religious surveillance and repressed desire.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan introduces fines for receiving unregistered grants
The issues concerning civil society covered by the law will be decided by the Ministry of Justice.
Daghestan
Queer Kazakh native deported from Daghestan following denunciation
The man was allegedly threatened with prosecution for distributing pornography over intimate photos sent to an acquaintance.
Armenia
Armenia’s Metsamor nuclear power plant operation may extend until 2046
During that period, the Armenian government will need to make decisions regarding the construction of a new nuclear power plant.
![Baia Margishvili standing in central Tbilisi with a sign reading: ‘The Prosecutor’s Office [is] a punitive squad. How many more innocent people will you put in prison?’ Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.bucket.fourthestate.app%2Foc-media-prod%2Fcontent%2Fimages%2F2026%2F02%2Fcalls-for-sanctions-and-raids-19-10-25-48.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Georgia
Georgian demonstrator criminally charged for ‘tearing up case materials’ in court
The maximum penalty is up to two years of imprisonment.
Daily Brief
Thursday, 12 February 2026
Regional * Russia has not responded for the third month in a row to an official request from Armenia for legal assistance in the case concerning the murder of Chechen woman Aishat Baimuradova. Under the Chisinau Convention, Russia is obliged to respond to such requests as soon as possible, the Crisis Group NC SOS has stated. According to the organisation, the request from the Armenian authorities was sent on 10 December 2025. Armenia * Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced the possi
Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani state-run TV edits out Vance’s joke about Aliyeva being VP
The original version was later added.
Georgia
EU-proposed sanctions target SOCAR’s Kulevi Terminal in Georgia
The terminal has been accused of helping circumvent sanctions on Russian oil.
The United States
Explainer | What you need to know about JD Vance’s historic visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan
Vance’s visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan come as a tangible illustration of the growing US interest in the two countries, especially as Russian influence recedes.
Georgia
Amidst state pressure, a small Georgian party seeks a ‘new stage’ for change
Freedom Square sees anti-government resistance as important, but not enough on its own.
Trump Route
Pashinyan signals Armenia may try taking back control of railways from Russia
Since a 2008 concession agreement, Armenia’s railway network has been managed by Russian Railways.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan begins locking up critics under social media ‘immorality’ ban
Lawyers warn the legislation’s vague wording is purposeful in order to further restrict freedom of speech in Azerbaijan.
Georgia
‘Sabotage’ case against Georgian opposition politicians moves forward
Some of the politicians involved in the case are already serving sentences in other cases.
Chechnya
Kadyrov’s eldest son Akhmat to oversee Chechen education
Akhmat Kadyrov has been promoted to the position despite no public information about him having received a higher education degree.
Economy
Georgian National Bank holds interest rate at 8% as inflation concerns linger
Annual inflation in Georgia rose to 4.8% year-on-year in January up from 3.9% the previous quarter.
Georgia
How the tragedy of the mandarin mirrors Georgia’s democratic demise
Unlike the celebrated wine industry, the mandarin is not an ancient Georgian tradition but rather a manufactured Soviet tool hanging by a thread.
Daily Brief
Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Regional * According to Georgia’s State Security Service (SSG), a Georgian who was detained in Akhalgori (Leningor) in August 2025 has been released and is now on territory controlled by the central government. The agency stated that ‘all relevant instruments available to the central authorities were actively used in the process of securing the release of the illegally detained Georgian citizen’. Armenia * Nancy Pelosi, the ex-US Speaker of the House of Representatives, called it ‘deeply d
Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Azerbaijan
Vance meets Aliyev in Baku, touts partnership and announces delivery of US patrol boats
US Vice President JD Vance is the highest-ranking US official ever to visit Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan to allow nationalisation of ‘strategic investments’ on national security grounds
Discussion of the bill began immediately after a visit by representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce.
North Caucasus
North Caucasus republics rank among lowest per-capita savings in Russia
In addition, the region has the lowest wages in the country.
Georgia
Jailed Georgian opposition leader Melia faces new charge
The co-leader of the opposition Ahali party Nika Melia is also facing sabotage charges.
Armenia–US Relations
Vance’s $9 billion figure for ‘exports’ in US–Armenia nuclear energy cooperation sparks confusion
Vance offered his remarks during his first-ever visit to Armenia on Monday.
Georgia
Authorities say minors involved in high-profile Tbilisi murder committed previous assaults
The Prosecutor General’s Office said the detainees had previously attacked individuals they had preselected.
Armenian Genocide
Vance tweets about ‘Armenian Genocide’ before deleting post
Following Donald Trump’s election in 2025, the US appeared to reverse its recognition of the Armenian Genocide under President Joe Biden.
Azerbaijan
Irredentist ‘Western Azerbaijan’ community appeals to Vance ahead of Baku visit
The statement made no mention of Armenians displaced during the decades-long conflict.
Chechnya
Kadyrov comments on son’s reported car crash for the first time
Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov called the information about the accident a ‘leak’, and said there was a need to strengthen the fight against ‘fake news’.
