The Caucasus Digest

Episodet

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  Feature Spotlight: how Georgia is handling addiction treatment and harm reduction 20.08.2026 42min

  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 podcasts@oc-media.org. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.
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  Reading Bahruz Samadov's letter from prison 13.08.2026 25min

  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
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  Armenia's new parliament: what does day one say about Armenian politics? 06.08.2026 32min

  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 podcasts@oc-media.org. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.
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  Are there any free journalists left in Azerbaijan? 30.07.2026 30min
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  Is free speech in Georgia dead? 23.07.2026 32min
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  Why can't Georgia's opposition get along? 16.07.2026 38min
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  Who attended Khamenei's funeral from the Caucasus? 09.07.2026 35min

  This week, Mariam Nikuradze sat down with OC Media editors Yousef Bardouka and Nate Ostiller to talk about the delegations Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia sent out to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's funeral. The three talk about the three countries' dynamics with Iran and its ongoing conflict with Israel and the US. Read more: South Caucasus officials attend Tehran funeral of Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei Israel sent troops to Azerbaijan during Iran War, sources tell CNN Waiting for a free Iran: the exiles who found a home in Armenia Israel says it uncovered Iranian terror network following failed attack on Baku pipeline How the Iran war is putting a dent in Georgia's tourism industry Additional topics mentioned during the episode: You can find the episode we have mentioned in the show about Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili's attempt to transport baobab trees from Kenya to Georgia here. You can find short report on the lion cub given to Tbilisi Zoo by judoka Lasha Bekauri here. Check out this Guardian article on how Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov turned to social media in a bid to find his lost cat, Toyger. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today. If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at podcasts@oc-media.org.
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  Has Georgia's repression plateaued? 02.07.2026 29min

  This week, editor-in-chief Robin Fabbro and OC Media co-founder Mariam Nikuradze spoke with Georgia staff writer Mikheil Gvadzabia about the current state of repression in Georgia, over a year after daily protests erupted in the country against the ruling Georgian Dream party's policies. Read more: Two Georgian protesters released, one of them fined immediately Imprisoned Georgian opera singer's protest fines reach $270,000 Georgian activist fined for wishing Ivanishvili and loved ones death on Facebook Report says Georgia uses Russian surveillance software against anti-government protesters If you are interested in attending our screening of the Armenian documentary Tonratun in Yerevan or remotely through Discord, please fill out this form. if you are already an OC Media member, you can RSVP through the form to directly claim your spot. If you are not a member, you can still grab a seat for a symbolic €5 fee. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today. If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at podcasts@oc-media.org.
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  Why did Azerbaijan block OC Media's website? 25.06.2026 29min

  This week, editor-in-chief Robin Fabbro and OC Media co-founder Mariam Nikuradze spoke with OC Media contributor Javid Agha about Azerbaijan's recent blocking of the outlet's website and the recent establishment of a new National Cybersecurity Agency and the impact it could have on censorship in Azerbaijan. Read more: Azerbaijan blocks access to OC Media website Azerbaijan builds a single engine for online control Here are links to the Google Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia country profiles for data on government content removal requests mentioned in the episode. If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at podcasts@oc-media.org. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.
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  Where next for Armenia? 17.06.2026 39min

  OC Media's Caucasus Digest is back after a year-long hiatus! For our relaunch, editor-in-chief Robin Fabbro and his new co-host, OC Media co-founder Mariam Nikuradze, chat with Armenia staff writer Arshaluys Barseghyan about Armenia's big parliamentary elections.  The three discuss the lead-up to the 6 June elections, covering them on the ground in Armenia, and the aftermath of the vote. Read more: Armenian government faces uphill battle over new constitution following election results Pashinyan's Civil Contract wins parliamentary elections Russia calls Armenian elections 'questionable' If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips, e-mail us at podcasts@oc-media.org. Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.
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  We're back! 15.06.2026 1min

  This Wednesday, 17 June, tune in to listen to listen OC Media editor-in-chief Robin Fabbro, his new co-host OC Media's co-founder Mariam Nikuradze, and Armenian staff writer Arshaluys Barseghyan break down the 7 June Armenian parliamentary elections and their aftermath. Be sure to subscribe to catch the latest episodes as soon as they are out. Support our work by becoming an OC Media member for as little as €5 a month!
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  Can OC Media survive in a new global reality? 19.03.2025 27min

  The recent cuts to US foreign aid have affected media outlets across the Caucasus and the world — including OC Media. This week, OC Media editor-in-chief Robin Fabbro and co-directors Mariam Nikuradze and Dominik Cagara sit down to discuss how OC Media's plans to survive and thrive in the new global reality through its membership programme and the support of its readers. Read more: OC Media co-director Mariam Nikuradze fined twice for 'road blocking' while covering rallies OC Media donates crowdfunding proceeds to local media as Trump's aid cuts continue to hit OC Media faces closure after Trump–Musk aid cuts hit $250,000 in funding Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today.
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  Mzia Amaghlobeli's arrest 27.01.2025 39min

  Mzia Amaghlobeli, the director of Georgian news sites Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has been arrested on charges of assaulting a police officer after slapping Batumi's police chief during a heated exchange. Journalists, legal experts, and media watchdogs have criticised the arrest, saying that the charges, under which she could face four to seven years in prison, are wildly disproportionate to what she had done. This week, we spoke with Batumelebi's Irma Dimitradze about the circumstances surrounding the arrest, to journalist Tamar Rukhadze, about the current media environment in Georgia, and to OC Media's Mariam Nikuradze about the legal debate around her prosecution. Read more: Batumelebi and Netgazeti founder Amaghlobeli begins hunger strike while in pretrial detention Batumelebi employee accuses police of hacking and wiping phone following arrest Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today. …or donate to the collective Georgian media security fund.
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  Ukraine's recognition of the Circassian Genocide 20.01.2025 20min

  On 9 January, Ukraine's Parliament has recognised the Russian Empire's 19th century genocide of the Circassians, during which Russian forced killed or deported hundreds of thousands of Circassians from their homeland in the Caucasus. This week, OC Media's Yousef Bardouka talks about the genocide and its impact on the Circassians and the Caucasus and the significance of the resolution, while Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko, a co-author of the resolution, talks about how the bill came to be and Ukraine's role in supporting the people of the North Caucasus. Read more: Ukraine recognises Circassian Genocide Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today. …or donate to the collective Georgian media security fund.
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  Georgia marks holiday season with daily protests 25.12.2024 32min

  OC Media's Robin Fabbro, Mariam Nikuradze, and Shota Kincha sit down and chat about the protests against the Georgian government's decision to halt EU integration, going on for almost a month now as the holiday season descends on Georgia.  Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today. …or donate to the collective Georgian media security fund.
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  The Caucasus and the regime change in Syria 12.12.2024 18min

  OC Media's Robin Fabbro, Nate Ostiller, Arshaluys Barseghyan, and Yousef Bardouka talk about the regime change in Syria and what it means for the Caucasian diaspora communities in the country and what it says about Russia's influence and power globally. Read more: Armenia says 'no opportunity' to evacuate Syrian–Armenians Syrian rebel leader condemns Abkhazia and South Ossetia recognition Right of return? — The struggles of the Circassian diaspora to settle in Adygea   Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today. …or donate to the collective Georgian media security fund.
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  Georgia's EU U-turn and spontaneous protests 05.12.2024 22min

  OC Media's Robin Fabbro and Mariam Nikuradze talk about the spontaneous protest movement which erupted after the Georgian government's announcement that the country would 'halt' its EU integration. Mariam shares her experience covering the protests and details how the police injured her and damaged her cameras as she was covering their violent dispersal of the protests. Read more: Anti-government protests spread to Georgia's regions: the case of Marneuli Explainer | After a month of simmering protests, Georgia erupted: why now? Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today. …or donate to the collective Georgian media security fund.
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  Georgian Dream launch parliament — what's next? 28.11.2024 24min

  Georgian Dream have launched the new parliament without any opposition, amidst continued calls for an investigation into irregularities in the same parliamentary elections that helped them secure their fourth term as the majority. A month after the elections, OC Media's Robin Fabbro, Mariam Nikuradze, and Shota Kincha sit down and talk about the developments surrounding the protests against electoral fraud and Georgian Dream's plans for the future. Read more: Georgian Dream to halt EU membership bid European Parliament rejects Georgia's elections results, calls for a redo and sanctions Georgian Dream approves new government Editorial | Georgia's rigged election Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today. …or donate to the collective Georgian media security fund.
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  Donald Trump and the South Caucasus 14.11.2024 24min

  Last week, Donald Trump was re-elected for a second term as president of the United States. This week, Robin Fabbro and OC Media editors Alexandra Kuenning and Nate Ostiller discuss what Trump's re-election as president might mean for the Caucasus as he appoints a new administration and the outcome of the war in Ukraine becomes more uncertain. Read more: How a Trump presidency could impact the South Caucasus Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today. …or donate to the collective Georgian media security fund.
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  Greta Thunberg on COP29 in Azerbaijan 08.11.2024 17min

  With the UN COP conference soon kicking off in Baku, we sat down with Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg to talk about the choice of Azerbaijan, an oil-producing state with a questionable human rights record, as host. Read more: Controversy as COP29 to be held in Azerbaijan Support independent journalism in the Caucasus and become an OC Media Member: Join today. …or donate to the collective Georgian media security fund.