Chechnya
Chechnya’s Supreme Court overturns sentence of activists’ mother, orders retrial
During the retrial, Musaeva will remain in custody.
News Stories
Today, 17 February 2026
Today, 17 February 2026
Georgia
Georgian opposition TV channel says it is being investigated over US donation
TV Kavkasia’s bank account is public while the channel is asking for donations.
Georgia
Ivanishvili-backed university introduces ‘astrolinguistics’ as key universities face cuts
The programmes were introduced by a ‘gematria specialist’ who claims to have uncovered ‘hidden knowledge’ in ancient Georgian texts.
Armenia
Armenia deports Chechen who threatened to murder daughter
The deportation follows the high-profile murder of a Chechen woman in Yerevan.
Chechnya
Chechen man suspected of killing ex-wife in France takes own life
Bashir Alibiev was found dead in his cell in a detention centre.
Armenia
Armenia bars Catholicos Karekin II from leaving country
Karekin II was set to attend the bishops’ synod in Austria.
Armenia–Azerbaijan Conflict
Ruben Vardanyan sentenced to 20 years in prison
The trial of former Nagorno-Karabakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan lasted more than a year.
Daily Brief
Tuesday, 17 February 2026
Regional * On Monday consular consultations took place between the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry and the Foreign Ministry of Georgia in Baku. The parties discussed issues ‘related to protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens’ of both countries and agreed to ‘intensify cooperation’. * An Azerbaijani–Georgian–Turkish business forum will be held in Georgia’s Kakheti region on 26 February. According to Azerbaijani media outlet APA, the three countries’ economy ministers will all attend the fo
Yesterday, 16 February 2026
Chechnya
More than 3,000 divorced families reunited in Chechnya, authorities report
The figure is higher than in the eight years of the reunification commission's existence.
Georgia
Ban on questioning government legitimacy introduced to Georgian Parliament
The ruling party equates what it calls ‘establishing the perception’ that the government is illegitimate with extremism.
Azerbaijan
Aliyeva insults independent Azerbaijani journalist after being heckled in Germany
Aliyeva accused the journalist of ‘wearing a dress’ as a disguise to evade Azerbaijani police in the 2014 crackdown on civil society.
Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict
‘Their crimes were even worse than what the Nazis did during WWII’ — Aliyev on Armenian prisoners
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also compared the trials of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians to the Nuremberg Trials.
Armenia–Russia Relations
Armenia’s Simonyan touts ‘balanced policy’ with Kremlin in interview with Russian opposition TV
The statements came amidst Armenia’s shift towards the West.
Ingushetia
Ingush court sentences two over alleged sabotage plot
The two were sentenced on charges related to the illegal trafficking of explosives.
Armenia
Pashinyan proposes third-country takeover of Armenian railways from Russia
He had previously argued that Russia’s management of Armenia’s railways weakens Armenia’s international transit position.
Azerbaijan
Russia struck Azerbaijani Embassy in Kyiv intentionally, Aliyev says
The embassy was struck three times, including twice after Azerbaijan handed the Kremlin its exact coordinates to avoid future incidents.
Chechnya
Kadyrov’s eldest son awarded for ‘achievements in sport’
The Russian Ministry of Sport has recognised Chechnya’s deputy prime minister Akhmat Kadyrov ‘for special personal merits’.
Daily Brief
Monday, 16 February 2026
Armenia * Armenian authorities have barred Catholicos Karekin II from leaving the country as part of a criminal case opened in January. He and several other clergy members are under investigation for allegedly failing to execute or obstructing the enforcement of a judicial act concerning a senior clergyman. The restriction came ahead of the Bishops’ Synod scheduled for 16–19 February in Austria. * In turn, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated he believes the purpose of holding the Synod in A
Reviews
Review | Scary Mother — the horror of a Georgian woman’s intellect
Ana Urushadze’s 2017 debut film follows a Tbilisi housewife whose secret manuscript unravels the fragile architecture of family life.
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Bahruz Samadov
‘Inspiring acts of solidarity’ — Bahruz Samadov pens open letter to Slavoj Žižek
In a letter shared from prison, Azerbaijani researcher and OC Media contributor Bahruz Samadov speaks about philosophy and the hypocrisy of the Aliyev regime.
Friday, 13 February 2026
Georgia
Georgia cuts 92% of admissions at government-critical Ilia State University
The announcement was quickly followed by student protests.
Samvel Karapetyan
Russian-Armenian tycoon Karapetyan declared candidate for prime minister despite ineligibility
Samvel Karapetyan, who is currently under house arrest, gave a statement alongside the announcement via an AI-generated video message.
Kabarda–Balkaria
Ukrainian national sentenced to 20 years in prison for allegedly planning bombing in Nalchik
A military court found Vitalii Hayvoronskyi guilty of treason, preparing a terrorist attack, and manufacturing explosives
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan reveals new details in Mehdiyev coup plot
The Azerbaijani State Security Service has released recordings of new figures it claims have conspired with Mehdiyev, alleging foreign interference.
Georgia
Georgian Central Bank eyes yuan reserves in diversification strategy
Georgia joins a limited group of central banks permitted to operate in the market.
Azerbaijan
Indians kidnapped in Azerbaijan and tortured on live-stream to parents
The two individuals were attempting to illegally immigrate to the US.
OC Insider
Vance’s Armenian Genocide gaffe said the quiet part out loud
‘In solemn remembrance of the lives lost, we honour the resilience and enduring spirit of the Armenian people,’ US Vice President JD Vance wrote in the guestbook of the Armenian Genocide memorial after he visited the site during his working trip to Armenia. Not only did Vance avoid clarifying when, by whom, and how those lives were lost, but he also became a centre of online controversy after his post explicitly using the term ‘Armenian Genocide’ was deleted. The US recognised the mass murder
Armenia–Russia Relations
Russia to start ‘substantive negotiations’ with Armenia to restore railway sections
Overchuk also said efforts are ongoing to reopen transport routes across the Caucasus, including linking Russia and Georgia through Abkhazia.
Armenia
A ripple effect that holds back economic progress — growing up poor in Armenia
In 2024, roughly one in five Armenians could not afford minimum food and basic non-food items.
Chechnya
Adam Kadyrov reportedly has spleen removed and lost sight in one eye after car accident
The government in Grozny has remained tight-lipped about Adam Kadyrov’s reported car accident.
