Armenia–US Relations
JD Vance visits Armenia in a historic first
US Vice President JD Vance’s visit marks the highest-level visit by an American leader to Armenia.
News Stories
Yesterday, 09 February 2026
Yesterday, 09 February 2026
Georgia
Georgian government drops university merger after public backlash
The decision to merge two notable universities was followed by discontent among students and professors, as well as the general public.
Chechnya
Georgia investigates circumstances of return and death of woman who fled Chechnya
Aliya Ozdamirova was buried two days after her forced return to Chechnya in November 2025.
Georgia
Kavelashvili claims Vance said US wants relations reset
Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili also said US Vice President JD Vance had praised Ilia II, the patriarch of the Georgian Church.
Armenia
Russia offers Armenia ‘comprehensive cooperation’ in nuclear energy ahead of Vance visit
US Vice President JD Vance is expected to discuss cooperation in nuclear energy with Yerevan during his visit to Armenia.
Daghestan
Russia tries two Daghestanis in absentia for supporting Ukraine’s Azov Battalion
The two men are being tried for supporting terrorism.
Reviews
Review | Some Interviews on Personal Matters — a Georgian woman, uninterrupted
Some Interviews on Personal Matters is a pioneering work of feminist filmmaking and an intricate, intimate portrait of womanhood.
Daily Brief
Monday, 9 February 2026
Regional * US Vice President JD Vance will visit Armenia on Monday, along with US Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg. Vance will meet with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that evening, after which they will both give a statement. The US delegation will then visit Azerbaijan. * The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into the abduction and death of Chechen woman Alia Ozdamirova, who had fled her home for Georgia in October 2025. In November 2025, hu
Saturday, 07 February 2026
Georgia
Key Georgian pro-government media outlet Imedi to be sold
The outlet’s owner, Irakli Rukhadze, said he is selling the outlet to Prime Media Global for ₾1,000 ($370).
Friday, 06 February 2026
Bahruz Samadov
Armenian intelligence denies ties to Bahruz Samadov
Samadov was sentenced to 15 years in prison on treason charges, which he denies.
Georgia
Georgian Dream satellite calls for EU integration debate
The group has actively promoted the abandonment of Georgia’s EU and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
Chechnya
Ukraine returns 20 Chechen POWs in exchange with Russia
Most of the Chechen soldiers returned served in the Akhmat unit
Azerbaijan
Human rights groups call on Azerbaijan to investigate sexual harassment of jailed journalists
Detained journalists Aysel Umudova and Ulviyya Guliyeva (Ali) had both written letters from prison about the sexual harassment they have faced.
Armenia
Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Simonyan sues former president Kocharyan
Alen Simonyan has demanded that Robert Kocharyan publicly apologise for an ‘offensive statement’ he made towards him.
Abkhazia
Russia stops issuing ID cards in Abkhazia following complaints
The practice of issuing Russian ID cards in Abkhazia began only in 2025.
Georgia
Jailed Russian and Ukrainian protesters in Georgia face five more years for playing cards
The charge carries a prison sentence of three to five years.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani teacher seriously wounded in school shooting
The alleged shooter was a 10th grader who came to school with his father’s hunting rifle.
Armenia–Russia Relations
Lavrov criticises allegations of Russian intervention in Armenian elections
The remarks were offered during his meeting with Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Alen Simonyan.
Ingushetia
Four Ingushetia residents sentenced to lengthy prison terms for participation in Caucasus Emirate
In total, the four men will spend 75 years in prison.
Georgia
Batumi theatre cancels play, claiming politics and art don’t mix
The theater’s decision sparked criticism over censorship.
Daily Brief
Friday, 6 February 2026
Armenia * During his meeting with Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Alen Simonyan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov harshly criticised Armenian and EU allegations that Russia was preparing ‘imaginary attacks’ on Armenia and accusations that the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) posed ‘an existential threat’ to Armenia. In turn, Simonyan assured Lavrov that ‘Armenia is interested in its ties with Russia’ and also voiced concerns about ‘the rhetoric that is frequently
Thursday, 05 February 2026
Georgia
Bank accounts seized from over 12 Georgian protesters
The seizures relate to unpaid fines for blocking the road during protests.
Armenia
Armenia to publish draft constitution in move that could see peace deal signed before elections
An Azerbaijani MP suggested the peace treaty could be signed if Yerevan commits not to have any ‘territorial claims’ in its new constitution.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani activist detained over social media post
Movsum Mammadov's posts were deleted after his sentencing.
Ingushetia
Criminal case dropped against Ingush woman who fled family
Investigators found no evidence of 21-year-old Aina Mankieva’s involvement in the alleged theft she was accused of by her mother
Georgia–US Relations
Georgia’s deputy foreign minister visits Washington, expresses desire for ‘reset’
The amendments were introduced in legislation concerning both primary school and higher education.
Azerbaijan
Samadov loses appeal in prison determination, starts hunger strike
Imprisoned researcher and OC Media contributor Bahruz Samadov announced an indefinite hunger strike in protest of the court’s decision.
Daghestan
New criminal cases opened against Daghestani woman detained on terrorism charges
The investigation claims that the woman planned to carry out a suicide bombing during Victory Day celebrations on 9 May 2025.
Georgia
Kobakhidze floats criminalising refusal to recognise government legitimacy
There are few details about what the proposed law would look like in practice.
Georgia
Georgian parliament approves controversial education amendments
The amendments were introduced in legislation concerning both primary school and higher education.
