The United Russia party nominated Ramzan Kadyrov as its candidate for a new term as head of Chechnya. After his nomination, Kadyrov stated that he was running "under duress" and that, if the decision were entirely up to him, he would nominate another candidate. Learn more in our video.

Despite the absence of diplomatic relations and an unfinished peace process, trade between Azerbaijan and Armenia continues to grow. In the first six months of 2026, Azerbaijan exported goods worth $17.1 million to its neighbor. These figures come from Azerbaijan's State Statistical Committee.

In a column for the conservative publication *Townhall*, American political commentator Brian Leib described the current stage of US-Azerbaijan relations as the most successful in the republic's history of independence.

An attempt by the Georgian opposition to unite may have been derailed by interference from the ruling party. Salome Zourabichvili, the fifth President of Georgia, voiced this suggestion while speaking to viewers during a live Facebook broadcast.