Stories
Tahmina Rafaella: The Venice Film Festival, Patriarchy in Azerbaijan, and Life in LA

Tahmina Rafaella: The Venice Film Festival, Patriarchy in Azerbaijan, and Life in LA

Tahmina Rafaella, the director and lead actor of "Banu," talks about her journey and the societal issues in her native Azerbaijan that inspired her to create her debut movie.

29 August 2023

Leila Mekhdi

Stories
In Kazakhstan, the Fight Against Animal Cruelty is Far from Over

In Kazakhstan, the Fight Against Animal Cruelty is Far from Over

Despite new laws regarding animal abuse, incidents continue to make headlines in Kazakhstan, but what more is being done to prevent these horrific acts of cruelty?

8 August 2023

Leila Mekhdi

Stories
Azerbaijan: A New Destination for Mountain Biking?

Azerbaijan: A New Destination for Mountain Biking?

With a variety of little-known but beautiful mountain passes of varying altitudes, could Azerbaijan provide a new hotspot for mountain biking enthusiasts?

3 August 2023

Nailya Bentley

Caspian Region Gets New UNESCO Listings

Caspian Region Gets New UNESCO Listings

On September 18, Unesco unveiled 27 new World Heritage features including three in the Caspian Region countries, plus the extension of another in Azerbaijan.

21 September 2023
Mark Elliott

50

Number of wooden mosques in Georgia’s Adjara district

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$150-$300

The fine for graffitiing on administrative buildings in Tbilisi, Georgia

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5000km

The annual journey Omid, the Siberian Crane takes

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16kg

The weight of the Lelo Burti ball

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3200

The number of contenders Azerbaijani film Hadis was chosen from to be shown at 2023 Annecy International Animated Film Festival

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Politics & Economy

Separatists in Karabakh Accept Azerbaijan’s Ceasefire Terms

On 20 September, the de facto authorities in Karabakh agreed to Azerbaijan's ceasefire terms.

20 September 2023

Mae Walsh-Zamanbayova

Politics & Economy

Renewed Fighting Overshadows Humanitarian Aid Reaching Karabakh via Lachin and Aghdam 

On 19 September, Azerbaijan has enacted counter-terrorism measures in response to alleged terror attacks in the former NKAO. Onnik James Krikorian analyzes the recent developments

19 September 2023

Onnik James Krikorian

Politics & Economy

Central Asian Leaders Address Water Challenges, Security at Summit in Tajikistan

Amid concerns about security, energy, and water scarcity at the summit of the five Central Asian leaders and the Azerbaijani president, calls were made to cooperate as a region to handle these issues.

18 September 2023
Round Six in Brussels: Modest Progress on Karabakh… then Russia Throws a Curved Ball
Caucasus, Politics & Economy

Round Six in Brussels: Modest Progress on Karabakh… then Russia Throws a Curved Ball

While Aliyev and Pashinyan’s latest Brussels meeting marked a fairly unremarkable continuation of their slow, steady progress towards an eventual peace treaty, Moscow’s reaction was an unexpected change of posture regarding their on-the-ground peacekeepers.

Pro-war Russian Star’s Concerts Cancelled in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan
Central Asia, Politics & Economy

Pro-war Russian Star’s Concerts Cancelled in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan

Leps claims he has paid out bounties to Russian troops for destroying Ukrainian tanks

Climate Heroes of Doom Jump on Unique Caspian Sea Level Phenomenon
Caucasus, Opinion

Climate Heroes of Doom Jump on Unique Caspian Sea Level Phenomenon

The continuing rise and fall of the water surface of the Caspian Sea has puzzled scientists and worried fishermen and tourist operators for centuries. Now, prophets of doom and gloom predict a point of no return, indicating that the Caspian Sea could be threatened by the same fate choking its counterpart to the east, the Aral Sea.

Soviet Modernist Architecture in Almaty
Central Asia, Culture

Soviet Modernist Architecture in Almaty

What do you think of when you hear “Soviet architecture”? Gray building blocks? Emblems of arms and hammers? Lack of individuality? All are correct. Yet today, we take a look at when Soviet architecture produced something beyond its cliche buildings and explored different shapes, creating the style of Soviet Modernism.

Moscow Faces Increased Difficulties in Countering Circassian National Movement
Central Asia, Politics & Economy

Moscow Faces Increased Difficulties in Countering Circassian National Movement

Despite increased resistance from Russia, the Circassians annual demonstrations went ahead on 21 May.

Russian Recruiters 'More Assertive' Toward Central Asian Migrants as Dual Citizens Urged to Fight in Ukraine
Central Asia, Opinion

Russian Recruiters 'More Assertive' Toward Central Asian Migrants as Dual Citizens Urged to Fight in Ukraine

Russia is moving away from military call-ups and instead is increasingly trying to attract Russian and migrant contractors.

Opinion

Power Play in Yerevan: Former Mayor Challenges Pashinyan’s Candidate

Although PM Pashinyan’s favoured candidate is still expected to win Yerevan’s mayoral election on 17 September, the return of former mayor and Pashinyan critic Hayk Marutyan to the race could prove decisive in determining the country’s future.

21 August 2023

Onnik James Krikorian

Opinion

President Aliyev Unplugged: A Personal Reflection

At last weekend’s Shusha Global Media Forum, Caspian Post correspondent Mark Elliott had a rare opportunity to join a lengthy in-person Q&A with Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev. Here he shares his impressions of the event.

26 July 2023

Mark Elliott

Opinion

Kyrgyzstan's Democracy Threatened: Implications of the Russian Foreign Agent Law

A new law is threatening Kyrgyzstan’s age old traditions of freedom of expression. Aleksandre Davitashvili looks at the history of democratic thought amongst the Kyrgyz and examines the nature of the threat that the country faces.

Words of Wisdom - Armenian Academic and Former Minister Gerard Libaridian Shares His Views on Peace in Karabakh

Words of Wisdom - Armenian Academic and Former Minister Gerard Libaridian Shares His Views on Peace in Karabakh

The Armenians of Karabakh can still sign up to a “manageable” agreement on integrating into Azerbaijan, argues Gerard Libaridian, but they need to stop a sense of self-denial in failing to recognise that they won’t get everything they want.
22 September 2023

Mark Elliott