Caucasus

Abkhazia: Lucrative Farms Attract Mafia

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

Dagestan: Controversial Opposition Figure Killed

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

Azerbaijan's Bloody Election

Armenia: Jehovah's Witnesses Take Stand

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

North Ossetia's Secret Sin

Conservative republic in denial about growing prostitution problem.

Working for Independence

Forced to choose between family and a career, a number of Afghan women are putting their jobs first.

Dagestan Plots New Future

Wide-ranging constitutional changes will alter the way Dagestan is governed - and strengthen its current leader.

Karabakh Ceasefire Under Strain

An upsurge in shooting incidents across the Armenian-Azerbaijani armistice line is worrying international negotiators.

Azerbaijan: Ilham Aliev - Next in Line?

President Heidar Aliev has lined his son up to take over from him, but opinions differ widely as to whether he is up to the job.

Georgian Energy Passes to Russia

Russia's move into Georgia's electricity and gas markets signals a major new strategic shift.