Caucasus

Chechnya's Hidden Drug Crisis

Thousands of young people are turning to heroin in the war-torn republic.

Azeri Opposition Fails to Pick Leader

President Aliev's regime improves its election chances as a London opposition meeting ends in failure.

No-Man's Land in Armenia

As men go off to Russia in search of work, many poor rural villages are inhabited almost entirely by women

Dagestan: Controversial Opposition Figure Killed

Nadirshah Khachilayev was an important figure in turbulent recent history, but why would anyone want to kill him now?

Armenia: Inmates Prefer Bullet to Life Terms

Many death row prisoners bemoan abolition of capital punishment.

Azerbaijan Harvest a Washout

This year’s floods have compounded the problems facing the agricultural industry.

Abkhazia: Lucrative Farms Attract Mafia

Hazelnut farmers in disputed region are grateful to Russian mafia for imposing order on local criminal gangs.

Azerbaijan's Bloody Election

North Ossetia's Secret Sin

Conservative republic in denial about growing prostitution problem.

Armenia: Jehovah's Witnesses Take Stand

Religious group threatens to sue government if it is refused legalisation.