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Today, 25 May 2026
Daily Brief

Monday, 25 May 2026

Regional * The Akhalkalaki–Kars railway between Georgia and Turkey ‘is now open’ for Armenian exports and imports, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced. Pashinyan also announced that despite the concession agreement with Russia over the management of Armenia’s railways, the Armenian government will soon begin the renovation of the Gyumri–Akhurik–Akyaka and Yeraskh junction railway. Armenia * US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Armenia on Tuesday. * A recent IRI surve

Today, 25 May 2026
Friday, 22 May 2026
Thursday, 21 May 2026
OC Insider

The paradoxical reopening of the Baku–Tbilisi railway

One of my most poignant memories of travelling on the Baku–Tbilisi passenger train dates back to September 2019, the last time I rode this route and said ‘goodbye’ to my homeland. Soon after, the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world, with the Azerbaijani government taking advantage of the situation to completely close its land borders for over six years. During these last six years, Azerbaijanis living in areas near the Georgian border had to spend 16 hours travelling in order to visit relatives l

Daily Brief

Thursday, 21 May 2026

Regional * According to a new report by the Council of Europe, Azerbaijan ranks second in Europe in terms of prison population per capita with 270 inmates per 100,000 inhabitants, while Georgia is ranked at fourth, with 232 inmates per 100,000. * Yesterday, Azerbaijan Railways announced new prices for the Baku–Tbilisi passenger train, which have increased after the COVID-19 pandemic. Prices range between $30 and $50, depending on the distance. * A Georgian man, Giorgi Tsatava, has been sente

Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Daily Brief

Wednesday, 20 May 2026

Regional * The Baku–Tbilisi passenger train will operate once daily at night to and from Tbilisi, and is expected to carry over 200 passengers in each direction. The train, manufactured by the Swiss company Stadler Rail Group, was inspected by President Ilham Aliyev in 2019. The passenger rail service is resuming after a six-year hiatus. Armenia * Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Lithuanian counterpart Kęstutis Budrys have signed a strategic partnership agreement. * The i

Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Our Newsletters

The paradoxical reopening of the Baku–Tbilisi railway

Aytan Farhadova

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