Armenia
Only two bidders left in the auction for HSBC’s Maltese operations
The auction for HSBC’s Maltese operations has attracted more interest than first expected with the number of bidders rising to five at its peak. However, three have dropped out and only Bank of Georgia and Armenia’s Ardshinbank remain in the race
EXPLAINER: The high stakes behind the Zangezur Corridor
Proposed corridor linking Azerbaijan’s main territory with its Nakhchivan exclave across Armenia could slash transit times from Asia to Europe along the Middle Corridor but faces fierce opposition from Yerevan.
ASH: Türkiye – geopolitical opportunity knocks
Potential for big wins, but also new headaches for Erdogan.
Fleet-cannibalised Russian aviation can only look on as Central Asia carriers take over regional market segments
Moscow has even considered asking Kazakhstan to run some of its domestic flight connections.
Armenia walking ‘tightrope’ as it shifts away from Russia, think-tank says
Armenia is stepping up efforts to reduce its reliance on Russia, but is constrained by geography, security threats and deep economic ties to Moscow, according to think-tank Clingendael.
Etihad Airways announces seven new routes from Abu Dhabi hub
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will launch seven new destinations from Abu Dhabi between November 2025 and March 2026, expanding its network across the Middle East.
COMMENT: Kremlin goes on the offensive in the south by expanding former prime minister Kiriyenko's foreign policy powers
The Kremlin used to tread softly when exercising its influence in the countries along its southern border, but no more, after the powers of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s chief of staff Kiriyenko were expanded.
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Russian aid agency seeking to fill USAID gaps in former Soviet Union
Imperial attitudes undermine ambitions for expanded influence.
Azerbaijan and Armenia edge toward peace under international gaze
Agenda for Abu Dhabi meeting centred on the core pillars of the long-stalled peace process: the delimitation of borders, opening of regional transport routes and finalisation of a peace treaty.
CAUCASUS BLOG: Politicians take on Emerging Europe’s powerful churches at their peril
Armenian PM offered to show the head of the church his penis to prove a point in their ongoing row. But past experience shows it’s difficult for politicians to win a church vs state standoff.
Senior Armenian cleric arrested over alleged coup plot
National Security Service claimed Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and his supporters were preparing to seize power through violent means.
Arrest of Armenian tycoon sparks outcry from opposition and church
Samvel Karapetyan was taken into custody shortly after PM Nikol Pashinyan branded the billionaire businessman a “scoundrel” and vowed to “interfere” in his affairs.
EU sanctions Turkey’s jihadists in Syria for slaughtering Alawites
Militias designated by Council of Ministers represent a failure by Ankara to organise militant groups during the Syria War.
Arrest of billionaire Karapetyan escalates Armenia’s church-state showdown
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is embroiled in a very public confrontation with the Armenian Apostolic Church after accusing its head of fathering an illegitimate child.
Armenian authorities detain Russian-Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetyan
Arrest follows intensifying dispute between the businessman and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s administration.
Armenians fear regional conflict as Iran-Israel war continues
Growing unease in Armenia that a destabilised Iran could give Azerbaijan the confidence to pursue its territorial ambitions.
CAUCASUS BLOG: Armenia feels the strain as Iran-Israel conflict upends regional order
Armenia finds itself increasingly isolated in a volatile neighbourhood, surrounded by historic foes and uncertain allies.
Armenia announces $500mn AI supercomputing hub with NVIDIA and Firebird
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says investment has the potential to transform Armenia's technological landscape.
Israeli embassies worldwide suspend operations
Israeli diplomatic missions globally have suspended operations amid the ongoing Israeli military operation against Iran which has killed nearly 80 people.
Armenian economy stabilises after 2022 boom, says RenCap
Growth surge that saw Armenia’s GDP nearly double to $25bn by 2024 is mostly over, says investment bank.