RFE/RL Caucasus Report 09.08.2013 A review of RFE/RL reporting and analysis about the countries of the South Caucasus and Russia's North Caucasus region.For more stories on the Caucasus, please visit and bookmark our Caucasus page. |
 Rights Group Makes Azeri Preelection PleaThe rights group Amnesty International has called for the "immediate and unconditional" release of Azerbaijani opposition politicians, journalists, and human rights activists imprisoned in what it called "a preelection crackdown on dissenting voices."More  From Euphoria To Wary Optimism In Georgia's Breakaway RegionsHow lives and expectations have changed in the five years since the Russia-Georgian war and since Moscow recognized the independence of the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.More  Timeline: Georgia-Russia WarOn the night of August 7-8, 2008, Russia sent troops into the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia after Georgia attacked the region's main city, Tskhinvali, where Russian peacekeepers were based.More Five years after Georgia and Russia fought a brief war over the breakaway region of South Ossetia, Russia troops remain in control of the territory and continue to tighten the region's borders. For Georgians living in the Shida Kartli region, near the administrative border with South Ossetia, the presence of Russian troops and new barbed-wire fences has meant restricted movement and a constant fear of detention. But many say that there is no resentment between them and the civilians on the other side. (Video by RFE/RL's Georgian Service)More  Five Years After The War, South Caucasus Still Caught Between Russia, The WestIt has been five years since Russia reasserted its dominance in the South Caucasus. RFE/RL takes a look at how the region has changed in the wake of the conflict and where it may be headed.More  European Integration Unlikely To End Armenia's Alliance With Russia Armenia's traditionally strong relationship with Russia is facing arguably its biggest-ever test as Yerevan is inching closer to a historic Association Agreement with the European Union.More  Is Ingushetia's Former President Poised For A Comeback?The Russian People's Union (ROS) has belatedly nominated Murat Zyazikov as its candidate for the September 8 election by the Republic of Ingushetia parliament of the next republic head.More  Georgian Teachers Fail To Make The GradeGeorgia's Education Ministry has released partial results of this year's teachers' examinations. And the poor results have many wondering what needs to be done to turn education around.More Elizabeth Stone, a medal-winning U.S. Paralympic swimmer, never knew who brought her into the world or why she was given up at birth. The Khurtsidze family, thousands of miles away in rural Georgia, always wondered what happened to the disabled child they left at a local orphanage. Now, after an emotional reunion, everything is clear.More  For Ibragimbekov, One Key Question: Will He Or Won't He?When revered filmmaker Rustam Ibragimbekov was nominated to run against Ilham Aliyev in Azerbaijan's presidential election, many hoped the October vote would finally represent a legitimate political contest. Since then, however, a criminal investigation and unsuccessful efforts to shed his Russian citizenship have kept Ibragimbekov out of Azerbaijan -- raising doubts about when, if ever, he'll return.More  Baku Detentions As Journos Back RFE/RL ReporterPolice in Azerbaijan have detained more than a dozen journalists protesting the apparent renewal of a blackmail and intimidation campaign against RFE/RL investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova.More  More Threats For RFE/RL ReporterRadio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has called on Azerbaijani authorities to investigate a renewed blackmail and intimidation campaign against investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova.More |
