At the edge of the war, an uneasy calm: dispatches from the Armenia–Iran border

An uneasy calm edged the war’s periphery: reports from the Armenia–Iran border. Civilian movement, with some seeking refuge and others returning, impacted local economies. The Israeli–US attack on iran had persisted for weeks, creating confusion regarding the operational status of the Agarak–Norduz checkpoint, a key Armenian-Iranian border crossing. “I can’t answer that question,” an Armenian…

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‘Changing Armenia’s constitution is our decision, not others’,’ Pashinyan says in briefing

Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that altering armenia’s constitution is an internal decision, not influenced by external forces, during a briefing on JAMnews in Yerevan. The prime minister clarified that discussions surrounding constitutional changes are solely focused on armenia’s own interests and strategic positioning. Baku’s demand for amendments as a precondition for a peace treaty has been…

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‘The end of an era’

The passing of Patriarch Ilia II, just hours after a severe gastric bleeding incident, marks the end of an era for Georgia. His 48-year leadership of the Georgian Orthodox Church concluded, bringing to a close a pivotal period in the nation’s history. Growing frailty and a gradual withdrawal from public life preceded his sudden deterioration,…

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Pashinyan offers increase in housing aid for Nagorno-Karabakh refugees ahead of elections

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced a planned increase in housing aid for displaced Nagorno-Karabakh refugees ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections in June. The decision, unveiled on Wednesday, involves a boost to the state housing program, targeting Armenian refugees seeking homes near Yerevan. Pashinyan stated the implementation would occur within one to two months, retroactive…

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Latvia sentences Azerbaijani national for selling Starlink terminals and weapons to Russia

A Latvian court has convicted an Azerbaijani national, Ali Khalilov, imposing an 11-year sentence for facilitating the sale of Starlink terminals and military equipment to Russia, alongside aiding sanctions evasion. The Riga City Court delivered this ruling on Monday following a criminal case initiated by Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) in March 2025. As part…

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Moscow accuses Yerevan of ‘destroying traditions’ in its confrontation with Armenian Church

Russian officials strongly criticize the ongoing confrontation between the Armenian government and the Armenian Apostolic Church, deeming it “extremely destructive” and a risk to faith. Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, responded to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s remarks regarding the Armenian church, accusing him of politicizing issues of faith and attempting to damage reputations….

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US imposes hefty visa bonds on Georgia

The United States has implemented substantial visa bonds for Georgia, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, following Georgia’s inclusion in a list of “high-risk” nations associated with visa overstays. As of April 2nd, Georgian nationals will require these bonds when applying for non-immigrant visas, according to the US State Department. Georgia joins a group of 50…

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Makhachkala bookshop fined for ‘LGBT propaganda’ in books by Le Guin and Backman

A court in makhachkala has fined a bookshop chain ₽800,000 ($8,600) for selling books deemed to contain ‘LGBT propaganda’. The Chitai-Gorod bookshop, located in the Etazhi (‘Floors’) shopping centre of makhachkala, received the penalty on March 16th, according to Mediazona, a Russian independent media outlet. The legal action targeted books including Ursula K. Le Guin’s…

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Azerbaijani student in Latvia jailed for 11 years over Starlink sales to Russia

A Riga city court sentenced Azerbaijani national Ali Khalilov, a Latvian student, to 11 years in prison and three years of probation supervision. The court also ordered his deportation from Latvia and imposed a five-year entry ban as additional penalties. The prosecutor sought the maximum sentence of 12 years, which Khalilov did not admit. Investigations…

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Thursday, 19 March 2026

The Thursday Briefing, March 19th, 2026, brought to you by OC Media offers a valuable opportunity for readers. This exclusive update provides significant advantages for those who choose to become a member. Accessing the Caucasus Daily Brief and the Caucasus Monitor grants you privileged insight into critical developments. You’ll gain early access to our most…

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