Azerbaijan
Talysh activist reportedly detained in Turkey and taken to Azerbaijan by State Security Service
Kamal Isayev had travelled to Turkey via Georgia by train, but was stopped at Istanbul airport on his way home.
News Stories
Friday, 14 November 2025
Friday, 14 November 2025
Armenia
Pashinyan says ‘no country’ except Russia wanted to sell weapons to Armenia before 2022
Pashinyan said that much of the $8 billion debt was taken on because Armenia urgently needed weapons.
Armenia
Pashinyan participates in Armenia’s first national ‘prayer breakfast’
The event has been criticised by opponents of Pashinyan as a ‘reputation laundering breakfast’ amidst his clash with the Church.
Armenia–Azerbaijan Conflict
Azerbaijani prosecution demands lengthy sentences for 15 Nagorno-Karabakh leaders
Among them are three former presidents.
Chechnya
Chechen woman who fled to Georgia reportedly killed after returning home in suspicious circumstances
Aliya Ozdamirova, aged 33, reportedly fled home after being threatened by her family.
Trump Route
Armenia proposes 49 or 99-year lease for Trump Route infrastructure
There are still a number of outstanding details about the project that have yet to be clarified.
Georgia
Former Georgian PM Gakharia ordered into pre-trial detention in absentia
Giorgi Gakharia, who is currently abroad, said he is being politically persecuted.
Daily Brief
Friday, 14 November 2025
Regional * Aliya Ozdamirova, a 33-year-old woman who escaped from Chechnya, was deceived or forcibly taken from Georgia to Russia and was then likely killed in Chechnya, according to human rights defenders from the NC SOS Crisis Group. Ozdamirova was buried on Wednesday. * The Russian government has simplified procedures for obtaining or renewing a passport for individuals from Abkhazia or South Ossetia who have dual citizenship with Russia. Under the new rules, there is no need to travel bac
Azerbaijan
A generation under pressure — the future of activism in Azerbaijan
Despite the risks, a new generation of activists are continuing to raise their voices, from advocating for peace to protecting women’s rights.
Mikheil Saakashvili
Saakashvili appeals to Zelenskyi after transfer back to prison
Georgia’s ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili requested he be included in the list of civilian prisoners of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Reviews
Review | The Literature Express — misogyny dressed up as literary satire
Lasha Bugadze’s 2009 novel critiquing the art of literature, particularly the ‘Georgian author’, falls flat in its obsession with sex and sexism.
Thursday, 13 November 2025
Azerbaijan
Aliyev chides local authorities, warning of the consequences of corruption
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev noted that he had ensured the implementation of personnel reforms in government agencies.
North Ossetia–Alania
Russian singer Aleksandr Marshal publicly apologises for remarks about Ossetian–Ingush conflict
Residents of North Ossetia had earlier called for the cancellation of Marshal’s upcoming concert.
Georgia
After 344 days, Georgian police succeed at shutting down road-blocking as a form of protest
As the daily anti-government protests inch closer to their one-year anniversary, protesters are coming up with new ways to continue protesting.
Armenia
Armenian opposition podcast hosts detained after criminal complaint by parliamentary speaker
Alen Simonyan blames them for insulting him during one of the latest episodes.
Daghestan
College director detained in Daghestan on suspicion of attempting to bribe FSB officer
Prior to this, a dismissed teacher accused him of corruption offences, harassment, and rape.
Azerbaijani Popular Front Party
Local Azerbaijani opposition leader believed to be arrested after ‘disappearance’
Faig Nagiyev, the local district leader of the opposition Popular Front Party, has been missing since Wednesday.
Azerbaijan
Delegation of US Mormons meet with Aliyev as first church opens in Baku
Azerbaijan’s presidential administration said the meeting highlighted the country’s history of religious tolerance.
Armenia–Russia Relations
Russia claims Armenia will make preferential purchases of Ukrainian wheat
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has called the claims ‘nonsense’.
Georgia
Georgia’s ex-president Saakashvili transferred back to prison after over three years in hospital
Saakashvili has been sentenced to multiple years in prison on various severe charges.
Kabarda–Balkaria
Kabarda–Balkaria resident fined for failing to report planned sabotage
The man reportedly failed to report his acquaintance, who had allegedly entered into correspondence with Ukrainian intelligence services.
Georgia
After a series of controversial projects, Eagle Hills sets its sights on Georgia
The $6 billion Emirati investment project has stoked controversy in Georgia after the government decided to classify the details of the agreement.
Daily Brief
Thursday, 13 November 2025
Armenia * Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has denied claims that Yerevan plans to stop purchasing Russian wheat in favour of Ukrainian supplies, calling such suggestions ‘absurd’. Speaking to reporters in parliament on Wednesday, Pashinyan reaffirmed that Armenia remains committed to buying Russian wheat, rejecting allegations published by Russian state media that Yerevan intended to use EU funds to purchase more expensive Ukrainian grain. * Armenia’s Food Safety Inspectorate has cond
OC Insider
Tucker Carlson brings the ‘war on Christianity’ to the Caucasus
There is so much wrong with Tucker Carlson’s recent episode on Armenia — featuring Narek Kareptyan, the nephew of jailed Russian-Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetyan and his amoral, opportunistic lawyer Robert Amsterdam — that it is hard to know where to begin. I think part of the reason I’m writing this newsletter is to put my thoughts on paper about the literal torrent of misinformation and false narratives contained in the episode (and to spare my coworkers, who are probably tired of hearing me
Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani pro-government media again attacks the BBC
BBC Azerbaijan was forced to close its office in February 2025.
Georgia
Former Prime Minister Gakharia faces criminal charges, up to 13 years in prison
Giorgi Gakharia, now an opposition leader, has been outside Georgia since summer, when the investigation was first announced.
Daghestan
Journalists claim that Daghestani Senator bribed his way into office
According to the media outlet Proekt, Senator Suleyman Kerimov is rarely involved in official duties.
Chechnya
Armenian authorities open criminal investigation into death of Chechen woman
The 23-year-old woman was found dead in her apartment in Yerevan.
Georgia
Former Georgian Dream municipal council member detained for embezzlement
Levan Gamrekeli allegedly appropriated state-owned pipelines worth more than ₾5 million ($1.8 million) between 2020–2023.
Armenia–EU Relations
Explainer | What is Armenia expected to do on its EU visa-free journey?
Armenia must meet a number of conditions before its citizens can enjoy visa-free travel, and progress is rarely fast.
