Publication

This issue of the Caucasus Analytical Digest focuses on the structural challenges that the coronavirus pandemic has made visible in all three South Caucasus states. Firstly, Ia Eradze writes that the reaction to the pandemic in Georgia and the handing over of key decisions to epidemiologists was viewed positively by the population, but the crisis has uncovered structural socioeconomic issues in the country. Secondly, Armen Grigoryan examines how the government of Armenia dealt with the challenges resulting from the novel coronavirus pandemic. Thirdly, Bahruz Samadov posits that while Azerbaijan was hit not only by the pandemic but also by the temporary collapse of oil prices, its leadership decided to use the crisis as an opportunity to silence independent voices from opposition parties, journalists and bloggers.