Tbilisi has set up a commission to implement a long-stalled deal with Russia to establish trade corridors through Abkhazia and South Ossetia. But political minefields lie ahead.
In addition to blocking potentially embarrassing information online, the government now appears to be getting smart to the need to forge a counter-narrative.
President Ilham Aliyev ordered the case to be dropped after an international and domestic outpouring of support for the young imprisoned blogger. Activists cheered the concession as a victory of people power.
In his new autobiography, Armenia’s second president portrays himself as a wise statesman, criticizes Nikol Pashinyan, and describes his respect for Heydar Aliyev.
Several political prisoners and activists have declared hunger strikes in solidarity, and both the government and opposition have slammed the Western response.
The former president was enemy number one of Armenia’s “Velvet Revolution.” Since being ousted, Sargsyan has virtually disappeared, but he remains in the country and appears safe – for now – from the wave of prosecutions targeting former officials.
A number of recent personnel moves, softened rhetoric and positive statements suggest a new willingness in Baku to reach out to Armenia’s new authorities.