Podcast | Ukraine’s recognition of the Circassian Genocide

20 January 2025

On 9 January, Ukraine’s Parliament has recognised the Russian Empire’s 19th century genocide of the Circassians, during which Russian forced killed or deported hundreds of thousands of Circassians from their homeland in the Caucasus.

This week, OC Media’s Yousef Bardouka talks about the genocide and its impact on the Circassians and the Caucasus and the significance of the resolution, while Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko, a co-author of the resolution, talks about how the bill came to be and Ukraine’s role in supporting the people of the North Caucasus.

Ukraine recognises Circassian Genocide

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A protest in Tbilisi. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

The Caucasus Digest

Podcast | Georgia marks holiday season with daily protests

Yousef Bardouka

••1 min read

OC Media's Robin Fabbro, Mariam Nikuradze, and Shota Kincha sit down and chat about the protests against the Georgian government’s decision to halt EU integration, going on for almost a month now as the holiday season descends on Georgia. Read more: * When EU politicians say one thing, Georgian Dream leaders say another * ‘When we get in the minibus, the fun will start’ — How Georgian police torture detained protesters * Calls for a general strike in Georgia: where are t

The city of Aleppo, northwestern Syria. Via Wikimedia.

Armenian diaspora

Podcast | The Caucasus and the regime change in Syria

OC Media

••1 min read

OC Media’s Robin Fabbro, Nate Ostiller, Arshaluys Barseghyan, and Yousef Bardouka talk about the regime change in Syria and what it means for the Caucasian diaspora communities in the country and what it says about Russia’s influence and power globally. Read more: * Armenia says ‘no opportunity’ to evacuate Syrian–Armenians * Syrian rebel leader condemns Abkhazia and South Ossetia recognition * Right of return? — The struggles of the Circassian diaspora to settle in A

Protesters shoot fireworks at police amid a demonstration in Tbilisi on 1 December. Photo via Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media

Georgia

Podcast | Georgia’s EU U-turn and spontaneous protests

OC Media

••1 min read

OC Media’s Robin Fabbro and Mariam Nikuradze talk about the spontaneous protest movement which erupted after the Georgian government’s announcement that the country would ‘halt’ its EU integration. Mariam shares her experience covering the protests and details how the police injured her and damaged her cameras as she was covering their violent dispersal of the protests. Read more: * Anti-government protests spread to Georgia’s regions: the case of Marneuli * Explainer

Protester waving Georgian and EU flats near the parliament on 24 November night. Image: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

2024 Georgian Parliamentary Elections

Podcast | Georgian Dream launch parliament — what’s next?

OC Media

••2 min read

Georgian Dream have launched the new parliament without any opposition, amidst continued calls for an investigation into irregularities in the same parliamentary elections that helped them secure their fourth term as the majority. A month after the elections, OC Media’s Robin Fabbro, Mariam Nikuradze, and Shota Kincha sit down and talk about the developments surrounding the protests against electoral fraud and Georgian Dream’s plans for the future. Read more: * Georgi