RFE/RL Caucasus Report
3/30/2012 9:13:35 PM
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 . |
U.S. Senate Confirms New Ambassadors To 16 Countries
The U.S. Senate has confirmed new ambassadors to 16 countries, including Croatia, Georgia, Kosovo, and India. More 
Indicted Kyrgyz Ex-Official In Tbilisi
Georgian officials say that the former chief of Kyrgyzstan’s Presidential Secretariat, who is wanted in Bishkek on charges of corruption and involvement in the shooting of unarmed protesters, will be allowed to stay in Tbilisi until her legal status is officially clarified. More 
Ingushetia Mulls Pre-Nuptial HIV Tests
If the president of Ingushetia has his way, couples in the small North Caucasus republic may soon have to take an HIV test before being able to tie the knot. More 
Kabardino-Balkaria Insurgency Commander Killed
The Kabardino-Balkaria-Karachai (KBK) wing of the North Caucasus insurgency has confirmed that the fighter killed two days ago in a special operation in Nalchik was Alim Zankishiyev (nom de guerre Ubaydullakh). He is the third KBK sector commander to be killed in the past two years, and the third regional insurgency commander to be killed so far this year. More 
Jailed Azeri Activist's Appeal Denied
A court in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, has rejected an appeal by a former opposition parliament candidate and social-media activist for early release from a prison sentence for evasion of military service. More 
For Lady Gaga's Birthday, A Daring Armenian Imitator
In honor of Lady Gaga on this, her 26th birthday, here's a priceless clip of her scornful single "Bad Romance" with an Armenian twist. More 
Poetry Competition To Mark Former Chechen Leader's Anniversary
Authorities in the Russian North Caucasus republic of Chechnya have announced a poetry competition to mark the 61st birthday anniversary of the late Chechen president Akhmad Kadyrov. More 
HRW Slams Detention Of Azeri Journalists
The New-York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Azerbaijani authorities to allow two detained television journalists access to their lawyers and families. More The lead singer of an Azerbaijani rock band jailed for insulting the mother of President Ilham Aliyev has been released after 10 days in custody. More 
Repeat Presidential Election In South Ossetia Inconclusive
As anticipated, none of the four candidates in the March 25 repeat election for de facto president of Georgia's unrecognized region of South Ossetia polled the 50 percent plus one vote required for a clear first-round win. A runoff has accordingly been scheduled for April 8 between opposition-backed candidate Leonid Tibilov, who polled 42.48 percent of the vote, and human rights ombudsman David Sanakoyev, who finished second with 24.58 percent. More 
Russian President Names Special Abkhazia, South Ossetia Envoys
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has appointed special representatives for Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. More 
Does This Language Make Me Look Fat?
A new study by a Yale University economist suggests that the language you speak can have an impact on your long-term well-being by affecting how you think about saving money, smoking, exercise, and even obesity. More 
S. Ossetia Poll Goes To Second Round
The election in Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia region to choose a separatist president looks to be heading for a second round. More 
No Clear Favorite In Repeat South Ossetian Election
Tensions rose in the run-up to the March 25 repeat election for the post of the de facto president of the Republic of South Ossetia despite Moscow's efforts to ensure that the repeat ballot does not degenerate into a protracted new political crisis. More |
