Is Georgian Dream falling apart?

This week, editor Yousef Bardouka and culture and features editor Xandie (Alexandra) Kuenning took over the Caucasus Digest to speak with Kordz, a Georgian musician and producer, about his work, the making of his last album with his mother, Tamriko Kordzaia, and the cancellation of his concert in Gori following a smear campaign by the ruling Georgian Dream party. Read more: Kordz concert cancelled over 'security concerns' after smear campaign by Georgian Dream Recommendations from Kordz, Yousef, and Xandie: Kordz has recommended that listeners check out Goat Niko, a young freestyle rapper from Georgia who regularly posts videos on TikTok. Yousef has recommended the album 'Nejeguje' by Circassian multi-instrumentalist Astemir Marshenkulov. Xandie has recommended Aka Morchiladze's 2007 novel, 'Of Old Hearts and Sword', which she recently reviewed a new 2025 English translation of for OC Media's culture section.  If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more culture on the Caucasus Digest, we'd love to hear from you! Please e-mail us at [email protected]. And don't forget to sign up for our Culture Dispatch, a bi-weekly newsletter with book, film, and music recommendations from the Caucasus. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.

This week, Caucasus Digest hosts Robin and Mariam sit down with editor Nate Ostiller to break down apparent tensions and disagreements between Azerbaijan and Turkey over a number of issues, including Azerbaijan's ban of hijabs in schools, its relations with Israel, and the extent of Turkey's support for Azerbaijan during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020. Read more: Explainer | What's behind the Turkey–Azerbaijan spat? Yerevan says Azerbaijan hindering normalisation with Turkey Aliyev steps in as a mediator between Israel and Turkey as Azerbaijan flexes diplomatic muscles Netanyahu blocks Armenian Genocide recognition bill after pressure from Azerbaijan, Haaretz reports If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at [email protected]. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.

This week, Caucasus Digest hosts Robin and Mariam sit down with Georgia staff writer Mikheil Gvadzabia sit down to talk about the dramatic shifts the ruling Georgian Dream party has been witnessing, from former Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili's letters from prison to Mamuka Mdinaradze's apparent 'demotion' and resignation. Read more: Gharibashvili showers himself with praise, asks if Georgia was worse after his resignation Mamuka Mdinaradze, longtime fixture in Georgian Dream party, says he is leaving politics If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at [email protected]. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.

Caucasus Digest host Robin Fabbro sits down with Yousef Bardouka and contributor Cavid Agha to talk about Azerbaijan's opposition groups. The three break down the history of their formation, the Aliyev family's rise to power, and current major or independent players in Azerbaijani politics. Read more: Opinion | A year after I ran in Azerbaijan's rigged election, militarism now shapes politics Azerbaijan detains Popular Front Party chair Ali Karimli amidst crackdown on party If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at [email protected]. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.

Caucasus Digest host Robin Fabbro sits down with OC Media co-founder Dominik Cagara and Georgia staff writer Lana Koakaia to talk about how OC Media covers conflict in the Caucasus. If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at [email protected]. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.

Caucasus Digest hosts Mariam Nikuradze and Robin Fabbro sit down with OC Media's Armenia staff writer Arshaluys Barseghyan to break down the conflict between the Armenian government and Church and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's plans to 'reform' the Church. Read more: Explainer | How Pashinyan is working to topple Catholicos Karekin II Explainer | What's behind Armenia's church-state conflict Coldplay cheaters have more integrity than head of Armenian Church, Pashinyan says Armenian PM Pashinyan offers to show his penis to head of Church Prosecutor in case against Armenian church leader resigns If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at [email protected]. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.

This week, editor Yousef Bardouka sat down with Armenia staff writers Ani Ghulinyan and Arshaluys Barseghyan to break down the worsening Armenia–Russia relations, from the meeting between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, to Russia's economic restrictions on Armenian imports. Read more: Pashinyan says Russian military base not a 'vital necessity' for Armenia EU moves closer to easing Armenian imports amidst Russian restrictions Pashinyan and Putin clash over Armenia's EU aspirations, agree to continue talks in Moscow If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at [email protected]. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.

OC Media co-founder Mariam Nikuradze and editor Yousef Bardouka sit down with Caucasus Digest co-producer Tamuna Chkareuli to discuss her latest feature for OC Media about the efficacy of the Georgian government's monopolisation of drug addiction treatments and the status of harm reduction organisations in the country. Read the feature here: 'Soldiers who save lives' — Creating safe spaces amidst Georgia's drug crackdown If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at [email protected]. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.

OC Media co-founders Mariam Nikuradze and Dominik Cagara sit down with editor Yousef Bardouka to discuss the imprisonment of OC Media contributor Bahruz Samadov. Samadov, who is serving a 15-year sentence on charges of treason for allegedly 'collaborating with Armenian security services', is an outspoken advocate for peace with Armenia and Azerbaijan. His work often focused on the peace process between the two countries, the decades-long conflict, and authoritarianism in Azerbaijan. Read more: OC Media contributor Bahruz Samadov's eyesight deteriorates in maximum-security Azerbaijani prison 'The state plans to end my life' — Bahruz Samadov calls for solidarity in prison lette Jailed Abzas Media journalists call on von der Leyen to address human rights ahead of Baku visit   You can find all of Bahruz Samadov's articles in his author profile on our website here and find Ulviya Ali's letters from prison here. Here is the article by Bahruz Samadov that Dominik quotes in the episode: Opinion | To stand for peace, in spite of everything

The Armenian Parliament has recently held its first session after the June elections. This week, OC Media's Mariam Nikuradze, Yousef Bardouka, and Ani Ghulinyan spoke about new reshuffles in the ruling Civil Contract party, the participation of the opposition in parliament, and the government's conflict with the Church. Read more: Armenian Parliament elects new speaker as Catholicos skips session for first time Opinion | Pashinyan's cabinet shakeup shows he is weaker than he appears Armenian Catholicos Karekin II to stand trial in historic first If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at [email protected]. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.