Daghestan
Heavy rains in Azerbaijan and Daghestan continue to wreak havoc
The region has been beset by historic heavy rains and associated flooding for weeks.
News Stories
Today, 08 April 2026
Today, 08 April 2026
Anaklia Port
Georgian opposition party Lelo proposes naming Anaklia Port after Donald Trump
The party said the port should become a ‘gateway of [the] Trump Route to the Western world’.
Georgia
Over 40 arrested in Georgia in latest mafia crackdown
Those arrested were allegedly in contact with notorious mob boss Mamuka Shubitidze, also known as Mamuka Kakhetinsky or Davit Baratashvili.
Armenia
Major Armenian opposition alliance forced to drop Karapetyan’s name after legislative changes
The Strong Armenia with Samvel Karapetyan can no longer use the name of the Russian–Armenian tycoon.
Georgia
Tbilisi greenlights eviction of several residents for Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre construction
The order was issued by Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili.
Armenia–Azerbaijan Relations
Could Vance’s visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan herald further American weapons deals?
While the US’s role in the South Caucasus is expanding, significant political and economic factors argue against a full partnership reset.
Georgia–US Relations
US denies Georgian Dream claims of expected State Department visit
The mixed messages come as the current state of Georgia’s relations with the US remain murky.
Karachay–Cherkessia
Cherkessk resident charged with extremism over ‘anti-Russian statements’
He is accused of calls for terrorism and incitement of hatred.
Daily Brief
Wednesday, 8 April 2026
Regional * Five property owners in Tbilisi’s old town will have their properties expropriated for the construction of the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center. According to the 3 April order signed by Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili, the center constitutes a project of ‘pressing social needs’, noting that since no agreement could be reached with the property owners, the expropriation of their properties will be ‘required’. Armenia * Armenia's Parliament has adopted amendments to the electora
Yesterday, 07 April 2026
Chechnya
Ramzan Kadyrov awarded ‘for contribution to the development of science’
The merits for which he received the award remain unclear.
Georgia
Georgia hides asset declarations of Security Service chief Mdinaradze
Declarations of SSG chiefs are traditionally available for public inspection.
Armenia
Armenian Defence Committee chair says son avoided military service because he is ‘high-class’
He has apologised for his statement after facing criticism.
Georgia
Georgia’s opposition attempts a political reset with new alliance
Georgia’s opposition are seemingly attempting something broader than simply defeating the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Economy
IMF sees continued economic growth for Georgia in 2026 barring Iran war escalation
The IMF concluded that Georgia’s economic performance will remain at 5% 2026.
Azerbaijan–Georgia Relations
Aliyev meets Ivanishvili before leaving Georgia
He had earlier met with President Mikheil Kavelashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
Chechnya
Grozny court recognises the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as a terrorist organisation
The organisation’s activities are now banned on the territory of Russia.
Daily Brief
Tuesday, 7 April 2026
Regional * Before concluding his state visit to Georgia, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party. During the one-day visit, he had earlier met with President Mikheil Kavelashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Armenia * Andranik Kocharyan, a Civil Contract MP and the chair of Parliament’s Committee on Defence and Security, stated during a press briefing on Monday that his son, Levon, did not complete mandatory m
Reviews
Review | Jocasta: Raw Material — a feminist comparison of two civil wars
Mariam Megvinyte’s latest play contrasts Thebes’ fall in the Oedipus cycle with the Georgian Civil War, all via a feminist perspective.
Monday, 06 April 2026
Armenia–Russia Relations
Yerevan threatens to leave Russia-led blocs in latest diplomatic row with Moscow
Yerevan has threatened to leave Moscow-led economic and security blocs in response to economic pressures if they occur.
Daghestan
Daghestan floods kill at least 4 as fears of a dam overflow trigger evacuations
This was the second major flood to have hit the republic in weeks.
Daghestan
Daghestani National Policy Minister resurfaces after month-long absence and assassination rumours
The minister has hinted that he was ‘out of action’ due to a traffic accident.
Afgan Sadigov
Journalist Afgan Sadigov briefly detained in Azerbaijan after deportation from Georgia
It is yet unclear on what grounds Sadigov was detained.
Ilham Aliyev
Aliyev visits Georgia day after deportation of independent Azerbaijani journalist Sadigov
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is in Tbilisi for a state visit.
Daily Brief
Monday, 6 April 2026
Regional * A court in Georgia has ordered the deportation of Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov in a late night hearing that lasted mere hours, following his surprise arrest several hours earlier for ‘insulting police’ online. The decision was implemented immediately, with Sadigov reportedly in Baku as of yesterday. The ruling came despite the journalist being under an international protection order blocking his extradition to Azerbaijan over human rights concerns. * The day after Sadigov’s
Azerbaijan
Is Azerbaijan banning the hijab in public schools?
Reports of girls being expelled or banned from school for wearing hijab have led to speculation on the further repression of religious expression.
Sunday, 05 April 2026
Afgan Sadigov
Georgia deports journalist Afgan Sadigov to Azerbaijan following late night arrest
The court ordered Sadigov’s deportation in a late night hearing following his surprise arrest several hours earlier for ‘insulting police’ online.
Friday, 03 April 2026
Georgia
Is the Georgian government secretly killing stray dogs?
Rumours have spread recently regarding the disappearance of street dogs across Georgia and their possible cremation in Gori.
Mzia Amaghlobeli
Georgian state council rejects early release for journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli
The council rejected the request because Amaghlobeli has not ‘expressed remorse’ for slapping police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze.
Daghestan
Three sentenced in absentia for allegedly organising Makhachkala’s antisemitic airport riot
All three organisers are on the international wanted list.
Economy
Georgia’s annual inflation slows to 4.3% as food and services prices rise
Food and beverages contributed 2.57 percentage points to annual inflation.
