Executive Summary: Rumors have circulated throughout January that the strongman leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, is suffering from kidney failure, sparking speculation about his successor and the durability of personalized regional governance in Russia amid leadership transition. Kadyrov has attempted to institutionalize a quasi-hereditary system by promoting family members into senior political and security roles….

20.01.2026 (Caucasian Journal) Today, the Caucasian Journal welcomes Dr. Rusif HUSEYNOV, a distinguished Azerbaijani political analyst and the co-founder and CEO of the Baku-based think tank, the Topchubashov Center. He has first-hand knowledge of key developments not only in Baku but across all regional directions.  A widely cited expert, Dr. Huseynov offers an essential regional perspective on the evolving dialogue around…

On January 3, the U.S. launched a lightning-speed operation in Venezuela, which lasted for about two and a half hours and ended with the capture of the country’s president Nicolas Maduro together with his wife. The couple was brought to New York where they are indicted with drug smuggling and will face a trial soon….

On 9 October 2025, US Department of the Treasury (OFAC) has imposed secondary sanctions which target Russian oil and gas sectors and extend their pressure on NIS (Naftna Industrija Srbije), the main Serbian energy company, because of the majority share owned by the Russian Gazprom Neft (44.85 per cent) and JSC Intelligence (11.3 per cent)….