In partnership with the Human Rights Defender’s Office of the Republic of Armenia, we hosted a dynamic event dedicated to tackling the issue of hate speech. Bringing together members of the Armenian Parliament and staff from the Human Rights Defender’s Office, the event sparked lively discussions and meaningful exchanges. It also served as a vibrant platform for dialogue among representatives from a wide range of governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Progress in Armenian-Azerbaijani Peace Process
On October 2, Armenia’s parliament adopted a declaration affirming peace with Azerbaijan and endorsing the U.S.-brokered agreement signed in Washington. The statement underscored sovereignty, regional connectivity, and appreciation for U.S. mediation. Confidence-building continued through symbolic gestures—such as Armenian and Azerbaijani judges exchanging top scores at a cultural event in Kazakhstan—and a landmark visit by Armenia’s security chief Andranik Simonyan to Baku. Meanwhile, Foreign Ministers Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, reaffirming America’s role in supporting lasting peace in the South Caucasus.

Kocharyan announces electoral participation, Former Ombudsman new party

Armenia’s opposition field is reshaping as former President Robert Kocharyan and ex-Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan confirmed plans to run in the 2026 elections. Kocharyan, seeking a political comeback, dismissed Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s peace deal as a U.S.-driven “empty gesture” and labeled Armenia’s EU integration “an imitation,” while claiming Pashinyan’s reelection chances were “zero.” His remarks, echoing familiar pro-Russian themes, drew criticism for recycling divisive rhetoric from past campaigns. Tatoyan, by contrast, launched the Wings of Unity movement, pledging institutional renewal, social justice, and an end to entrenched partisanship. Positioning himself as a reformist alternative, he announced his own bid for prime minister, calling for unity beyond the country’s polarized political blocs.

Armenia to cut defence spending by 15% in 2026

Yerevan will significantly scale back its military budget next year, reducing defence allocations by more than 100 billion drams to 563 billion ($1.47 billion) despite Azerbaijan’s continued military build-up. The government described the cut as a rational step after the Washington peace agreements, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan calling it a “logical” recalibration in light of new regional realities. Opposition lawmakers, however, denounced the decision as a “gift to Baku,” warning it undermines deterrence while Azerbaijani troops remain on Armenian territory. Officials insist reforms and modernization will continue, but the reduction—paired with plans to shorten compulsory service—has amplified concerns over Armenia’s long-term defence readiness.

Local Elections in Georgia amid mass protests and unrest

Georgia’s October 4 local elections, held without independent observers, gave the ruling Georgian Dream party a sweeping 80% victory amid low turnout and widespread opposition boycotts. The vote was marred by unrest in Tbilisi, where protesters tried to occupy the presidential palace; 44 of 46 detainees have since been placed in pre-trial detention on charges of organizing or joining “group violence.” Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze responded with incendiary rhetoric, accusing the EU and “foreign agents” of backing an attempted coup and vowing “zero compassion” for demonstrators. He announced plans to petition the Constitutional Court to ban opposition parties, solidifying the government’s shift toward open repression of dissent and estrangement from Western partners.

More repressions against independent media & CSOs

The Georgian government has intensified its crackdown on civil society and independent media, expanding inspections and financial controls under newly amended laws. Nearly 30 NGOs, including major human rights and transparency groups, received sweeping inspection requests from the Anti-Corruption Bureau under the restrictive Law on Grants. Several investigative outlets as well as journalists’ associations and civic activists, were also targeted, accused of violating vague grant or political activity rules. Meanwhile, the state Communications Commission issued formal warnings to Formula TV and other broadcasters for receiving foreign-linked funding, the first enforcement of new broadcasting laws banning overseas financing.

GD summons ambassadors, escalates rhetoric

Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream has intensified its clash with Western partners, summoning the German and British ambassadors over alleged “interference” and “violations” of the Vienna Convention. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused Western diplomats of backing “radical opposition” after EU missions condemned Georgia’s flawed October 4 elections. Germany and the UK rejected the claims as baseless, while GD officials doubled down on “deep state” rhetoric, blaming the West for polarization. Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili insisted the summons aimed to “clarify information”.

Putin apologizes for plane crash – indirectly blames Ukraine

Nearly a year after the December 2024 downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight, Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly admitted that a Russian air-defense missile caused the crash, which killed 38 people. Speaking beside Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Dushanbe, Putin offered an apology but deflected partial blame onto “Ukrainian drones” allegedly present in the area, calling the strike an accident caused by system malfunction. His explanation, echoed by state media, emphasized debris impact rather than a direct hit, drawing skepticism from analysts who noted contradictions in Moscow’s narrative. Aliyev, thanked Putin for his “personal control” of the investigation, signaling a tentative thaw in relations after months of diplomatic hostility.

Azerbaijani Oil & Gas: EU-Deals, Sanctions & Turmoil

Baku’s energy sector faces turbulence from corruption probes, EU sanctions, and shifting export dynamics. Former SOCAR executive Adnan Ahmadzade was arrested amid investigations linked to the Azeri Light contamination that rattled markets and tarnished Azerbaijan’s “reliable supplier” image, with losses estimated at up to $500 million. Meanwhile, the EU’s latest sanctions target fuels refined from Russian crude, affecting SOCAR’s STAR refinery and several Azerbaijani-flagged tankers accused of carrying “rebranded” Russian oil. Yet energy ties endure: Azerbaijani gas exports to the EU have held around 12–13 bcm since 2022, Brussels continues backing the Middle Corridor and demining projects, and both sides prioritize pragmatic cooperation even as compliance and transparency pressures rise.

Baku accuses Turkish media of spreading fake news

Azerbaijan has voiced growing frustration over what it calls a coordinated “fake news campaign” in segments of the Turkish press, particularly around its ties with Israel. Pro-government outlet APA claimed Turkish media were spreading deliberate misinformation, including false reports about Eurovision and alleged Azerbaijani arms transfers to Ukraine. Government-aligned outlets blamed Islamist-leaning Turkish papers for fabricating stories about Azerbaijan’s stance at the UN, warning such narratives undermine the “two states, one nation” bond—though officials in both countries insist the alliance remains firm.

Interested in what we’re doing in the South Caucasus but don’t speak Georgian or Armenian? We’ve got you covered. With the launch of our new international Instagram channel @kas_southcaucasus, you can now follow our work across Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan more closely than ever.
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