RFE/RL CAUCASUS REPORT
05.07.2013
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 . |
 Caucasus Emirate Leader Calls On Insurgents To Thwart Sochi Winter Olympics Self-styled Caucasus Emirate leader Doku Umarov has called on members of the North Caucasus insurgency to prevent the holding of the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi in February 2014.More  Azerbaijan Opposition Pins Hopes On Cultural Heavyweight For Presidential Vote Azerbaijan's opposition National Council has nominated celebrated screenwriter Rustam Ibragimbekov as its presidential candidate in the October election. Revered by the cultural elite for films such as "White Sun of the Desert" and "Burnt by the Sun," Ibragimbekov also enjoys support in Russia and the United States and may go far in shaking up Azerbaijan's election season as autocrat Ilham Aliyev seeks a controversial third term. More  Poll Shows Half Of Russians Don't Oppose Chechen Split A new poll suggests that about half of Russians would not mind if Chechnya broke away from Russia. The independent Levada Center says its survey highlights growing disillusionment with the Kremlin's policies in the North Caucasus. More  North Caucasus Insurgency Head Resurfaces A new video address by self-styled Caucasus Emirate leader Doku Umarov was posted two days ago on YouTube. More Croatia, which joined the European Union on July 1, is likely to be the last addition for some time. Other Balkan states are likely to follow suit, but it's likely to take at least another decade. As for the EU's neighbors to the east, their journey to membership is rockier still. More  Captured Ingush Insurgency Commander Unrepentant In Court The Ingush insurgency commander known as Emir Magas was apprehended three years ago. He faces 24 charges ranging from setting up an armed militant group, illegal arms trafficking, and inciting a rebellion to the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and terrorism. More |
