Features and Analysis

Armenia

Armenia’s cultural scene expands as rising demand drives up prices

Armenia

March 20, 2026

What a theatre-goer, marketer and sociologist say about rising interest in cultural events and higher prices

Azerbaijan

Arrests in Azerbaijan over alleged blackmail of president’s family: video bloggers, Alena Aliyeva and State Security operation

Azerbaijan

March 18, 2026

State Security Service says it conducted operation over alleged attempt to blackmail President Ilham Aliyev’s family

Kocharyan as PM candidate: Armenia elections

Robert Kocharyan

Robert Kocharyan named prime minister candidate: will he become represent opposition in Armenia’s upcoming elections?

Robert Kocharyan

March 17, 2026

Some suggest that opposition forces planning to take part in the June elections are betting on Kocharyan. However, most social media users oppose his return to power

Georgia

'We had only seconds': what we know about landslide in Georgia’s village of Kursebi

Georgia

March 17, 2026

Possible causes of the disaster and survivors’ accounts

“Bugs in khachapuri, worms in pâté”: Radio Liberty exposes food problems in Georgia’s prisons

Georgia

March 15, 2026

The investigation revealed that the penitentiary service had long been aware of violations but kept the contract with the supplier company

“Severe human rights crisis in Georgia”: What the activation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism means

Georgia - EU

March 15, 2026

The mechanism was triggered with support from 24 OSCE states, calling for UN action on arbitrary detention, torture, restrictions on expression and judicial independence in Georgia

New fines in Azerbaijan: what will the laws on children’s rights, begging and artificial intelligence change?

Azerbaijan

March 13, 2026

Will the state address growing social and digital challenges mainly through fines and punishment, or will it also develop social services and legal safeguards in parallel?

Opinion: How Azerbaijan would react to a US and Israeli military operation in Iran

Azerbaijan-Iran

March 10, 2026

The most realistic expectation would be comprehensive steps by Baku to prevent the war from approaching the country’s borders.

Phishing attack by cyber fraudsters posing as members of Armenia’s ruling party

Armenia

March 09, 2026

Civil society representatives receive emails posing as messages from the Civil Contract party. Experts say the goal is to obtain confidential information.

Fraudulent call centre industry in Georgia: power, money and selective justice

Georgia

March 09, 2026

Why has the Georgian government been unable to solve this problem for years?

Drone attack on Azerbaijan: authorities blame Iran, experts consider other possibilities

Azerbaijan-Iran

March 05, 2026

Iran’s foreign ministry denies the accusations, saying: “We do not strike neighbouring countries.”

School reconstruction in Georgia: how well-intentioned reform paved road to chaos for children and parents

Georgia

March 02, 2026

Overcrowded classrooms, multi-shift schooling and disrupted daily routines

Pension rise in Armenia: economic growth or voter handout?

Armenia

February 27, 2026

Government’s pension rise branded pre-election bribery by opposition as officials cite stronger-than-expected economic growth

Azerbaijan: political prisoner placed in solitary confinement after protest in Washington

Azerbaijan

February 27, 2026

Son of jailed opposition figure Tofig Yagublu attempts protest in Washington calling for release of political prisoners

Juvenile crime in Georgia: Why is it so high — and what can be done about it?

Georgia

February 26, 2026

Statistics point to a growing trend in juvenile crime, with the number of offences doubling over four years.

Armenia’s railways: ending the Russian concession

Opinion: Armenia would benefit from returning its railways to state control

Armenia-Russia

February 26, 2026

Armenia’s railways have operated under a Russian concession since 2008, but growing criticism of the operator’s performance has fuelled debate over ending the contract.

'Back in school, I sent drawings to soldiers — now they send them to me': War through the eyes of two Ukrainian soldiers

War in Ukraine

February 25, 2026

By 08:30 on 24 February, Yaroslav was already at the enlistment office, waiting for former ATO comrades they had agreed to join if Russia attacked.

Electric cars are safe — the concern lies with their batteries, as Armenia debates potential risks

Armenia

February 20, 2026

Electric vehicles are often described as “green cars” because their emissions are close to zero. However, their batteries contain toxic and highly flammable materials, and typically last no more than 12 years.

Prisons come at a high cost: Armenia spends $36m a year on inmate maintenance

Armenia

February 19, 2026

There are currently 1,392 detainees and 1,462 convicted prisoners held in correctional facilities. Courts continue to rely most frequently on imprisonment as a preventive measure for defendants.

Armenians held in detention in Azerbaijan

What's next for Armenians imprisoned in Azerbaijan — and could Ilham Aliyev release them?

Azerbaijan-Armenia

February 19, 2026

Armenian parliament speaker Alen Simonyan has said that “negotiations will not stop until the last Armenian detainee is returned”, a position that differs sharply from that of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Armenian–Azerbaijani experts’ third meeting

'Peace is strengthening': outcomes of the third meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani experts

Azerbaijan-Armenia

February 16, 2026

Bridge of Peace participants shared details of the two-day discussions on how to build mutual understanding between the two societies and what joint projects might be possible.