Armenia–Azerbaijan Relations
Explainer | What you need to know about the historic Aliyev–Trump–Pashinyan meeting
While the meeting fell short of seeing Armenia and Azerbaijan sign an official peace deal, it represented a significant step forward.
News Stories
Yesterday, 09 August 2025
Yesterday, 09 August 2025
Azerbaijan
Romanian media reports Russia may have intentionally contaminated transiting Azerbaijani oil
The Romanian Energy Ministry first reported the contamination of the Azerbaijani oil earlier in August.
Friday, 08 August 2025
Armenia–Azerbaijan
Aliyev, Pashinyan, and Trump agree on ‘Trump Route’ through Armenia to Nakhchivan
Aliyev and Pashinyan held respective bilateral talks with Trump before a historic joint press conference.
Georgia
It’s raining men: Georgian Dream names slate of all-male candidates for Tbilisi municipal election
The ruling party has presented Tbilisi candidates for the 4 October municipal elections.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s SOCAR and ExxonMobil sign memorandum in US
On 7 August, the memorandum was signed in the presence of President Ilham Aliyev and US President’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
Georgia
Kobakhidze accuses Saakashvili and ‘deep state’ of provoking August 2008 War
On the 17th anniversary of the August 2008 War, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze again claimed that the war was provoked by then-President Mikheil Saakashvili — this time saying the ‘deep state’ had ordered him to do so. Kobakhidze has refused to clarify who or what the ‘deep state’ is, having been using the term regularly to refer to shadowy forces allegedly trying to destabilise Georgia. ‘Ask Trump who the deep state is’, he told journalists while smirking on Thursday, referring to
Chechnya
Kadyrov’s 17-year-old son reportedly assigned as head of security for Russian and UAE presidents’ meeting
Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov was part of the Russian delegation at a meeting with the President of the UAE and brought his minor son Adam with him.
Georgia
A list of the Facebook posts that led to fines under Georgia’s ‘government insult ban’
Insulting Georgian Dream officials, even just via a comment on Facebook, can now result in fines of up to ₾4,000 ($1,500) or up to 45 days in jail.
Armenia–Azerbaijan
Pashinyan and Aliyev arrive in Washington for talks with Trump
The two leaders will have bilateral conversations with President Donald Trump, as well as a joint press conference on the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process.
Georgia
Georgia sentences two more protesters to 4.5 years in prison
Both detainees denied the charges brought against them.
Daily Brief
Friday, 8 August 2025
Regional * Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev have arrived in Washington, DC for respective talks with US President Donald Trump, which will be followed by a joint press conference. The talks are expected to be centered on the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the creation of a road connecting Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan, which will reportedly be created under the management of a US company and tentatively called th
OC Insider
In Georgia, a police officer’s cheek ranks above all
It was hard to find anyone around me who had positive expectations about journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli’s trial. Her colleagues and friends, whom I had spoken to since her detention, especially in the final week leading up to the verdict, were emotionally preparing themselves for the worst-case scenario: The court would agree with the prosecution’s claim that the slap Amaghlobeli gave to Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze after a heated exchange should be considered an ‘assault on a police offi
Thursday, 07 August 2025
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan and Iran discuss border projects and economic links
Sahin Mustafayev is expected to visit Iran in the coming days to discuss the border projects.
Ingushetia
Missing teenager in Ingushetia reports being forcibly held in psychiatric hospital
After sending the message, he has not contacted human rights defenders for over a week.
Azerbaijan
Explainer | Is an Azerbaijan–Israel–US alliance on the cards?
While a common front against Iran may be what the US and Israel are seeking from a trilateral alliance, Baku is unlikely to openly confront Tehran.
Armenia–Azerbaijan
Armenia and Azerbaijan to ‘agree on Trump Route’ between Azerbaijan and exclave
Both Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will be in Washington on Friday for talks with Trump.
Georgia’s EU U-turn
Sentencing of Georgian journalist Amaghlobeli met with international condemnation
Mzia Amaghlobeli was sentenced to two years in prison for slapping Batumi’s police chief.
Chechnya
Chechnya sentences mother of opposition figures to additional 4 years in prison
Musaeva is already serving a five-year sentence on charges of attacking a police officer.
Georgian Dream
Georgian police raid home of protester over 2021 embezzlement case
Giorgi Kldonashvili had been accused of embezzling equipment from a university, which he denies.
Abkhazia
Pilot voyage of ferry between Sochi and Sukhumi runs after 30 year halt
There has not been a reliable sea link between the two cities since the War in Abkhazia (1993–1994).
Daily Brief
Thursday, 7 August 2025
Regional * Yesterday, the Armenian Foreign Ministry told Armenpress that Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan would join Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan as part of the Armenian delegation to Washington DC. Previously, Pashinyan’s Office announced that Pashinyan would visit the US from 7–8 August, during which he is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump as well as a trilateral meeting with Trump and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Armenia * The Investigative Com
Wednesday, 06 August 2025
Chechnya
As speculation mounts, Kadyrov insists that he is healthy
Kadyrov’s statements came during an official meeting where he called on his subordinates to combat ‘false information’.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan restricts banking operations related to foreign financial sources
A lawyer told OC Media that the changes are likely aimed at targeting NGOs in the country.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s imprisoned journalists describe conditions during hunger strike
Abzas Media editor-in-chief Sevinj Abbasova and journalist Elnara Gasimova have written letters from prison about their experiences
Georgia
Tbilisi Court of Appeals overturns fine against RFE/RL journalist
Nino Takhnishvili had been fined $74 for contempt of court for sitting down ‘too early’ after a judge entered the courtroom.
Armenia–Azerbaijan Conflict
Armenia and Azerbaijan ‘could announce peace deal’ at White House
The reported announcement would follow an unprecedented meeting between Aliyev, Pashinyan, and Trump.
Georgia
Georgian court acquits protester Giorgi Akhobadze of drug charges
Doctor Giorgi Akhobadze said police planted drugs on him after he left a protest against the government.
Daghestan
Russia confiscates $1 billion worth of assets from former Daghestani state secretary Magomedov
Law enforcement officials have announced the completion of one of the largest anti-corruption operations in recent years in the North Caucasus.
2025 Georgian Local Elections
Georgia sets 4 October as date for local elections as opposition vows to boycott
Only two opposition groups intend to participate in the elections: Lelo and For Georgia.
Georgia
Russia issues warrant for Georgian opposition politician Elisashvili for fighting in Ukraine
Aleko Elisashvili, a member of the opposition Lelo-led Strong Georgia alliance, fought alongside Ukraine against the Russian invasion in early 2022.
