NEWS: 28 Oct 09 | Caucasus Reporting Service 517 until 16 Oct 09 | Caucasus Reporting Service 515 (iwpr.net)

Special Report: Opposition in south Caucasus
Opposition Battles Bias, Indifference to Change
Governments of south Caucasus mostly left with a clear run despite allegations of repression. By IWPR staff in south Caucasus (CRS No. 517, 30-Oct-09)
Georgian Street Protesters Ponder Next Move
They considers new tactics after having little to show for months of demos. By Tea Topuria in Tbilisi (CRS No. 517, 30-Oct-09)
Limited Scope for Different View in Abkhazia
Statelet’s opposition struggles with lack of ideas, resources. By Anaid Gogoryan in Sukhum (CRS No. 517, 30-Oct-09)
Bickering Undermines Azeri Opposition Credibility
They have an uphill task but disunity gives the government an easy ride. By Shahin Rzayev and Samira Ahmedbeyli in Baku (CRS No. 517, 30-Oct-09)
Fear of Police Curbs Armenian Dissent
Opposition say they are subjected to police persecution and their business supporters are intimidated. By Gegham Vardanian in Yerevan (CRS No. 517, 29-Oct-09)
Karabakh Government Faces Little Competition
Tiny Karabakh’s opposition moribund, lacks issues to fight on.By Anahit Danelian in Stepanakert (CRS No. 517, 30-Oct-09)

Project Highlights
Caucasus: Sept ‘09
IWPR runs practical war reporting exercise with journalists from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. By IWPR staff (28-Oct-09)

Reporting Impact
Caucasus: Sept ‘09
IWPR events help activist groups in Armenia and Georgia communicate refugee concerns to government officials. By IWPR staff (28-Oct-09)

Photo Essay
Learning About Risk
Photographs by IWPR staff (04-Oct-09)

Ankara and Baku Put Up United Front
Turkey and Azerbaijan seek to soothe anger over Armenia deal. By Kenan Guluzade in Baku (CRS No. 516, 23-Oct-09)
Georgia Accused of Holding Political Prisoners
Activists cite cases where they claim members of opposition convicted in totally - or partially - fabricated trials. By Tea Topuria in Tbilisi (CRS No. 516, 23-Oct-09)

Armenia: Turkey Accord Rings Alarm Bells
Armenians do not share world’s joy over protocols, fear Ankara has a hidden agenda. By Naira Melkumian and Gayane Mkrtchian in Yerevan, and Karine Ohanian in Stepanakert (CRS No. 514, 16-Oct-09)
Turkey’s Caucasus Allies Ponder Armenia Deal
Azeris say Turkey’s border accord with Armenia is a betrayal of their alliance. By Kenan Guluzade in Baku (CRS No. 514, 15-Oct-09)
Zurich Ceremony Baffles Armenians
Live TV feed interrupted by Armenia v Spain football game, as last minute hitches delay signing of historic deal with Turkey. By Seda Muradyan in Yerevan (CRS No. 514, 16-Oct-09)
Grim Month for Azeri Journalists
Jailings and detentions raise fresh concerns over fairness of country’s defamation laws. By Idrak Abbasov in Baku (CRS No. 514, 16-Oct-09)

IWPR Comment
Why Turkey Should Confront its Past
By Seda Muradyan, IWPR’s Armenian country director (20-Oct-09)

NEWS: 08 May 09 until 22 May 09 | Caucasus Reporting Service 492 und 494 (iwpr.com)

Baku Mosque Demolitions Undermine Tolerance Claims
It has led some to accuse government of clinging onto Soviet system of keeping a tight rein on believers. By Leyla Amirova in Baku (CRS No. 494, 21-May-09)
Armenia: Journalists Defiant After New Attacks
Recent attacks on journalists underline media’s struggle to report freely on politics and business. By Gayane Mkrtchian in Yerevan (CRS No. 494, 22-May-09)

Violence Mars Preparations for Armenian Poll
Several attacks on activists have revived memories of deadly clashes that followed elections last year. By Rita Karapetian in Yerevan (CRS No. 493, 15-May-09)
Outcry in Azerbaijan After Student Protest Broken Up
Campaigners condemn police crackdown on demonstrators who disrupted commemoration of ex-president’s birthday. By Sabina Vaqifqizi and Shahin Rzayev in Baku (CRS No. 493, 15-May-09)

Opposition Present Saakashvili With Deadline to Go
Georgian leader’s foes dismiss reported mutiny as a stunt put up by the authorities to distract public from protests. By Tamar Kadagidze in Tbilisi (CRS No. 492, 8-May-09)
Massacre Sparks Terror Fears in Azerbaijan
Unexplained shooting of 13 people in Baku feeds speculation about foreign ”terrorist” plots aimed at undermining stability. By Boyukaga Agayev in Baku (CRS No. 492, 8-May-09)
Pollution in Border Reservoir Worries Armenia
Future health of the vital water resource ultimately depends on restoration of ties between Armenia and Turkey. By Yeranuhi Soghoian in Gyumri (CRS No. 492, 8-May-09)